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Russia prepares visa-free agreements with 9 countries of Africa, Middle East — MFA

Alexey Klimov did not clarify possible deadlines for this process, as talks with different countries on the drafts of visa-free travel agreements undergo different stages and each of them has its own specifics

MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Russia is currently working out visa-free travel agreements with nine countries of Africa and the Middle East, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department Head Alexey Klimov said in an interview with TASS.

"[Russia] is currently working out travel agreements on abolishing visa requirements and providing visa-free entry for short-term trips, usually up to 90 days, with a number of friendly states, nine of them being the countries of Africa and the Middle East," the diplomat said.

He did not clarify possible deadlines for this process, as talks with different countries on the drafts of visa-free travel agreements undergo different stages and each of them has its own specifics. "As always, we will immediately inform the public about the concrete results achieved and embodied in documented bilateral agreements," Klimov concluded.

Telegram disclosed criminals data earlier, founder says

Pavel Durov cited statistics for Brazil, with data disclosed upon 203 requests in three quarters of 2024

Israel's tough response to Iran to result in loss of control, serious escalation — expert

Shu Meng believes this time that Iran's actions were due to both internal and external factors

Russian Su-35 jets back aviation striking Ukrainian military facilities in Kursk Region

"The crews of the Su-35 fighter jets patrolled the ordered areas and backed the bomber and assault aviation, as well as army helicopters striking Ukrainian military facilities and equipment," the ministry said

Russia ready for long-term confrontation with US — Deputy Foreign Minister

"We are sending warning signals to our opponent so that they don’t underestimate our determination," Sergey Ryabkov said

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense frontline situation amid loss of Ugledar

Ukraine’s General Staff also admitted that Russia had an advantage in manpower and military equipment

Gmail stops working on some iOS devices in Russia

TASS sent a request for comment to Google

Moscow may expand list of countries citizens of which can move to Russia easier — MFA

Russia approved a list of foreign states and territories that promote destructive neoliberal ideologies contradicting traditional Russian spiritual and moral values, Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's consular department Alexey Klimov noted

IN BRIEF: World awaits Israeli response as Iran says 'not afraid of war'

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the attack targeted Israeli military facilities only, while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the country's defenses against the massive Iranian missile attack as "successful"

Syria condemns Israeli attacks on civilians, calls on UN to take action

Earlier, the Syrian Defense Ministry confirmed reports that the Israel Defense Forces hit a residential building in Damascus

Israel detects launch of more than 100 projectiles toward its north from Lebanon

According to the IDF, about 70 missiles were launched toward Western Galilee and another 30 projectiles toward Upper Galilee

Russia urges countries to react to Israel’s move to declare UN chief persona non grata

"It’s a slap in the face of not only the UN but all of us", Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia seizes trophy Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Ugledar — security forces

The security forces noted that in recent months the Western-made equipment is scarce on this segment of the line of engagement

US, NATO unleash new war in Middle East — Iranian expert

According to Ruhollah Modabber, Western and US supporters are too careless, if they think that the Israeli military operation is temporary

Russia postpones first launch of new Soyuz-5 carrier rocket to 2026

The Soyuz-5 is an advanced Russian medium-class carrier rocket, which is being developed to deliver automatic spacecraft to near-Earth orbits

Syrian Defense Ministry confirms Israeli strike on residential house in Damascus

According to the ministry, the shelling "killed three civilians and wounded three others"

Ukraine’s Khortitsa battlegroup admits troop withdrawal from Ugledar in Donbass region

The Khortitsa battlegroup claimed that it was withdrawing troops to gain positions for further battles

Borrell issues call to allow use of Western weapons for strikes on Russian airports

Top EU diplomat claimed that the West "promised to support Ukraine with whatever it takes for as long as it takes and the energy front will be decisive this winter"

Conflict US escalating with Russia may 'destroy the entire world' — Tucker Carlson

"In a year, no one could be alive if we continue sleep-walking into a wider war with Russia," the reporter emphasized

Unrecovered bodies of European mercenaries litter Kursk fields — Russian MP

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, the West needed the Ukrainian incursion into the borderline Russian region of Kursk to test how well Russia’s border is protected

Press review: Putin sends nuke smoke signal to West and China shows off military might

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 26th

Liberation of Ugledar paving way to large lithium deposit — expert

"Full-scale lithium production on already explored reserves can be an important element of replenishing the budget of the Donetsk People’s Republic and significantly help the Western countries in making the energy transition," Nikolay Novik noted

Relations with Russia important even in case of total disagreement

"The relations between Israel and Russia are important and significant, even if there are key issues on which our positions absolutely do not coincide," the Israeli Embassy in Moscow said

US billionaire sees Zelensky’s 'victory plan' leading to third world war

David Sacks said hopefully Joe Biden can remember why he has rejected the points of the Ukrainian president’s plan

Seoul rebukes Moscow to justify nuclear weapons-related preparations — Russian MFA

According to the statement, "South Korea’s demands that Moscow 'must' do something go beyond diplomatic communication"

Hungary won’t support EU plan to send instructors to Ukraine — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto stressed that such step would significantly increase the risk of escalation of the war and thus its further expansion

Gazprom delivering 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route for Russian gas supplies to western and central European countries

Russian Aerospace Forces hit three militant bases in two Syrian provinces

The Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out strikes on three bases of militants coming from the Al-Tanf area

US directly responsible for developments in Middle East — Foreign Ministry

On the evening of October 1, the IRGC launched a massive ballistic and hypersonic missile attack against Israel in retaliation for the deaths of top leaders of the Hamas, Hezbollah and IRGC groups

Ukrainian army controls less than one percent of LPR territory, military expert says

Andrey Marochko specified that "a small piece of land" in the Svatovo and Kremennaya area remained under Ukraine’s control

OPEC refutes WSJ article on Saudi minister’s statements

"The alleged statements, attributed to unnamed sources, lack any credibility and are completely fabricated," OPEC noted

Japan to keep sanctions against Russia, continue to support Ukraine — new Foreign Minister

Takeshi Iwaya also noted that "security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable" and "any attempt to change the status quo by force anywhere is unacceptable"

Seven Israelis killed, sixteen injured after gunmen unleash terror in Tel Aviv — police

The police further reported that "suspected accomplices of the terrorists were detained overnight in a neighborhood in Hebron"

Russia successfully conducts last test of Burevestnik strategic missile, says Putin

"Right now, we have actually completed work on advanced strategic weapons that I spoke about and announced several years ago," the head of state specified

Russian troops advance: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled two Ukrainian attempts to break through the border towards Novy Put

West set to stage chemical weapons use by Syria and Russia in Arab republic — SVR

According to the statement, "the leadership of the United States and Britain, being aware of their failed course towards inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia in the Ukraine conflict," pays special attention to undermining Russia’s prestige in Global South states

Russian air defenses shoot down six Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

Russian air defenses have destroyed six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the Kursk Region, Governor Alexey Smirnov said

Russian GDP gained 4.2% in 8M 2024 — Economy Ministry

"The main driver is the "right-shift" of the harvesting campaign in agriculture," the ministry pointed out

Israel bears all blame for Middle East escalation — Russia’s UN envoy

"As part of its mandate to maintain international peace and security, the UN Security Council must compel Israel to immediately cease hostilities," Vasily Nebenzya went on to say

Drones now capable of missions that used to be assigned exclusively to planes — Putin

"Modern unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually but fundamentally changing the principles of military operations," the Russian leader underlined

Iranian attack on Israel continues, army detects launches, intercepts missiles — army

The people are instructed "to remain in a protected space until further notice"

Explosion goes off in Tel Aviv area

A TASS reporter heard a loud booming sound in the Tel Aviv area shortly before

Iran proves that Israel's Iron Dome is more fragile than glass — president

Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran does not want war, but is not afraid of it, and "will stop at nothing to protect the country's national security, honor and authority"

Russian air defenses down another four Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

Governor Alexey Smirnov wrote about this on Telegram

Russian forces clear Ugledar in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — defense circles

Kiev has sustained "heavy losses" due to its refusal to withdraw its troops from the city when it was possible, the source said

Israel's ground operation in Lebanon to entail years of fighting — Russian envoy

Anatoly Viktorov stressed that the Israeli politicians and military officers are "well aware of this"

Georgian president refuses to sign bill banning LGBT propaganda into law

Under Georgian laws, the parliament’s speaker can sign the bill into law instead

Poland at risk of direct confrontation with Russia, Belarus — Medvedev

According to the politician, "Poland's reckless actions, if rashly supported by its NATO allies, may have far-reaching dangerous consequences for the entire world"

Iran 'crosses red line' with attack on Israel — Israeli Foreign Minister

"The support and solidarity from leaders and nations around the world will never be forgotten," Israel Katz said

Putin, Xi exchange congratulations on 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

"Lasting good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation have become the most essential features of bilateral ties between China and Russia," the Chinese president said

Press review: Moscow snubs US on arms control and Kiev not fan of China peace initiative

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 1st

Russian sappers find Ukrainian foreign-made explosives during IAEA expert rotation

The Defense Ministry also pointed out that four experts have arrived at the plant to replace the previous team

Report says 14 Israeli troops killed in gunfights with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

The death toll rose after Hezbollah fighters detonated an anti-personnel mine on the border near the village of Khirbet Yarun, the report said

Trump sees Biden willing to stop all aid to Israel soon

Earlier, former US President said that the Democratic Party actually hates Israel

Russian stock market closes with plunging indices

The MOEX Russia Index lost 1.68% to 2,766.79 points, while the RTS Index edged down by 2.88% to 922.28 points

Arabs remove Hezbollah from list of terrorist organizations — senior Arab League official

"The military escalation in the south poses a severe challenge to security and stability not only in Lebanon, but also across the Middle East, especially if the conflict spills over," Hossam Zaki said

Iran fires over 500 missiles at Israel — newspaper

Earlier, the Israeli army said that Iran had launched a missile attack on the country

Hezbollah says its fighters engage in battles with Israeli army in southern Lebanon

The movement said that the Israeli army unit had been forced to retreat due to the losses it suffered

Russian defense chief points to significant increase in drones, ammunition

Sergey Shoigu also pointed that about 540,000 people entered military service under contract in Russia in 2023

Russia urges Israel to immediately stop its ground operation in Lebanon — MFA

According to the statement, Moscow expresses solidarity with the leadership and people of the friendly Lebanese nation targeted by the Israeli aggression

Zelensky reshuffles top of Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service

On October 1, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also made some changes to his department. He asked the government to dismiss three of his deputies

France starts training strategic nuclear forces first time in decades — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that the French arsenal, "according to Nuclear Notebook, is about 290 nuclear warheads for three sets of 16 submarine-launched missiles and 54 ASMP-A cruise missiles"

Ukrainian lawmaker says Zelensky will end up in prison

According to Artyom Dmitruk, the conflict could have been ended as long ago as March 2022

Russia strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Lebanon — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that Russia sees "no justification for more civilian casualties, which are already in the thousands"

Ex-US intel officer Ritter says his passport was seized to hamper anti-Russophobia

He expects to have his passport before the BRICS summit in Russia’s Kazan in October

Strategic stability dialogue with US not possible amid hostile policies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova explained that Moscow opposed the idea of "holding talks in isolation from military and political realities"

Scholz hopes to hold conversation with Putin in coming weeks — media

As the weekly Die Zeit emphasized, Olaf Scholz last talked with Putin in December 2022, also over the phone

Iran attacked Mossad headquarters, two Israeli airbases, says chief of General Staff

Iran also attacked radars of anti-missile systems and clusters of Israeli tanks

Putin has no common topics to discuss with Scholz now — Kremlin

However, Dmitry Peskov said, the Russian president has always been and remains open to dialogue

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian troops are systematically liberating the Kursk Region, clearing it of Ukrainian servicemen, Akhmat Special Forces Commander Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Hezbollah leader agreed to ceasefire before being killed, Lebanon’s foreign minister says

According to Abdallah Bou Habib, movement informed US and French representatives about the decision

Israel making plans to fuel conflict between Iran, US — Russian envoy to UN

"We would like to believe that our American colleagues will finally begin to see things clearly and fully realize their responsibility as a permanent UN Security Council member," Vasily Nebenzya added

Telegram’s office in Dubai closed

Telegram FZ LLC is registered in Business Central Towers situated in the Dubai Internet City

High-Precision Systems delivers Pantsir missile systems to army ahead of schedule — Rostec

According to Rostec, new modifications made to the Pantsir have improved its performance against drones, shells and missiles

Lebanon calls for ceasefire, ready to send army south — prime minister

Najib Mikati made the statement in the presence of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and the political leader of the Druze community, Walid Jumblat

Israel to respond to Iran strikes within 'days' — news outlet

Israel "is going to respond on its own," but wants to coordinate its plans with the US in the context of the "strategic implications" of the situation, the publication pointed out

Mother of Russian POW being blackmailed with her son's torture

Valentina Ivanchenko says she has been repeatedly shown her son abused and tortured in real time

Russia sees consistent trend in US efforts to militarize Asia-Pacific — diplomat

A special place in the US system of so-called extended deterrence is given to the US-Japan-Australia-India quadrangle, the so-called QUAD, Maria Zakharova noted

Russia has no plans of introducing visa restrictions for US citizens — diplomat

Visa restrictions will not be introduced despite the controversial policy of the US administration, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department Head Alexey Klimov said

Russian army in Donbass moves at 'unseen pace,' Finnish analyst tells The Washington Post

The Russian army’s greatest advances "occurred from mid-August to mid-September, coinciding with the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region," Pasi Paroinen said

Lavrov holds meeting with Arab ambassadors — Foreign Ministry

"During the exchange of views on the evolving situation in the Middle East, the main attention was paid to the ongoing unprecedented escalation of violence," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Russian troops liberate Verkhnekamenskoye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 855 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day

Ukraine’s failed breakthrough attempts and strikes on reserves: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, Russia’s tactical aircraft and missile forces carried out strikes on Ukrainian reserves in the Sumy Region

Scholz calls for conference that both Ukraine and Russia will attend

The chancellor said it is very important to discuss what opportunities exist

Russian-Iranian relations reach all-time high — Foreign Ministry

It is reported that Russian-Iranian ties are friendly

Russian Su-25 attack aircraft wipe out Ukrainian army stronghold in Kursk area

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the strike was delivered by air-launched missiles against reconnoitered targets

Bus, truck collision kills four in Russia’s Belgorod Region

Another 12 sustained injuries

OPEC+ notes high level of compliance with agreement in August, September — Novak

Countries that reported overproduction in the past, submitted their output compensation schedules, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Hungarian PM rejects allegations that country would not defend itself if threatened

Viktor Orban also warned against drawing parallels between the events of 1956 and the conflict in Ukraine

Europe will soon turn to the side of peaceful settlement of Ukrainian conflict — Orban

The West jumped into Ukrainian-Russian conflict recklessly based on miscalculations and a misguided strategy, the Hungarian Prime Minister noted

Over 40 dead, 85 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in 24 hours — Health Ministry

On October 2, 55 were killed and 156 injured

Russia's Pantsir to have no problems with shooting down F-16 fighter jet — Rostec

Earlier this year, the manufacturers said that the Pantsir system successfully coped with the destruction of both ATACMS ballistic missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles in the special operation

Israel to give large-scale response to Iranian attack — envoy to Russia

"Yesterday's attack on Israel by Iran is an act capable of igniting a full-scale war," Simona Halperin noted when asked about the likelihood of a direct conflict between Israel and Iran

New NATO Secretary General Rutte 'proven Russia hater' — diplomat

"That said, we should probably expect even harsher anti-Russian rhetoric; but we will definitely see nothing constructive," Maria Zakharova noted

Press review: Iran rains down missiles on Israel and Rutte takes helm as captain of NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 2nd

Terrorists sentenced for Crocus City Hall attack to face harsh jail conditions — activist

"Nothing good awaits those perpetrators of the act of terror," executive secretary of the Moscow Public Monitoring Commission Alexey Melnikov told

Chevron resumes gas production and supplies from Tamar and Leviathan platforms in Israel

"Any questions regarding the current security situation should be addressed to the appropriate Israeli governmental authorities," the company said

Evacuation of Ukrainian troops from Ugledar urgently needed, military expert says

Vladislav Seleznev underscored that the Ukrainian troops are in a "critical shortage" of resources, necessary to counter the Russian forces on this swath of the frontline

Oil price to fall to $50 per barrel — WSJ citing Riyadh

Riyadh has warned a number of countries, including Iraq, against an increase in oil production, indicating that they should observe their OPEC+ commitments

Iranian missile attack causes no serious harm to capabilities of Israeli air force — IDF

Thanks to air defense systems, minimal damage was caused, Spokeswoman for the Israel Defense Forces Anna Ukolova said

Russia, China actively preparing Xi's visit to BRICS summit — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that Russia and China are now focusing their cooperation in practical areas on implementing initiatives in bilateral trade, transportation, logistics, finance

Israeli soldiers advance 400 meters into Lebanon, then withdraw — army

Earlier, the Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that a Lebanese soldier was killed near Machghara in the western Bekaa region when an Israeli missile hit his house