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Over 1.6 mln Muslims performing Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in 2025

Of this number, 1,506,576 men and women arrived to the Kingdom from other countries, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics reported

DUBAI, June 5. /TASS/. The number of people taking the Hajj pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca this year stands at over 1.6. mln, about 100,000 more than in 2024, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics said in a statement.

"The total number of pilgrims reached 1,673,230 this year. Of this number, 1,506,576 men and women arrived to the Kingdom from other countries. The number of domestic pilgrims has reached 166,654, including [Saudi] nationals and residents," the statement reads.

Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim is obliged to perform, provided they have the opportunity to do that. The dates of Hajj are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the pilgrimage is taking place on June 4-9.

Kiev in midst of near-total blackout — media

Supermarkets continue to shut down due to long-lasting power outages

Kim Jong Un’s sister says Seoul dreaming with reconciliation statements

Relations between the two Koreas will never change, Kim Yo Jong said

Russia’s international reserves set new record increasing to $763 bln — Central Bank

The previous record high of Russia's international reserves of $752.6 bln was reached on December 19

Maximal interest rate on ruble deposits down to 15.28% in late December 2025

The rate was at the level of 15.38% in in the middle of the last month and 15.63% in the first ten-day period of December 2025

China, others to suffer most from Iran-related US tariffs — expert

"Iran’s major partners - the UAE, Turkey, India and Iraq - will be subject to this latest element of pressure from the United States when discussing terms of mutual trade," Boris Kopeikin said

Nearly 600 Ukrainian shelling attacks reported from Kherson Region municipality in week

As many as 323 rounds were fired from artillery systems and 262 attacks were staged with the use of drones

EU, British ruling elite actively obstruct peace deal on Ukraine — Zakharova

"Even the possibility of peace is viewed by the ruling elites of these countries and bureaucracy as a threat to their fading global dominance," Maria Zakharova said

NATO secretary general admits there are no Russian, Chinese ships around Greenland

Mark Rutte also promised to continue negotiations within the alliance to strengthen Greenland's defense so that the United States would not need to annex the island

Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia urge US against striking Iran — media

According to the newspaper, in private contacts the Arab states warned the US administration that any such move would cause turmoil in oil markets and ultimately harm the US economy

Iran calls on UN to urge US, Israel to abandon destabilizing policy against Tehran

Iranian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani stressed that "the United States and the Israeli regime bear direct and undeniable legal responsibility for the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives, particularly among the youth"

Group of Ukrainian troops attempting to hoist flag destroyed near Krasnoarmeysk

The Kiev regime is still making attempts to deploy Ukrainian militants to stage such PR actions with a view to showing the presence of Ukrainian troops in localities liberated by Russian troops, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Press review: Trump raises Latin America tensions and Greenland dispute tests NATO unity

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 13th

Over seven tons of drugs seized in Venezuela since New Year — interior minister

Diosdado Cabello recalled that in 2025 the country’s law enforcement structures took down numerous drug production operations and transit routes going through Venezuela from Colombia and Ecuador

London court charges Russia's Motin with negligence in March tanker crash

The prosecutor added that Motin took no action despite the fact that "the collision course was obvious when seen from the bridge" and had earlier been apparent on the computer installed there

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian army’s energy sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and an armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Foreign Ministry gives breakdown of how West created Bucha hoax

Maria Zakharova said that for a Westerner, an outsider, or a person who has not conducted proper research on this issue, it all looks reliable

Kiev in midst of near-total blackout — media

Supermarkets continue to shut down due to long-lasting power outages

Finnish politician calls London’s missiles for Ukraine attempt to prolong conflict

The UK has been an obstacle to peace many times, Armando Mema noted

Iranian defense official accuses Israel, US of sending IS fighters to take part in unrest

Abdolrahim Mousavi warned that "the Iranian security forces would not allow a single IS terrorist or foreign puppet to gain a foothold in the country"

Russian Oreshnik missile exposes US Patriot's weakness vs hypersonic missiles — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, unbiased Western and Ukrainian sources recorded the warheads’ final velocity at approximately 13,000 km/h

Drone attack damages apartment buildings in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia

Falling drone debris caused some buildings at an industrial site to catch fire

European Commission to clarify terms of 90 bln euro funding for Kiev on Wednesday

EC Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said earlier that such money is grant financing for Kiev and will not be provided as a loan

Ukrainian parliament delays appointment of defense, energy ministers as vote fails

Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced a break in the sitting until Wednesday

West waging hybrid war against Russia to maintain global dominance — Russian diplomat

At the same time, Russia’s objective, as President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated, "is to ensure Russia’s security and sovereignty," Maria Zakharova said

Burevestnik cruise missile processes large stock of data with AI — expert

Burevestnik can fly at both high and low altitudes which makes it invisible, Valery Polovinkin, scientific head of the Krylov State Research Center, said

Lavrov, top Namibian diplomat to discuss trade, political dialogue

The parties will also exchange views on international and regional issues of mutual interest

FACTBOX: What is known about F-16 fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine

Russian troops delivered a strike by the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system on January 9, crippling the Lvov state aircraft repair plant in western Ukraine

Ukrainian army carries out four attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

A total of 11 projectiles were fired

Iran to withdraw from naval maneuvers involving BRICS countries — news portal

Two Iranian Navy vessels that have already arrived in South Africa will not be taking a direct part in the exercise which runs until January 16

Zelensky, his patrons won’t escape responsibility for murders of reporters — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that, amid the West's ongoing hybrid aggression against Russia and its people, journalists are among the first to refute the large-scale dissemination of fake news about Russia and effectively block anti-Russian propaganda

Israel follows US lead, announces withdrawal from several international organizations

According to the Israeli foreign ministry, the relevant decision was made by Minister Gideon Saar "after reviews and discussions held following the United States withdrawal from dozens of international organizations"

Russia developing stratospheric fighter drone called 'Predator'

The drone's design utilized monowing technology, which enhances the aircraft’s flight speed, payload capacity and stealth

Moldovan president seeks economic lifeline from Romania with unification pledge — ex-PM

Former Prime Minister Vlad Filat commented on the opposition’s intention to impeach Sandu on high treason charges

West’s hoaxes, attempts to keep dominance: Russian foreign ministry’s statements

Maria Zakharova noted that Russia has carefully documented the hoaxes purported by the West and the Kiev regime, including the Bucha tragedy

Russia unveils domestically made smartphone, new OS

The new smartphone is fitted with an AMOLED display featuring a 6.7" diagonal and FullHD+ resolution

West aware their troops in Ukraine to become Russia’s legitimate target — envoy

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Moscow had repeatedly said it at various levels

World’s governing Olympic body comments on US military operation in Venezuela

According to the statement, the International Olympic Committee "cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries"

All assets of Roszarubezhneft in Venezuela acquired by Russia under market conditions

Roszarubezhneft holds stakes in joint oil and gas enterprises with the Venezuelan side

NATO carries out over dozen recon flights over Belarus already this year — ministry

According to the ministry, over the past year, aerial reconnaissance over the territory of Belarus has reached a dozen flights on some days

Pentagon obtains, secretly tests device that causes Havana syndrome — CNN

Experts continue to study the device and are looking for its connection to dozens of bizarre incidents that the authorities have not been able to explain

West’s systems cannot intercept Russia’s Oreshnik warheads — expert

"Currently, there is only one air defense missile system on planet Earth that was originally designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles and hypersonic warheads — the S-500 Prometheus," Alexander Mikhailov said

Russian scientists create 72-qubit quantum computer — Rosatom Quantum Technologies

According to Yekaterina Solntseva, Director of Quantum Technologies at Rosatom State Corporation, it is especially important that the scientists have taken another step toward progressively improving the reliability of operations

Russia says carefully documented Western hoax in Bucha

"Future researchers would have a much easier time navigating the issue leaning on sources, transcripts, rebuttals," Maria Zakharova said

Two tankers attacked by drones near CPC terminal — Kazakh Energy Ministry

Nobody was injured among crewmembers, the ministry informed

Kiev’s G7 allies plan to discuss Ukraine guarantees with US leader during WEF — FT

The Financial Times did not rule out that leaders of other countries belonging to the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" may also join the meeting

EU should decide unanimously to resume dialogue with Russia — Lithuanian envoy

According to Nerijus Aleksiejunas, the conditions for resuming political contacts with Russia have been worked out

Trump threatens to take 'very strong action' against Iran

The US President thus commented on allegations about the Iranian authorities’ plans to execute anti-government protesters

Poseidon UUV is pinnacle in underwater drone development — Krylov Research Center

"It's rightly called a 'doomsday' weapon", Valery Polovinkin noted

Matilda tanker not having critical damage after drone attack

No victims and injured individuals are among the crewmembers

French officials concerned by Germany’s rearmament — Bloomberg

The news agency characterized the mood in France as "schizophrenic"

US Congress unlikely to approve Greenland annexation bill — GovTrack

Experts estimate that the probability of this initiative being adopted by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs does not exceed 10%

US withdrawal from WHO threatens world’s security as well as its own — director

US membership in the WHO officially expires on January 22, 2026

Top Turkish, Iranian diplomats discuss situation in Iran — source

A source in the Turkish foreign ministry gave no further details

US’ new Iran-related tariffs will force India to review its trade policy — newspaper

Accordint to the report, India will have to balance economics, strategy, and geopolitics to maintain good relations with the United States while protecting its interests

Switzerland updates anti-Russian sanction list — government

The government’s press service said that 5 individuals, 4 organizations and 41 ships were newly added to the annexes

Roszarubezhneft to continue to fulfill its obligations in Venezuela

Roszarubezhneft intends to continue steadily developing its assets together with the Venezuelan side

Gazprom sets new record for daily gas supplies to China via Power of Siberia

A new record was set on January 12

The consequences of January 9 strike with Oreshnik missile system on targets in Ukraine

Russian troops delivered a strike by the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile system on January 9, crippling the Lvov state aircraft repair plant

Air power, missiles seen central to potential US military action against Iran — TV

Pentagon officials are also considering scenarios in which "conflict could extend beyond battlefield strikes to include sustained" operations in the digital space and influence campaigns, the TV channel said

Trump says ‘too many’ protesters killed in Iran

Commenting on reports about casualties during the protests in Iran, he said that he doesn’t have verified information about this

Oreshnik strike on Ukraine signal for NATO to abandon support for Kiev — Rutte

NATO Secretary General added that the alliance would still provide assistance to Kiev

Qatar takes measures to protect population amid potential escalation in Iran — diplomat

Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari pointed out that Doha participates in the negotiation process to settle the situation around Iran

US can't do in Iran what it did in Venezuela, says Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev said that external military intervention in the current conditions would only strengthen the unity of the nation

Tanker chartered by Chevron attacked by drone

All crew are safe, and the vessel remains stable

Russian Navy has everything necessary to fight piracy in Black Sea — Krylov Center

Valery Polovinkin said that, if necessary, the Navy would be able to easily transport new corvettes from their shipyards via inland waterways to both the Black and Baltic Seas

Explosions reported in southern Ukrainian city of Nikolayev

No other details were available

Explosions reported in Ukrainian city of Krivoy Rog

Air raid warnings are currently in effect for the Dnepropetrovsk region

Kazakhstan confirms decline in oil shipments via CPC terminal after drone attack

The attack against CPC took place on November 29 of the last year with the use of the Ukrainian sea drone

Medvedev advises Trump to 'take' Greenland before it choses to join Russia

In his opinion, if Greenland were captured, Donald Trump would have a new position — acting president of Greenland

IOC should allow all world's athletes to compete — Russian lawmaker

The IOC press office said earlier in the day that the organization must take into account the present-day political context, but does not take sides in global conflicts, as that falls outside its intended mission

Iran has evidence of US, Israeli involvement in riots — top diplomat

As Abbas Araghchi said, ex-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted that agents of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad were guiding the terrorist movement together with rioters

Proposals to resume dialogue with Russia gain support in Brussels, EU capitals — Politico

According to the source, there is a range of issues which cannot be discussed with only the US when they have direct implications on the security of Europeans

Russia strongly condemns external interference in Iran’s domestic affairs — MFA

Maria Zakharova also stressed that Washington’s threats to launch new military strikes against Iran are totally unacceptable

Trump says US tariffs on Iran's trading partners took effect

The US leader also reaffirmed that he does not have accurate data on the number of protesters killed in Iran

Scale of US potential operation in Iran likely to be limited — German expert

"Air strikes, covert actions, or maritime pressure would serve as demonstrations of power rather than instruments of transformation," Constantin von Hoffmeister stated

US seeks to manufacture pretext for military intervention — Iran’s mission to UN

US President Donald Trump’s statement about support for protesters in Iran threatens the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, Tehran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani said

Russian troops intensify attack efforts in Orekhovo in special military op zone — expert

During the New Year holidays, the Russian Armed Forces liberated six localities

Western defense industry faces 'dead ends' despite record investment — expert

Stepanov made special mention of the risks associated with the introduction of artificial intelligence into defense

Trump says Zelensky would be destitute without him

The US president said that Vladimir Zelensky hadn't had any cards since day one of the special military operation

Medvedev considers use of Russian flag by Marinera inappropriate

He emphasized that the seizure of the tanker by the Americans was "a clear violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea"

Russian forces crush two Ukrainian breakthrough attempts near Kupyansk - top brass

Roughly 10 militants and a US-made M113 APC were wiped out

Nine newborns die in Kemerovo Region maternity hospital over New Year holidays

The authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident

Russia’s corvette Stoikiy taking part in naval rescue drills off South Africa coast

The fleet's press service added that the main goal of the exercise is to develop and strengthen naval cooperation between the participating countries

Bulk of Germans back military aid to Denmark in case US attacks Greenland — poll

More than 60% of survey participants answered that Germany, along with its NATO partners, should provide military assistance to Denmark if the United States attacks Greenland

Russia strongly calls on US to release Maduro, his wife — MFA

It also emphasized the need "to create conditions for resolving any existing problems between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue"

OSCE secretary general accepts credentials from new Russian representative

Dmitry Polyansky replaced Alexander Lukashevich, whose ten-year assignment ended in December 2025

Expert sees death sentence for ex-South Korean president as unlikely

Head of the Korean and Mongolia Department at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies Alexander Vorontsov also did not rule out that Yoon Suk-yeol could be pardoned when a new president came to power

South Korean prosecutors ask for death penalty for ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol

Yoon Suk-yeol is charged with organizing a rebellion against the constitutional order by attempting to impose martial law in December 2024

Greenland situation going to get harder — Danish PM

It was difficult to withstand the absolutely unacceptable pressure from Washington, Mette Frederiksen said

Kiev’s aggression kills over 7,100 Donbass civilians since 2014

According to the Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin, 21,000 civilians have suffered injuries

Limitations on US, Russian strategic nuclear arms will cease to exist on February 5

The United States seems to be unwilling to accept Russia’s proposal to continue adhering to the treaty's key provisions for another year after it expires in February, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said

Kazakhstan boost oil supplies via Atyrau-Samara route after attacks against CPC

The authority completed the effort on export flows reallocation to mitigate the consequences of the drone attack on the industry and prevent production halt

'We choose Denmark' over US — Greenland PM

According to Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the island cannot be bought and it will remain part of the Western alliance

Iranian army more effective today than before June 2025 war with Israel — top brass

Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian army Major General Amir Hatami stressed that the June 2025 combat experience "strengthened the ability of the Iranian armed forces to repel various potential aggressive scenarios"

London supports Ecumenical Patriarch in driving out Russian orthodoxy — SVR

According to the report, Patriarch Bartholomew "has found common ground with the authorities of the Baltic states in an effort to sow discord in the Russian Orthodox world"

Trump sees Greenlanders’ reluctance to become part of US as 'their problem'

Thus, Donald Trump commented on Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s remark that the island chose Denmark over the US

Ukrainian parliament votes to dismiss Security Service head

A total of 235 lawmakers voted in favor of Vasily Malyuk’s dismissal

Four civilians injured in drone attack on Russia’s Rostov-on-Don

All four were taken to Rostov Emergency Hospital

South Korean prosecutors seek life sentence for ex-defense minister in rebellion case

According to media reports, Kim Yong-hyun was a major player in the operation

US Navy seeks to enhance submarine stealth — Krylov Center expert

According to Valery Polovinkin, the US has begun installing small drones on Ohio-class submarines that pinpoint the submarine's location

Putin orders to put Canpack, Rockwool assets in Russia under temporary new management

The decision took effect on December 31, 2025