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Conflict in Syria

Kurds agree to ceasefire to fight coronavirus

On March 23, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a universal ceasefire amid a global threat of the novel coronavirus

Soldiers with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition AP Photo/Hussein Malla

Soldiers with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition

© AP Photo/Hussein Malla

TASS, March 24. Kurdish units making up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition have agreed to establish a ceasefire to concentrate all efforts on countering the coronavirus pandemic.

"The SDF command is proposing that all parties to the Syrian conflict support the initiative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a universal ceasefire," says the statement communicated by Al-Hadath TV.

Guterres on Monday called on the international community to stop all conflicts around the globe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The SDF voiced hope that the humanitarian ceasefire "will pave the way to dialogue and political process leading to end of war in the whole of Syria."

Read also

UN Secretary-General's Appeal for Global Ceasefire

SDF units are fighting against Turkish forces and armed Syrian opposition troops which in 2018 occupied the Afrin area situated 65 km away from the city of Aleppo. Moreover, Kurdish fighters carry out incursions into northern areas in the Raqqa and Al-Hasakah provinces where Ankara established a safe zone along the Syrian border.

Syrian Health Minister Nizar Yazigi announced Sunday the first coronavirus case in the country. The Syrian government made a decision on Saturday to shut down most state agencies from March 23 until further notice by the authorities over coronavirus fears. According to Syria’s SANA news agency all state and private enterprises will suspend operation but for vital facilities and companies producing food and medicine.

Coronavirus pandemic

In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in more than 190 countries, including Russia.

Read also

On March 11, the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic. As of now, over 410,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 18,200 have died. Russia has identified 495 cases so far, 22 patients have recovered. The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country informed about the coronavirus situation.

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Syrian conflict

Chinese State Council premier concludes visit to Russia

Li Qiang's departure was accompanied by an official ceremony at the capital’s Vnukovo-2 airport

Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian armor by glide bombs in Kursk Region

The strike against enemy’s fortified targets was delivered by upgraded aerial bombs

Borrell devalued European diplomacy by supporting attack on Russia — lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the withdrawal of restrictions on the use of Western-made weapons for strikes on Russian territory "for promotion of peacekeeping efforts" could lead only to war

Russian diplomat explains why West is not commenting on Kiev’s attack on Kursk Region

He recalled the killing of two volunteers by Ukrainian troops

Ukrainian forces fragmented in border area near Kursk — Russian commander

According to the report, "by means of aerial and ground-based reconnaissance," the enemy is being tracked and hit by heavy fire

West authorizes Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Region — Russian diplomat

"The Kiev regime’s handlers won’t abandon their obsessive idea to - as they say - inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," Maria Zakharova went on to say

Putin, Russian troops "to sweep Ukrainian military" in Kursk Region — Lukashenko

Belarus and Russia see that Western countries may send in its military formations directly to Ukraine, Lukashenko noted

Iran may launch ground operation against Israel in Golan Heights — analyst

Tehran's delayed response to Haniyeh's assassination "may be a deliberate strategy by the Iranian leadership to take Tel Aviv and its allies by surprise and weaken their armies, morale and supplies," Pouria Kousheshian said

Diplomat compares Petr Pavel’s position on Nord Stream to terrorist cells’ statements

Previously, Pavel said in an interview that the Nord Stream pipelines are "legitimate targets for Ukraine"

Russia blacklists 32 British think tank experts — Russian Foreign Ministry

The list includes nine structures - Forward Strategy Limited, Institute for Statecraft, Media Diversity Institute, Toro Risk Solutions, Chatham House, Open Knowledge Foundation, Privacy International, Peace Child International, Aga Khan Foundation - and 32 of their employees

Russia, China have large-scale cooperation plans for many years to come — Putin

The head of state noted that relevant reference points had been determined during the talks with President of China Xi Jinping this year

Crew member of Sounion tanker wounded in Houthi attack

The Yemeni source interviewed by TASS could not name the nationality of the wounded crew member

Twenty-five countries currently waiting to join BRICS — South African envoy

New members expected to be ushered into the association at the summit in Kazan, South Africa's ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Geoff Maqetuka said

US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln arrives in Middle East

Another US aircraft carrier, the Theodore Roosevelt, is already deployed in the Middle East

UK Navy reports second ship attack off Yemeni coast so far on Wednesday

The attack targeted a merchant vessel 57 nautical miles (106 kilometers) south of Aden

Attack on Kursk Region a priori cancels possibility of talks with Kiev — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova also recalled Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's remarks about "Ukraine's aim to create a buffer zone in this Russian region"

Russian marines capture several Ukrainian servicemen in Kursk Region

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the marines stopped the advance of the column

Venezuelan opposition attempted state coup jointly with criminal gangs — minister

In Yvan Gil Pinto words, the involvement of criminal organizations for political purposes was "designed by the CIA of the United States"

Russian diplomat slams statements denying Western involvement in Kursk attack as lies

On August 6, Russia’s borderline Kursk Region came under a massive attack from Ukraine. A state of federal emergency is in effect in the region

Failure in operation of services in Russia caused by DDoS attack — regulator

According to the report, "the attack was thwarted, services are working normally"

Russian air defenses shoot down 28 drones over six Russian regions overnight

Thirteen of them were shot down over the Volgograd Region, seven - over the Rostov Region, four - over the Belgorod Region, two - over the Voronezh Region, one in the Bryansk Region and one in the Kursk Region

Latvian citizen extradited to US on suspicion of illegal export scheme

He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $1 million fine

Ukrainian lawmaker laments that 'thousands' defect from armed forces

Prior to that, the Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill allowing to pardon AWOL servicemen, who abandoned their posts for the first time, if they agree to resume their military service before the pretrial investigation is completed

Former Russian lawmaker Gudkov gets 8 years in prison for falsities about armed forces

Dmitry Gudkov committed the crime being "motivated by political hatred," the prosecutors said

Kiev's attack on Russia's Kursk Region could be Ukraine's downfall — newspaper

According to Christoph B. Schlitz, Kiev's calculation that Russia would divert forces from other fronts to the Kursk Region "has been only partially justified"

Medvedev rules out peace talks with Kiev until enemy 'completely defeated'

The politician also hinted at those behind the attack on the Kursk Region, making unflattering comments about a former British prime minister

IAEA chief sees serious risks for Kursk NPP due to Kiev’s actions

In Grossi’s words, the nuclear facility is "technically within artillery range" of positions held by the Ukrainian military

Russia views Finland's military exercises in line with other hostile moves — diplomat

"The statements of the Finnish prime minister, which essentially justify the terrorist attacks of Ukrainian neo-Nazis on the Kursk Region, have not gone unnoticed," Maria Zakharova said

Russian forces destroy US-made Abrams tank in borderline Kursk area — commander

"In addition, we have eliminated several artillery guns of various caliber and also several command posts," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Kiev troops will be forced to retreat from Russia after attack on Kursk region — expert

According to Monica Duffy Toft, Kiev’s surviving troops and equipment "will be redistributed, after rest and refit, to other critical areas of Ukraine’s front with Russia"

Russian stock indices falling on Wednesday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index edged down by 0.01%, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index fell by 1.09%

Iranian agencies define helicopter crash that killed Raisi as accident — Fars

Special services subjected at least 30,000 people to checks after Raisi's death, and concluded that human factor was not to blame, the source said

CIA chief arrives in Serbia after visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina — newspaper

The newspaper’s sources said no official statements are expected to be made on the outcomes of the visit

Azerbaijan officially applies for BRICS membership — diplomat

Baku’s intention to join BRICS was reflected in a joint declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and China

Israel agrees to withdraw some of its army units from Gaza — Blinken reiterates

The US top diplomat also confirmed that he personally received approval of the terms of the agreement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the day before

Russia concerned about Japan’s plans to erode nuclear-free status — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the current Japanese administrations’ policy was aimed at stepping up remilitarization efforts

Russia, China serve as stabilizing force in shaping new world order — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin pointed to "the growth of the economies of both countries and a better quality of life for our citizens"

Armenia tries to blame Russia for its own mistakes — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that Yerevan, sabotaging the trilateral agreements, "once again acts at the behest of the West"

Russia, China should work together to protect their interests from Western pressure — PM

"They are trying to maintain their global dominance and contain the economic and technological potential of Russia and China," Mikhail Mishustin stressed

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

ICC not to touch Kiev regime as long as it acts as its ‘toy’ — envoy

"We stand against a strictly established coalition. A coalition, built upon financial mechanisms, military mechanisms, meaning the IMF, the dollar, the NATO - all this cements this coalition, which acts on directions from Washington," the diplomat added

Russia insists on official consultations with Germany on Nord Stream — Foreign Ministry

Berlin does not provide the Russian side with facts available with it as regards the investigation, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted

Russian forces start eliminating Ukrainian troops near Belogorovka from several directions

"This made the operational situation much worse for Ukrainian commanders and the troops stationed in the area," Military expert Andrey Marochko said

Switzerland adopts new measures of 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia

These measures will take effect on August 27

Russian forces aware of where Ukraine may attack in Kursk Region, commander says

"I think they will carry out an attack in another area very soon in order to be able to move on from there," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger condemn Ukraine's support for international terrorism

Mali, and then Niger, announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine in connection with Kiev's support for terrorists in the African country

Putin holds a meeting with head of Chechnya republic Kadyrov

The president bowed to the grave of the first leader of Russian Chechnya and the father of the current head of the region Akhmat Kadyrov and talked with special military operation volunteers

Kiev sustains roughly 350 casualties near Kursk in past day, enemy logistics under attack

According to the report, during the hostilities in the Kursk direction, the enemy has lost over 4,130 servicemen, 58 tanks, 27 infantry fighting vehicles, 50 armored personnel carriers, 299 armored combat vehicles

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk — military expert

"At this time, the Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the frontline but the shortage of forces and means adversely affects the situation," Andrey Marochko said

Russian president to hold brief meeting with government

The central theme of the conference will be support for private housing construction projects

Russian forces rout powerful Ukrainian combat group, liberate major community in DPR

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 450 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Roscosmos announces crews for space flights to orbital outpost in next two years

The basic crew of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, whose launch is scheduled for the second half of 2025, comprises Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikayev, and Oleg Platonov

Israeli Defense Minister says Hamas’ Rafah Brigade defeated

"The Hamas’ Rafah Brigade has been defeated, and 150 tunnels have been destroyed in this area," Yoav Gallant said

Pregnant woman killed by Ukrainian troops near Sudzha was protecting her son

The family managed to escape the area while under fire, after which Artyom Kuznetsov took his wounded wife and son to the nearest hospital, where "the doctors did everything they could"

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Kiev’s plans and Ukrainian losses: latest update on situation in Kursk Region

Ukrainian troops are regrouping in the Kursk Region in an attempt to stage an attack at another location but Russian forces are in control of the situation, Major General Apty Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit, said

Ukraine moves its best units from DPR to Kursk Region — officer

According to Russian law enforcement, Ukraine has pulled troops from near Krasnoarmeisk (known as Pokrovsk in Ukraine), Rodinskoye, Konstantinovka and a number of small localities

Russian air defenses shoot down Ukrainian missile above Kursk Region

"Our air defenses continue to repel Ukrainian attacks. A yet another Ukrainian missile has been shot down," Alexey Smirnov said

Swiss party criticizes government’s defense projects with EU

The Swiss People's Party says that by enhancing military ties with the European Union, the government is "putting the security of the Swiss people at risk"

IAEA chief may visit Kursk nuclear power plant early next week — Russian diplomat

Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Grossi’s visit to the Kursk nuclear power plant in late August was in the works

Beslan tragedy to remain unhealing wound in Russia’s historical memory — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that over the past twenty years the authorities had tried to help Beslan in every possible way

Russian diplomat notes Latvia’s growing involvement in armed conflict in Ukraine

Maria Zakharova stressed that "Riga’s belligerent actions will merely prolong the agony of the Kiev regime without impacting the results of the special military operation"

Iranian General Staff refutes reports about cause of presidential helicopter crash

On May 19, a helicopter carrying Raisi and other Iranian officials crashed in northern Iran

IN BRIEF: In Kursk Region, Ukraine forces regroup, suffer losses

A total of more than 4,400 Ukrainian servicemen have been destroyed during the hostilities

Japan’s Fukushima-2 NPP tries nuclear fuel debris removal, but puts effort on hold

The effort was expected to take about a week, but was stopped hours after being launched due to problems while installing the required equipment

US military destroys Houthi radar, missile in Yemen

A surface-to-air missile was destroyed as well, CENTCOM reported

Kiev hastily withdrawing troops from near Viyemka station liberated by Russian forces

Ukraine’s military command has also deployed additional artillery units to the community of Zvanovka to provide cover to retreating soldiers, Andrey Marochko said

Biden urges Netanyahu to conclude deal with HAMAS — White House

The sides discussed active and ongoing US efforts to support Israel’s defense against all threats, including from Iran and groups that Washington views as its proxies, such as HAMAS, Hezbollah, and the Houthis

Trump defeats Harris by landslide in Elon Musk’s poll on X social network

More than 5.8 million people took part in the vote

Kalashnikov arms producer delivers Kub kamikaze drones to Russian troops

As Kalashnikov Group President Alan Lushnikov pointed out, these kamikaze drones are much needed in the special military operation area

Three counterattacks of Ukrainian army disrupted in Avdeyevka direction

"The crew of the newest engineering system of remote mining "Zemledeliye" remotely mined the approaches to the positions of Russian troops, disrupting three counterattacks of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Avdeyevka direction," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Tim Walz formally accepts Democratic vice presidential nomination

"It's the honor of my life to accept your nomination for vice president of the United States," he said

Ukraine prepared attack on Kursk Region 'secretly' — Scholz

The German Chancellor assured that his country will continue to support Ukraine and will remain its major proponent in Europe

Russian troops using UAVs to destroy Ukrainian combat groups in Kursk Region

Such UAVs can fly to considerably longer ranges compared to FPV drones and carry a large payload, the Defense Ministry noted

Kremlin spokesman says he cannot recall Putin ever talking to Kamala Harris

"When Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Joe Biden, Mrs. Harris was not in Geneva," Dmitry Peskov said

Chinese State Council premier concludes visit to Russia

Li Qiang's departure was accompanied by an official ceremony at the capital’s Vnukovo-2 airport

Foreign mercenaries convicted of crimes should not be exchanged, HRC head says

"They should be punished and kept behind bars for life," Valery Fadeyev added

India’s prime minister will not bring new peace plan on Ukraine to Kiev — expert

Robinder Sachdev is certain that Modi's visit to Ukraine reflects India's growing role in global relations

Russian forces liberate Zhelannoye community in DPR over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West gained better ground, repelled six Ukrainian counterattacks and inflicted roughly 470 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Lack of morality, ethics in Russia’s enemies known, yet impossible to get used to — Putin

"Our enemy is not like us, although it also has a head and arms," the Russian president said

Ukraine raised risk of nuclear war for allies, former chief of Romanian intelligence says

"Ukraine understood very well what it was doing," Silviu Predoiu said

Netanyahu denies report he agreed to pull troops from Gaza's border with Egypt

"In order to do so, the southern border must be secured," the statement said

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts losses on four Ukrainian brigades in Kharkov area

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 100 troops, three motor vehicles, a 152mm D-20 howitzer and two 122mm D-30 howitzers in that frontline area

Mali government controls almost entire country thanks to Russian help — Air Force

"In recent years, thanks to our cooperation with Russia, the Armed Forces of Mali have been sufficiently strengthened," Malian Air Force Chief of Staff Alou Boi Diarra said

Russia’s UN mission says West shows selective deafness in averting conflicts

As an example, Polyansky pointed to the "unrestrained expansion of NATO to the east," as well as the deliberate disregard by the Kiev government and the West of the Minsk agreements, which were "the last opportunity to avoid a crisis [in Ukraine] and bring back the situation to the track of no conflict"

Sri Lanka includes Russia in list from October 1

In all, the Sri Lankan cabinet allowed visa-free travel for citizens of 35 countries

Greece increases imports from Russia by 22.4% YOY in June — statistics

According to Elstat, Greece mainly imported hydrocarbons, raw aluminum, wheat and semolina

Captured Ukrainian soldiers play like they’re civilians, outed by phone data — official

Apty Alaudinov called the Ukrainian soldiers operating in the Kursk Region a bunch of thugs

Response to Kiev over Kursk incursion is supreme commander-in-chief’s competence — Lavrov

Ukraine’s massive attack on the Kursk Region began on August 6

Russian commander reports presence of active NATO soldiers in Kursk area

Apty Alaudinov specified that he referred to active NATO servicemen

Russian market provided with fuel — energy ministry

According to the ministry, Russian engine fuel inventories stood at 2.05 mln metric tons for motor gasoline and 3.45 mln metric tons for diesel fuel on the verge of the fall season

Press review: NATO complicit in Kursk attack and Russian military officials get new roles

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 21st

No need for more massive strikes against facilities in Ukraine — Putin

Currently, other tasks are on the agenda, the president emphasized

Drone threat detected in Murmansk Region — governor

According to Andrey Chibis, all necessary security improvement measures have been taken

American family escapes moral decline in US, seeks asylum, better life in Russia

Irina Volk noted that Leo and Chantel Heyer were born and raised in New York

Russian embassy warns French reporters against crossing Russian border illegally

The embassy "strongly urges members of the French news media to comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation, international legal norms and principles of journalism"

Russia to respond in kind should US send Kiev long-range missiles — lawmaker

"The US authorities should remember that Russia is not interested in further escalating military tensions across the globe but it is always prepared to give a tit-for-tat response to any aggressive actions," Mikhail Sheremet stated

Kiev forcibly evacuates families with children from DPR's Krasnoarmeysky district

According to the ministry, the evacuation will concern the settlements of Krasnoarmeysk, Rodinskoye, Ignatovka, Dachenskoye, Zheltoye, Zelenoye, Lysovka, Novopavlovka, Novoukrainka, Pushkino, Rog, Sukhoy Yar, Rosa and Chunishino

Iran can strike Israel from both air and ground — mission to UN

At the same time, the Iranian mission pointed out that Tehran does not intend to disrupt negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is conducting a military operation against Hamas

Borrell invites Ukraine’s Kuleba in Brussels, supports Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region

Josep Borrell stated that the EU "fully supports Ukraine’s fight"

Moscow’s beefed-up air defenses helped repulse massive Ukrainian UAV attack — expert

"The incidents were thoroughly analyzed and required measures were taken," Denis Fedutinov said, noting that the methods of reinforcing air defenses were justly not disclosed