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Coronavirus pandemic

China sends medical experts to Russia to fight coronavirus — foreign ministry

Spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry Lijian Zhao said that medical professionals departed for Russia on April 11

BEIJING, April 11. /TASS/. The Chinese authorities have sent a group of medical experts to Russia to fight against the spread of novel coronavirus, spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry Lijian Zhao said on Saturday.

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"In order to help Russia overcome the oubreak of coronavirus infection, the Chinese government made a decision to send to Russia a group of medical experts to fight against the pandemic," the spokesman said. He added that medical professionals departed for Russia on April 11.

Sina news portal reported on Saturday that 10 Chinese experts flew to Russia from Harbin in Heilongjiang province.

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

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 1,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 95,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 357,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.

Middle East conflict

Houthis strike military facility near Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

Earlier, the Israeli army press office reported that air-raid sirens sounded in several areas of central Israel following the launch of a missile from Yemen

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Indian envoy discuss schedule of political contacts

The sides also touched upon "a number of regional issues, as well as the cooperation between Russia and India within the BRICS format"

Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

According to Yuri Ushakov, the confirmations of readiness to become a BRICS partner country have been received from Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan

Pope Francis opens Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica

The Holy Door, which is usually bricked up, is expected to remain open over the next 12 months

Syria’s Interior Ministry calls on members of former regime to hand over their arms

According to transitional Interior Minister Mohamed Abdel Rahman, the government has set a deadline for the handover of weapons held by members of the former regime and the public

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

Putin to hold informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg

An informal meeting before the New Year is a long-standing tradition of the Commonwealth

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

Putin notes importance of cooperation between Russian, Tajik regions

Many regions of Tajikistan and constituent regions of the Russian Federation have direct relations with each other, the Russian President stressed

Shopping mall in Russia’s North Caucasus city of Vladikavkaz catches fire after explosion

Regional head Sergey Menyailo said that the blast had killed a woman inside the building

Gazprom expects EBITDA above $27.9 bln in 2024 — Deputy CEO

Gazprom will show strong results by key metrics as of the end of this year, the senior executive noted

United Kingdom’s defense expenditures up by 14% in past decade — The Times

According to the article, Iran’s military budget grew by 57%, China’s - by 60% and Russia’s - by 34% in the reported period

Russian warship shoulders responsibility for rescue operation after cargo ship sinks

The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service is currently staying in the area of the accident in order to remove floating objects that can pose a danger to navigation and to check whether the marine environment might have been polluted

Over 100 people involved in extinguishing jet fire at drilling rig in southern Urals

The accident posed no threat to nearby settlements

Russian expert suspects Ursa Major sank due to act of sabotage

Alexander Stepanov remarked that such attacks are virtually impossible to identify and track down

Houthis strike military facility near Tel Aviv with hypersonic missile

Earlier, the Israeli army press office reported that air-raid sirens sounded in several areas of central Israel following the launch of a missile from Yemen

Georgian court extends Saakashvili's arrest in border crossing case

Judge Mikhail Jinjolia explained that there remained a risk Saakashvili might escape or commit a new crime, so the motion to cancel the arrest was rejected

CSTO to keep boosting its military potential next year — chief

Joint exercises aimed are another important aspect of the effort to boost the organization’s defense potential, Imangali Tasmagambetov said

Russian embassy refutes reports on Sudan’s refusal to host Russian base

Some Western media outlets reported earlier, citing anonymous Sudanese intelligence sources, that Khartoum had allegedly annulled an agreement with Moscow on placing a Russian naval logistics support base due to potential US sanctions

No Russians killed in Magdeburg car attack, information on injured being updated — embassy

At least five people got killed and 235 were injured as a result of the attack

Russian Defense Ministry identifies over 30 more people connected to US biolabs in Africa

The Major General noted that among these individuals are: servicemen of the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, employees of regional branches of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, disease control and prevention centers in Africa, as well as members of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria

Transneft restarts oil intake by rail for export shipments in Far East

This route of shipments to the port was not operated since 2016

Scientists detect five powerful M-class solar flares

A ten-minute-long solar flare classified as M4.7 was recorded in X-rays in sunspot group 3932

Russian agency starts investigation into shipwreck in Mediterranean Sea

The fate of two crew members is currently being established

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

"You have heard the Ukrainian side’s statement and you know the position of the European countries that continue purchasing Russian gas and that consider it necessary for normal operation of their economy," Dmitry Peskov said

Syria’s new authorities rename hospitals named after ex-president’s family members

Some of them were named after Bashar Assad’s brother Bassel, who died in a car crash in 1994

Azerbaijan Airlines operated passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan

According to the ministry, the circumstances of the crash are being established and a special investigation will be carried out

Shelling on Donetsk decreases as frontline shifts — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that shelling in Donetsk’s Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts is expected to diminish further once Kurakhovo is liberated

Trump’s son posts image showing father buying Canada, Greenland on Amazon

"We are so back," Eric wrote for a caption

US ramping up biological warfare presence in Africa — Russia’s top brass

Major General Aleksey Rtishchev said that branches of the US National Naval Military Medical Center are stationed in Ghana and Djibouti where active work is carried out in natural disease foci, isolation and sequencing of pathogens

Initiative along entire frontline in Russian forces’ hands — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, Russian troops' daily advances amount to 1-2 kilometers (0.6-1.2 miles)

Georgia became inconvenient for 'friends' after rejecting Ukrainian scenario — official

According to Kakha Kaladze, the country faced unprecedented pressure because of this

Trump doesn’t want repeat of Minsk agreements — Kellogg

He expressed hope that the US president-elect will be able to achieve a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in a "relatively near term."

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russia’s FPV drone Gortenzia with fiber-optic cable control used in military operation

The design bureau added that the drone is also equipped with a universal payload attachment system

Flights from Istanbul, Almaty, Tomsk heading to Kazan diverted to Samara

According to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport, the temporary restrictions on the work of Kazan airport were introduced early in the morning of December 25

Four GLONASS navigation satellites ready for launch — Roscosmos head

Yury Borisov added that over the past year, Roscosmos has expanded its Earth remote sensing constellation by introducing high-resolution observation satellites, including a Resurs-P satellite and a Kondor radar imaging satellite

Greece continues to ship munitions to Ukraine en masse — website

According to the report, the people of Greece witnessed the passage of convoys of Greek and foreign-made trucks transporting containers, mainly with shells, to Balkan states and Poland, and eventually to Ukraine

Armenian premier says will skip CIS meeting in St. Petersburg due to COVID-19

His participation in the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of the Eurasian Economic Union is unclear

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 23rd

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Pakistani forces attack Afghan province just across border

Taliban-controlled Afghan Defense Ministry condemned the attack, saying it violated international law and didn’t represent a solution to any issue

Sunken tankers violated seasonal maritime traffic restrictions — authority

A number of tankers of the ships' owner Volgatransneft did not have a license for transporting dangerous cargoes in inland waters

Ukraine’s General Staff reports tense frontline situation

The most difficult situation for Ukrainian troops is observed in the Krasnoarmeisk (Pokrovsk), Kurakhovo and Vremevka frontline areas

Ukraine intensifies shelling of Kremennaya fourfold due to Russian successes — expert

As Andrey Marochko noted, the enemy's indiscriminate attacks on Kremennaya's civilian targets are ruled out, since Ukraine is attacking the city with drones, and "drone operators see the target"

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 24th

Damascus warns Iran against sowing chaos in Syria — foreign minister

Iran should not interfere in Syria's internal affairs, the minister of foreign affairs in Syria’s transitional government Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said

Turkey’s, US defense chiefs discuss Syria, security issues

A conversation took place between National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

Russia not closing its border with Estonia — MFA

Russian border crossings near the Estonian border are functioning as usual, Maria Zakharova said

Top German officials pressured by Biden to strengthen anti-Russian coalition in EU — Dodik

"Now we see the outcome: a Europe burdened with numerous problems and struggling to determine how to establish relations with the Trump administration," the president of the Republika Srpska said

Plane crashed near Aktau was diverted to Makhachkala due to fog in Grozny

It is reported that this was a routine flight initially scheduled to arrive in Grozny

Russia’s Velikiye Luki submarine dives to depth of 100 meters as part of tests

Upon completion of the underwater part of the test, the crew of the Velikiye Luki took the submarine to the surface and continued to carry out operations in accordance with the plan

Passenger plane crashes near Kazakhstan's Aktau — Emergencies Ministry

According to the statement, the information about the injured is being clarified

Roscosmos, NASA synchronize timeframes for completion of ISS — CEO

There are plans to start conducting manned flights to the new Russian Orbital Station about the same time when Russia exits the ISS program, chief executive of the Russian state space corporation Yury Borisov noted

Former Austrian minister believes EU ignored message Russia sent with Oreshnik missile

According to Karin Kneissl, Russia doesn’t want to trigger any nuclear war

Another US fighter jet narrowly avoided friendly fire in Red Sea — Fox News

According to the report, the plane crew had to perform several maneuvers to dodge it

Russian scientists have lots of new ideas in nuclear sphere — researcher

Mikhail Kovalchuk also reiterated that for a long time, Russia has been and remains a guide for other countries in the sphere of developing technologies, including space

Ukrainian deserters abroad are hunted through Interpol — parliament member

"The percentage of those who have left their newly formed brigades is the highest," Ruslan Gorbenko said

Former Austrian minister names 4 suspect countries in connection with Nord Stream sabotage

Asked what countries could be behind the attack, Karin Kneissl replied that, like in an Agatha Christie novel, "there are many suspects in this imaginary room"

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Trump’s presidency could influence global economy — Russian finance chief

The Republican candidate secured sufficient Electoral College votes in the November 5 presidential election, according to state-by-state vote counts

Russian forces gain control over road between Gulyaypole, Velikaya Novosyolka — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, actions by the Russian Armed Forces will compel the garrison of the Ukrainian armed forces in Velikaya Novosyolka to face difficulties with supplies and reinforcements

Syria’s new authorities want Syria to regain its status of key regional player

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the foreign minister in Syria’s transitional government, promised that Damascus will take measures to ensure the safe return 'of each Syrian national who had to flee his land and his home'

Russian forces increasing pressure on Ukrainian troops near Belogorovka in LPR — expert

Unfavorable weather has made things worse for the enemy in that sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko said

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Europe should support Sino-Brazilian initiative on Ukraine — Swiss newspaper

The article’s author believes that Russa’s absence during the peace conference in Burgenstock, Switzerland, was 'a crucial mistake'

Deliveries to unfriendly countries are slightly above 15% in Russian exports

CIS and the nearest Russian neighbors, Southeast Asia, Persian Gulf countries, Africa, Latin America and Iran are among other destinations for Russian exports

Russian language taught in 4,500 schools in Tajikistan

Putin said 72 Russian teachers currently work in Tajikistan's schools, and next year their number will increase to 80

Mercenary from Norway faces criminal charges for incursion into Kursk Region

The investigation has found that Ocherkhadzhiyev personally participates in the armed conflict as a mercenary on Russian territory

Online platform for sales of drones, spare parts launched in Russia in test mode

The platform will offer propellers, frames, engines, communication systems, the head of the United Russia party’s central executive committee Alexander Sidyakin said

Serious conflict between Israel, Turkey possible — Russian expert

"It’s important to note that the primary development in this context is the markedly increased role of non-Arab states in the region, particularly two key players," Vitaly Naumkin said

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

On April 15, 2013, two explosions, with 12 seconds in between, happened in Boston’s downtown, near the finish line of the traditional marathon

Tajikistan satisfied with development of relations with Russia — President Rakhmon

According to Emomali Rakhmon, the year 2024 was very beneficial for both countries

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

New US administration does not guarantee solution of Ukrainian crisis — expert

Ivan Timofeyev recalled that even during his first presidency, which proceeded in more favorable geopolitical conditions and without a personnel crisis, Trump pursued a hardline approach in relations with Russia

Sandu takes office as Moldova’s president for her second term

Parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Court, and foreign diplomats attended her inauguration

At least 21 killed in post-election violence in Mozambique

Pascoal Ronda suggested that the opposition probably joined forces with Islamic terrorists

Biden considers new sanctions against Russian energy sector — The Washington Post

According to the newspaper’s sources, possible options also include revoking the license that allows banks to handle transactions with Russian energy resources

IN BRIEF: What is known about sinking of Ursa Major cargo ship in Mediterranean Sea

According to reports, fourteen crew members were rescued and two are missing

Russian air defenses eliminate 59 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight

According to the Tambov Region government, there were no casualties as a result of the destruction of the drones

IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

Assassination attempt on defense executive thwarted near Moscow — FSB

The attackers’ activities were coordinated by Ukrainian special service agents through foreign internet messengers, as evidenced by data retrieved from seized communication devices, the FSB added

Qatar has not mediated between Russia, new Syrian authorities; ready for this role

Spokesman for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari noted that the emirate continued to maintain relations with Russia and stressed that they were positive

Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The military said that a conversation in a foreign language was intercepted by radio intelligence before visual control over the group was established

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

IN BRIEF: What is known about shopping mall explosion in Russia’s Vladikavkaz

According to emergency services, the incident was caused by a household gas explosion

Germany's new chancellor may lead the West in standoff with Moscow — expert

At the same time, Oleg Bondarenko said, without affordable energy resources, the decline of the German economy will continue with no chance of stopping in the foreseeable future

Putin, Rakhmon converse briefly ahead of bilateral talks

The leaders had a warm greeting, hugged each other, exchanged a couple of phrases and proceeded to the hall, where the bilateral negotiations started

Over 150 spontaneous graves found in Popasnaya in LPR

Around 250 people are still staying in the city

Hostilities in Ukraine to end in 2025 — Hungary’s Orban predicts

The Hungarian prime minister recalled that America and Europe spent about 300 billion euros on the war in Ukraine

Russia not to deviate 'one bit' from its main conditions in talks on Ukraine — speaker

"Certainly, the negotiation process will begin next year, without any doubt, but in my opinion it will be very complex," Valentina Matviyenko stressed

Russia continues special military op because Ukraine refuses talks — Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve all the goals that we face in ensuring the security of our country," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Putin bestows order upon Hermitage director general

The head of the State Hermitage Museum now has the full set of Orders for Merit to the Fatherland

Without Ukrainian transit, gas to become much more expensive for Europe — expert

According to Karin Kneissl, in some households, people are already paying more for electricity and heating than for their rent

Pentagon has nothing to announce on possible talks between Russia, US defense chiefs

Belousov and Austin had a phone call on July 12

Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," the politician said