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Montenegro plans no borders closing, says state secretary for tourism

Podgorica believes that the epidemiological situation will be improving, State Secretary for Tourism of the Ministry of Economic Development Ivana Djurovic added

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Montenegro’s authorities do not plan to close borders and are actively preparing for the tourist season, State Secretary for Tourism of the Ministry of Economic Development Ivana Djurovic said in an interview with TASS.

"As of now we do not expect borders closing, we are preparing for the tourist season. The process of vaccination is gaining traction, and we have no reasons to think about borders closing," she said.

Podgorica believes that the epidemiological situation will be improving, Djurovic added.

On March 2, President of Montenegro Milo Dukanovic put forward an initiative to close the country’s borders shortly due to the coronavirus, as well as to speed up vaccination, though it was not welcomed by the government. Later it was reported that Foreign Minister Djordje Radulovic submitted letters to EU member-states asking NATO and the European Union to help due to the difficult situation in the healthcare system amid the coronavirus spread.

Ukrainian commander-in-chief describes situation on frontline as ‘tough’

In his words, situation in the south of the country was also "tense"

West seeks to open 'second front' against Russia in Central Asia — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, this policy from the West is marked by "attempts to get Central Asian nations join sanctions and isolate Russia once and for all," and "restore their military and intelligence presence in the region"

Ukraine's losses, compensations to residents: situation in Russia's Kursk Region

Over the period of fighting in the Kursk frontline area, the Ukrainian army has lost over 41,400 troops, 242 tanks, 182 infantry fighting vehicles, 126 armored personnel carriers and 1,276 armored combat vehicles

Selidovo residents systematically executed by Ukrainian military before retreat

Rodion Miroshnik noted that punitive teams were seen in the town, whose members were dressed in camouflage but did not have any military insignia

Pentagon says US does not support activities similar to Russian general’s killing

Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said that US was not aware of this operation in advance

Russia to display battle-tested Supercam drone at Vietnam show

The fixed-wing drone with protected communication channels and high jam-resistance confirmed effectiveness in Syria and Ukraine

FACTBOX: Key details about the attack on Russia’s nuclear defense chief in Moscow

Senior officials from the Russian Interior Ministry’s Moscow department have arrived, along with investigators, medical personnel, and emergency services

Sales of heavy trucks in Russia may fall by 23% yoy in 2025 to 85,000 — Kamaz

Deputy General Director of the Russian truck producer Mikhail Matasov noted that the decline in sales can be caused by a decrease in demand for cargo transportation

Ukraine won’t accept Hungary’s mediation in conflict resolution — Zelensky

The Ukrainian president said he hopes for direct communication with the US after Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025

Kiev rejects Minsk’s initiative for Belarus to take part in peace talks

On Monday, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Ambrazevich said that Minsk was eager to take part in future peace talks on Ukraine, and final agreements should take Belarus’ interests into account

Ukrainian forces have no chance to stop Russian offensive on Kurakhovo — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, "it is clear that the Russians have the potential to break through the Ukrainian defenses in several areas simultaneously"

Ukrainian expert doubts existence of ‘laser trident’ in Kiev’s arsenal

Ukrainian expert on defense technologies Sergey Zgurets explained that, according to his information, work in this field in Ukraine has remained at the level of scientific research

Department of State denies US had hand in attack on Russian nuclear defense chief

Matthew Miller said that he don’t have any assessment

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

It is reported that the Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well, is very powerful

Court sentences Jehovah’s Witness to five years behind bars for funding organization

During the searches, foreign passports, electronic devices, flash drives, hard disks, laptops and other material evidence relevant to the preliminary investigation were seized

NATO takes over coordination of military aid to Ukraine from US — report

The source said the move is an attempt to safeguard the supply of armaments to Ukraine from a potential shift in sentiment in Washington under incoming President Donald Trump

Captured Ukrainian soldier tells about orders to shoot civilians in Russia’s Kursk Region

Artur Plombirus was conscripted from prison, where he was serving a sentence under Article 186 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (robbery)

Damascus airports to continue operating on special permits until December 24 — dispatchers

The Syrian airspace is now open for transit flights without landing at the country's airports

Russia in contact with Turkey on bank transfer issue — diplomat

Andrey Buravov said that sanctions against Gazprombank negatively influences the development of Russia-Turkey trade and economic cooperation

Senior Russian general, his aide killed in Moscow blast — investigators

According to Svetlana Petrenko, the Committee’s Moscow department has launched a criminal probe into the attack

Gazprom shares reach bottom first since 2009

The decline is possibly due to US sanctions imposed against Gazprom on December 17

Special op's 'pivotal' year, nuclear deterrence: what Putin said at Defense Ministry

The Russian president stressed that the military and political situation in the world remains "uneasy and unstable"

BRICS anticipates active involvement of new members in space initiatives

"Progress has already been made in this area, and I expect it will accelerate further during Brazil’s presidency next year," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Ukrainian forces execute over 100 civilians in Selidovo

According to Maxim Grigoriev, all Ukrainian units participated in the shooting of civilians in Selidovo

Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

Bomb that killed senior Russian general had capacity of 300 grams in TNT equivalent

Bomb experts and detector dog handlers have inspected the surrounding area

UK’s "special status" blow to European Union but not devastating

Analyst blames NATO special services for bomb attack on Russian general

According to Alexander Stepanov, this is a "planned operation" and evidence that an all-out hybrid war of annihilation is being waged on Russia

With Annovka liberated, Russia can reinforce troops in Kurakhovo in DPR

The Russian defense ministry reported earlier on Tuesday that units of Russia’s Battlegroup South had liberated the settlement of Annovka in the DPR

Trump blasts Biden’s permission to use US weapons for strikes inside Russia as 'stupid'

The US President-elect said that nobody asked him to weigh in on the decision

Serial production of Oreshnik missiles to begin shortly — Putin

The head of state recalled that Russia’s newest powerful weapon "was successfully used in November in response to the strikes on our country’s territory"

Erdogan calls for preventing Syria from turning into hotbed of terrorism

"Turkey is the only country and ally that defeated both of these terrorist organizations," the Turkish leader stressed

Number of AWOL cases in Ukrainian army exceeds its losses — Ukrainian officer

According to the officer, only 10% of these people return to their units

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Finnish president says too early to talk of any peacekeepers in Ukraine

Alexander Stubb urged to approach the issue of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine with caution without rushing into it

Syria’s new leader seeks to 'gain voice' in UN Security Council

Ahmad al-Sharaa didn’t say exactly what role the new Syrian government sees for itself in the UNSC

Results of Russian cancer vaccine’s preclinical studies due in late 2024 — minister

The research "is financed by the state as part of the governmental order," Mikhail Murashko said

General Kirillov knew he was being 'hunted' — Kostroma governor

"There was a clear understanding that the combat personnel he had trained and the combat efforts by his troops were a powerful weapon," Sergey Sitnikov said

Russia's Embassy in Tunisia talking to authorities about arrest of Russians

Russian diplomats have already met "with the local authorities to clarify the circumstances of the case"

EU studies potential confiscation of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine — report

In October, G7 leaders issued a joint statement announcing that they had reached an agreement on $50 billion in loans to Ukraine

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Slovakian economy minister holds talks with Gazprom CEO

The talks with the head of the Russian gas producer were held in the remote mode

UN ready to back Ukraine peace proposals in line with organization’s mandate — spokesman

Stephane Dujarric made the statement in response to a request to comment on a recent statement by Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto

Russian troops liberate Annovka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 425 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities

Russia holding consultations with Turkey on situation over sanctions on Gazprombank

"We are constantly holding consultations with the Turkish side as one of our active counteragents, so to say," Russia’s consul general in Istanbul Andrey Buravov told

UN refrains from condemning terror attack on Russia’s nuclear defense chief Kirillov

Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said earlier in the day that Russia will raise this issue at a UN Security Council meeting on Western weapons supplies to Ukraine on December 20

Russia, Ukraine negotiating 'big exchange' of prisoners of war — human rights commissioner

According to Tatyana Moskalkova, the human rights commissioners of the two countries are trying to accommodate the prisoners of war in every way possible, including by making sure that letters written by the POWs reach their families

Some EU countries concerned about idea to seize Russian central bank assets — report

Discussions on the issue have been intensified amid concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump could reduce or stop support to Ukraine after taking office

Polish premier calls for stop to speculation about Polish troops being sent to Ukraine

Donald Tusk also warned against offering Kiev security guarantees that may ultimately prove to be unenforceable

Russian forces clear some seven hectares of forest near Kremennaya of Ukrainian troops

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced on Monday that 99.3% of the LPR territory had been liberated

Russia’s Medvedev threatens punishment over attack on senior general Kirillov

The politician condemned the attack by what he called the collapsing Kiev regime

BRICS’ own payment system is feasible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister believes

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the group also needs clearing mechanisms and transaction insurance systems, including insurance for the movement of goods and cargoes

State Duma passes bill tightening control over deals made by large financial organizations

The bill will become law on September 1, 2025

Network of 30 biolaboratories was created in Ukraine — Russian military

Some of them were research laboratories and others, sanitary-epidemiological ones, chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force Igor Kirillov specified

Video camera used to surveil Russian general found inside car sharing vehicle — source

Items of interest to the investigation were seized from the car

Trump looks set to resolve Ukraine conflict at Kiev’s expense, US expert believes

According to Francis Fukuyama, Trump "has little regard for [Ukraine’s Vladimir] Zelensky and even seems to have contempt for most democratically elected European leaders"

Russian MFA sees attack on general as consequence of West’s connivance of Kiev’s crimes

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that "general Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed in a planned manner"

China firm in its objective position on Ukraine — Chinese MFA

According to Wang Yi, Beijing have always actively promoted peace talks

Russian nuclear defense chief's aide Ilya Polikarpov killed in Moscow explosion

Ilya Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation

Putin highlights need for more innovation in defense sector

The President specifically highlighted information exchanges between the units directly involved in Russia’s special military operation and defense companies

Syrian opposition calls for a referendum on new Constitution

Bader Jamous pointed out that the Syrian Transitional Government must hold a "universal national conference" in order to prepare a "new Constitution that would reflect the aspirations of Syrians"

US to high-tail it out of Syria a la Afghanistan, Iraq — Iranian MP

According to Esmail Kosari, the Syrian people will soon oust both the United States and Israel and "the resistance front will continue its work more resolutely"

Trump announces ‘a little progress’ in efforts to settle Ukraine conflict

He didn’t elaborate

Scholz expects US position on long-range weapons for Ukraine to change under Trump

The German chancellor has repeatedly refused to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that this move would trigger serious escalation risks

Merkel's memoirs confirm Russia sought to avoid conflict — reporter

Thomas Fazi said that, according to the former German chancellor, Russian President Vladimir Putin was committed to peace

Russia to continue its military operation, as West only offers fake peace plans — UN envoy

The permanent representative added that Russia would respond to actions taken by the Ukrainian authorities appropriately

Fall of Damascus and hopes for free Syria: Assad makes first statement after stepping down

Bashar Assad insists that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8 and did not leave the country until late on that day

Former Ukrainian president says frontline situation more difficult than ever

Pyotr Poroshenko specified that Ukrainian troops stationed in the Krasnoarmeisk and Kupyansk areas "are desperately calling out" about the lack of drones

Russian troops advance toward Storozhevoye village in Donbass region — official

On December 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of the village of Blagodatnoye in the DPR

Special military operation in Syria does not affect BRICS plans, senior diplomat says

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the situation in Syria "mobilizes and consolidates the organization’s will"

Russia urges Israel to abandon use of force in relations with Syria

Vasily Nebenzya underlined that such actions infringe on the Arab republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

Ukraine would have been admitted to NATO in no time if it depended on Poland – Tusk

Discussions around a potential invitation to NATO has invigorated in Ukraine in recent time

No place out of Russia’s ICBMs’ reach — Strategic Missile Forces commander

Colonel General Sergey Karakayev, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces also announced that missile launches at maximum range are planned as part of state flight tests of advanced missile systems

Kirillov's killers to be tracked down, Western link clear — politician

Vladimir Rogov noted that Igor Kirillov’s assassination was "another case of Kiev's state terrorism, which spans the entirety of Russia"

UK adds 20 tankers, two companies to its sanctions list for Russia

The sanctions target Dubai-based companies 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE, which specialize in energy trading

Lavrov blames Anglo-Saxons for pushing Middle East towards big war

According to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, this line of the West traditionally leads to surges in terrorism and multi-million flows of refugees

Ukrainian army’s losses exceed 41,660 troops: Situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Russian tactical and army aircraft and artillery forces struck enemy troops and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

Russia's economic indicators steady over the year despite sanctions — Finance Minister

As Anton Siluanov reported, the session discussed a number of measures to create "long money" in the economy

Transneft sends equipment to clean up fuel oil spill in Anapa after incident with tankers

Earlier, acting head of the Russian Emergencies Ministry's regional directorate, Andrey Potakhov, said that the total length of the contaminated areas does not exceed 35 km

Execution of civilians in Selidovo a display of genocide — Human Rights Commissioner

Tatiana Moskalkova noted that, earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "military justice must document the evidence of war crimes and take all possible measures to bring the perpetrators to court"

Power of IED that killed senior general in Moscow was equivalent to over one kg of TNT

Work is underway to establish all those involved in the crime

General Kirillov's murder reflects Kiev regime's desperation, Russian senator says

Kiev's accusations against Igor Kirillov about his involvement "in alleged war crimes involving chemical weapons only confirm that this was a deliberately orchestrated," Vladimir Chizhov said

Serbian leader wants to contact Putin over gas contract with Russia, US sanctions

Aleksandar Vucic earlier stated that the US decision to impose sanctions on NIS starting January 1, 2025, would not alter Belgrade's refusal to join the anti-Russian sanctions

Resistance movement in Kherson facilitates elimination of over 120 Ukrainian troops

The movement’s activists helped to eliminate 38 Ukrainian army vehicles and three mortars

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

Survival rate of wounded in Russian army up significantly — defense minister

Andrey Belousov thanked all medical workers who were saving soldiers’ lives on the frontline and in district and central military-medical and civilian hospitals

Turkey did not support HTS during Syria uprising — spokesman of Erdogan’s party

Omer Celik noted that Turkey has opposed bloodshed in the neighboring country from the start and called for a political settlement

Russian MFA sees attack on general as consequence of West’s connivance of Kiev’s crimes

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted a lack of reaction from the West to the crime

Investigators open criminal case into Moscow blast that kills two

Investigators and criminalists are currently working at the scene

Loss of Krasnoarmeysk to mark 'largest setback' for Ukraine in months — TV channel

Krasnoarmeysk is a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian group in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Press review: South Korean president impeached as Ukraine turns to foreign mercenaries

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 16th

Another anti-government rally being held in Tbilisi

The rally is being held peacefully, with the police not interfering

Russia to raise topic of terror attack on Kirillov at UNSC meeting on December 20

"Those responsible for this crime must be duly punished and be unequivocally condemned by international community," Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky stressed

IN BRIEF: Russian defense minister speaks out on confrontation with West, Ukrainian losses

According to the minister, Ukrainian losses exceeded 560,000 servicemen killed and wounded in 2024

Three lions kill guard at zoo in Uzbekistan

The animals escaped their cage into the zoo's courtyard

Poland may scale back military aid to Ukraine amid dwindling resources — prime minister

Donald Tusk announced that in January, Ukraine would receive a 46th aid package, without specifying what kind of weapons it would include

Russian stocks close in the red on Tuesday

MOEX Index lost 1.78% to 2,377.15 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS Index fell by 1.86% to 727.06 points

EC not interested in continuation of Russian gas transit via Ukraine

"The Commission does not support any discussions on the contract extension nor other solutions to maintain transit flows and has not been involved in any kind of negotiations on this," the statement reads

Press review: EU imposes new anti-Russian sanctions and Russia braces for NATO conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 17th

Key facts about Russia’s Topol intercontinental ballistic missile

The first test launch of the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile was conducted in 1982