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Crisis in Belarus

Ukraine closes its airspace for Belarusian planes starting May 29

The ban enters into effect at 00:00 local time May 29

KIEV, May 28. /TASS/. The Cabinet of ministers of Ukraine approved the ban for Belarusian planes to enter the Ukrainian airspace during an emergency meeting Friday. The ban enters into effect at 00:00 local time May 29.

"We ordered to impose a ban on using the Ukrainian airspace for aircraft, registered in the Republic of Belarus registry, starting on 00:00 May 29", a Ukrainian government source told RBC-Ukraine.

Military operation in Ukraine

Trump says Zelensky’s peace plan means nothing without his approval — Politico

"So we’ll see what he’s got," the US leader said

Russian, Indian business showing interest in localizing production — Russia’s trade envoy

Andrey Sobolev said this attitude is increasingly systematically reflected in the agenda of intergovernmental dialogue

KVN drones destroy Ukrainian equipment worth two German armies — Ushkuynik

According to CEO Alexey Chadayev, after the invasion of the Kursk Region, the Ukrainian armed forces "were unable to carry out a single successful attack with the mass use of mechanized military equipment"

Customs transfer $73.3 bln to Russian budget

The target is 97% delivered for the time being, the press service of the customs authority said

Kim orders inflicting retaliatory strike in case of violation of NKorean territorial waters

Kim set the task before the command “to raise combat preparedness of units, taking into account new provocative actions by the enemy”

US combat drones attack Nigeria’s Sokoto State — TV

According to the Punch newspaper, a missile strike targeted the village of Offa in Kwara State some 500 kilometers from Sokoto

Soyuz-5 carrier rocket first launch postponed — Roscosmos

This decision is based on technical grounds, Roscosmos said

Ukraine extends ban on Russian goods imports for year

The prohibited products include meat, fish, coffee, tea, chocolate and other confectionery, baby food, animal feed, alcohol and cigarettes

Rutte pushes back against idea that EU can only rely on itself for defense

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recalled decisions made at the NATO summit in The Hague this summer, where alliance members agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035

Russian man wins over $400,000 in lottery after guessing every number wrong

The family plans to use the prize to buy an apartment

Hybrid energy complexes to start working in Yakutia's 3 remote villages in 2026

Each energy complex has a highly efficient diesel power plant, a solar power plant and an energy storage system with a single automated control system

EU loan to Kiev won’t hinder Russia's strengthening of its position — senior diplomat

EU countries decided to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros in 2026-2027

Silver prices set new record on Comex today

The precious metal prices gained 8.86% to record-breaking $78.035 per Troy ounce

South Korea asks UN chief to visit North Korea — agency

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with the UN chief in New York on December 18 to discuss cooperation between South Korea and the United Nations, as well as regional problems

Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

Belarus designates combat patrol areas for Oreshnik missiles — senior military official

According to Pavel Muraveiko, work to coordinate combat crews’ actions is currently underway

Kiev’s settlement plan differs from one Russia, US working on — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said it is necessary to conduct an in-depth analysis of the results of the meetings in Florida

NATO countries really preparing for war, not bluffing — top Belarusian defense official

According to Viktor Khrenin, this is evidenced by infrastructure being built in countries neighboring Belarus, the numerous drills and training sessions being conducted, and the modernization of seaports and airfields for the delivery of weapons

First launch from Baiterek space complex is planned for first quarter of 2026

Active preparations are currently underway, and the carrier rocket is already in Kazakhstan

Su-57 fighter jet successfully evades enemy radars and electronic warfare — Chemezov

Rostec CEO noted that the corporation received feedback on all equipment deployed in the zone of the special military operation

Helicopter lands military rescuers crew at Superjet crash site

Helicopter pilots on Friday managed to land a group of military rescuers above the Sukhoi Superjet 100 crash site on Mount Salak in Indonesia

Zelensky says US has proposed 15-year settlement agreements

In his words, there are some "technical things" that need to be further discussed

IN BRIEF: Russia’s key foreign policy results of 2025 summarized in statements from MFA

Unfriendly nations had to acknowledge that it is impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia

All car plants left by foreigners to be launched by summer 2026 — First Deputy PM

Authorities expect that the volume of the Russian car market will grow to 2.5 mln by 2030, Denis Manturov added

Silver price hits record high

By 1:14 a.m. GMT, the value of silver accelerated its growth to $75.235 per troy ounce

Japan, Russia fail to reach agreement on seafood quotas — Japanese minister

According to Norikazu Suzuki, the prospects for the negotiations are still unclear

Zelensky's address demonstrates intent to prolong conflict — Duma member

As Leonid Ivlev stressed, the rhetoric from the Kiev regime does not advance peace negotiations

Chukotka's 1,000th business resident plans building energy-efficient houses

The V Komforte Group of Companies will create a full-service enterprise in Bilibino

Russia’s destroyer Vice Admiral Kulakov returns to base after long-distance voyage

The fleet specified that Rear Admiral Oleg Gladky, Chief of Staff of the Kola Flotilla of the Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command, received a report on the successful accomplishment by the warship crew of the assigned mission

Belarus will judge US security policy by concrete actions — defense ministry official

"Actions speak louder than words," Pavel Muraveiko

Trump receives box of red caviar from Russia's Far East

The caviar reportedly made such a "strong impression" on Steve Witkoff that he was given an entire box to deliver to President Trump

Almost all Ukrainian brigade deserts — Russia’s security forces

The source said there are quite a lot of units in the Ukrainian army that did not meet expectations of the command

Sales on main Russian e-commerce platforms up 30% — First Deputy PM

The trade segment in Russia is constantly evolving on account of robotization and digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence, Denis Manturov said

Energy System of East sets absolute power consumption record

Power consumption totaled 8,295 MW

Norilsk Nickel CEO sums up results of Russia’s financial policy in 2025

According to Vladimir Potanin, the year was quite challenging for the country’s financial sector

Russia ready to discuss form of document on absence of plans to attack NATO — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia remains open for serious talks

Those who expect to defeat Russia in open conflict deeply mistaken — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, politicians who make such statements are either forgetting or deliberately pretending not to notice that it is nothing but an attempt to defeat a nuclear power

Putin notes multiple growth in production of weapons in demand in special operation zone

"The production of armored vehicles has increased by 2.2 times, of light armored vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers) by 3.7 times, and military aircraft by 4.6 times," the Russian president said

Defense industry operating steadily, supplying everything necessary to army — Putin

At the same time, weapons are being supplied "both to the units involved in the special military operation and to the armed forces as a whole," the Russian president added

China sanctions 20 US defense companies over weapons supplies to Taiwan

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the decision enters into force on December 26

Russia secures $9 bln in new funding for Akkuyu NPP project — Turkish energy minister

Alparslan Bayraktar also confirmed Turkey's plans to launch the first reactor of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant next year

Trump threatens Democrats with 'last Christmas' in light of Epstein case

The US leader also noted that Democrats will "have a lot of explaining to do" when their involvement in US financier scandal becomes known

Ukraine’s prosecutors open five criminal cases on bribing electorate

Non-governmental organisations, viewing the elections, informed about many occasions of bribing electors in various regions of the country

Russia can receive unlimited number of Indian specialists — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov confirmed that the labor mobility agreement was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in New Delhi

Trump says he expects to speak with Putin soon

The US leader also said he expects to hold a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky this weekend

US says more progress reached on Ukraine in two weeks than in year — news outlet

Axios' source said that Washington is ready to submit a document to the US Senate for ratification that will outline security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO Article 5

West's policy on Ukraine rules out peaceful coexistence with Russia — German expert

Werner Patzelt emphasized that regardless of the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia "will not cease to be part of European geography and geopolitics"

India's BRICS presidency to strengthen Russian-Indian cooperation — Russian trade envoy

In 2026, the main focus will be on the practical implementation of agreements reached following Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to India and the Russian-Indian business forum in New Delhi, Andrey Sobolev said

US national debt has been adding $75,000 every second this year — senator

Rand Paul called US President Donald Trump's decision to cut $5 billion in foreign aid and funding for international organizations for the first time in 50 years "a drop in the bucket" in the fight against spending

Russia rescued Ukrainians abandoned by Kiev in Sumy Region — human rights commissioner

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

Russia would like to see friendly Ukraine, senior diplomat says

Sergey Ryabkov did not rule out that Ukraine can be a sovereign state post the conflict

Deployment of Oreshnik was response to West’s aggressive moves — Belarus' defense minister

Only time will reveal how this will influence the broader situation, Viktor Khrenin added

End of war in Ukraine to have positive impact on Moldova — former president

Igor Dodon highlighted recent warnings from Western officials, noting that Moldova has faced increasing scrutiny

Trump says Zelensky’s peace plan means nothing without his approval — Politico

"So we’ll see what he’s got," the US leader said

Russian troops to isolate large Ukrainian logistics center after liberating Kosovtsevo

As a result of active combat operations, conditions have been created for blocking a large enemy logistics center and up to a platoon of manpower of the Ukrainian army’s 110th separate mechanized brigade and 33rd separate assault regiment

West uses sanctions to cling to fading dominance — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that unilateral coercive measures represent a serious obstacle to establishing a just and equitable multipolar world order

Russian forces destroy company of Ukrainian soldiers by FAB bomb in Dnepropetrovsk area

The Ukrainian military is trying to evacuate the wounded and dead personnel from the site of the strike and work is underway to clear the debris

Authorities discussing establishment of Islamic bank in Russia — lawmaker

Anatoly Aksakov said that he expects this work to be completed next year

Russian stocks up as main trading session opens

According to trading data as of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS indices gained 0.95% to 2,739.86 points and 1,108.2 points, respectively

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

Russian car market to decline by 19% in 2025 — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov said the market volume is about 1.45 mln vehicles across all segments

Russian GDP up 1% in 11M 2025 — Economy Ministry

In November, the GDP was 0.1% above the last-year level after 1.6% in October, the ministry said

Russian electricity exports may slightly drop this year — Inter RAO

Kazakhstan and Mongolia are traditional destinations of Russian electricity supplies in recent years, the energy major noted

Unemployment in Russia falls to 2.1% in November, statistics service says

In November, 1.6 million people aged 15 and older were classified as unemployed

Kiev has no resources to feed 800,000-strong army mentioned by Zelensky — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that it remains unclear what the first point of Zelensky’s plan, intended to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty, actually means

Russian football chief Dyukov says outgoing year 2025 was success for national teams

This year, the Russian men’s national team played 10 friendly matches winning six of them, lost another one and finished three more in a draw

Ukrainian soldiers ignore pressure to celebrate Catholic Christmas — military expert

According to Adnrey Marochko, the majority of Ukrainian servicemen continue to consider rescheduling of the Christian holiday an act of blasphemy

Russia has plan in place in case frozen assets are seized — Novak

It will be implemented if such cases arise, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Russia supplies another batch of Su-30SM2 fighters to Belarus — Defense Ministry

Deputy Commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Chief of Aviation Colonel Alexander Belyaev said these aircraft will soon undergo technical inspection at the air base

Tokyo’s decision to close Japanese Centers in Russia is ‘logical, timely’ — diplomat

"Whose declared goals and tasks are inconsistent with the present-day reality," Zakharova said

West does not believe Ukraine can win without external assistance — United Russia official

Andrey Klimov believes that even with ongoing Western assistance, Ukraine will not achieve its military objectives

Russia Pacific Fleet warships guard civil convoys in Gulf of Aden

Since 2009, it is the sixth group of the Pacific Fleet to participate in the international anti-piracy operation

Senior Russian diplomat rejects deadlines for resolving Ukraine conflict as inappropriate

No artificial deadlines will help here, Sergey Ryabkov said

Foreign brands vacate 81% more retail space in Russia in 2025 than they occupied

According to analysts, 60 new international brands have entered the Russian market since the beginning of 2023

Russian diplomat talks Ukrainian conflict settlement with Turkish ambassador — MFA

According to the statement, the parties also discussed key issues of mutual interest, regarding the international and regional agendas

Russia’s public catering turnover up 8.7% YOY in 11M 2025 — statistics

The turnover had an uptick by 8.2% in annual terms to 377.2 bln rubles ($4.8 bln) this November, Russian Federal State Statistics Service reported

Russian cars production estimated at 750,000 in 2025 — First Deputy PM

According to the Russian national statistical agency Rosstat, production of cars in Russia lost 12.6% to 591,000 units in January - November 2025

Russia plans to upgrade nuclear triad through 2036 — Kremlin

The state arms program is a long-term planning document that stipulates developing, producing and maintaining the combat readiness of armaments, military and special equipment

Risk of nuclear conflict not eliminated, Russia ready to negotiate — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that contacts with the US now intensified, "there is a businesslike, substantive conversation, but great efforts are needed to move further away from this edge"

Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

According to the sources, the measure is based on the principle of reciprocity

The Cure’s member Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

The musician "passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas," the British band said

Google plans to move obsolete servers out of Russia — RBC

The case in point are the servers used as part of the Google Global Cache system that expedites the content delivery for users

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center forces kept destroying the surrounded Ukrainian combat group in Dimitrov and mopping up the settlements of Rodinskoye and Grishino in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week

Talks with US on Ukraine result-oriented, Moscow not backing down from its position — MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the understanding that has developed in Anchorage is being implemented through contacts

German customs involved in legal arbitrariness against Russians — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, Germany has de facto been turned into a territory of lawlessness for people of a certain nationality, in this case, citizens of Russia

France looks to reinforce Kiev’s army with four PMCs — Russian administration in Kharkov

Recruitment offices for the four PMCs will be established in nine French cities

Opening of AAOIFI center in Kazan will facilitate investment inflow to Russia — regulator

The head of the Bank of Russia added that interest in partnership financing is growing worldwide

Russian strategic bombers fly over neutral waters of Barents, Norwegian seas

Su-33 fighter jets of the Russian Navy escorted the long-range bombers

Russia, US close to settling Ukraine conflict, final push needed — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that it "depends on the other side's political will, especially since Kiev and its sponsors, particularly in the EU, who are not interested in an agreement, have redoubled their efforts to torpedo it"

Moldova could help stabilize gas supplies to Transnistria — ex-Moldovan president

According to Igor Dodon, the pro-Western government in Chisinau is not interested in overcoming the energy crisis in Transnistria

Russia harvested 139.4 mln tons of grain in 2025

Grain threshing gained 10.7% year on year

Putin holds meeting on state armament programs, defense industry development

The event took place in the Kremlin

Russia’s retail trade turnover up 2.5% YOY in 11M 2025 — statistics

Retail sales in November 2025 gained 3.3% annually to 5.22 trillion rubles ($66.1 bln)

Ukrainian army pulls forces toward key cities in Donbass — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky noted that the Ukrainian military was building fortifications and preparing a line of defense in these areas

Nigerian TV says US strike aimed at IS hits area that hasn't seen terrorists in decade

There is currently no confirmed information regarding casualties among either civilians or militants

Special op experience, work of defense industry sector: Putin's statements

The president noted that the Russian defense-industrial complex is operating steadily, providing the armed forces with the necessary equipment

Russia-US agree to maintain dialogue on Ukraine after Dmitriev’s trip to Miami — Kremlin

Negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement took place in Miami on December 20 and 21

Russia open to contacts, but Europe is not interested in that — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, political contacts between the sides are maintained but this in not done publicly

Zelensky works for MI6, Russian official believes

According to Andrey Klimov, in the first months of the special military operation, there was a real chance to end the conflict through political and diplomatic means

Sweden better apologize for detaining Russia's Adler vessel — Foreign Ministry

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Swedish customs and law enforcement agencies, including security services, continued their so-called inspection

Kiev steps up attacks on Russia using NATO arms — military expert

Andrey Marochko suggested that Kiev had intensified the number of strikes against Russia using NATO-supplied weapons due to increased ammunition deliveries from alliance countries