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Developments in Afghanistan

Taliban catch 130 looters in efforts to prevent pillaging — Russian ambassador

"They have zero tolerance for looters," Dmitry Zhirnov noted

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. The Taliban (outlawed in Russia) have caught 130 looters and are taking efforts to prevent pillaging amid the general political destabilization in the country, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said on Tuesday.

"The most serious problem here is looters, criminals," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel. "They (the Taliban) yesterday caught 130 looters. They have zero tolerance for looters. They are tough on criminals in general, up to execution. Whether they be sex offenders or thieves, let alone armed robbery. They are very tough on them and, probably, it has an effect."

The Russian diplomat admitted he did not think it would take that little time to restore order in the country. "My forecast was wrong. I thought it would take a week or ten days to calm down the situation. But as soon as they [the Taliban] entered the city, everything calmed down," he said.

After the United States announced the end of its armed operation in Afghanistan and began to withdraw its troops, the Taliban launched a large-scale offensive on the government army and by August 15 entered Kabul after meeting no resistance. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he was resigning to avoid bloodshed and fled the country. Western nations are evacuating their citizens and embassy employees.

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Afghanistan Power transfer in Afghanistan

Military operation in Ukraine

Top British diplomat concerned about potential Russian advance in Kharkov Region

The West expects the Ukrainian army to be able to stand its ground this year

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The Israeli army "eliminated dozens of terrorists, exposed underground terror tunnels and vast amounts of weapons," Daniel Hagari informed

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West may benefit from Zelensky’s elimination to put blame on Russia — DPR head

Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

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Those complicit in terrorist attacks on Russian territory to be inevitably punished — MFA

On May 11, the day of the anniversary of the DPR, Ukrainian neo-Nazis fired US-made HIMARS missiles at the city of Donetsk, Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reminded

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

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Missile fragments damage residential building in Belgorod — Russian Defense Ministry

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Three people wounded by rocket firing against Israel’s Ashkelon — newspaper

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Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys Ukrainian armored vehicles, M777 howitzer

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London refuses to engage with Moscow on Skripals — senior Russian diplomat

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Russia to restore peace in Donbass regardless of Zelensky’s attempts — MFA

Russia will bring back the long-awaited peace and will solve the most complex tasks, Maria Zakharova said

Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

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Ukrainian shelling leaves civilian injured in Donetsk

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Fire breaks out in Volgograd Refinery due to drone crash

No casualties, the regional administration said

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Ukrainian shelling causes section of high-rise building to collapse in Belgorod

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the Ukrainian attack

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Russian IT infrastructure operating stably in cyberwar environment — Rostelecom

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"There would be a cease fire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages," US President said

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Top British diplomat concerned about potential Russian advance in Kharkov Region

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The Ukrainian armed forces have shelled Russia’s borderline city of Belgorod, as a result, 49 apartments in 22 apartment buildings, four commercial facilities have been damaged, as well as glazing in two hospitals

Russian PM Mishustin proposes Denis Manturov as his first deputy

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The Russian government will increase the attractiveness of Russian jurisdiction for business, acting Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

Actions by Finland, Sweden pose increasing threats to Russia’s security — diplomat

Sergey Belyaev said that Moscow is closely watching the integration of Finland and Sweden to the military bloc

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An antigovernment action followed the manifestation demanding early elections in Israel and the soonest possible rescue of hostages

Death toll in Ukrainian strike on LPR oil depot climbs

At this time, 15 people have been affected by the catastrophe at the Rovenki oil depot

Ukraine turns into self-imposed pariah over past ten years — diplomat

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Air defenses down 21 Vampire rockets, nine drones over Russia’s Belgorod Region

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One in two Germans believe Russia unlikely to attack NATO, poll shows

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Ukrainian army loses up to 160 troops in Battlegroup East responsibility zone

The military agency added that Ukrainian losses included two armored fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, a Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle, a self-propelled artillery system and three howitzers

Mauritius working on Mir system introduction — Russian Ambassador

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Aeroflot may start year-round flights to Mauritius — Russian Ambassador

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Battlegroup North liberates four settlements in Kharkov Region in past day

Russian air defenses also downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet

Air defense system destroyed two Tochka-U missiles over Belgorod Region

The Russian Air Defense assets also destroyed five drones over Bryansk and Lipetsk Regions, and intercepted a drone over the Begorod Region, the Ministry of Defense said

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The on-duty air defenses destroyed 12 missiles over the Belgorod Region

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Russian PM Mishustin proposes Denis Manturov as his first deputy

During the State Duma’s debate on the candidacy for prime minister, the lawmakers proposed to promote the industry sector supervisor to first deputy prime minister

West attempted to disrupt Aeroflot flights to Mauritius — Russian Ambassador

The Western countries "stoop to nothing" in order to prevent other countries from developing relations with Russia, Konstantin Klimovsky said

Fans banned from bringing Russian flags to IIHF World Championship matches

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Israeli army attacking Rafah in southern Gaza — media

Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television said the Israeli air force is also delivering airstrikes at Khan Younis

IDF launches operation against Hamas in Jabaliya in northern Gaza — spokesman

"The troops have begun operations against terrorist infrastructure in the Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya neighborhoods," Daniel Hagari said

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Ukrainian drone attack damages two industrial facilities in Russia’s Belgorod Region

Response teams are working at the scene

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The demonstration organized by the opposition started at 7:00 p.m. local time from three downtown locations places, namely First Republic Square near the Georgian parliament

Ukrainians actively using British weapons to strike Russian regions, diplomat says

"According to the English themselves, since 2022, London has already donated around 7.1 bln pounds for Ukraine’s defense purposes," Sergey Belyaev said

Geomagnetic storm on Earth reaches extreme levels first time since 2005

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Hungary views China as pillar of multipolar world — Orban

Hungarian prime minister recalled that Hungary has always adhered to the ‘one China’ principle

Kharkov Region’s authorities continue evacuation of civilians

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At least 19 people killed in Israeli Air Force strikes against Gaza Strip

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UN General Assembly recommends Security Council consider making Palestine UN member state

The resolution was supported by 143 states; 9 states, including Argentina, Hungary, Israel, the US and the Czech Republic, voted against; 25 states abstained

Town, four villages left without power in Russia’s Belgorod Region following drone attack

Emergency teams would soon start working to restore power supplies

Residential building partially collapses in Russia’s Komi Region

The press service told TASS that 14 people had been evacuated which is everyone who was present in the building at the time of the collapse

Houthis cooperate with Russia, China to destroy idea of unipolar world — politburo

According to the Houthi representative, the shift towards the multipolarity in the global balance of powers happened after the beginning of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and accelerated during the current escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Russia pre-emptively plans intermediate-range missile sites to counter US moves — diplomat

Correspondingly, specialists are carrying out preliminary pre-emptive planning, Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia, US to straighten out relations despite difficulties — US WWII veteran

The veteran answered in the negative to a question as to whether the US-Russian ties had been ruptured for good

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Reassignment of federal service needed to boost arms export efficiency — expert

Main buyers of Russian arms during the next 10-15 years will be Global South countries in the first instance, the ones pursuing an independent foreign and defense policy, defense analyst and general director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko said

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Germany prepares for war against Russia, says Russia’s security official

All attempts to present the [recorded] conversation of Bundeswehr officers as a simple game of missiles and tanks were malicious lies, said Dmitry Medvedev

Three people dead in bus crash in St. Petersburg, nine rescued, four — in clinical death

The Ministry of Emergency Situations added that diving rescue work has been finished at the accident site

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

Alexander Dubinsky argues that the only situation where the president can continue to fulfill his duties after the expiration of his term is the period until the president-elected takes office

Developer shows first image of Russia's new Sarmat ballistic missile

The RS-28 Sarmat is the newest heavy liquid-propelled intercontinental ballistic missile currently being co-developed to replace the world’s largest and most formidable ballistic missile, the Voyevoda

Section of high-rise residential building collapses in Belgorod

Five people suffered injuries

Russian forces hit Ukrainian points of deployment and equipment at railway stations

Тhe Russian Ministry of Defense noted that "air defense systems, arsenals, fuel depots, workshops for the production and repair of unmanned boats and UAVs, temporary deployment points for foreign mercenaries

Mauritius set for friendship with Russia — Russian Ambassador

Mauritius also took place in the second Russia-Africa summit

Poland at risk of direct confrontation with Russia, Belarus — Medvedev

According to the politician, "Poland's reckless actions, if rashly supported by its NATO allies, may have far-reaching dangerous consequences for the entire world"

Israel carries out strikes on refugee accommodation centers in Jabalia - TV

The Israeli army is conducting a raid on the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

ISS orbit not to be adjusted over solar flares, subsequent geomagnetic storm

The Institute of Applied Geophysics told TASS that the geomagnetic storm on Earth has intensified from the G3 (strong) to G4 (severe) level

New US arms shipment to Ukraine a reaction to Russia’s success at frontline — envoy

Anatoly Antonov also castigated the US administration for shrugging off responsibility for Ukrainian attacks at civilian facilities in Russia with the use of weapons being supplied from the United States

Russian armed forces attack military airfield in Ivano-Frankovsk region, target reached

According to Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov, the facilities hit

Seventeen people hospitalized after Belgorod shelling — governor

Two women are in an extremely grave condition; doctors are endeavoring to rescue their lives," Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote

Russian air defenses destroy two Ukrainian drones over Belgorod Region

Russian Defense Ministry said that Another attempt by the Kiev regime to use fixed-wing drones to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia was foiled at about 1:30 p.m. Moscow time

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Russia’s 6th-generation fighter jet to get lasers capable of burning missile homing heads

In addition to electromagnetic guns, the Russian sixth-generation fighter jet will also get guided electronic munitions

Russia to bring peace to Donbass — Putin

The Russian president highlighted the fact that entire Russia supports the residents of Donbass while over the years of blockade, the people of Donbass have confirmed their will to be together with Russia

Iran confirms acquisition of Russian Mi-28, Su-35, Yak-130 aircraft

The agency said the aircraft were already in Iran and accepted into service

Residents in DPR, LPR commemorate vote in favor of independence

To commemorate the vote, a decision was made to set May 11 as DPR Day and May 12 as LPR Day

Moscow issues agrement to new Finnish envoy

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, Marja Liivala is an "experienced and highly professional diplomat"

White House claims Russian forces started offensive on Kharkov

" We’ve been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare", John Kirby said

US veteran says Soviet Union turned the tide of World War II

Frank Cohn said the people that refuse to do justice to the Soviet role in the war simply don't understand what was going on

Russian ombudswoman urges world to denounce terrorism in wake of Belgorod attack

Tatyana Moskalkova also said she had asked her counterpart in the Russian borderline region of Belgorod to give necessary assistance to those affected as she wished soonest recovery to people injured in the attack

Hezbollah drones attacked Iron Dome sites in north Israel

The artillery base of the Israel Defense Forces in Khirbet Maar was early exposed to rocket and mortar shelling