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Coronavirus pandemic

Omicron is five to seven times more contagious than other COVID-19 strains — expert

Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work at the Central Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology Natalya Pshenichnaya stressed that young people and those vaccinated had a mild form of the disease after contracting Omicron

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The Omicron coronavirus variant is five to seven times more contagious than other strains, Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work at the Central Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology Natalya Pshenichnaya said in an interview with RT on Wednesday.

"This variant is very contagious," she pointed out. "Rough estimates suggest that Omicron is five to seven times more contagious than usual strains. This is what made it possible for the strain to rapidly spread across South Africa and become the reason for a spike in infections," Pshenichnaya added. "If it spreads in another country, there will be a lot of cases, too," she noted.

The expert stressed that young people and those vaccinated had a mild form of the disease after contracting Omicron.

In late November, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the B.1.1.529 coronavirus strain discovered in southern Africa after the Greek letter omicron. According to the WHO, "this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning." Omicron cases have already been detected in more than 110 countries, including Russia, with the first patients identified in southern Africa.

Middle East conflict

Russian Emergencies Ministry's special plane delivers humanitarian aid to Gaza

The batch includes sleeping supplies, personal hygiene items, food products, and technical rehabilitation equipment

Moscow, Astana working to expand branch of North-South route via Kazakhstan — Putin

The list of parties to the agreement expanded to 14

Trump considers direct negotiations with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un — Reuters

According to the report, his team believes that this step could reduce the risk of an armed conflict

Key energy facility in Ternopol Region almost completely destroyed

Vyacheslav Negoda noted that a power shortage will remain in the region for a long time

Russian military repels Ukrainian attack, destroys two targets over Sevastopol waters

According to Mikhail Razvozhayev, all services are on high alert

West receives Putin’s message about weapons, Russian senate speaker says

Valentina Matviyenko said that it wasn’t an ultimatum or a threat, which is how Western media outlets tried to present the message

Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "Wilkes Pryor, deliberately stated false information about himself as he was seeking a permission to enter our country"

Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

PREVIEW: Russia to hand over BRICS presidency to Brazil

The meeting in Yekaterinburg will provide an opportunity to sum up the results of Russia’s presidency and outline future plans

US sanctions against Gazprombank leading to energy price growth in Europe — investor

The new round of US sanctions has become the most notable lately "but generally not critical for the Russian financial system, which has already passed through much worse time," Kyle Shostak said

Lebanese premier approves roadmap for ceasefire with Israel

The implementation of the agreement will help to bring stability to the region, Najib Mikati said

Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

It is noted that Russia has about three times as many men as the Ukrainians in the Kursk Region and six times as many explosive drones

Ceasefire deal does not envisage US military presence in Lebanon’s south — Biden

A high-ranking US administration official confirmed the information at a special briefing, adding that Washington will provide military support to Lebanon’s armed forces

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West

Two Ukrainian infantry groups eliminated near Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

Another enemy group was destroyed several hours later

Russia ‘shows teeth’ with launch of Oreshnik missile while avoiding escalation — media

"Russia has shown that it has a weapon, previously unveiled, and was prepared to use it," the report says

Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Anglo-Saxon special services involved in Nord Stream blasts, SVR chief says

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that Nord Stream was a joint Russian-European project "aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted supply of inexpensive Russian gas to Europe"

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

Press review: Russia to avenge Kiev's new strike as experts analyze US-EU trade risks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 27th

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

According to reports, US president-elect Donald Trump mentioned Nehammer's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place shortly after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

Germany orders closure of Russia’s Channel One bureau in Berlin

According to Ivan Blagoy, his bureau received the corresponding documents, a 10-page report that substantiates the move, citing EU sanctions, from the German authorities on Tuesday

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

Intel chief calls on West to embrace Putin's vision for resolving Ukraine conflict

"The sooner Western capitals realize [the need to accept] the Russian president’s conditions for a peace agreement and talks, the better it will be for Ukraine, Europe and Russia, too," Sergey Naryshkin noted

UK Foreign Office warns about response to ‘baseless’ expulsion of its diplomat

A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that London refutes the allegations against a British diplomat

Senators support Putin's decision to launch Oreshnik missile — speaker

Valentina Matviyenko noted that the Federation Council is willing to further support actions aimed at protecting Russia

Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

According to the US secretary of state, the administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden is determined "to do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs" to fight through 2025

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 250 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, three armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and two mortars in the past day

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Putin publishes article on Russian-Kazakh relations ahead of visit to Astana

Simultaneously, Russia’s Izvestia newspaper published an article by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Moscow to respond promptly if London inflates British diplomat’s expulsion issue

British Ambassador to Moscow Nigel Casey was summoned earlier in the day by the Russian Foreign Ministry, where he was handed a note of protest

US base in Syria’s Dei ez-Zor governorate comes under missile attack — TV

No further details were provided

Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

According to Governor Vladimir Saldo, two vehicles have been damaged

Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov’s statement comes in the wake of US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby who said earlier that the American administration had provided the Ukrainian armed forces with instructions on selecting targets for strikes using American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

According to Russian security council deputy chairman, this primarily concerns drones

Zaluzhny, not Zelensky, would become president if Ukraine held election today — poll

According to the survey, 27% of respondents would vote for Valery Zaluzhny, while only 16% said they would stick with Vladimir Zelensky

NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

PREVIEW: Putin to begin state visit to Kazakhstan

He is expected to discuss various cooperation aspects and take part in the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization

FACTBOX: Overview of Ukraine's ATACMS strikes on Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces have delivered two strikes using Western-made long-range missiles on sites in the Kursk Region over the past three days

Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin added that the Western capitals "stopped thinking about strategically defeating Russia and shifted to thinking about how to avoid such a defeat themselves"

Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

"The entire military potential of the US, UK, and France was mobilized to prevent Iran's operation, but the IRGC completed its mission," Ali Fadavi said

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

Lebanon to regain control over its territory within 60 days — Biden

According to the US President, civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities

Iran ready to escort foreign ships in Red Sea — navy commander

According to Admiral Shakhram Irani, Iranian military ships always escort the republic’s trade vessels at sea, not because of concerns that the Houthis may attack them, but to protect them from pirates

France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

Serbian film director Kusturica announces plans to get Russian citizenship

"But I’m already Russian," Emir Kusturica said

Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

According to Sergey Lavrov, 'carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory contributed to this escalation'

Hamas ready for ceasefire in Gaza following truce in Lebanon

Earlier, the Israeli war cabinet approved a plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon

Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the West is directly involved in the use of long-range weapons against Russia, as not a single missile could be launched without its involvement

Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

Ukraine tracked two service cars and dropped munitions on them after the vehicles approached the administration building

Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

According to Vladimir Rogov, the ZNPP personnel continues working routinely

Public tribunal releases more testimonies exposing Kiev forces' atrocities in Selidovo

According to the report, Ukrainian forces are known to have killed at least a hundred civilians

Russia rejects Korean scenario for freezing Ukraine conflict — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

Drones to replace fighter jets in future wars, Musk says

At the end of September, Elon Musk predicted battles between "drone swarms" in the future

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

"Euro-Atlantic elites are trying to convince the rest of the world that the only alternative to Western power is chaos, and for this purpose, they deliberately seek destabilization in key regions of the planet," Sergey Naryshkin said

Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq discuss oil market, compensations

Participants in the meeting highlighted importance of keeping stability and balance in global oil markets

Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

Israeli warplanes deliver seven powerful strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs

Air raid warnings were issued for the Dahieh neighborhood in the south and the Bachoura district in the heart of the capital

Putin notes impressive trade turnover between Russia, Kazakhstan

President reiterated that Moscow and Astana have actively supported Eurasian economic integration and were among the founders of the Eurasian Economic Union

Donbass was in danger of genocide from Ukraine, Serbian expert says

Dr. Predrag Ceranic pointed out that in Republika Srpska, everyone understands very well that Russia was compelled "to make this move in order to protect its people in Donbass"

Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

Ill-thought-out command and control of Ukrainian troops has demoralized enemy forces and increased the number of desertions among its personnel in that frontline area, Andrey Marochko said

Trump focused on solution to Ukrainian conflict — national security adviser

Mike Waltz compared the scope of the tragedy to World War One, describing it as "trench warfare" with hundreds of thousands of victims

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Biden team may escalate global tensions to highest level, FSB chief warns

According to Alexander Bortnikov, the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies will continue trying "to blatantly interfere in allied relations within the CIS, hinder integration processes, and undermine our joint efforts to ensure security and stability across the Commonwealth"

Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the Biden administration is "trying to start a nuclear war and use it as the reason to stop the transfer of power to Donald Trump"

Air defenses down 22 Ukrainian drones over six Russian regions last night

Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 22 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 10 UAVs over the Rostov Region, seven over the Belgorod Region, two over the Voronezh Region, and the other three over the regions of Kursk, Bryansk and Smolensk, the ministry specified

NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

NATO said in the statement that Russia’s deployment of the missile called the Oreshnik will not change the course of the conflict

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

West tired of Ukrainian conflict, while Russia ready to continue it — magazine

The article noted that the West "no longer has the political will to help Ukraine win by military means" and is trying to achieve peace through negotiations with Russia"

Work continues on placing the Sarmat missile complex on combat duty — commander

Currently, the Russian Strategic Missile Forces already have over 88% of modern missile hardware in their operational inventory

Press review: Israel approves US ceasefire agreement and Georgia's new parliament convenes

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

According to Dmitry Polyansky, "the Kiev regime keeps fighting windmills and does not abandon attempts to persuade the world community this struggle is very serious"

Europe bracing for influx of Ukrainian troops after conflict is over — agency

According to the agency, the European intelligence community is preparing for potential threats, namely the possibility of Ukrainian troops flooding the continent and arms trafficking

Majority of Americans oppose further military support for Ukraine, poll shows

The poll, conducted on November 19-22, involved over 2,200 Americans

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

Preparation of Russia’s energy strategy until 2050 is in its final stage — PM Mishustin

The prime minister emphasized that increasing the energy and resource efficiency of the Russian economy is of paramount importance for the further sustainable development of the country

US launches promotion of Armenia’s pro-Western parties — Russian intel agency

"These hardline supporters of democracy are tasked with reining in the Armenian government should it follow in the neighboring Georgia’s footsteps and put priority on the true national interests, traditions and values of the Armenian people," the SVR stated

US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

According to the Pentagon, these missile air defense systems could help revealing certain specifications of jet fighters and thus negatively affect their combat capabilities

EU Commissioner for Justice calls on members states to step up assistance to Ukraine

Didier Reynders stressed that EU countries provided Ukraine with 45.5 billion euros for military needs and supplied "a wide variety of arms" from their stockpiles, including F-16 aircraft

Russian Agriculture Ministry weighs idea of growing bananas domestically

Oksana Lut highlighted the export potential of agricultural products, given that certain parts of the world do not have a climate conducive to growing things

US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

According to the sources, some of these makeshift morgues were destroyed by retreating Ukrainian troops

Kiev failed to inform Ottawa Convention signatories about its plans to violate it

The Ukrainian delegation has not yet informed on this development, the convention’s Secretariat said

Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

The plant specializes in manufacturing bits for drilling artesian, oil, and gas boreholes

Mideast situation keeps deteriorating due to Israel’s aggressive policies — Lavrov

In his words, Israel’s desire to ensure its security at the expense of the security of others, while benefiting from the unwavering support it gets from the United States, leads nowhere

Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire deal enters force — newspaper

According to Al Nahar, the Lebanese government will undertake the commitment to act against illegal armed groups on its territory and to curb their ability to arm themselves through arms trafficking and illegal production of weapons

Ottawa Convention’s secretariat views transfer of antipersonnel mines to Kiev as violation

Receipt of a prohibited weapon would be a direct violation of the treaty by a State Party, the convention’s Secretariat said