{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Pentagon’s Minotaur II+ rocket explodes during trials — US Space Force

A special commission was formed to investigate the incident

WASHINGTON, July 8. /TASS/. The trials of a Minotaur II+ rocket conducted in California for the Pentagon resulted in an explosion only seconds after the launch, the press service of Vandenberg Space Force Base reported on Thursday.

"A Minotaur II+ rocket exploded approximately 11 seconds after launching from Test Pad-01 at 11:01 p.m. PDT Wednesday. There were no injuries in the explosion and the debris was contained to the immediate vicinity of the launch pad," the statement said.

It was noted that an investigative review board had been established to determine the cause of the explosion.

According to US media outlets, the trials of Minotaur II+ are designated to help in the development of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile which with time should replace Minuteman ballistic missiles.

Tags

Presidential candidate reports violations at elections, referendum in Moldova

Observers received more than 170 reports of violations in the first two hours, 34 of which were verified and confirmed

Ukraine cannot engage in talks with Russia from position of strength, as it loses — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister emphasized that this is why it is necessary to reach a ceasefire and start peace talks as soon as possible

Top French diplomat confirms plans to provide Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine

Barrot, who is currently on a two-day visit to Ukraine, added that France continued training Ukrainian pilots and aircraft mechanics

Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza kill over 70 Palestinians — TV

According to the enclave’s Health Ministry, more than 42,500 Palestinians have been killed and 99,600 have suffered injuries in Gaza since October 2023

Putin appoints Maxim Oreshkin as special representative for cooperation with BRICS

The document will enter into force after it is signed

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 16 times in past day

According to Oleg Ignasyuk, the coalition continues to create conditions for dangerous air incidents

US plotting false-flag operation so it can go to war with Iran — expert

According to Alexey Leonkov, if after the possible election of Trump as president of the United States "it is possible to carry out a provocation against a symbolic target, things may turn around for the United States"

No plans to join NATO, send weapons to Ukraine, says Serbian deputy PM

According to Vulin, Belgrade is unwilling to join the anti-Russian hysteria

Press review: Kim Jong Un dynamites Seoul links and NATO, US lay plans to deter Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 16th

Russia ranks fourth globally by purchasing power parity — Putin

China is the largest economy of the globe by that parameter, the head of state said

Counterproductive to set deadlines for ending special military op — Putin

While speaking about the possibility of peace talks, the Russian leader said: "We are in favor of it. I have already explained how this can be achieved. If this is the other side's honest position - they should act, the sooner the better"

Further Russian offensive, Ukraine’s losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Russian military repelled 2 enemy counterattacks towards the settlements of Zeleny Shlyakh and Lyubimovka, the Defense Ministry reported

Voting in presidential elections, referendum in Moldova starts without incidents — CEC

There are 11 candidates running for president, including the incumbent head of the republic, Maia Sandu

Gazprom supplies 42.1 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine

The application for pumping through Sokhranovka was rejected by the Ukrainian side, Gazprom representative told reporters

Russian air defenses shoot down another drone over Bryansk Region

Emergency personnel are working on the scene

Russia says its Mi-28NM helicopter destroyed Ukrainian armored vehicles in Kursk Region

The strike on the previously detected enemy targets were delivered with air-borne missiles

Ka-52M helicopter crews thwart Ukrainian troop rotation in Russia’s Kursk Region

The ministry also released footage of the attack

Zaporozhye Region governor warns Ukrainians won’t be forgiven if they fight for Zelensky

Yevgeny Balitsky said that only Ukrainian military servicemen have the potential to move against the Kiev regime inside their country now, but they are unlikely to do so because they would not be forgiven for the atrocities they have already committed

Russia has unique icebreaker fleet and is developing it — Putin

The President recalled that Russia had seven nuclear icebreakers and 34 diesel ones

Press review: Zelensky sees nukes as only alternative to NATO and Hamas loses its leader

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 18th

Zelensky's military plan to lead to his defeat, Hungary not involved in this — Orban

It is reported that the defeated now want to move on to a victory plan

Russian troops fight for native Russian territories during special op — Putin

He said it, commenting on the discussion moderator’s remark that Western states have already abandoned their idea to "defeat Russia on the battlefield

Libyan national detained in Germany on suspicion of plotting attack on Israeli embassy

Investigators said they believe the man is a supporter of the Islamic State group (banned in Russia)

Russia and Indonesia plan to hold first major naval exercises in November — ambassador

Sergey Tolchenov noted that in the future these exercises could be held "with a certain frequency," such as once every two years

Share of non-oil and gas revenues in Russian budget reaches two-thirds — Finance Minister

At the same time, oil and gas revenues in the total federal budget revenues will amount to 27% in 2025, and 23% in 2027, Anton Siluanov said

Kremlin welcomes Scholz's readiness for dialogue with Putin

At the same time, the Kremlin has not yet received any real proposals from Germany or other Western countries to organize contacts with the Russian president, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Russia ready to supply oil and gas to Indonesia — ambassador

"We are also ready to supply oil and gas, if there is interest, as well as Russian metals, fertilizers," the diplomat noted

North Korea discovers remains of crashed South Korean drone in Pyongyang — KCNA

The General Staff decided to keep the combined artillery units and the units "with important fire duties near the border" in full combat readiness, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense of the DPRK added

US should think of adverse effect for dollar from anti-Russian sanctions — Putin

All the countries of the world are now thinking of whether it is worth to use the dollar if the US limits the dollar use as a universal international settlement unit due to political considerations, the Russian president noted

Zelensky's 'Victory Plan' plays on West's desire to defeat Russia — Lavrov

"We will not accept any option for Ukraine to remain in a position when it is used by the West in order to impose direct threats to Russia," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Berlin, Ankara exploring options to end Ukraine conflict, Germany chancellor says

According to Scholz, Germany and Turkey "are on Ukraine’s side."

Russia not threat to Hungary, rest of EU — Hungarian minister

"Hungary is a member of NATO, and NATO is rather powerful," Viktor Orban said

Israeli Air Forces carry out 175 strikes on Gaza, Lebanon — IDF

"Among the hit targets were weapons storage sites, launch sites and terrorist infrastructure of the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations," the Israeli Defense Forces press service reported

IAEA depends on EU opinion and therefore not objective — Zaporozhye Region Governor

As for the IAEA, it is absolutely not an independent structure. Its salaries are paid by European officials

Russian ambassador tells BBC that UK wages ‘aggressive war’ against Russia

While Ukraine still keeps resisting, that resistance is getting weaker, Andrey Kelin says

Hezbollah fires some 200 projectiles into Israel on October 19 — Israeli army

"The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel and its people against the threat posed by the Hezbollah terrorist organization," the army added

Top diplomat to lead Nicaragua’s delegation to BRICS summit in Kazan

In June, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega pointed out that the country’s authorities were working on joining BRICS because the group stood for a multipolar world order

Repelling Ukrainian counterattack and enemy losses: situation in Russia’s Kursk region

The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk direction over the past day reached over 270 servicemen

Economic growth to be in Russia, China, India and Saudi Arabia — Putin

"Forming of new centers of development" is the sign of time, the Russian leader underlined

IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Russia expects contract for Su-35 delivery to Indonesia to be implemented — ambassador

The ambassador noted that "no clear explanations" were given as to why the contract was frozen, but this is probably due to difficulties with calculations

Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial sector, energy sites over week

Russian troops liberated five communities in the Donbass area and the Zaporozhye Region over the week, the ministry reported

Russian forces destroy two Baba Yaga bomber drones in Kharkov Region

The ministry also released footage showing the destruction of the drones

Ninety-five Russian troops return home from Ukrainian captivity

According to the broadcaster, a special flight brought them to the Chkalovsky airfield outside Moscow, where buses were waiting for them

Russia says comms unit of Airborne Force helps seamless operations in Zaporozhye Region

Modern wearable communication systems are widely used at forward positions, allowing satellite radio communication with command points," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement

Russia successfully test-fires Kalibr cruise missile in Arkhangelsk region — top brass

The missile firing area was closed to civilian shipping and flights in advance by ships from the Kola Flotilla and the Northern Fleet’s hydrographic ships

Governor says term of Russian land lease to China will be known within year

The authorities of Russia’s Trans-Baikal Territory announced their decision on leasing out to China a total of 115,000 hectares of land for a term of 49 years

Ukraine’s losses, captives, strikes on reserves: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian tactical aviation and missile forces hit the enemy reserves in the Sumy Region

North Korea orders its artillery units near border with South Korea to prepare to shoot

The KCNA said that the North Korean military is also getting ready for a potential escalation with South Korea

Russian air defenses destroy fixed-wing drone over Bryansk Region

The governor added that emergency personnel were working on the scene

Khaled Mashal becomes new Hamas leader after Sinwar’s death — website

According to Lebanon's LBCI news website, he is now responsible for communication with the key parties involved in talks on the release of Israeli hostages

Anti-Russian sanctions hurt European exporters more than Russia — IRTP

According to President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Ferdinando Pelazzo, the main problem is related to the payment system - the European Central Bank is forcing European financial institutions to curtail operations in Russia

Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Belgorod Region injures four civilians, including child

Gladkov added that one of the attacks caused two households to catch fire; 20 residential buildings and 14 cars suffered damage

Terrorists plan to stage provocations in Syria using toxic agents — Russian military

Terrorists reportedly plan to carry out a false flag operation together with members of the White Helmets pseudo-humanitarian organization in the south of the Idlib de-escalation zone

Ukraine uncapable of building nuclear weapons ‘now or in the future’ — expert

"Serious leaders understand that nuclear weapons are mass terror weapons not simply a bigger kind of bomb, and therefore nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought," Daryl Kimball said

Ukraine’s military created network of underpasses near Ugledar — Russia’s top brass

As Russian servicemen say, the enemy is poorly trained and only few fighters, largely foreign mercenaries, put up fierce resistance while the others try to retreat or surrender

Brazil, India, Africa should become permanent members of UN Security Council — Lavrov

"This is necessary to ensure representativeness, representation of the global majority," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Attempts to cover up radicals point to US complicity in Kiev’s crimes — Russian envoy

Intoxicated by the US support, Ukrainian terrorists may attempt new atrocities. However, there is no doubt that the regime that has put down roots in Ukraine will get what it deserves," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Ukrainian forces lost up to 460 troops in Battlegroup Center responsibility zone

The Battlegroup Center defeated five brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Donetsk People's Republic in one day and repelled nine counterattacks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

G7 defense ministers call for boosting defense production in Western countries

The defense chiefs recognized "the importance of ensuring reliable, predictable and stable access to finance for defense industries."

Kiev working on dirty bomb, Medvedev warns

Bild reported earlier that Kiev is seriously considering replenishing its nuclear weapon stocks

Three killed, 8 wounded by gunfire as people celebrated football win in Mississippi

The shooting took place in Holmes County on Saturday when a group of 200 to 300 people were celebrating outdoors, according to The Associated Press

Zaporozhye NPP protective perimeter not destroyed by attacks of Ukrainian Armed Forces

Constant artillery shelling and drone attacks by Ukrainian forces have caused significant damage to the infrastructure surrounding the station

BRICS to become alternative to global financial institutes — Cuba’s envoy to UN

BRICS countries have common interests and huge possibilities for foreign trade, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ernesto Soberon Guzman said

Moving frontline 40 km away from Nikopol needed to start Zaporozhye NPP — Governor

The two cities are located on the right bank of the Dnieper controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces

NATO number one threat to global peace, says French politician

It is stted that NATO considers the EU as "a registration office of its members"

Presidential candidate reports violations at elections, referendum in Moldova

Observers received more than 170 reports of violations in the first two hours, 34 of which were verified and confirmed

Russian troops liberate Zoryanoye settlement in Donetsk People's Republic

Russian air defense systems also destroyed 31 aircraft-type UAVs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia has long been ahead of countries considered developed — finance minister

In May, the World Bank updated its GDP data at purchasing power parity, taking into account data for 2021, Russia entered the top four economies in the world

Indonesia is strong candidate for interaction with BRICS — Russian Ambassador

"It is quite possible that soon, when the government is already formed and political life in Indonesia has improved, decisions on the BRICS issue will be made," Sergey Tolchenov noted

Russia and Indonesia gradually moving towards a visa-free regime — ambassador

In accordance with Russian legislation, this can be implemented only on the basis of a bilateral intergovernmental agreement, Sergey Tolchenov said

Israeli Air Force conducts strike on command center of Hezbollah intelligence headquarters

A key Hezbollah terrorist stronghold in Beirut, the statement reads

Lavrov slams Kiev’s statements about developing nuclear arsenal as reckless

"You could spend an eternity analyzing what this man and his team say, but we realize that such attempts are in vain, unnecessary, and even counterproductive," the top Russian diplomat stressed

Zelensky claims nukes only option for Ukraine if NATO denies it entry

The Ukrainian president said that he raised this issue during his meeting with US ex-President Donald Trump in September

Russian finance minister says revised list of firms for privatization submitted to cabinet

The ministry’s privatization target will probably be beaten, Anton Siluanov added

X continues to limit accounts after purchase by Musk — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov was responding to Musk’s post inviting users to share their impressions of the social media platform since he bought it

Netanyahu accuses ‘Iran’s proxy’ of trying to assassinate him in drone attack

On Saturday, a drone was launched toward Netanyahu's home in Caesarea

Situation gets bleaker for Ukrainian military, US thinks about negotiations — news agency

Columnist Hal Brands pointed out that none of the plans of US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris so far provide an answer to how to "turn a deteriorating battlefield situation into a decent peace" for Kiev

First deal to sell Russian carbon units abroad completed

Chairman of Equity International General Trading, Salem Humaid Saif Almzaini, said that the company views the transaction as the first step to integration of the BRICS countries’ carbon markets

Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah intelligence headquarters in Beirut

"Before the strike, numerous measures were taken to reduce the risk of harm to the civilian population, including early warning of the population in the area," the press service noted

Istanbul Agreements is only way leading to dialogue on Ukrainian settlement, says Putin

"The document exists, we have it. This is a draft treaty," the President noted

Russian Navy ships arrive in Iran for drills — top brass

It is reported that the practical part of the drills will be held in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea

US provocations, Ukraine: Putin's remarks to BRICS media leaders

According to the Russian leader, Western countries, led by the United States, have caused the ongoing Ukrainian crisis and have started the war back in 2014

UNSC to hold two Russia-initiated meetings on Ukraine in late October — Russian mission

Apart from that, Russia’s mission has requested a meeting on Western weapons supplies to Ukraine and their impacts on the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

Rescuers found body of fifth victim of gas blast in Tambov region — Emergencies Ministry

A household gas explosion rocked an apartment building in the town of Kirsanov

US will consider Russia adversary regardless of outcome of its elections — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister also added that US President Joe Biden's statements on nuclear arms talks with Russia are aimed at helping Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential elections

Iran successfully used Russian-made radar to track US F-35 jets — designer

The Rezonans-NE radar has been on round-the-clock combat duty in Iran for several years, according to the deputy CEO of the research center Rezonans

Russia performs 95% of trading operations with partners in national currencies — Putin

Western countries thought that "everything will collapse" in Russia when abandoning the dollar use, the head of state pointed out

BRICS countries working on their SWIFT alternative — Putin

Opportunities are also being explored of broadening the use of national currencies and creating instruments enabling to make this work safe, the Russian leader noted

G7 defense ministers highlight need to restore Ukrainian army’s combat capability

We welcome NATO’s and EU’s respective efforts, the declaration reads

Only Ukrainian commanders allowed to retreat in Krasnoarmeysk area — captive

Konstantin Kolesnikov surrendered as a prisoner of war in the area of the village of Pervomayskoye

G7 defense ministers call for boosting defense production in Western countries

The document emphasizes the need "to strengthen the defense industry, encouraging robust engagement and industrial cooperation with partners."

US aware when, how Israel will respond to Iran’s missile strike — Biden

Press review: Zelensky's Victory Plan jumbled mess and SCO helps usher in new world order

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 17th

G7 reiterates concern about Russia's military cooperation with China, Iran, North Korea

The ministers alleged that China’s support was enabling Russia to carry out military operations in Ukraine

Units of battlegroup West captured 56 Ukrainian strongpoints

Ivan Bigma, a spokesman for the battlegroup, also specified that during the counter-battery battle, artillery units destroyed an M198 howitzer, M119 and L119 guns, and six mortar crews

BRICS summit, not US elections, will determine course of history — Russian official

Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko believes that truly responsible leaders of sovereign states understand this, and the level of representation at the summit and the ever-growing number of applications for membership are clear proof of this

Russia uses yuan in settlements not only with China, but also with third countries — Putin

The Russian leader pointed out that it "helps strengthen the yuan as an international currency"

France in discussion with partners about inviting Ukraine to NATO immediately

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is on a two-day visit to Kiev

Situation between Israel, Iran tense, Russia stays in contact with both countries — Putin

The Russian President underscored that the solution lay on the track of looking for compromises, which were still possible in the current situation

Russian strategic nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Pozharsky enters state trials

The Sevmash Shipyard floated out the strategic nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Pozharsky on February 3