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Meeting between Russian, US spy bosses played key role in de-escalation, says Erdogan

The Turkish president’s office announced to journalists that, according to President Erdogan, dragging out the Russian-Ukrainian conflict would only "increase risks and this is why it is important to revive diplomatic negotiations"

ANKARA, November 18. /TASS/. The November 14 meeting in Ankara between Russian Foreign Intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin and CIA Director William Burns played ‘a key role in preventing any uncontrolled escalation,’ Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday following his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Turkish president’s office announced to journalists that, according to President Erdogan, dragging out the Russian-Ukrainian conflict would only "increase risks and this is why it is important to revive diplomatic negotiations."

"President Erdogan stated that the contact between the Russian and US intelligence services in Turkey [on November 14] played a key role in preventing any uncontrolled escalation in the areas in question," the Turkish president’s office added.

The Russian and American intel bosses met at the headquarters of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in Ankara on Monday. The Turkish presidency’s Director of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, said after the talks that the top officials had discussed threats to international security, including those related to the possible use of nuclear weapons.

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told Bloomberg earlier that the Naryshkin-Burns meeting was held to maintain security communication between the two countries.

Developments in Ukraine

The situation along the line of engagement in Donbass escalated on February 17. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) reported the most massive bombardments by the Ukrainian military back then, which damaged civilian infrastructure and caused civilian casualties.

On February 21, President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow was recognizing the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Russia signed agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders. Moscow recognized the Donbass republics in accordance with the DPR and LPR constitutions within the boundaries of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions as of the beginning of 2014.

Russian President Putin announced on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics for assistance, he had decided to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine. The DPR and the LPR launched an operation to liberate their territories under Kiev’s control.

Maduro, his wife charged with conspiracy to commit torture

One of the alleged purposes of such actions, prosecutors said, was "to repress and punish political opposition, silence dissent and perceived dissent, preserve and protect the power and authority of the members of the conspiracy"

Hungary risks situation near energy catastrophe if cut off from Russian gas — expert

Artyom Ilyinsky said that the delivery of major volumes under non-Russian gas agreements is scheduled to begin only in 2028, creating a critical time gap that "will prevent Hungary from navigating the pivotal year of 2027 smoothly"

Kiev bridges' destruction disrupts Ukrainian security operations — underground resistance

The same bridges and transport hubs are used to move security forces, transfer troops, supply materials, patrol areas, and transport military equipment, pro-Russian underground resistance said

Trump may order new strike on Iran before congressional elections — magazine

No final decision has been made yet, the magazine said

Ukrainian forces detonate GPS collar on Russian POW refusing to infiltrate own troops

The collar was detonated because the serviceman refused to act as a suicide bomber

Cargo Dragon spacecraft to launch to ISS no earlier than October 13 — NASA

The spacecraft will deliver more than 2.8 tons of cargo to the ISS, including materials for studying the effects of microgravity on the growth and function of three-dimensional heart tissue models

Lithuanian army to send up to 100 troops to border with Russia’s Kaliningrad Region

According to the Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas, the army will be stationed at the border for the next few weeks

Battlegroup North tank crews destroy more than 10 Ukrainian warehouses near Kharkov

According to a tank platoon commander, Battlegroup North troops are engaging Ukrainian targets from concealed firing positions

Russian troops use flamethrower system against Ukrainian forces Near Krasny Liman

The flamethrower system’s primary targets are temporary deployment sites, UAV control posts, and enemy troops concentrations

Freezing conflict will not help resolve situation in Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov reiterated that a settlement in Ukraine must be comprehensive

No clarity yet on timing of upcoming Putin-Trump phone conversation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow and Washington have not yet agreed on a telephone conversation

Major oil companies eye Middle East investments despite war — newspaper

Patrick Pouyanne, chief executive of France’s TotalEnergies, believes the Middle East still has the cheapest oil

Zelensky’s capabilities to launch Flamingo missiles weakened — analyst

Igor Korotchenko noted that missile production had been set up in more than 10 European countries

Rubio warns Ukraine conflict could escalate into more dangerous regional war

The US Secretary of State added that Washington would continue working to facilitate a negotiated settlement

Russian forces approach Novoukrainka in Zaporozhye Region — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that Russian servicemen are advancing near liberated Golubkovo

EU firmly on path of confrontation with Russia, worsening its problems — diplomat

Maria Zakharova attributed the unsubstantiated accusations of hybrid attacks against Russia made by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to a desire "to shift the European public’s attention away from the mounting problems in their own countries

Russia has 'clear conscience' over Ukraine talks in Alaska — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, is not Russia's fault that the US side could not withstand the unprecedented and brazen pressure from Europe, which later proudly declared that it had ‘buried Anchorage’

Trump believes conflict in Ukraine nearing its end

The US president admitted that he thought this conflict "would be the easiest one for me"

Fire at Yandex data center, 399 UAVs: aftermath of attacks on Russian regions

According to Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian drones were downed over 21 Russian regions

IN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Ministry briefing on Kiev 'gang,' EU problems

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU had firmly embarked on a path of confrontation with Russia, which would only worsen its problems

What we know about attack on oil tanker in Black Sea with unmanned surface vehicles

The tanker's crew of 23 Indian nationals has been rescued

Two reconnaissance aircraft spent nearly seven hours over Black Sea

According to the source, the simultaneous operation of two such reconnaissance aircraft over the Black Sea is a relatively rare occurrence

Ebola spirals out of control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo — NGO

North Kivu accounts for nearly 40% of the country's new confirmed Ebola cases, Doctors Without Borders international non-governmental organization said

UK expands Russia-related special designation list by 26 positions

London also imposed sanctions on twelve merchant vessels

Trump says call with Putin set up, mentions Russian president’s birthday

The US president mentioned the Russian leader’s birthday

Houthis report ballistic missile strike on Riyadh Airport

According to the Houthi spokesman Yahya Saria, the direct hit brought air traffic at the Saudi capital’s airport to a halt

Russia’s inflation stands at 0.96% from September 29 to October 5 — Rosstat

According to a review of the current price situation prepared by the Russian Economic Development Ministry, Russia’s annual inflation stood at 7.17% from September 29 through October 5

Houthis report missile strikes on coalition forces near Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree noted that the attacks killed or wounded dozens of people, including commanders, and destroyed numerous pieces of military equipment

Russian forces strike Ukrainian UAV assembly workshops over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,440 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

IN BRIEF: Kremlin comments on pending Putin-Trump call, prospects of Ukraine settlement

The exact timing of a potential Putin-Trump phone call has yet to be coordinated, Dmitry Peskov said

Mali to buy Kamaz trucks worth $51.5 mln

The contract, signed in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement between Mali and Russia, is aimed at expanding Mali’s transport and logistics capacity

EU ambassadors endorse 22nd sanction package — source

Over 1,500 companies and individuals have been blacklisted

Major deployment point of Colombian mercenaries destroyed near Kharkov

According to Russian security agencies, the total number of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian armed forces currently stands at about 16,500

Russia achieves full technological sovereignty in hydropower

Russia’s General Scheme for the Development of Electric Power Facilities through 2042 envisages the commissioning of 6.7 GW of new hydropower generation capacity, comprising seven hydroelectric power plants and four pumped-storage power plants

Putin to make two-day visit to Turkmenistan to take part in CIS summit

Vladimir Putin's first day on the Caspian coast will be devoted to protocol events related to the arrival of many distinguished guests

Canadian author Anne Carson awarded 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature

Anne Carson has, throughout her entire career, combined poetry writing with translation work and teaching at various universities, the Nobel Committee for Literature said

FACTBOX: What is known about approval of EU’s 22nd sanctions package against Russia

Estonia has asked the EU to exclude one Russian company and an associated individual from the 22nd sanctions package

Germany’s Quantum Systems to supply Kiev with tens of thousands of interceptor drones

Quantum Systems developed the SPYS interceptor drones in collaboration with Ukrainian defense company WIY

Yandex reports fire at data center following drone attack

There were no casualties

Press review: Slovakia blocks Russian asset seizure as Europe youth protests spread

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 6th

Four in five Russians view Putin as one of world’s most influential leaders — poll

About seven in ten Russians believe that Russia has become stronger during Putin’s years in office

Russia to liberate remaining part of DPR much sooner than Kiev expects — envoy to OSCE

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Russian forces continue to make steady advances "against the backdrop of the failure of the Kiev regime’s attempts to destabilize Russia"

Darwin protective net effectively counters Ukraine’s Lyuty, Hornet UAVs — developer

The system's innovative weaving technique, the "spider knot," allows the net to gently absorb the impact of an UAV and reduce the likelihood of an explosive device detonating

WHO reports thousands of suspected plague cases worldwide each year

According to the Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention Department Director Maria Van Kerkhove, between 2019 and 2025, ten countries reported nearly 4,000 suspected human plague cases and 423 related deaths to the organization

World leaders congratulate Putin on his birthday

In a telephone conversation, Putin and Lukashenko agreed to continue discussing bilateral cooperation and the international situation on the sidelines of the CIS summit in Turkmenistan

Saudi Arabia in talks on 'shuttle' oil supplies — Bloomberg

Agency sources noted that Saudi oil company Saudi Aramco allowed some buyers to transfer oil from one ship to another off the coast of India

Trump says Iran conflict will be over 'shortly,' sending oil prices tumbling down

There is no more a nuclear weapon threat in Iran, the US leader emphasized

Senior NATO commanders pay unannounced visit to Ukraine

Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said that the visit had been aimed "to reaffirm unwavering support for Ukraine"

No reason for international uproar over Alyoshki situation — governor

According to Vladimir Saldo, the situation in the Kherson Region city of Alyoshki is not so critical

US holds its first execution since Christa Pike incident — news agency

Jamaal Howard was convicted of murdering a store employee in 2000 and was given a lethal injection

Trump says decided against prosecuting Obama, Biden, Clinton

Trump said people around him had urged him to pursue legal action against them

Three killed in attacks on two Saudi airports

A Sudanese national was killed in the strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while eight others were injured, including five Saudis, two Egyptians and one Pakistani

Zelensky can't deliver on threats of escalation against Moscow — Russian envoy

According to Dmitry Polyansky, Vladimir Zelensky "still hopes to inflict at least some significant damage on Moscow"

Trump interrupted 12 times in 45 minutes during speech in staunchly Republican Texas

Police escorted one of the protesters out of the venue in handcuffs

Russia to take retaliatory measures if Canada confiscates Russian assets — ambassador

Oleg Stepanov said Ottawa should consider the legal, investment and reputational consequences "of such ‘lawmaking’"

Ukrainian drone attack kills father of 13 children, 15-year-old daughter in Kherson Region

"This morning a Ukrainian drone attacked a passenger car near Rykovo of the Genichesk district," Vladimir Saldo said

Press review: Black Sea ceasefire efforts gain momentum as Houthi advances raise war risk

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 7th

Russian delegation warns confrontation with West could enter most severe phase

According to Yulia Zhdanova, head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control, Western politicians continue to intensify their military rhetoric

Russian embassy awaits clarification following Dutch defense chief’s 'enemy' remark

The diplomatic mission stressed that although Russia had no wish to go to war with Europe, including the Netherlands, it would not "allow anyone to use the language of threats and ultimatums"

Current German authorities need war; Merz's actions prove it — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, Berlin's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict is not merely a matter of political assessment but an "accomplished fact"

Russia cuts pipeline gas supplies to Turkey by 17% in eight months

Russian gas supplies to Turkey via pipelines reached 12.1 bln cubic meters in January-August

Talks between Tehran, Washington ongoing — Iranian foreign minister

The sides are exchanging messages through intermediaries

Press review: EU tightens Russia sanctions while Germany eyes return to Russian energy

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 8th

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys 104 Ukrainian heavy combat multicopters in past day

According to the battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma, 55 Ukrainian UAV control centers, four Starlink satellite communication stations and 40 ground robotic systems were identified and eliminated

EU fears US diesel export ban — Der Spiegel

The EC noted that even awareness of economic damage to US companies themselves might not prevent Washington from taking such a step

West’s course over next decade to determine its global standing — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes the collective West is at a crossroads

Kremlin briefing covers Putin's birthday, probability of talks with Trump

Agroexport center names key agricultural export markets for Russia

Main selling markets by 2030 will be China, Turkey, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Iran, Egypt, India, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan

Missile production plant in Ukraine halts production after Russian strikes

Production and warehouse facilities sustained serious damage

Russian troops liberate Annopolye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North forces are fighting for the liberation of six communities in the Kharkov Region and tightening the ring of encirclement of Ukrainian troops in that area, the ministry reported

FACTBOX: Russia’s sanitary watchdog says no epidemic risks in Irkutsk Region

Rospotrebnadzor has provided the WHO with information about the situation in the region

Western attempts to disrupt Russian elections resulted in society’s consolidation — expert

Ilya Gusev said that Russians are ready to defend their social and political life and preserve stability here

FSB detains two residents of Trans-Baikal over election provocation plot

One of the suspects is a woman who was a member of a precinct election commission

Tokyo considers allowing nuclear weapons to be brought into Japan — newspaper

A provision allowing nuclear weapons to be brought into the country as an exception may be included in new fundamental documents on security, which the Japanese government plans to adopt at the end of the year

Russia’s Yastreb-S EW system to be upgraded to counter Starlink — developer

Igor Potapov added that this will deprive enemy attack unmanned aerial vehicles of satellite communications

US sees no link between infection in Russia’s Irkutsk Region, bioweapons research — Trump

On October 4, the Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being said the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia’s eastern Irkutsk Region was stable

Russia has no plans for armed conflict with Western Europe — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Russia threatens no one

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office seeks Netherlands extradition of 9 ICC officials

All nine have been placed on an international wanted list

Lithuania plans to deploy army units to Kaliningrad border area

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas called the deployment of the army a preventive measure

South Korea recalls ambassador from Ukraine

The South Korean government "expects all issues in bilateral relations to be resolved"

Russia develops drone interceptor flying with maximum speed of 500 km/h

DOFA-Tek Technical Director Vitaly Dobrovolsky noted that the interceptor can be launched from any rooftop or the ground

Swedish Academy to announce winner of Nobel Prize in Literature

According to Swedish experts, the favorites for 2026 include Australian novelist Gerald Murnane, Chinese writer Can Xue, and Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson

Top US diplomat says prospects of negotiated settlement in Ukraine 'elusive'

Marco Rubio called the conflict a "strategic stalemate" now

Russia, Belarus warned as NATO’s Ukraine-related steps risk nuclear conflict

Russia and Belarus pointed to efforts to build missile defense capabilities that define and fuel the European segment of the United States’ global missile defense system

Mediation efforts in Iran-US talks reach deadlock — TV

"The Strait of Hormuz is no longer a priority for Washington" after Iran, in the US assessment, "lost control over it," the TV channel said

India calls on Russia, Ukraine to halt Black Sea attacks in truce plan — Foreign Ministry

"Insofar as specifics are concerned, India is trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea, safety of the shipping issue, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports, and non-attack possibilities," Randhir Jaiswal said

Russia boost agricultural technologies exports by 15% this year — Agriculture Minister

Last year saw a "solid breakthrough" in the exports of Russian agricultural technologies, Oksana Lut said

Ukraine’s losses from port downtime exceed five billion dollars

The Odessa port shutdown has been ongoing since July 22

Israel to close UK consulate but won’t expel diplomats — newspaper

Earlier, London had threatened to expel 30 Israeli diplomats from the UK in response to Israeli actions

International organizations offer no help over Alyoshki situation — governor

"The conduct of organizations whose charters require them to act in people’s interests is a matter for their conscience," Vladimir Saldo said

High-rise building in Istanbul partially collapses, trapping people under rubble — TV

No information on casualties or injuries has been reported yet

Iran, Oman to submit agreement on Strait of Hormuz to international body — diplomat

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pointed out that consultations between Tehran and Muscat were successful, and the parties reached an agreement on the geographical coordinates of the safe corridors

Three DPR residents killed, eight wounded in Ukrainian attacks since start of day

The attacks damaged three residential buildings, three infrastructure facilities, trucks and passenger cars

Vladimir formation of Russia’s Strategic Missile Force undergoes scheduled inspection

During the exercise, crews of the Yars mobile ground-based missile systems are practicing marching and maneuvering operations

Diplomat says Russian Foreign Ministry’s message to foreigners in Kiev was 'crystal clear'

According to Maria Zakharova, foreigners "should be aware of the risk and understand its source"

FACTBOX: Russian forces hit enterprises producing Flamingo missiles in Ukraine

Russian troops struck the Kiev Cardboard and Paper Mill plant that served as a production and storage facility for FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles and their components

Trump promises to prevent destruction of San Diego, Los Angeles

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung later stated that Donald Trump was referring to a potential threat to American cities if the US did not take military action against Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program

Trump urges Xi Jinping to lift export restrictions on Japan — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the US leader "framed the Chinese measures as a threat to American industries reliant on Japanese suppliers"

EU, NATO to squeeze Kiev regime for everything it has — Russian delegation head

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna negotiations on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova emphasized that the West primarily "needs experience in high-intensity combat"

West should not be surprised by fuel price hikes over Ukraine actions — Russian envoy

Yulia Zhdanova said Kiev has stepped up efforts to block Russian shipping in the Black and Azov Seas at the urging of its Western handlers

Syria supports Saudi Arabia, yet does not want to be party in Yemeni war

Damascus firmly supports Saudi Arabia, but its policy does not call for opening new fronts, the Information Ministry said