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Anti-Russian sanctions

EU sanctions 141 individuals and 49 legal entities — Official Journal

Sanctions apply in particular to members of the Federation Council and the State Duma, regional governors, judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, federal ministers and other persons

BRUSSELS, December 16. /TASS/. The European Union added 141 individuals and 49 legal entities to its sanction lists, according to regulatory acts posted on Friday in the Official Journal of the EU.

Lists were expanded as part of the ninth package of sanctions against Russia. In particular, restrictions were introduced against Russian defense industry companies, three banks, including the Russian Regional Development Bank, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and other entities.

Sanctions apply in particular to members of the Federation Council and the State Duma, regional governors, judges of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, federal ministers and other persons.

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Sanctions vs. Russia

FBI trained Ukrainian anti-corruption detectives, ex-SBU employee says

Vasily Prozorov stressed that, in essence, NABU is a US project

French rush to resell Christmas gifts floods online marketplaces

According to Ouest-France, eBay had already recorded 500,000 listings by the morning of December 25 and expects the total number of posts to rise by 400%

Beijing opposes US maritime blockade of Venezuela

According to He Yongqian, Beijing believes that a US blockade "could not only disrupt the normal functioning of international energy markets, but also pose additional security risks"

Bundestag believes German army has opportunity to ensure peace in Ukraine

head of the Bundestag defense committee Thomas Rowekamp said that the German army "has capabilities that it can use, including in Ukraine"

Russia’s gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan up by 20% in 2025 — Gazprom

According to CEO Alexey Miller, Gazprom will continue to increase gas volumes supplied to these countries

Refusal to take path of peace is Ukraine’s tragedy — German general

Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

Uraldronzavod supplies first batch of Berdysh heavy combat drones to special op zone

During field testing, the drones have proven their reliability, Vladimir Tkachuk said

Russian troops liberate Svyato-Pokrovskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 215 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and six armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US ready to facilitate peace talks between Cambodia, Thailand — Rubio

US Secretary of State spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to "express concern about the ongoing violence between Cambodia and Thailand"

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

Silver price hits record high

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

Fire area in Temryuk port reach 4,000 sq m

Two tanks with oil products are on fire

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

Moscow understands grounds for Azerbaijani leader's absence from CIS summit — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier congratulated the Azerbaijani president on his birthday during a phone call

Russian fish, seafood exports to China up 10% in January-November to $3 bln

Russian fish and seafood exports to China in January-November 2025 decreased year-on-year by 6% in weight

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

Switzerland should respect Russia and do business with it — Swiss businessman

Tito Tettamanti said the West made a mistake by intervening too much in Ukraine's affairs to weaken Russia

NYPD offers $10,000 reward for help in catching Grinch

The post on social media was designed as a real wanted poster, featuring a sketch of the Grinch and a phone number to contact the police

Two Aist-2T satellites scheduled for launch on December 28 — Roscosmos

Unlike their predecessor, the new satellites are equipped with orbital correction propulsion systems, have a longer service life, and transmit data faster

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CEO Alexey Miller expressed confidence that Gazprom will annually supply China with volumes in excess of its contractual obligations

At least 77 Ukrainian UAVs downed overnight over Russian regions — defense ministry

34 were intercepted over the territory of the Volgograd Region

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Florian Philippot also called for France to leave the European Union as soon as possible in order to protect freedom of speech

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"

EU needs to understand Kiev never to repay its loans — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Russian Post suspends overland delivery to Baltic States

Delivery by air to these countries continues

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

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

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

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Polish officials not allowed to enter Russian consulate’s former building

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Germany seeks €500 mln fund to address social isolation

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Kiev to conduct de facto general mobilization in 2026, Russian MFA explains

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Zelensky says he spoke with Witkoff and Kushner by telephone

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Russian football officials plan attending 2026 UEFA, FIFA Congress sessions — RFU

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Lavrov discusses preparations for CSTO summit in Moscow in November — Foreign Ministry

The meeting was attended by representatives of the presidential administration, federal executive authorities and organizations involved in this work

Foreign intelligence services monitoring Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus — KGB

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Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

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

Russia approves treaty with Myanmar on protection of citizens in international justice

It was signed in St. Petersburg on May 20, 2025

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The head of Ushkuynik named the factors that contribute to this phenomenon

Russian embassy warns of danger of Ukrainization of Italian politics

The embassy expressed its full solidarity with the Italians who became victims of the Ukrainian Nazis and the irresponsible Italian politicians who condoned them

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TASS has compiled the key statements by the official representative of the Foreign Ministry

No prerequisites for HIV vaccine in near future — Russian academic

Gennady Onishchenko added that despite the absence of a vaccine, HIV-infected patients today, thanks to treatment, can maintain a decent quality of life and give birth to healthy children

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His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Tajikistan reports fatalities from border clash with Afghan terrorists

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EU twists law of sea by pushing Russian 'shadow fleet' narrative — diplomat

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Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for December 26 to 77.88 rubles

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Yvan Gil Pinto highly appreciated Russia’ "steadfast support" in preserving a zone of peace in the Caribbean

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Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Sweden should apologize for the incident

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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

Kiev striking infrastructure in Krasny Liman with towed artillery used by NATO — expert

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MOL, NIS ask US to suspend sanctions against Serbian company — Serbian Energy Ministry

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Russian diplomat refutes Bloomberg article on Russia's intentions to amend Ukraine plan

"This media outlet does not have any reliable sources close to the Kremlin," Maria Zakharova said

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

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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

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 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

Russian MFA claps back at West over Kaliningrad comments

Maria Zakharova said that a certain stupidity and audacity shine through in these statements

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

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

British police to request data from FBI on possible crimes by former Prince Andrew

The former duke stepped down from his royal duties in 2019 after denying allegations of sexually assaulting a teenage Virginia Giuffre

Putin expects next decade to bring unprecedented breakthrough in technology

The Russian leader drew attention of regional and federal officials, and businessmen across all industries to the fact that actually the time of breakthrough was "already here for us"

China ready to strengthen international arms control system — embassy in US

Spokesperson Liu Pengyu emphasized that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development

Macron tries to turn EU into 'digital gulag' — Durov

The sanctioned architect of the EU’s censorship law is a close ally and appointee of Emmanuel Macron, Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov said

Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th

Iranian special forces officer eliminated in Lebanon — IDF

Spokesman Avichay Adraee said Hussein al-Jawhari had led operations against Israel in Syria and Lebanon in recent years

First meeting of working group on elections to be held in Ukraine

First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, head of the "Servant of the People" party, Alexander Korniyenko announced it

Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

As Bloomberg noted, the ruble’s rise has been influenced by reduced demand for foreign currency in Russia.

Over 1,300 restaurants, hotels in UAE will begin using Russian software

The collaboration is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue

EU, UK hurt most by Washington’s Russia policy turn — expert

According to Andrey Sushentsov, the US was the first to realize that it’s impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia

Russia says supports de-escalation around Venezuela, pins hopes on Trump's pragmatism

Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscow's support for "the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country"

US forces conduct strike against IS militants in Nigeria — Trump

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to the Nigerian authorities, stating that he was "grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation"

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

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

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

No Hong Kong flu in Russia — academic

Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Education Gennady Onishchenko noted that H3N2 flu changed since 1973

Court sentences Left Front coordinator to six years in prison for justifying terrorism

The reason was a Telegram post in support of the members of a Marxist circle from Ufa who are accused of terrorism

Knyaz Vandal drone is used by Russian troops as ambush drone — Ushkuynik

According to Alexey Chadayev, the drone has been significantly upgraded since its introduction in August 2024

Ukraine’s ex-premier describes Zelensky’s plan as attempt to stall talks

According to Nikolay Azarov, the plan does not resolve a number of important issues

Gazprom to supply Russian consumers with 386 bcm of gas in 2025 — CEO

It will be close to a record, the company’s CEO Alexey Miller said

DPRK announces death of senior official Kim Chang Son

The KCNA stated that he long occupied important party and state positions

Red Cross receives 182,000 appeals about missing persons in Ukrainian conflict

According to spokeswoman Galina Balzamova, the actual number of families unaware of their relatives’ fate is higher, as not everyone contacts the ICRC directly

Rosatom sees signs of US readiness to cooperate with Zaporozhye NPP in future — CEO

Alexey Likhachev recalled, this will only be possible after "peace comes and we reach a consensus on resolving all the tasks of the special military operation"

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

AI breakthrough, personnel training, low unemployment: Putin’s statements

According to the head of state, the next 10 to 15 years will bring an unprecedented technological breakthrough in world history

Talks with US on Ukraine produce slow but steady progress — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that negotiations between Washington and Moscow are accompanied by "extremely harmful and even malicious attempts by a group of countries, primarily Western European ones, to torpedo and derail all diplomatic progress"