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Assad’s New Year greeting hails Russia’s support for Syria’s fight against terrorism

Bashar Assad wished Russia the best, further progress and prosperity in the coming year

BEIRUT, December 30. /TASS/. President Bashar Assad of Syria and Vladimir Putin of Russia have exchanged New Year greetings, the SANA news agency reported on Friday.

According to SANA, in his message to Putin, the Syrian leader noted that "Russia’s considerable assistance to the Syrian people in its fight against terrorism and in its efforts to defend [Syria’s] integrity and unity, as well as [Moscow’s] support for world nations in defending righteous causes reflect Russia’s principles and values, its [efforts] to defend peace and stability in the face of policies geared toward [unleashing] wars, [imposing] hegemony and supporting terrorism."

He wished Russia the best, continued progress and prosperity in the coming year. He also stressed that his country expects and seeks a sustainable relationship with Russia.

The Kremlin press service said earlier on Friday, that in his greetings to Assad, Putin reiterated Moscow’s commitment to the further support of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and its readiness to promote Syria’s post-conflict stabilization and revival.

Abkhazian parliament slates snap presidential election for February 15, 2025

Amid November 15 protest rallies, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania and Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab stepped down

Russia ready to talk prisoner exchanges with Ukraine, has 630 POWs for trade — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, these servicemen were included in the list of 935 POWs that the Russian Defense Ministry proposed for exchange earlier, but Kiev refused to do any deals

West should consider Russia’s signal on weapons, no point in discussing details — MFA

Maria Zakharova underscored that Russia's response to deployments of missile systems by the West that create additional threats to Russia could involve both tit-for-tat and asymmetric countermeasures

China concerned about nuclear risks due to Ukrainian conflict — diplomat

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning urged all sides "to remain calm and restrained, and to work together to de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultations aimed at reducing strategic risks"

Russia files terrorism charges against Ukrainian militants, reports enemy losses in Kursk

Over the past day, Ukraine has sustained over 250 casualties, losing two tanks, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, two armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles and a mortar gun

Unidentified UAVs continue to appear over US Air Force bases in UK — newspaper

On Tuesday, about 60 British military experts were stationed at US airbases across the UK to operate a counter-UAV system to operate a counter-UAV system designed to detect, track and destroy them

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"

Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

"The Russian side unquestionably holds both the initiative and the advantage on the battlefield," Head of the Polish National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera said

Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

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

Russian plants are successfully substituting composites in shipbuilding

The use of composites in shipbuilding provides the whole range of advantages in terms of specific strength, durability, stealth pattern, small signature and higher speed of ships, Boris Bogomolov 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

Ukrainian group of 22 servicemen surrenders in Kursk Region — law enforcement officials

Photos and videos of the surrender were also posted by military reporter and expert Boris Rozhin on his Telegram channel

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

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

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

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

Those who voice idea of transferring nuclear weapons to Kiev are insane — Russian MFA

As Maria Zakharova underlined, she does not know what this motivation is aimed at

Russian forces now control about eight hectares of land near LPR’s Stelmakhovka — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that after liberating Pershotravnevoye in the Kharkov Region and creating a bridgehead there for further advance, the Russian servicemen advanced to the west of the occupied borders

Giving Ukraine regular nuclear weapons 'technically impossible,' analyst says

According to Boyan Chukov, some Western politicians don’t take seriously these warnings from Russia about a proportionate response

Russia’s UN mission expects US presidency in UN Security Council to be difficult

The United States will assume the rotating UNSC presidency on December 1

Russian troops liberate Novaya Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West repelled four Ukrainian counterattacks and inflicted roughly 450 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

FACTBOX: Ukraine faces explosions, blackouts

Explosions occurred in Kiev, Nikolayev, Vinnitsa, Kropivnitskoye, Odessa, Kharkov, Lutsk, Ivanovo-Frankovsk, and Rovno

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

Kiev 'experimented' with using NATO troops in Kursk hostilities — official

Igor Kimakovsky added that the addition of foreign troops didn't help the armed forces of Ukraine because of effective measures taken by Russian intelligence and Aerospace Defense Forces

Executioner of Nazi war criminal Eichmann dies in Israel aged 86

The Israeli authorities have long kept his name secret

US to expand training opportunities for Kiev if it copes with manpower shortage — official

"We believe manpower is the most vital need the Ukrainian authorities have," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Western analysts describe Russia's Oreshnik as longest-range weapon ever used in Europe

The recent strike on the Yuzhmash missile-producing plant in Ukraine demonstrated Russia’s "real military capability", a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said

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

Air defenses repel massive drone attack on South Russia, woman wounded

In the town of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, drone fragments fell near a house, the female owner of the house was wounded

Long-term gas supplies from Russia to Kazakhstan being considered

These projects will promote strengthening of energy security in Central Asia at large, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added

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"

Russia developing echeloned system for air and missile defense — expert

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that "this also applies to intermediate-range high-precision systems such as the Tomahawk and other weapons that NATO countries may provide to Ukraine"

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

Palestinian president issues constitutional document on his possible successor

In accordance with the document, his duties should be temporarily assumed by the chairman of the country’s parliament

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

US, NATO on brink of being recognized as parties to conflict with Russia — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the West harbors a dangerous delusion that it can defeat Russia strategically

Putin to participate in CSTO summit, hold a press conference

During the event, Kyrgyzstan will formally assume the rotating CSTO presidency for 2025

Explosives kit, drone found in abandoned building on Energodar’s outskirts

The city administration did not rule out the possibility that the items in the stash were intended for use in a provocation at the power plant and other critical infrastructure

Russia to thwart any missile attacks on its territory — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that "what is happening now crosses all red lines," referring to American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles attacks on Russia

Ukraine requests to buy weapons from South Korea — TV

The South Korean government had "no enthusiasm" about the proposal, the report says

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

Bank of Russia halts foreign currency purchases from November 28 until year end

At the same time, the Bank of Russia will continue to conduct foreign currency sales operations on the domestic currency market in accordance with the previously announced procedure

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

Slovak PM accepts Putin's invitation to attend Victory Day festivities in Moscow next year

Robert Fico pointed out that "the Red Army and the peoples of the former Soviet Union made the greatest contribution to the defeat of fascism and the victory in World War II"

Biden wants Trump to inherit hopeless Ukraine situation — Medvedev

According to the politician, this is why the US administration decided to allow strikes with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles deep into Russia

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

He made this comment answering a question if Russia can strike military hubs in Romania and Poland

Annual inflation in Russia gearing up to 8.78% over week — Economy Ministry

According to the statement, consumer inflation stood at 0.36% over the week from November 19 to 25

Biden unlikely to dare to seriously increase military aid to Kiev — expert

"The potential future use of Oreshnik will render ATACMS and Storm Shadow as battle-losing capabilities," a retired British diplomat and former economic counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow Ian Proud 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

Russia, Kazakhstan sign 20 documents during Putin’s visit

The heads of state approved a joint statement on deepening strategic partnership

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

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

Moscow, Astana don’t have any unresolvable issues — Putin

"The most important thing is that there is a desire to seek answers to all these questions and find them," the Russian leader stressed

Russia’s nuclear umbrella extends to post-Soviet security bloc under new doctrine — Shoigu

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine also stipulates the criteria for the use of nuclear weapons when aggression is launched against Belarus by conventional arms and when there is a threat to the very existence of Belarus, Sergey Shoigu elaborated

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

West should read Russia's transparent nuclear doctrine carefully — top security official

"In general, the doctrine is uncomplicated, clear, and transparent," Sergey Shoigu noted

US authorities launch antitrust investigation of Microsoft — Bloomberg

According to the agency’s sources, the investigation focuses on the US software giant’s focuses on Microsoft’s possible bundling of its office productivity and security software with its cloud services

Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia committed to peace — adviser

In a post on the X social network, Waltz congratulated 80-year-old Kellogg on the appointment

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

Pakistan expects to become BRICS partner soon — parliament speaker

Commenting on whether Pakistan is likely to join the list of BRICS partner countries, Ayaz Sadiq said that this was possible

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

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 108.01 rubles for November 28

The official euro rate was increased by 2.6 rubles to 113.0947 rubles

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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

Russia to take proportionate steps, if US missiles appear in Japan — MFA

"Tokyo can get a clear idea what these steps will be like by studying Russia’s updated principles of nuclear deterrence policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Three countries express interest in BrahMos missiles

"Talks are being held with Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates," Alexander Maksichev revealed

Israeli troops raid West bank cities — TV

According to the report, the Palestinians opened fire at Israeli soldiers in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the north of the West Bank

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

Moscow can't develop ties with Kabul until Taliban taken off terrorist list — diplomat

Maria Zakharova also mentioned a draft law that was submitted to the Russian Parliament’s lower house, that cancels previous bans on terrorist organizations

US cutting aid to become death sentence for Ukraine — Russia’s mission to UN

According to Dmitry Polyansky, the Kiev authorities "have stolen so much in these almost three years that even many Western experts' hair stands on end"

Former MI6 chief says Europe at war with Russia

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has referred to it as a pre-war situation, former head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service MI6 Richard Dearlove said

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

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"

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

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Allowing Kiev to fire deep into Russia had no effect on nuclear escalation risks — Reuters

Over the past seven months, US intelligence services compiled a series of intelligence assessments

Russia may block agenda of US Security Council presidency next month — mission to UN

First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said that the US may try to complicate life for the successors to the presidency

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

Russian deputy foreign minister, UN secretary-general discuss Mideast crisis solution

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

Russian diplomat says West sought to misrepresent Oreshnik strike, cast it as aggression

Maria Zakharova pointed out that for some, this was obviously a sobering moment, while for others it came as an unexpected surprise

Outgoing US administration working on new $725-mln military aid package for Kiev

Delivery would include land mines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)

Putin arrives in Astana for state visit

Throughout the day, the leaders are to work together, holding private talks as well as discussions with delegations

Ukraine loses more than 250 servicemen in Kursk area over day — top brass

The Russian armed forces continue to defeat the Ukrainian formations on the territory of the Kursk Region, the Defense Ministry added

Russia’s nuclear potential is powerful 'security blanket,' US admits — top researcher

Mikhail Kovalchuk noted that Russia should continue strengthening this potential

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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

Kazakh president describes Putin’s state visit as ‘historic event’

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described Russia as his country’s strategic partner and reliable ally

FBI informed about threats against Trump cabinet picks

US President-elect’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, said that a number of his cabinet nominees and administration appointees were the targets of bomb threats and swatting

Western discussion of transferring nuclear arms to Kiev no bluffing — expert

Endre Simo also recalled that "a few days ago, Admiral Rob Bauer, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, called for preventive strikes against Russian facilities"

Russian church to be built in Myanmar’s former capital in 2025

According to the statement, "the number of compatriots living in Southeast Asian countries on a long-term or permanent basis has been growing since the early 2000s"

Biden administration won’t be able to spend remaining $6.5 bln to arm Ukraine — report

In order to spend the remaining funds in December and January, the US would have to send $110 million worth of weapons every day, the Wall Street Journal reported

One in three relocated individuals return to Russia from Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime itself brands these figures as "terrible"

Netherlands joins European long-range missile initiative

Under the French ELSA (European Long-Range Strike Approach) initiative, European countries want to develop land-based cruise missiles with a range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers

Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

"These claims were made by some admiral. Absolutely reckless. They have a lot of high-ranking military officials who have never even seen real battle," Sergey Lavrov stated

Conflict in Middle East continues because of US’ interest in it – Medvedev

Medvedev, the situation in the region, related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, is very difficult

Trump’s adviser ponders on idea of ceasefire in Ukraine — CNN

According to the report, the future administration’s strategy on Ukraine is still in the works

Kremlin spokesman notes Europe’s obvious clampdown on Russian journalists

The statement came in response to the German government’s decision to shut down the German bureau of Russia’s Channel One

US president, not individual politicians, should make all decisions — Lavrov

Decisions are made by the supreme commander-in-chief, the top Russian diplomat said

Europe's inability to resolve Ukrainian conflict on its own 'is a disgrace' — expert

Ab Gitelink noted that Europe "needs a right-wing conservative businessman in the White House in order to put an end to the war on European territory"

Senior Polish security official recommends NATO against sending troops to Ukraine

However, Yacek Siewiera stated that NATO should concentrate on continuing weapons supplies to Kiev and increasing pressure on Russia

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

US must stop escalating Ukrainian conflict, says Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov advised the new US administration and President-elect Donald Trump to treat this issue "with all seriousness"