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Russian ambassador left Estonia on Tuesday — portal

The Russian Foreign Ministry had earlier released a statement on downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of the charge d’affaires in response to drastic staff cuts at the Russian embassy in Tallinn

VILNIUS, February 9. /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Tallinn Vladimir Lipayev left Estonia on Tuesday in accordance with the Estonian Foreign Ministry’s order, the portal of the Estonian state radio and television ERR said on Wednesday.

"The Russian embassy has executed the requirements stipulated by the note of the Estonian Foreign Ministry," Estonian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anna Tisler-Lavrentjev told the portal, adding that the Russian ambassador left the country on Tuesday simultaneously with the departure of Estonian Ambassador Margus Laidre from Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry had earlier released a statement on downgrading diplomatic relations with Estonia to the level of the charge d’affaires in response to drastic staff cuts at the Russian embassy in Tallinn. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Estonian ambassador to protest against Tallinn’s actions and to order him to leave Russia on February 7, 2023.

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Conflict in Syria

Kremlin has nothing to say on Assad's evacuation from Syria

Earlier, a Kremlin source said that Bashar Assad and his family members had arrived in Moscow

Syrian opposition controls city of Tartus hosting Russian base — source

The opposition's armed forces did not and have no plans to penetrate the Russian military bases, which continue to operate normally, the local source noted

Drone attacks IAEA vehicle en route to ZNPP

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi strongly condemned the incident, describing it as "unacceptable."

Syrians to decide on US military presence in republic themselves — opposition

Mohammed Alloush expressed hope that "Syria will become a country of local and global peace, without the presence of foreign military bases of any party there"

Sanctions on Gazprombank to be lifted, says head of Turkey-Russia Business Council

"This is a completely personal choice of US President Joe Biden to slap sanctions on Gazprombank," Izzet Ekmekcibasi said

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Syrian airline restarts ticket flights to Moscow and back

Tickets are currently available for a flight from Damascus to Moscow on December 18 and back on December 19, 2024

UN opposes any action that violates Syria’s territorial integrity

"This is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria," UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said

Syria’s interim cabinet to focus on preventing collapse of statehood — PM

"We are face with big challenges but our previous experience of governing the Idlib governorate and adjacent territories has furnished us with vast expertise," Mohammed al-Bashir noted

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Oreshnik missiles to eliminate need for nuclear weapons, Putin says

This is why, in President Putin’s words, Russia behaves with caution and even restraint in all areas

US may toughen sanctions on Russian oil exports — Bloomberg

Besides, the US administration is also looking into the possibility of imposing sanctions on "tanker fleet" allegedly transporting Russian oil, Bloomberg wrote

Biden administration may remove HTS from list of terrorist organizations — NBC

Two sources expect this to happen soon, but one official said related discussions are still at early stages at this point

Israeli tanks spotted 20 kilometers from Damascus — TV

The Israel Defense Forces has yet to comment on the information

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The head of state underlined that Russia currently has everything for a technology breakthrough in the digital sphere

Russia comes close to achieving special military operation's goals — intel chief

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Rumors about Trump-Zelensky tete-a-tete prove false, says expert

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Italian expert says Europe biggest loser in Syrian uprising

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Dmitry Peskov noted, however, that no official statements had been made on the matter

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According to the head of Euroclear, the use of the sanctioned Russian assets to provide aide to Ukraine, as proposed by the EU, could undermine confidence in the existing international financial system and create a dangerous precedent

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A number of current issues will be also discussed

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"The issue of military bases is a sovereign decision of the Syrian state," Mohammed Alloush stated

Russian troops liberate Zhyoltoye community in Donbass region over past day

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Ukrainian troops attack DPR’s Yenakiyevo with long-range weapons — DPR head

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FPV drones take out Ukrainian convoy in Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

The first drone successfully intercepted a fleeing pickup on the move, while the second drone struck another vehicle parked near a wooded area, neutralizing additional personnel," the ministry reported

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Hungarian Foreign Minister did not specify which events exactly the Hungarian government plans to carry out on Wednesday and Thursday

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On top of that, hospitals all over Syria are filled beyond capacity, the UN agency said

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Ukraine drone production drastically drops due to intrigues in Zelensky's office — Rada

"The Defense Ministry has barely purchased any drones throughout 2024," lawmaker Maryana Bezuglaya added

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Lukashenko confirms Belarus has nuclear weapons

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Functioning of Russian bases, Israeli army in the buffer zone: situation in Syria

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West could make ‘crazy’ move to hand over nuclear weapons to Ukraine — National Interest

The transfer of American-made B-61 nuclear bombs appears to be the most likely scenario, the report said

Fight of major world players unfolding in Syria, says Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko also pointed to his long record of interaction with Syria's leaders

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According to the statement, "unidentified individuals with firearms crossed the border, and headed towards a roadblock of the Lebanese armed forces, firing into the air"

Israel attacks Syria’s largest airbases, destroying dozens of helicopters, fighter jets

According to Al Arabiya, strikes were also delivered the special force headquarters in the city of Qamishli

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According to the source in the Kremlin, Russia has granted asylum for Syria’s former President Bashar Assad and his family members

Ukraine realizes NATO membership ‘out of reach' for now — Zelensky’s office

Igor Zhovkva said that Ukraine could accept the accession model used for Sweden and Finland, "who received invitations to join the alliance," but these invitations entered into effect only after certain conditions were met

Putin ranked among Europe’s most influential figures — newspaper

The name of the most influential person in Europe will be revealed later in the evening

Committee on constitutional amendments to be established in Syria — opposition

"The new Syria will be based on justice and law," spokesperson for the Syrian opposition’s political department told

Russia hammers Ukrainian railway sites of Western arms deliveries

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 455 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed eight enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

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"People from all regions of our huge country are taking part in battles to liberate the remaining tiny piece of the LPR territory," Yury Yurov said

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The press office noted that "dozens of ship-to-ship missiles with a range between 80 and 190 km, which posed a threat to civilian and military ships in this region, were destroyed" during the strikes

US focus on Ukraine may undermine global system, Russian intel chief warns

"The United States is losing momentum on all fronts, from the Middle East to Asia and Africa," Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

Russian defense chief commends growing defense ties with India

Andrey Belousov stressed that the relationship based on trust between the two countries’ leaders was crucial for strengthening bilateral ties between Russia and India

Ukraine fires 34 projectiles at 8 settlements in Belgorod Region in past day

No injuries or damage were reported

Press review: Putin declares Russian economy's recovery as US reevaluates BRICS stance

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 5th

Zelensky demands security guarantees for Ukraine at meeting with Trump — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris lasted 35 minutes

US losing ground in post-Soviet space, everywhere else, Russian intel chief says

According to Sergey Naryshkin, SVR intel says that the post-Soviet space remains the priority destination of attacks by US and UK intelligence

Poland shouldn’t send troops to Ukraine, senior security official says

According to the security official, Ukraine will not be able to retake territories from Russia, even if Kiev calls up more soldiers

Russian troops advance to better positions near Malaya Tokmachka in Zaporozhye Region

Russian servicemen struck Ukrainian artillery guns and their crews in the area of the town of Gulyaipole

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement attacked military facilities in Jaffa and Ashkelon, military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said

Hezbollah hopes that Syria’s new government can resist Israeli attacks

According to Israel’s N12 television channel, 350 Israeli fighter jets have hit 320 strategic facilities of the Assad army over the day

Medvedev arrives in China on two-day visit

The Russian deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council is to hold meetings with China’s top officials

Russia expands list of e-visa eligible countries

At the same time, Andorra and Serbia, who have agreements on visa-free travel with Russia, were taken off the list

Russian Su-35S fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite, the statement added

Syrian ex-president Assad now in safety in Russia — deputy foreign minister

The Russian diplomat added that it "would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved."

Russian sleeper agents open up about secret trip to 2018 World Cup

The married couple, Artyom Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, returned home as a result of an exchange

Sentence to mercenary, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Kursk Regional Court has sentenced Jordan O'Brien, a New Zealand citizen, to 14 years in prison in absentia for his involvement in the invasion of the Kursk Region

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

Suspension of Russian gas transit via Bulgaria last resort measure — source

The Bulgarian side expects that the problem with transit payment will be solved and sees "nothing critical" in the evolved situation

An-2 plane makes emergency landing in northwest Siberia, no casualties

"According to preliminary information, no one was harmed in the incident, but the aircraft was damaged," the statement says

Russia's Syria operation cost over $460 million — Putin

According to the president, additional costs are required after the operation in Syria but they are justified in order not to pay a higher price in future

Russia in dialogue with Turkey on Syria — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "it is very important to maintain dialogue with all regional countries"

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Russian troops advance towards Dachnoye, road leading out of Kurakhovo — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, as of early morning, Russian forces have reached the city council building, which is located in the western part of Kurakhovo

Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 10th

Syria should not be turned into base of terrorists — top US diplomat

Antony Blinken "emphasized the need to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors," department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said

Syria’s new government to prevent attempts to split country — opposition

"We want to rebuild Syria, which is in line with its people’s wishes," spokesperson for the Syrian opposition’s political department told

Bulgaria may stop gas transit from Russia if payment solution not found — minister

As Vladimir Malinov explained, at the moment, the Bulgarian state gas company Bulgargaz has received all payments

FACTBOX: Syria under President Bashar Assad

Bashar Assad took over as the leader of the Syrian Arab Republic in the summer of 2000 after the death of his father Hafez Assad, who had been at the helm of power since 1971

Russia, Arab countries stand for just world free from diktat — Putin

"We stand united in advocating for the establishment of a just and democratic world order founded on genuine equality and adherence to international law, free from all forms of discrimination, coercion, and sanctions pressure," the Russian leader emphasized

Russian troops seize Ukrainian stronghold south of Kurakhovo — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Ukrainian units in this section of the frontline are currently in control of Annovka, a small area surrounding it, and Uspenovka, through which they are receiving supplies

Polish Defense Minister recognizes Kiev's critical situation in special military op zone

According to Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Ukrainian population feels "enormous war fatigue"

HAMAS hands over full list of hostages to Egypt — Al Arabiya

Neither HAMAS nor Egypt has confirmed the reports so far

Special military op to end after all goals set by Putin achieved — Kremlin

"These goals can be achieved both as a result of the special military operation and as a result of the peace talks," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russian forces liberate 1.5 square miles near Kurakhovo — official

"Russian forces have liberated four square kilometers in and west of the settlement of Sukhiye Yaly," Vladimir Rogov said

At least 75 civilians killed in Syria in past two weeks — UN

The UN agency also reported that the security and humanitarian situation in the country remains unstable

Russian Railways resumes passenger rail service with China, North Korea

"With the introduction of the 2024-2027 schedule, international trains of China Railways on the route Suifenhe-Grodekovo and those of the DPRK Ministry of Railways on the route Tumangang-Khasan will resume service," the statement reads

Ukrainian military leaving their positions near Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

Despite the complex landscape of this settlement and its logistical importance, the Ukrainian armed forces do not have enough troops to fully hold the defense