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Over 10,000 Russian troops to stand by Belarus’ army in case of aggression — Lukashenko

"If aggression is launched against Belarus, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and I have agreed that this division will be placed under my command to fight in a joint alignment of forces of Belarus and Russia," the Belarusian leader stressed

MINSK, February 16. /TASS/. The over 10,000-strong contingent of Russian troops in Belarus will help the Belarusian army in the case of aggression against the republic, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.

"In case of aggression [against Belarus], this grouping will organically join the Belarusian army," Lukashenko said at a meeting with foreign journalists. "If aggression is launched against Belarus, President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin and I have agreed that this division will be placed under my command to fight in a joint alignment of forces of Belarus and Russia," the Belarusian leader added.

He reiterated that at the moment "a large group of air forces and air defense troops has been redeployed to Belarus. "I have them deployed to the airfields. This was a sticking point for me: no matter how difficult it is in Ukraine, what belongs in the joint grouping must be in Belarus. At least periodically," the Belarusian president explained.

On October 10, 2022, Lukashenko announced the start of shaping a regional alignment of forces, the core of which will consist of Belarusian servicemen, within the framework of agreements with Moscow. Minsk announced in mid-October that the first trains carrying Russian servicemen had arrived in the republic. Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the talks with Lukashenko in the capital city of Belarus on December 19 that Moscow and Minsk would continue the practice of joint exercises and other military training activities, including those within the framework of the regional alignment of forces. In early January, the Defense Ministry of Belarus reported that the buildup of the group continued, and that it was ready to carry out the tasks to protect the Union State.

Middle East conflict

UN Secretary-General condemns escalation between Israel, Yemen

Guterres calls "for all parties concerned to cease all military actions and exercise utmost restraint"

No panic aboard crashed Azerbaijan Airlines plane, eyewitness says

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25

Contract for gas transit to EU cannot be renewed before New Year — Putin

According to the Russian President, an option of concluding contracts for delivery through third parties - Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, Azerbaijani companies - is possible

Israel only starting to retaliate to Yemen’s Houthis — Netanyahu

"We will beat them to the bone until they understand, too," the minister said

Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," the politician said

Launch of Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite scheduled for March 25 — manufacturer

The spacecraft, taking 75 mice and 1,500 drosophila flies, as well as plants and microorganisms to space, was initially planned to blast off on September 1, 2024

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Paris proposed "to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue"

Gazprom plans to produce gas at some fields for another 110 years — CEO

According to Alexey Miller, Gazprom is the world leader in terms of gas reserves

Cuba ready for more active involvement in EAEU mechanisms — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the association of the invitation and noted that the participation in such events has become a usual event for Cuba

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 26th

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

Putin congratulates Emergencies Ministry’s staff on professional holiday

"Employees of the Ministry of Emergencies rightfully enjoy the deserved recognition and respect in our society," the president said

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

IN BRIEF: Putin talks to reporters about Oreshnik missile, natural gas transit

Russia could use Oreshnik again if need be, but the country is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian president said

Gazprom to supply about 31 bcm of gas via Power of Siberia to China in 2024

Gazprom Alexey Miller recalled that on December 1 Gazprom had brought the Power of Siberia pipeline to its maximum design capacity of 38 billion cubic meters of gas per year

Biden’s last aid package to Kiev won’t contribute to Ukraine’s security — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this speaks of the fact that the West continues to do everything to escalate the conflict with Russia, not sparing effort or anyone in Ukraine

Russia shortens temporary stay term for foreigners to 90 days — Foreign Ministry

In some cases, the temporary stay term is being prolonged in accordance with the abovementioned federal law

Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

South Korean opposition launches impeachment proceedings against acting president

According to the law, an impeachment vote can take place no earlier than 24 hours after the initiative is introduced at a plenary session

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Israel says strikes on Yemen serve to retaliate for earlier Houthi attacks

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Houthi rebels "the centerpiece of Iran's axis of evil"

Egypt lost more than 60% of Suez Canal revenues in 2024 — administration

This stood at about $7 bln, in the outgoing year

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

Emigration of 5.3 million Ukrainians a serious blow, Ukrainian expert says

According to Alexey Poznyak, problems are to be expected in the labor market

Lukashenko says he discussed gas supplies to Europe with Putin, Russia ready to sell them

The Belarusian leader believes that Germany should restore relations with Russia for the sake of its own economy

Ukrainian agents attempted to deliver booby-trapped documents to Archangel Project head

The project's curator Vitaly Romanov noted that the bomb was defused, and no one was injured

Israeli jets pummel cities of Sanaa, Hodeidah in Yemen — source

According to the source, the attack targeted Sanaa International Airport, with at least seven strikes

Russian emergencies minister expects more natural disasters due to climate change

The Russian emergencies minister, Alexander Kurenkov, added, that weather anomalies are becoming more and more frequent

Zelensky as commander-in-chief loses trust of army, population — MP

Aleksandr Dubinsky recalled the unsuccessful financing of Ukraine in the middle of the year

Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

As a BRICS partner state, Thailand hopes to raise the level of relations with the group’s members in order to gain better opportunities for the development of its economy

Turkey to help new Syrian authorities create regular Armed Forces — Defense Ministry

The defense ministry also noted that the experience of Turkey, which has an "exemplary army" and a powerful defense industry infrastructure, will significantly contribute to strengthening Syria’s security and defense capability

WHO chief says unhurt in Israeli air attack on Yemen airport

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that he had arrived in the Yemeni capital to negotiate the release of UN staff and to assess the humanitarian situation in the country

Russia ready for talks on Ukraine, only if those discuss essential topics — Lavrov

"We are open to any negotiations, provided they essentially discuss the core causes [behind the Ukraine crisis] and the key principles put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June," the top diplomat said

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

According to the head of state, the system's serial production has begun

US-made Abrams tanks in Taiwan won’t help island — China’s defense ministry

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will comprehensively strengthen military training to prevent a separatist plot by supporters of Taiwan independence and interference by outside forces, according to Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Astana, Moscow, Baku will not hide information on plane crash — Senate speaker

Maulen Ashimbayev warned against premature conclusions concerning an external impact on the plane based on photographs, noting that certain forces were trying to derive dividends

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Russia 10 years ahead of whole world with research into 4th generation nuclear power

The BREST-300 fast neutron reactor is due to be launched in 2026-2027 and to go on stream in 2028

Russian MFA says West could try to pull off some military 'scheme' in Belarus

A presidential election campaign is starting in Belarus on January 1, with the election scheduled for January 26

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

The President stressed that Moscow would move on in accordance with the plans it had outlined

Russian Cabinet to hold closing meeting in 2024

The agenda comprises issues pertaining to support of regions, road and transportation networks and other topics

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

EAEU leaders approve 17 documents following summit in Leningrad region

These include an agreement on the single customs transit system, a decision on the entry into force of the free trade agreement with Iran, and an order on the functioning of the single services market within the EAEU

Crew of plane that crashed in Kazakhstan lost control due to system failure

Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev noted that the information was also received that "after providing data on the weather in Makhachkala and Baku, the crew decided to fly to Aktau"

US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

Continued terror attacks by Kiev to be met with increasingly tougher response — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

Putin says he receives information about frontline situation round the clock

There is always something new at certain sections of the front, the head of state emphasized

Two people preparing attempts on Russian military officials' lives recruited in Ukraine

One of the detainees stated that he had moved to Ukraine, where he was recruited by Ukrainian special forces

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

Russian stock market closes with growth in leading indices

By the of the trading session, the MOEX index rose by 1.23%, while the RTS index rose by 1.63%

Ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh died at age of 92

"He was being treated for age-related medical conditions," the All-India Institute of Medical Studies informed

Kremlin will not speculate about causes of plane crash near Aktau — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the day before during the informal summit of the CIS, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia’s Chechnya ships 200 ‘Jihad mobile’ vehicles for special military operation

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

Termination of transit of Russian gas to kill Ukraine’s gas transport system — experts

Moreover, Ukraine will have to reorganize the flows of gas on the domestic market and resolve respective issues with keeping pressure in the eastern and central parts of the gas transport system, experts added

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Buildup of Russian presence in Arctic region critical amid West’s statements

"The buildup of presence in the Arctic Region is extremely important because the collective West is already carrying propaganda under slogans that ‘the Arctic is not Russian only," Executive Director of the RGS Artyom Manukyan said

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

El Al suspends Tel Aviv - Moscow flights

The airline will assess the situation in the upcoming weeks and will decide whether the flights will resume depending on the assessment

New Syrian government to prosecute former president's supporters refusing to surrender

"What has happened in Tartus, gives us even more resolve to eradicate the remains of Assad’s regime," Mohammad Abdul Rahman said

Gazprom to supply record 390 bcm of gas to consumers via gas transportation system in 2024

This is a record for the entire history of observations

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Oboronlogistics company blames loss of its ship Ursa Major on terrorist attack

The Ursa Major dry cargo ship wrecked in the Mediterranean Sea

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

IDF blows up 2-km-long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza Strip

According to the IDF, Hamas has been using this tunnel as a shelter for a long time

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

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

Russia imposes state of federal-level emergency due to fuel oil spill in Black Sea

Alexander Kurenkov noted that "this classification will enable the deployment of additional resources and personnel from federal executive authorities and state corporations, as well as provide necessary financial assistance to the affected entities from the Russian government’s reserve fund"

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Israel intends to ‘cut off tentacle’ of Iran's ‘axis of evil’ in Yemen — Netanyahu

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces’ press office said that Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi regime on the west coast and in the interior regions of Yemen

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

It is also reported that the Eagle S "noticeably slowed down" presumably at the moment when the cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

Russia’s still paying for gas transit through Ukraine — Putin

Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

IN BRIEF: What is known about passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan

According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

Russia’s economic growth will be almost 4% in 2024, Putin says

The Russian leader noted that the volume of trade between Moscow and Yerevan had doubled compared to 2023, and by the end of the current year it would amount to more than $ 10 billion

Dutch citizen remanded in custody in Moscow on charges of assaulting police officer

Harry Johannes van Wurden should be taken into custody for two months, until December 3

At least four Syrian law enforcement employees killed in operation near Homs

According to Al Watan, the Department of military operations in Damascus sent major reinforcements to the Homs Province in order to eliminate the remaining supporters of former president Bashar Assad

EU to impose new sanctions on ‘Russian shadow fleet’ over Baltic Sea incident

In addition, the European Union is strengthening protection of the bloc's undersea cables

Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

The aircraft’s crew chief, Igor Kshnyakin, clocked more than 15,000 hours of flight time

Two families with children return to Russia from Syria — commissioner

An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

Putin says Biden in 2021 proposed to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO

The Russian leader recalled that the US President spoke about Ukraine's unreadiness to join the alliance

Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Three communication cables between Estonia, Finland damaged — media

The cause of the damage is still unknown, with operators currently investigating it and conducting repair operations

Lavrov sees ceasefire in Ukraine as road to nowhere, calls for reliable agreements

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that those accords should first and foremost address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis

No politics behind current absence of Russian ambassador in US — Lavrov

The top diplomat stressed that it was not a demarche

Russian-Iranian partnership agreement to be inked on January 17 — ambassador

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty is expected to mark a significant step forward in the development of relations between Russia and Iran, which are growing rapidly

Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa put out of service by Israeli strikes — source

Damage also came from sweeping fires that were set off by strikes on oil tanks in both ports

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for December 27 to 99.23 rubles

The official yuan exchange rate was lowered by 13 kopecks to 13.47 rubles

Russia not setting preconditions for talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia was deceived "when they stated that NATO would not expand eastwards and when they emphasized their commitment to resolve [the conflict] based on the UN Charter"

Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

Kremlin admits legal action over transfer of $1 bln from Russian assets to Ukraine

"Such illegal actions, including the transfer of this billion, may surely prompt legal action. And we will surely use all possibilities in the future to protect our rights and the rights to our property," Dmitry Peskov noted

Over 25 countries want to take part in Intervision Song Contest, Lavrov says

Russia is ready to welcome tourists from Latin American countries in every possible way, to show them Moscow and St. Petersburg, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, Sochi, Suzdal, and Altai, the top Russian diplomat said