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Three downed balloons were most likely private or research aircraft — Biden

According to the assessments of the intelligence community the three objects were "most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions," US President said

WASHINGTON, February 16. /TASS/. US authorities believe that the three aircraft downed over North American last week were, most likely, balloons belonging to private companies or research institutions, not intelligence aircraft, US President Joe Biden said Thursday.

"We don't yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing right now suggests they were related to the Chinese spy balloon program, or they were surveillance vehicles from other any other country," he said. According to the assessments of the intelligence community the three objects were "most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions," Biden said.

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United States Joseph Biden

Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Syrian armed groups to merge into one under auspices of the country's Defense Ministry

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the militant leader of the main group driving the Syrian armed opposition, met with the leaders of the armed groups and discussed with them the new format of the Syrian army

Possible arrival of new Russian envoy before Trump’s inauguration depends on US — diplomat

"However, since he is a very prominent and experienced diplomat, I think the host country should have no doubt that he will show a high level of professionalism and his efforts will aim to at least slightly improve bilateral relations," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted

Putin meets with Federation Council Speaker Matviyenko in Kremlin

The upper chamber of the parliament wrapped up its autumn session

BRICS is approaching G20 format, Brazilian foreign minister says

According to Mauro Vieira, during Brazil's BRICS chairmanship in 2025, the country's leadership plans to organize several important high-level meetings and events, including negotiations between foreign ministers and heads of state

West should consider Putin's words on Oreshnik missile duel — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the rhetoric about "inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia" is firmly rooted in the mentality of the NATO regimes not at all as hypothetical assumptions

Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

The politician emphasized that "the president of a major country should be extremely polite and amiable"

US defense companies capitalize the most on Ukraine conflict — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya referred to data from the SIPRI which put last year’s revenues from sales of arms by the world’s top 100 largest businesses in the industry at $632 billion

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

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

Yemen’s Houthis announce hypersonic missile strike at military facility near Tel Aviv

Israel’s Ynet media outlet reports that at least 30 people suffered injuries after a missile fired from Yemen fell in central Israel

Damage to Portuguese Embassy in Kiev caused by Ukrainian air defense — Russian diplomats

Reporters are ramping up Russophobia, distorting the facts while writing on this matter, the Russian Embassy in Portugal said

Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

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Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

According to Jacques Sapir, the decision not to extend transit contracts was no surprise given the political landscape

Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine ready to join Russian Navy — Sevmash Shipyard CEO

Project 885M nuclear-powered submarines carry Oniks and Kalibr-PL cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons

Response to Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Rylsk to come shortly — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya warned as he denounced the attack as yet another unambiguous step by the Kiev regime toward escalation

Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

Eight motor vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed? the ministy added

Russian missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov to become world’s strongest warship after upgrade

The heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov has been under repairs at the Sevmash Shipyard since 1999; real work on the warship has been carried out since 2013

Artyom military plant reportedly on fire after explosions in Kiev

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Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine can be conducted on different platforms — senior diplomat

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The document pointed out that during the talks in Cairo, representatives of the radical groups "discussed with the mediators the development of indirect negotiations [with the Israeli side] on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a hostage exchange agreement"

Novak assumes price of US LNG at least 30-40% higher than of Russian pipeline gas for EU

Russia’s Energy Minister adding that the US LNG is "uncompetitive as of today"

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

Three of eight drones that attacked Kazan targeted defense industry facilities — head

The Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov also noted that all operational services worked well when dealing with the aftermath of the drone attack

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ISS orbit raised ahead of launching Soyuz manned spacecraft

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Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Slovak PM to visit Moscow for talks with Putin, Serbian president says

"Robert Fico will travel to visit Putin as a European countries leader," Aleksandar Vucic said

US confirms strikes on Houthi command posts in Yemen

CENTCOM forces also shot down several Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea

Putin suggests Zelensky may flee abroad, says Russia would take him in

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According to John Mearsheimer, Russia has become much stronger over the past two to three years because it has managed to become "a truly sovereign country"

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Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Trump wants NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP — FT

The sources also told the Financial Times that Donald Trump intends to continue the military aid to Ukraine despite the statements he made during his presidential campaign

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Magnitude 5.3 earthquake rocks South Africa

No injuries or damage were reported

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Russia to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes, just as Putin said — Kremlin

"Russia’s position is well known, it was voiced by Putin back in St. Petersburg," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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

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Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

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Press review: South Korean president impeached as Ukraine turns to foreign mercenaries

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What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

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Putin to extend New Year greetings to peoples of several unfriendly countries — Kremlin

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Ukraine to halt Russian gas transit on January 1, 2025 — Ukrainian PM

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Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

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Russian forces control more than half of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

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Brazil unveils BRICS logo for 2025

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Mother of missing US reporter thanks Putin for promising help in locating her son

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Russia to invite World War II allies to next year’s Victory Day parade

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Perm sub with Tsirkon hypersonic missiles to enter service with Russian Navy in 2026

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‘Arkhangelsk, ’ ‘Knyaz Pozharsky’ nuclear submarines to join Russian Navy soon — commander

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Airborne troops from Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipe out enemy position in Kherson region

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Turkish president calls on West to stop Israel in Syria before it’s too late

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Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

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Scholz, German Interior Minister booed during visit to terrorist attack site — newspaper

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Eight people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip — TV

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Syria's new authorities appoint Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister

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Oreshnik test launch forces London to take a step back — Russian ambassador

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Embassies of 12 countries closed in North Korea amid shortage of goods

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Magdeburg attacker may be charged with murder of 5, attempted murder of 205 — prosecutor

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Yemeni capital city subjected to massive airstrike - TV channel

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Musk believes Germany’s Scholz should step down after car drives into crowd in Magdeburg

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Four new Russian regions moving toward self-sufficiency at a rapid pace — Putin

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Mourhaf Abu Qasra becomes top Syrian defense official in transitional government — TV

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Baltic states threaten mass deportation of Russians, take lead in Russophobia — statement

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Civilian industrial complex supplies Russian army with over 65 types of units — top brass

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IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on residential buildings in Kazan

TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

Ukrainian lawmaker slams Zelensky for trying to bribe Slovak PM

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