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South Africa invites over 60 countries for discussions at BRICS Summit — source

The BRICS summit will be held on August 22-24 in Johannesburg under the presidency of South Africa

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. South Africa has invited more than 60 countries for discussions on the sidelines of the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg, a South African diplomat told TASS.

"More than 60 countries have been invited for discussions at the summit, these are both African countries and countries that have applied to BRICS," the source said, "Substantive discussions on dialogue with the states of the Global South are planned."

The BRICS summit will be held on August 22-24 in Johannesburg under the presidency of South Africa. According to South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, the BRICS leaders will discuss the issue of the organization's expansion at the summit. She revealed that 23 countries have submitted formal applications to join the group.

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South Africa BRICS

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister — KCNA

"Kim Jong Un said that Korea-Russia relations are a strong security mechanism that facilitates the prosperity of the peoples in the two countries, alleviates the situation in the region and guarantees international strategic stability," the news agency said

Anti-Russia sanctions killing EU economies — Hungarian Foreign Minister

"It is time for the European Union to finally abandon its policy of sanctions and restrictions. It is time to face the truth and admit that sanctions and restrictions have affected and continue to negatively affect the European economy," Peter Szijjarto said

Russia not going to leave strikes deep inside country unanswered — Putin

"As I have repeatedly said, we will always respond," the president emphasized

Russian Embassy in Argentina monitors situation with malfunctioning ocean liner

The diplomatic mission said that they are in touch with the company organizing the cruise as well as with the Russian citizens onboard the vessel

UK continuing arms supplies to Kiev fraught with conflict of nuclear powers — diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

Russian forces wipe out five ATACMS launchers using Iskander missiles

In particular, two MLRS launchers and a transporter-loader vehicle were destroyed near the settlement of Tokari, and three HIMARS launchers were taken out near the settlement of Maly Bobrik, the statement reads

No turning back on BRICS independent payment system

According to Sergey Ryabkov, BRICS is creating a payment structure that countries of the global majority can use to protect themselves from "hostile states" who want to do them harm

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 designs Titan rifle for commandos

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Syrian government forces attacking terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Al-Dana — media

The Syrian army command reported on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group had staged a large-scale attack on Syria’s northern governorates the day prior

Presidential aide blames West for attempts to harm Russia at sea

Nikolay Patrushev said that in a situation like this Russia should firmly defend its position and prepare tools for the "comprehensive management of maritime activities aimed at ensuring national interests"

Russian aerospace forces eliminate at least 20 militants in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib

Russia’s aerospace forces are backing the Syrian government army and deliver missile strikes on positions of illegal armed groups, their weapons, control centers, and weapons depots, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said

Debt burden of Russian stands at 11% of total households income — Central Bank

"This is a comfortable level, so we do not see any risks at large," Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Philipp Gabuniya said

Welcome to Russia project helps to find spiritual, moral refuge — State Duma deputy

People want to move to Russia to preserve traditional values and maintain their own history, Maria Butina noted

Syria will not let terrorists 'achieve their diabolical goals,' top diplomat pledges

The top Iranian diplomat noted that the increased terrorist activity in northern Syria is tied to "the US-Israeli plan to destabilize the region amid the Israeli regime’s failures in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon"

Russia works on transforming '3+3' platform into organization — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that the '3+3' regional cooperation platform is important for harmonizing the interests of all countries of the region

Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

"The situation is quite complicated," Sergey Ryabkov said

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

West refuses to accept proof of Ukraine’s use of chemical weapons — Russian envoy

Vladimir Tarabrin noted that instead, the West is trying to present Russia as violating the Chemical Weapons Convention

Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

US mercenary in-absentia arrest, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 340 troops, an armored personnel carrier, an armored combat vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, an artillery piece and six mortars

Belarusian President Lukashenko points to 'NATOfication' of Europe, entire world

"The arms race is rapidly gaining momentum," Alexander Lukashenko underlined

Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

Gergely Gulyas was commenting on the decision of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to go to the Russian capital to celebrate the anniversary of Victory at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Medvedev says Zelensky's fate won't be pretty if Ukraine faces second Maidan

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Press review: CSTO discusses Russian weapons as US and Russia continue prisoner talks

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Hungary greenlights pouring of first concrete in Paks-2 NPP foundation — MFA

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that in order to approve the construction of Paks-2, some not-so-simple safety measures had to be taken

Scholz shares details of talks with Putin, Zelensky says

The conversation between the Russian president and the German chancellor took place on November 15

Putin approves purchase of Russian Elevator Company from French grain trader Louis Dreyfus

The corresponding order of the president was published on the official portal of legal information

Russia, North Korea remain good neighbors, longtime friends — Russian defense minister

"The most important outcome of the summit was the signing of a new fundamental interstate document - the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and North Korea," Andrey Belousov stressed

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

"A total of 100,000 so-called peacekeepers are planned to be sent to Ukraine," the SVR noted

Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

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

Russia's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged "on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations"

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

Syrian government army hits militants’ positions in southern Idlib — newspaper

According to Al-Watan, Syrian forces targeted militants’ positions in the al-Ruweiha, Khan al-Sabil, and Maardabsa, as well as in the Jebel al-Zawiya mountainous area in southern Idlib and the city of Mareya north of Aleppo

Root causes need to be addressed to settle Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin spokesman

"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

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

Defense Minister notes active expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation

"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

Over 70 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Beit Lahiya in Gaza Strip — TV

According to the report, local residents tried to evacuate the wounded and the bodies of those killed to a nearest hospital but Israeli forces delivered another strike on the vicinity of the collapsed house

Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

The senior Serbian lawmaker stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and hailed the activities of groups for cooperation with Serbia in both houses of Russia’s parliament, adding that the Serbian parliamentary group of friendship with Russia "is traditionally one of the largest."

Design of super-heavy rocket to be finalized based on new technologies — Roscosmos

"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines," the press service said

Ukrainian servicemen abandon military units due to fear of Russian army — official

Kiev is constantly losing control over populated areas because "tens of thousands of tired and desperate Ukrainian servicemen are leaving their positions to flee in an unknown direction," the agency reported

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Britain’s MI6 chief admits London's involvement in covert operations in Ukraine

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

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The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

Kiev opposes Washington's demand for lowering draft age — media

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Russia to pour over OPCW report on use of toxins in Ukraine — diplomat

"After careful analysis of the report, Russian specialists will issue their expert opinion on this matter," Vladimir Tarabrin noted

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Oreshnik’s massive strike comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

The Russian leader additionally stressed that "certainly, Oreshnik is not a weapon of mass destruction"

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

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Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Leonardo booking system’s functionality restored — Rostec

Aeroflot airline said earlier that the issue and the return of tickets and provision of extra services in all sales channels were temporarily complicated due to the system’s failure

Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Kiev's defeatist rhetoric may be masking planned attacks on Russia — expert

The enemy may be trying to lull us into a false sense of security by saying that their situation is bad, only to hit us by surprise, Andrey Marochko said

Western handlers beginning to dump Zelensky — Ukrainian politician

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

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Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk area, Kharkov Region over week

Russian forces delivered one massive and 32 combined strikes by air-launched, seaborne and ground-based precision weapons, hitting Ukrainian military airfields and power facilities of defense enterprises over the past week, the ministry reported

Bilateral exchanges between Russia, North Korea their own business — Chinese MFA

Mao Ning also stated that she was not aware of the details of Belousov's visit and reiterated that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains consistent

Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

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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

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

The liner left Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-day cruise, and passengers say they paid between $9,000 and $12,000 for the trip

Russian scientists to develop computer working at ‘speed of light’ by 2027 — researcher

"In the next two years, we plan to create a working prototype with processing speed of over 10 to the power of 19 operations per second, which significantly exceeds the current global level," Alexander Sergeyev said

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

Putin apologizes to Merkel over labrador incident

The president said that he "wanted to create a casual, friendly atmosphere" and did not know that the former German chancellor was afraid of dogs

Riot police fully clears square in front of Georgian parliament from protesters

The protesters moved up Rustaveli Avenue

FACTBOX: What to know about attacks of militants on Syria’s government forces

Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $34.71 per metric ton from December 4

The export duty rate for wheat and meslin is calculated based on an indicative price of $223.8 per metric ton

Russian football chief disappointed national team left off 2026 World Cup draw list

"Until the decision is reversed, our team will have no chance to participate in international competitions," Alexander Dyukov said

West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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Russia to continue gathering evidence about Kiev’s chemical crimes — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s mission to the OPCW has submitted more than 30 notes to the organization, and they are available to the general public

Borrell calls for preventing consolidation of whole world against West

The EU diplomatic chief once again tried to portray Russia as an "imperialist" power that allegedly poses "an existential threat" to the EU, if the EU wishes to achieve victory in Ukraine

Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

The Russian president also spoke about inflation and the ruble exchange rate, noting that the situation is under control

Russia sees no need to downgrade relations with Poland, ambassador says

Sergey Andreyev explained that relations will eventually need to be restored, so Russia does not want to initiate an escalation

Rosneft produced 193.4 mln tons of hydrocarbons in 9M 2024 — company

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Putin slams election mudslinging against Trump’s family as 'vile'

According to the Russian president, when gangs fight with each other, they "don’t target women and children but leave them alone"

Russians wipe out three Ukrainian strongholds, over 20 Azov fighters in advance on Kharkov

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Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

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Aeroflot reports difficulties with purchases, returns of tickets

The service provider takes measures to restore normal operation of the system as soon as possible, Aeroflot said

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine on conditions proposed in June — Putin

The head of state held a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry in June, where he listed the conditions for talks with Ukraine

Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

Additionally, the news that Russia used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, to destroy Yuzhmash, a Ukrainian defense plant in Dnipro (previously known as Dnepropetrovsk), is alarming, Viktor Orban stressed

Foreign fighters involved in terrorist attacks in Aleppo, Idlib provinces — Syrian army

The Syrian Armed Forces’ General Command warned that "terrorist organizations are spreading misleading information, news and videos on their platforms aimed at intimidating citizens"

Case against Ukrainian militants, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the past day, the enemy lost more than 250 men, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored fighting vehicle, six cars and five mortars

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Putin believes that US President-elect Trump’s life may be in danger

Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts this year: one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, and the second one in September, when a radical supporter of aid to Ukraine opened fire near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida

Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia doesn’t want to "expose to danger the lives and health of international experts amid the extensive use of various weapons" along the engagement line

Peacekeepers deployment in Ukraine possible only with consent of all conflict parties

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said in a statement earlier in the day that the West may seek to achieve its objectives in Ukraine by implementing an actual occupation, deploying a so-called peacekeeping contingent of 100,000 personnel, with plans to divide the country among Romania, Poland, Germany, and the UK

NATO growing more inclined to freeze Ukraine conflict — Russia’s SVR

"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

Police use water cannons against protesters at Tbilisi rally

The protesters were throwing eggs and firecrackers at the policemen

West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities

Banning import of food from New Zealand won’t affect Russia — watchdog

Earlier on Friday, the Russian government extended the food embargo for countries that imposed sanctions against Russia until the end of 2026

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

Zelensky reshuffles Ukrainian military command

According to the statement, Mikhail Drapaty has been appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian ground forces