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Al Shabaab militants seize five towns in Somalia

According to the report, al Shabaab militants killed 178 Somali soldiers in an attack over the weekend

PRETORIA, August 29. /TASS/. Somalia’s pro-government forces vacated five towns in the East African country’s central region after a deadly attack by militants of the al Shabaab extremist group, Somali Guardian reported on Tuesday.

On Monday, the army emptied the towns of Wabho, Osweyne, Budbud, Gal’ad and Masagaway in Galmudug Administration, the media outlet said. According to the online publication, al Shabaab militants killed 178 Somali soldiers in an attack over the weekend. No information about losses among militants is available.

Al Shabaab was formed in Somalia in 2004. By 2010, the group had established control over vast territories, but it had to withdraw from Mogadishu in the summer of 2011 and launch a guerilla war against the country’s government and its allies. In February 2012, an al Shabaab leader announced joining Al Qaeda (banned in Russia - TASS).

Tehran holding indirect talks with Washington in Oman, Iran's envoy to UN confirms

Amir Saeid Iravani said that the talks are "an ongoing process"

Ukrainian president rejects French leader’s idea of Olympic truce

According to Zelensky, Kiev does not believe in the idea of an Olympic truce as it would "play into the enemy’s hands"

Russia, China sign ten joint documents

The agreements penned included an initiative to develop the Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, protocols on requirements for beef and other products exported to China

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Russia remains open to security dialogue with West but only on equal terms — Lavrov

Lavrov pointed out that those issues should be considered in their entirety

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Almost 10,000 people evacuated from Ukraine’s Kharkov Region

The total number of evacuees stands at 9,907, Oleg Sinegubov, head of the regional military administration, said

Expert says ‘sanitary zone’ in Ukraine should be 300 kilometers deep

it should be enough to make sure that US, French and British-made long-range weapons don’t reach Russia, including the country’s new regions, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defense magazine told TASS

Former partners of McKinsey in Russia changed their name to Yakov and Partners

Yakov and Partners also specified that the company has its own global expert network and plans to actively expand

Mistral delivery connected with implementation of Minsk accords — Hollande

The French leader made the statement after his impromptu visit to Russia on Saturday for crisis talks with President Vladimir Putin, Le Figaro reported

Putin-Xi talks were very successful, Kremlin aide says

The environment was very friendly and the leaders were in a good mood, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told TV journalist.

Putin calls for ensuring ‘capacity reserve’ when upgrading Eastern polygon project

The head of state drew attention to the fact that when constructing new facilities, one must not forget about the existing infrastructure and maintaining it in standard condition. He stated that this work "has problem areas"

Preparations for Putin’s visit to DPRK ongoing — Kremlin spokesman

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited the Russian President to visit his country when he traveled to Russia in September

Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, it is necessary to "treat both the issuance and non-issuance of American visas with coldness and detachment"

Renowned musician expects West to continue canceling Russian culture

In this regard, Russian musician and conductor Vladimir Spivakov pointed out that he had been dismissed as artistic director of the International Colmar Music Festival in France, which he had been leading since 1989

Press review: Day one of Putin's China visit and US stands by Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

Press review: US-Japan relations enter 'new era' and Ukraine gets tough on mobilization

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 12th

Upgraded T-72B3 main battle tanks arrive for Russian troops

The upgrade includes a new fire control system with an automatic target tracker, according to the defense manufacturer

US believes Hamas not ready for hostage deal with Israel now — news outlet

According to Axios, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a meeting with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of 17 countries that Hamas has withdrawn from negotiations with Israel as it hopes to increase international pressure on the Jewish state by demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip

Ukrainian drone attack kills civilian in Russia’s Kursk Region — acting governor

One employee died of injuries, Alexey Smirnov said

Over 10,000 Ukrainian fighters surrender since summer using special radio frequency

According to the source, the radio frequency operates in all directions of the line of engagement in the special military operation zone

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone over Crimea

The Kiev regime’s attempt to use a fixed-wing drone to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia was foiled, Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement

Putin, Xi launch China-Russia Year of Culture

More than 230 events are planned within the framework of the initiative, while cultural events will be held in 51 Chinese cities and 38 cities in Russia

Putin, Xi Jinping discussed China’s security proposal, Lavrov says

Russian Foreign Minister said that there is great rationale for the practical advancement of the idea of ensuring global security to begin with the formation of the foundations of Eurasian security without any Euro-Atlantic overlay

Russia takes control of more land than Ukraine in 2023 counteroffensive — newspaper

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said, commenting on Russia’s offensive operations in Ukraine, that the goal was to create "a sanitary zone" to protect border areas from shelling attacks

Shipments of long-range missiles to Kiev may expand ‘buffer zone’ toward Poland — Medvedev

"Once the Kiev regime uses Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG missiles with a range of at least 550 kilometers when the distance between Belgorod and Kiev is 429 kilometers, practically the entire central and most of the western parts of Ukraine fall within this sanitary zone," the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council said

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

Russian troops employed the Upyr FPV drone for the first time in the special military operation in Ukraine in May 2023

Russian Northern Fleet’s naval group embarks on long-distance deployment

"The naval group’s ships have set their course towards the Atlantic Ocean through designated areas of the Barents Sea," the press office said

Russian air defenses down four Hammer air bombs, two HARM missiles over Belgorod Region

Attack on targets in Russia was foiled between 12:20 and 12:30 p.m. Moscow time (9:20 to 9:30 a.m. GMT) on May 18

Belarusian air defense forces receive advanced Russian radar

The mobile radar station Protivnik-GE is designed to detect, determine coordinates and track strategic and tactical aircraft, airborne missiles, ballistic targets

Acute foreign policy confrontation between Russia, West ‘in full swing’ — Lavrov

Everyone has heard remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell about an inevitable war with Russia, Lavrov noted

Remembrance action for victims of May 2, 2014 massacre held in Odessa

Participants in the action unfolded a large poster with the photos of victims of the massacre and laid flowers on a lawn in front of the entrance to Kulikovo Pole square

Russian MFA describes Putin’s China trip as defining for world’s future

The trip laid the groundwork for many years to come, Maria Zakharova said

Current Kiev regime rooted in coup — Putin

The Russian leader blamed Kiev’s sponsors in the West for organizing this coup, saying they escalated it into an armed conflict

New IMF estimate for Russian GDP in 2025 appears pessimistic — Economy Ministry

The IMF revised upward its forecast for Russian GDP growth to 3.2% in its next report on global economic prospects

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Russian servicemen seize British FV104 Samaritan armored ambulance — top brass

"The vehicle has already been repaired and is being prepared to be added to the collection of foreign trophy weapons," the Russian Defense Ministry said

FACTBOX: Everything on Pentagon’s biolabs outside US

According to Russia, the United States has stationed a network of biological laboratories in a number of Russia's neighboring states, where dangerous viruses and other pathogens are being worked on under the auspices of the US Defense Department

Law banning import of Russian uranium to US wreaks havoc on system — expert

Speaking about numerous statements on allocation of financing for the creation of additional capacities on uranium enrichment, it is unclear what is behind those statements, editor-in-chief of the Geoenergetika.ru online magazine Boris Martsinkevich noted

Russia’s upgraded T-80BV tank to feature capability of firing depleted uranium shells

The use of depleted uranium ammunition does not violate any international treaties, expert says

Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

According to the Russian diplomat, the EU decision is based "solely on political motives."

Another five Chinese brands to enter Russian market in 2024

"By the end of the year the number of new Chinese brands may reach 10," analysts said

Battlegroup North liberates settlement of Staritsa — Russian Defense Ministry

Russian air defenses down 37 drones, Tochka U missile, 21 HIMARS, Vampire, Olkha rockets in past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Slovak PM’s attacker pleads guilty before court — media

Meanwhile, Slovak Radio said that Fico, who was taken to the hospital in the city of Banska Bystrica after the attack, is in serious but stable condition

Orban sees link between attack on pro-peace Fico, war preparations in West

According to the Hungarian prime minister, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is planning to visit Hungary in the run-up to elections to the European Parliament scheduled for June 6-9 to try and persuade Budapest to reconsider its stance

Different routes for Power of Siberia 2 under discussion, including through NSR — Putin

"You can 'bribe' the tanker fleet and arrange [supplies] along the Northern Sea Route almost like through the pipeline," the Russian leader

Lavrov believes Europe won’t be Russia’s partner for at least one generation

He made the remark in response after the idea was suggested by Dmitry Trenin, research director at the Institute of World Military Economy and Strategy

Four people killed, two injured in Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk

Four women died on the Petrovskogo Street

US, Iran enage in indirect talks on Middle East security — news outlet

According to Axios, the consultations were devoted to discussing the possible "consequences of Iran and its proxies" in the region, as well as "US concerns about Tehran's nuclear program"

Russia to take response measures amid nuclear threats — senior diplomat

"Yet this vagueness has always been typical of the Western group’s doctrinal approaches, including nuclear weapons," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Russia, China set to turn joint border into belt of everlasting peace, says Putin

Moscow and Beijing are also bolstering their trade and economic ties, the Russian president pointed out

European Council suspends broadcasting activity of four Russian media outlets

According to the Council, this ban does not apply to any activities other than broadcasting

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but needs to know who is trustworthy there — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that it was politicians in Kiev who "withdrew from the negotiation process" as soon as troops were pulled back from Kiev

London blacklists two Russian companies, one firm from North Korea

The restrictions were imposed on Vostochnaya Stevedoring Co LLC and Toplivo Bunkering Company, as well as North Korean Paekyangsan Shipping Company

Israeli army says radical commander eliminated in airstrike on Jenin

Islam Khamayseh was involved in organizing a number of terror attacks in the area, the army’s press service reported

Chairman of Georgia’s ruling party blasts foreign ministers for speaking at protest

Garibashvili suggested that foreign diplomats feel dismissive toward Georgia

Russian Aerospace Forces destroy three militant bases in Syria — Defense Ministry

Strikes by Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed three bases of militants who came out of the (US-controlled) al-Tanf zone

Dedollarization of Russia-China trade will continue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also highly praised the cooperation between the regions of Russia and the provinces of China and emphasized its contribution to the development of the Russian territories bordering China

Tanzania-flagged ships sinks in Black Sea

The ship sank 26 nautical miles from the Romanian town of Sfantu Gheorghe

Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

The new rules caused a storm of indignation among Ukrainian citizens of military age at the stage of the bill's introduction into the Verkhovna Rada at the end of last year

Russia, Iran turn US sanctions into new possibilities — senior Iranian diplomat

"It is impossible to build peace in the region without close economic ties," Ali Bagheri Kani said

Starlink’s failure helps Russian army take Kiev forces by surprise in Kharkov Region — WP

In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

West should assess risks of Russia's response to asset confiscation — Foreign Ministry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin noted that retaliatory measures "can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical in a variety of instruments, including legal, financial, and administrative"

Energy infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region

Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

Russian forces cut off ammunition supplies to Ukrainian forces in Volchansk — lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky also said the liberation of Staritsa would make it possible to reduce to a minimum and later completely remove the threat of bombardments for the Belgorod Region

Some 160 firefighters, 45 vehicles tackling major blaze in St. Petersburg

The area of fire was 12 thousand square meters

Russia has no plans today to seize Kharkov, says Putin

The current Kiev regime is to blame for ongoing battles in the Kharkov direction, the Russian leader stressed

Russia’s anti-tank missile system gets ‘top attack’ capability similar to US Javelin

As its specific feature, a Javelin missile climbs above using an arched flight trajectory and then strikes down the turrets of tanks and other armored vehicles where the armor is the thinnest

Slovakia’s PM Fico in critical condition — defense minister

Robert Kalinak said that the prime minister had been undergoing surgery for more than 3.5 hours

Legitimate Ukrainian president needed to sign any agreements, says Putin

Ukraine was expected to hold its presidential election in March but the vote was canceled because martial law is in effect in the country

Ukrainian president says Kiev needs over 100 F-16 fighter jets

According to Vladimir Zelensky, Kiev needs this number of F-16s "in order to have parity" with Moscow

Press review: Mutiny trips West’s nuclear alarms and Kiev’s terror talk hides attack plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 27th

Kyrgyz security forces cordon off street in center of Bishkek where crowd gathers

According to the 24.kg news agency, about 1,000 people, who arrived there after the fight in the hostel, gathered behind the cordon

Russian court seizes Deutsche Bank’s assets under RusChemAlliance’s claims

According to the files of arbitration cases, the court has partially upheld RusChemAlliance’s claim for interim measures against Deutsche Bank

Ukrainian army’s logistics centers hit in Odessa Region

Tourist exchanges between Russia, North Korea gain traction — minister

Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov also said that the Moscow Zoo and ballet dancers recently paid a visit to North Korea

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Woman, her four-year-old son killed by kamikaze drone near Belgorod

Another drone attempted to attack a filling station near the village of Bessonovka near Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said

Russia, China to continue strengthening military ties — joint statement

The two countries are also set to hold joint naval and air patrols on a regular basis

Americans undermine trust in dollar, its role as reserve currency themselves — Putin

The Russian leader noted that solutions on how to make payments are possible and do exist

Russia has 10 wildfires in close proximity to populated areas — minister

If more remote wildfires are counted, Russia has a total of 51 of conflagrations on an area of 43,058 hectares, he said

US directly responsible for emergence, escalation of Ukrainian crisis — Beijing

On May 16, US Department of State Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel noted that China cannot improve relations with Europe, if it will support Russia at the same time, allegedly fueling the Russian military-industrial complex

Press review: Putin embarks on state visit to China and assassination attempt on Slovak PM

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 16th

Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

"The greatest impression lies in the power of Harbin," the Russian leader noted, adding that "Harbin has turned into a powerful world-scale megacity in recent years"

Indian business interested in Russian market — Russia’s ambassador

It is noted that Russia expects to see an increase in a vast range of products such as pharmaceutical products on the market, leather goods, textiles, agricultural products, etc

Putin holds meeting on floods, wildfires

He said while flooding is not over yet, there are also fires or fire-hazardous situations in some regions

Russian troops deliver 28 precision strikes on Ukrainian military sites over week

Russian forces advanced to better positions and inflicted casualties on 18 Ukrainian army brigades in the Kupyansk area over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Georgian president vetoes bill on foreign agents

The Georgian legislature passed a bill on foreign agents in the third reading on May 14

Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

"The prime minister’s personal protection group acted absolutely properly amid a rapidly developing emergency situation," Matus Sutaj-Estok underlined

Air defense is repelling a missile attack in Sevastopol — region’s governor

Traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been temporarily closed

North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency reported

Swiss singer wins Eurovision 2024 contest

Nemo Mettler won with The Code song

Russia warns US, EU, Kiev they are playing with fire — MFA about Ukrainian strikes

Maria Zakharova pointed out that behind these barbaric attacks with Western weapons the silhouettes of US and British handlers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's were clearly visible

Russian MFA urges France to refrain from use of force against protesters in New Caledonia

Zakharova also stated that Russia believes the crisis in New Caledonia is "the result of incomplete decolonization efforts and yet another confirmation that France's policy toward its former colonies, albeit renamed overseas territories, is reaching an impasse"

French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

This "experimental unit of super covert scouts" is designed to identify enemy strongholds, locate entrances to trenches, and coordinate assault teams to capture them, the RTL reported

German Chancellor Scholz warns against a full-scale ground operation in Rafah

The Chancellor also said that sufficient humanitarian aid should be delivered to Gaza

'Sanitary zone' near Kharkov and talks on Ukraine: What Putin told the media in Harbin

Even though Vladimir Putin’s visit to China was a state one, "it was a purely working trip"

Strategic role of North Korean nuclear forces to increase by 2025 — Kim Jong Un

The North Korean leader also pointed to "the need to build an overwhelming nuclear war deterrent in response to the security situation caused by the enemies' reckless intrigues"

Over 500 military, special vehicles commissioned to Russia’s Central Military District

According to the press office, the commissioned vehicles made it possible to complete equipment of seven motorized infantry and tank units