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Middle East conflict

Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem condemns Israeli strike on its church in Gaza

The Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem has called the bombing of its parish in the Gaza Strip a "war crime"

MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/. /TASS/. The Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem described the bombing of its parish in the Gaza Strip as a "war crime" and blamed Israel for the attack, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement on Friday.

"The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemns in strictest terms the Israeli air strike that hit the territory of its church in the Gaza City. The Patriarchate emphasizes that the church itself and its auxiliary buildings opened their doors to innocent civilians, particularly women and children, who lost their homes as a result of Israeli air strikes on residential districts that have continued over the past 13 days. Strikes on these facilities constitute a war crime that cannot be ignored," the church said in a statement, posed on its website.

Conflict in Syria

Erdogan maintained dialogue with Putin from first moments Syrian crisis — ruling party

The spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party noted that Ankara will continue consultations on the Syrian issue with all countries in the region

Russian forces repel Ukraine’s attempted counterattacks in Krasnoarmeisk area

According to DPR’s head, Denis Pushilin, Russian forces continue their advance in this section of the combat engagement line

Seoul calls on Moscow not to discuss improvement of bilateral ties amid Yoon’s impeachment

On Saturday, Russian Ambassador to Seoul Georgy Zinovyev said that as long as the ROK has not crossed the "red line" of sending weapons to Ukraine the potential for restoring bilateral ties remain

Survival rate of wounded in Russian army up significantly — defense minister

Andrey Belousov thanked all medical workers who were saving soldiers’ lives on the frontline and in district and central military-medical and civilian hospitals

Nicaragua offers Russia to build new canal together — special envoy

The construction of a new Carribean port is already underway, Laureano Ortega Murillo said

Russian envoy remains in Damascus, continues work — embassy

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Crisis Management Center announced the evacuation of some personnel from Russian foreign missions in Damascus but clarified that the embassy continues its operations

Special op's 'pivotal' year, nuclear deterrence: what Putin said at Defense Ministry

The Russian president stressed that the military and political situation in the world remains "uneasy and unstable"

BRICS will discuss Syria, common approaches to situation, diplomat says

"As the subject of an inclusive political process, which is expected to define the framework for Syria’s future governance structure and its political organization, gains more urgency, BRICS will undoubtedly address this," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Slovak president hopes for beginning of talks on ending conflict in Ukraine soon

"However, looking at the situation realistically, it should be noted that no one in Europe who is sober-minded thinks now that it will be possible to reach peace without Ukraine’s territorial losses," Peter Pellegrini said

Ukrainian army forced to switch to defensive, tap reserves — Russian defense chief

"The staffing level of its frontline units does not exceed 45-50%," Andrey Belousov said

Israel not interested in confrontation with Syria — Netanyahu

Israel will build its policy toward Damascus based on the situation on the ground, Israeli Prime Minister said

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

Putin praises T-90 tank as the best in world

The president noted that any hardware got outdated with time

Results of Russian cancer vaccine’s preclinical studies due in late 2024 — minister

The research "is financed by the state as part of the governmental order," Mikhail Murashko said

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

EU launches diplomatic contacts with new Syrian government — foreign policy chief

According to Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign ministers will discuss how and "on what level" the EU will engage with the new Syrian authorities and what the EU can offer them if they move "to the right direction"

Russian Armed Forces to receive advanced systems, including those using AI — Putin

According to the Russian leader, these include reconnaissance and attack vehicles, unmanned boats, and multipurpose robotic platforms

Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers encircled in Kurakhovo, the Russian military says

According to them, the Ukrainian battlegroup is being "ground down" gradually so that it cannot flee the town

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

Vega missions to Venus mark triumph of space science — Roscosmos

Vega 1 spacecraft and its twin Vega 2 were launched on December 15 and 21, 1984, respectively

Nicaragua may consider direct flights with Russia, says special envoy

"We also discussed cooperation on culture and the establishment of a partnership between the media of our countries," Special Representative of the President of Nicaragua for Russian Affairs Laureano Ortega Murillo said

Israel announces closure of embassy in Ireland

The Israeli side motivated this step by recalling that last week Ireland supported South Africa’s legal motion against Israel with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide

Ukrainian military fires 30 projectiles at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

Eight projectiles and an FPV drone were launched at the Graivoronsky District

Situation in Krasnoarmeisk area improves after liberation of Shevchenko — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that Russian troops had also advanced in the Krasny Liman area

Ukraine's losses, compensations to residents: situation in Russia's Kursk Region

Over the period of fighting in the Kursk frontline area, the Ukrainian army has lost over 41,400 troops, 242 tanks, 182 infantry fighting vehicles, 126 armored personnel carriers and 1,276 armored combat vehicles

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

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria

Damaged Russian cargo ships in Kerch Strait cause oil spill emergency

Two rescue tugboats and two helicopters have been dispatched, the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport reported

Ousted South Korean President to be questioned on December 18 — Yonhap

Yoon Suk Yeol is suspected of plotting a rebellion to overthrow the constitutional order

Preparations underway to address oil spill in Kerch Strait

According to preliminary estimates, not all of the oil products leaked from the tankers

West seeks to open 'second front' against Russia in Central Asia — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, this policy from the West is marked by "attempts to get Central Asian nations join sanctions and isolate Russia once and for all," and "restore their military and intelligence presence in the region"

Putin backs Orban’s peace initiatives rejected by Zelensky, Kremlin says

Commenting on reports that Viktor Orban’s proposals were endorsed by the team of US President-elect Donald Trump, Dmitry Peskov noted that at present, another president is in charge in the US

Oil products no longer discharged from wrecked tankers in Kerch Strait

"The remaining tanks are well sealed," Sergey Stranichny said, commenting on the satellite monitoring data

Georgia’s president-elect suggests incumbent president resign if she is against govt

Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili has been in open opposition to the ruling party over the past two to three years

Some 700 Ukrainian troops trapped near Kurakhovo, Russian official reveals

According to the Russian official, the remaining Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo itself can find themselves trapped, and very soon, too

Syria urges BRICS to aid reconstruction, Syrian politician tells TASS

In Mohammed Alloush’s opinion, there are "no objections" to Syria joining BRICS, however, he expressed doubt that its "presence in the bloc would be beneficial" at this stage

BRICS to review Syria’s membership application if new authorities confirm it — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that the association does not "pressure anyone towards anything," treating any choice with respect

Putin highlights need for more innovation in defense sector

The President specifically highlighted information exchanges between the units directly involved in Russia’s special military operation and defense companies

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

Washington cannot tell Kiev to lower draft age, says Ukrainian deputy prime minister

According to Olga Stefanishyna, she personally views these statements as "a desire on the part of the West to lift responsibility for all these arrangements that were previously in place"

Rosatom gets Akkuyu project back on track after delivery failures by Siemens — CEO

The turbine that the Siemens company was supposed to deliver, was produced in Europe, Alexey Likhachev said

Too soon to discuss deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, talks on Ukraine could resume based on the Istanbul accords

Russian forces liberate Vesyoly Gai, Pushkino in Donbass region

Russian forces also destroyed four US-made Patriot missile launchers, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Russian lawmaker lauds Russian swimmers’ results at World Swimming Championship

Russian swimmer won ten medals, including six gold and four silver ones

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 13th

Scholz politically isolated in EU, German politician says

"Regrettably, it should be said so: the majority of European politicians simply do not want to meet anymore the German Chancellor that either sits silent for hours or lectures the world," said Friedrich Merz

Drafting 14-year-olds won't help Kiev, Putin asserts

The Russian leader said that he has no doubt that the draft age in Ukraine will ultimately be lowered

Zelensky's rejection of ceasefire confirms Kiev has no interest in peace — diplomat

In a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 11, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban proposed a major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, along with a Christmas truce

Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

"Israel must return to the full compliance with the well-known 1974 agreement with Syria," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Ukraine largely loses ability to produce weapons, ammunition — defense chief

Andrey Belousov added that this year, more than 58,000 pieces of various enemy weapons and equipment have been destroyed in the special military operation zone

Russian troops repel several Ukrainian counterattacks on Novy Komar in DPR

"In Novy Komar, half of the village is under the control of Russian troops," Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the Russian Civic Chamber’s commission on sovereignty, patriotic projects and veteran support, said

CSTO ex-Secretary General explains why Ukraine was never invited to CSTO

Even within the CIS Ukraine was in a semi-legal position because they had not ratified all of the CIS-related agreements, including the CIS founding acts, Nikolay Bordyuzha said

EU foreign ministers to gather in Brussels for their last meeting this year

As the EU representative said, the foreign ministers will approve the 15th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as a "new blacklist" for Moscow's alleged "hybrid actions"

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Another anti-government rally being held in Tbilisi

The protesters demand the resignation of the government and a new parliamentary election

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo

Israel hits Hamas, Islamic Jihad radicals in Nuseirat camp in Gaza

"Among the terrorists eliminated in the strike was the Islamic Jihad terrorist Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh, who previously served as a Platoon commander in the Islamic Jihad's Central Camps Brigade," IDF said

Leader of new Syrian authorities meets UN envoy in Damascus — Al Jazeera

Al-Sharaa pointed out the importance of creating safe conditions for the return of refugees, as well as economic and political support for these refugees

Israel launches heavy strike on Syria’s air defense systems in Tartus — source

According to the source, the target of the strike was outside the city of Tartus

Russian troops liberate Yelizavetovka community in Donbass area over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Senior Russian diplomat calls for stepping up efforts to explain causes of Ukraine crisis

Mikhail Galuzin noted that the diplomatic missions of Russia and Belarus "are intensifying work on this track with the countries of the Global South, operating in close partnership and coordination, and this work should be continued"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Trump will never provide US security guarantees to Ukraine — The New York Times

It is reported that the US military will shift its priorities to the Asia Pacific Region in order to counter the growing influence of China under the Trump Administration

Russian missile frigate wraps up Mediterranean deployment

The ship’s crew successfully practiced all the assigned missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing Mediterranean taskforce, the Fleet’s press office reported

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

Large Ukrainian stronghold wiped out near Konstantinovka — Russian military officials

According to them, more than 10 Ukrainian troops were killed in the attack

West to prolong agony of Zelensky's regime in proxy war against Russia — Duma

Leonid Slutsky stressed that the Russian government had repeatedly expressed its willingness to resolve issues through political and diplomatic means

Russian forces advance southwest of Kurakhovo, start liberation of Zelenovka — politician

Earlier, Vladimir Rogov told TASS that Russian troops were mopping up the settlements of Sukhiye Yaly and Konstantinopolskoye southeast of Zelenovka

Western aid to Ukraine ‘in increasingly short supply’ — Bloomberg

Pessimistic attitudes in the country are rising against the backdrop of the successful advance of Russian forces, the government’s failing mobilization attempts, and rolling blackouts

Russian forces down Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet — top brass

Air defenses downed a MiG-29 fighter jet belonging to the Ukrainian air force, eight US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 116 unmanned aerial vehicles

Serial production of Oreshnik missiles to begin shortly — Putin

The head of state recalled that Russia’s newest powerful weapon "was successfully used in November in response to the strikes on our country’s territory"

Russian oil tanker in distress in Kerch Strait with 13 people on board

No information about casualties or a possible oil spill is available at this point

Protest rally in downtown Tbilisi ends peacefully

By now, almost all the protesters have left the area, a TASS correspondent said

Russian Aerospace Force radars able to detect any aerial threats

Distinctive features of new equipment of radio-technical troops are the modern element base and the high level of automation for all process of radar information processing and output

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

US plans for medium-range high accuracy weapons cause concern — Putin

The Russian leader noted that "the relocation and deployment of these missile systems in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region is already being practiced"

Fall of Damascus and hopes for free Syria: Assad makes first statement after stepping down

Bashar Assad insists that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8 and did not leave the country until late on that day

Ukrainian casualties in Kursk region amount to over 400 in past day

Also, seven Ukrainian motor vehicles, three artillery mounts and 10 mortars were destroyed

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 16th

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

IN BRIEF: Russian defense minister speaks out on confrontation with West, Ukrainian losses

According to the minister, Ukrainian losses exceeded 560,000 servicemen killed and wounded in 2024

Storm-beaten oil tankers were carrying nearly 9,000 tons of mazut — emergencies service

Both tankers were seriously damaged, with the foreship of one of them being torn off by a wave

Loss of Krasnoarmeysk to mark 'largest setback' for Ukraine in months — TV channel

Krasnoarmeysk is a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian group in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Captured Ukrainian soldier tells about orders to shoot civilians in Russia’s Kursk Region

Artur Plombirus was conscripted from prison, where he was serving a sentence under Article 186 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (robbery)

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

CIS must enhance anti-terror measures amid Syrian developments — senior Russian lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition's assumption of power could have repercussions far beyond the region

Nearly 100% of wounded Russian troops good for service after treatment — defense chief

"This is one of the best indicators in the world," Andrey Belousov stressed

EU Council adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia — statement

The EU Council also extended the deadlines for sale of assets and divestments by European companies from Russia

Lessons learned in military op should be integrated into training of new troops — Putin

The Russian leader stressed that the special military operation "should be taken into account while outlining priorities for the development of domestic weapons and hardware, as well as the tactics of their use"

Russians win 10 medals at World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest

The gold medals for the Russians were won by Miron Lifintsev, Ilya Borodin

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

It is reported that the Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well, is very powerful

No decision yet on future of Russian bases in Syria as dialogue continues — Kremlin

Russia currently operates two military facilities in Syria: a logistics naval base in the port city of Tartus and the Hmeimim air base located near the city of Jableh in the Latakia Province

15-year-old girl killed in a stabbing attack in southwestern Japan — Kyodo news agency

All extracurricular activities and events in schools and kindergartens of Kitakyushu have been cancelled

EU foreign ministers plan to allocate six billion euros for weapons to Ukraine — Szijjarto

"Despite the possibility of a Christmas ceasefire and a mass exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, today they want to waste over six billion euros on arms supplies," the Hungarian foreign minister said

West continues to try to rule the world — Putin

According to the Russian leader, Washington and its allies "continue imposing on the world their so-called rules, which they change time and again as it suits them"

Ukrainian command prohibits soldiers to retreat from Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The Ukrainians at this sector of the line of engagement have been surrendering

No sense for Georgia to join EU at expense of rejecting its values — president-elect

Mikhail Kavelashvili said that Georgia’s authorities are open to a discussion on any topic, but the West shows no willingness to do that, being limited to criticism only

West turns Ukraine into impoverished, war-torn country — politician

Ukraine is a clear example of such actions of the West, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Pro-Turkish, Kurdish forces clash could spark new civil war in Syria — newspaper

The newspaper suggests that there is a risk the Syrian opposition could collapse, prompting interventions by Israel, Turkey, and the US in Syria’s internal affairs

Poland imposes sanctions on Russian billionaire Oleg Boiko

Boiko also faces sanctions in Ukraine and Australia