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US announces plans to sell $500 mln worth of AARGM-ER anti-radar missiles to Finland

In addition, Washington announced its plan to sell 36 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles for $100 million to Lithuania and 3,000 multipurpose JAGM air-to-ground missiles for $957.4 million to the UK

WASHINGTON, October 24. /TASS/. The US Department of State announced a $500 million contract on selling 150 improved AARGM-ER increased-range anti-radar missiles to Finland.

In addition, Washington announced its plan to sell 36 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles for $100 million to Lithuania and 3,000 multipurpose JAGM air-to-ground missiles for $957.4 million to the UK.

The contracts with Vilnius, London and Helsinki include delivery of accompanying equipment, spare parts and maintenance services.

According to the US government, the fulfillment of these agreements will "contribute to achieving US foreign policy and national security goals," while increasing the level of security of a NATO ally. The US claims that these contracts will not alter the military balance in the region. The sales also will not affect the combat readiness of the US defense system negatively, the accompanying documents claim.

The fulfillment of these agreements was authorized by the US Department of State. The US Administration has already notified the Congress about its decisions. The lawmakers now have 30 days to examine the new agreements and potentially block them.

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United States United Kingdom Lithuania Finland

Finland may open its border with Russia after relevant law is passed — PM

The prime minister cited intelligence data indicating that the situation on the border is unchanged

French Interior Ministry ignores Russian volunteers banned from working at Olympics

In the text of the letter, the volunteers recalled that they had been "selected by the Organizing Committee of the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games (for the 2024 Paris Olympics), each one given a mission" and had already received visas, bought tickets to France and were ready to start working

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

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

Iranian president planned to visit Armenia on Sunday — source

The Tasnim news agency reported earlier that the helicopter carrying the Iranian president made an emergency landing near the village of Uzi in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province

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"

It is time for Ukraine to recognize realities on the ground, Lavrov says

The conversation with the top Russian diplomat took place on the sidelines of the state visit of the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to China

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

Russia-China relations surpass classical alliances of past era — Lavrov

Talks with President Xi Jinping, meeting with other representatives of the Chinese leadership reaffirmed that our relations of comprehensive partnership, strategic interaction surpass in their quality the traditional interstate alliances of the past era and continue to play a key role in maintaining international security and balanced world development," the minister said at the 32nd Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

Stock markets on record-hitting spree around the world — Bloomberg

As the agency says, of the world’s 20 largest stock markets, 14 have hit all-time highs recently

US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle hit near Avdeyevka — security forces

According to objective control data, the crew members of the armored vehicle were injured

Russian Tor air defense systems effective in destroying Storm Shadow missiles — top brass

Teams of Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile systems of Russia’s Battlegroup East shield first-echelon troops and civilian facilities in the south Donetsk direction

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 air defense shot down 57 UAVs in Krasnodar region overnight — Defense Ministry

Three UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region

Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usik becomes absolute world heavyweight champion

He beat Briton Tyson Fury in a 12-round fight held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Two powerful explosions rocks Kharkov

An air raid alert has been in effect in the Kharkov Region for almost eight hours

Energy infrastructure facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region

Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

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

Patriot supplies unlikely to impact Russia’s plans to liberate Kharkov, expert says

According to Roman Shkurlatov, two Patriot systems will not make Kharkov safe

Situation in Kyrgyz capital under authorities’ control — top diplomat

At the same time, Jeenbek Kulubayev expressed "serious concern" about the fact that foreign media and social networks are spreading "fake and false, not corresponding to reality information about the incident and the current situation in Kyrgyzstan"

US should explain to Ukraine that military aid won’t last forever — magazine

According to article, a security agreement between Washington and Kiev would prolong the fighting in Ukraine and could become "a liability for the United States"

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

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

Air defenses down 103 Ukrainian drones, 12 ATACMS missiles, 4 Hammer bombs over day

Russian forces also hit concentrations of Ukrainian manpower and equipment in 112 areas over the past 24 hours

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

Israel strikes back after ten launches from Lebanon — IDF

Throughout the day, approximately 10 launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into the areas of Malkia and Har Dov in northern Israel

Slovakia’s Fico between life and death, it is loss for Slovakia, Hungary — Orban

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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

Ukrainian army’s logistics centers hit in Odessa Region

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

Death toll from Israeli strike on central Gaza rises to 20 — Al Jazeera

Israeli artillery also shells several areas in the east and center of the city of Rafah

New Tchaikovsky Conservatory to be built in China within three years

According to acting rector of the conservatory Alexander Sokolov, the Moscow Conservatory has already received "the approval of the Russian Culture Ministry for the implementation of this project"

Congolese armed forces thwart coup attempt — spokesman

Gunfire was heard in the morning near the residence of Vital Kamerhe

Air defenses down Ukrainian drone in Russia’s Belgorod Region — top brass

Russian forces foiled another attempt of the Kiev to carry out a attack on Russian facilities, Defense Ministry reported

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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Slovak PM's life no longer in danger, top defense official says

The prime minister has successfully undergone two surgical operations since Wednesday

Dominican Republic to hold general election under influence of Haitian factor

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Mikhail Razvozhaev warned of the danger of falling fragments and submunitions

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

Georgian president vetoes bill on foreign agents

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

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 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

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

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

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

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Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone in Russia’s Belgorod Region — top brass

Air defenses on duty destroyed the Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the Belgorod Region, the Defense Ministry reported

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

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

Kiev asks US to lift restrictions on using weapons against targets in Russia — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, Kiev has also asked Washington to lift restrictions on the use of US weapons against targets on Russian territory

Gazprom delivering 42.4 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route for Russian gas supplies to western and central European countries

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

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

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

Helicopter with Iranian president crash lands near border with Azerbaijan — agency

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several more officials were reported onboard

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

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

Russia, China sign ten joint documents

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

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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

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

Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

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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

SCO foreign ministers to consider candidates for new chief at Astana meeting

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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"

Ukrainian attack on bus in Kherson Region injures 16 civilians, kills one — governor

All the others have bruises and light wounds, Governor Vladimir Saldo told TASS

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

Four Ukrainian drones shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

Kiev attempted attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted, the Russian defense ministry said

New relations, successes of China's automobile industry: what Putin, Xi said in Beijing

According to the Russian leader, the partnership between Moscow and Beijing "will serve as a model of how ties between neighboring states should be built"

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"

Ukrainian forces unprepared to withstand Russian offensive near Kharkov — newspaper

It also emphasized that Russia had "a huge advantage in artillery shells," adding that "depleted Ukrainian air defenses" were unable to counter Russian air power

'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"

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

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"

At least 10 UAVs suppressed in Krasnodar region — operational headquarters

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

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

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

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

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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

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

Israeli military kill about 50 terrorists in Rafah — IDF

During the operation, fighters also discovered dozens of tunnels that they intend to destroy

Honduran ambassador to Moscow dies — Honduran foreign ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS that the Russian foreign ministry has extended its condolences over the Honduran ambassador’s death

Russia adds deputy head of Ukrainian presidential administration to wanted list

Roman Mashovets wanted under a Russian Criminal Code article, the database said

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

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

Six drones fall near oil refinery in Krasnodar Region — authorities

Roman Sinyagovsky added that, according to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

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

Garibashvili suggested that foreign diplomats feel dismissive toward Georgia

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

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

Traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been temporarily closed

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

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

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

Russian forces reach Gulyapole’s suburbs in Zaporozhye Region

Russian force have advanced to about 1.5 kilometers and are now in Gulaypole’s suburb

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

Tanzania-flagged ships sinks in Black Sea

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

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.