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Middle East conflict

Evacuated Russian woman recounts bombing near Rafah crossing

"It’s very scary and dangerous out there. We saw a bomb flying and hitting a house as we sat [at the border crossing]. Ordinary people, just like you and me, are getting killed - families, children, grandparents," she said

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Yana Abukhadzharas, who was evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Moscow, told TASS about bombings near the Rafah checkpoint where evacuees have been crossing into of late.

"It’s very scary and dangerous out there. We saw a bomb flying and hitting a house as we sat [at the border crossing]. Ordinary people, just like you and me, are getting killed - families, children, grandparents," she said.

According to her, the Russian embassy has been trying to reach Russians, calling their local numbers, despite phones being cut off in the Palestinian enclave. While she chose to evacuate, her husband stayed behind to help his elderly parents, Abukhadzharas said. The woman and her two small kids spent 18 hours on the border, while they bordered their flight within 90 minutes upon arrival in Cairo.

Another Russian evacuee, Natalia, who was flown to Moscow earlier on Sunday, said it took her three days to get homeland. While travelling, they had to "run between tanks," she said. "I had lived for 20 years there before my house was bombed. I used to have everything - a job, a home, my family, children and grandchildren. I am 50 now, and [I have to] start my life anew; I don’t know what to do or what will come next," she lamented.

Both ladies thanked the Russian emergencies and interior ministries as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin personally for the evacuation. "<...> The embassy staff had been fighting for us till the last minute, so I say a huge thank you to them! And to our president, too, of course. I think it is he who helped us," Natalia added.

More than 550 Russians, including 230 children, have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip since November 12. Four special flights have so far brought 408 Russian nationals, with another 148 people currently waiting for a flight home in Cairo. Earlier on Sunday, a fourth group of Russian citizens, or 120 people, arrived at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that over 1,000 people had applied for evacuation. Increasingly more Russians are seeking to evacuate the enclave, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said as it pledged every effort to evacuate everyone wishing to leave.

Middle East conflict

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Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said that what has been done by the White House is very dangerous

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Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

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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

Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

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In Joe Biden's words, a truce will be possible with the release of hostages and on the condition that Hamas members will not be allowed to participate in the post-conflict government

Ukraine supplies terrorists in Mali with white phosphorus munitions — website

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Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

Ukraine requests UN Security Council meeting on November 27 — Russian mission

According to Dmitry Polyansky, "the Kiev regime keeps fighting windmills and does not abandon attempts to persuade the world community this struggle is very serious"

Trump considers direct negotiations with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un — Reuters

According to the report, his team believes that this step could reduce the risk of an armed conflict

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

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Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

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Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

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According to the agency, the European intelligence community is preparing for potential threats, namely the possibility of Ukrainian troops flooding the continent and arms trafficking

Ukrainian front collapsing due to lack of willing soldiers, Russian offensive — magazine

Additionally, Ukraine "does not have enough weapons, munitions or hardware," the news outlet said

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

According to the US secretary of state, the administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden is determined "to do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs" to fight through 2025

Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

According to Russian security council deputy chairman, this primarily concerns drones

Russia’s top diplomat says ‘still a long way to go’ to diplomatic solution in Ukraine

According to Sergey Lavrov, 'carrying out strikes deep inside Russian territory contributed to this escalation'

Majority of Americans oppose further military support for Ukraine, poll shows

The poll, conducted on November 19-22, involved over 2,200 Americans

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The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Intel chief calls on West to embrace Putin's vision for resolving Ukraine conflict

"The sooner Western capitals realize [the need to accept] the Russian president’s conditions for a peace agreement and talks, the better it will be for Ukraine, Europe and Russia, too," Sergey Naryshkin noted

Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the Biden administration is "trying to start a nuclear war and use it as the reason to stop the transfer of power to Donald Trump"

British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

UN special coordinator welcomes ceasefire agreement between Israel, Lebanon

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert commended the parties on seizing the opportunity to end this conflict

Israeli warplanes deliver seven powerful strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs

Air raid warnings were issued for the Dahieh neighborhood in the south and the Bachoura district in the heart of the capital

Kiev failed to inform Ottawa Convention signatories about its plans to violate it

The Ukrainian delegation has not yet informed on this development, the convention’s Secretariat said

UK Foreign Office warns about response to ‘baseless’ expulsion of its diplomat

A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that London refutes the allegations against a British diplomat

Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Ceasefire deal does not envisage US military presence in Lebanon’s south — Biden

A high-ranking US administration official confirmed the information at a special briefing, adding that Washington will provide military support to Lebanon’s armed forces

UK ambassador to Russia gets note of protest over false info on embassy’s officer

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Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

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Russia rejects Korean scenario for freezing Ukraine conflict — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

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NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

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Moscow, Astana working to expand branch of North-South route via Kazakhstan — Putin

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Israeli warplanes strike checkpoints on Syrian-Lebanese border — SANA

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Mideast situation keeps deteriorating due to Israel’s aggressive policies — Lavrov

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"The entire military potential of the US, UK, and France was mobilized to prevent Iran's operation, but the IRGC completed its mission," Ali Fadavi said

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"It may become necessary for European soldiers to be deployed on Ukrainian soil, and Lithuania is always ready to consider such options," Gabrielius Landsbergis stated

Kiev has ‘no chance’ of retaking lost territories — Blackwater founder

Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

It is noted that Russia has about three times as many men as the Ukrainians in the Kursk Region and six times as many explosive drones

Launch of Oreshnik caused no negative reaction from Central Asia — Russian MFA

Alexander Sternik noted that Moscow was closely watching how relations among NATO, the European Union and the states directly adjacent to Russian territory were developing

Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

According to reports, US president-elect Donald Trump mentioned Nehammer's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which took place shortly after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

According to Governor Vladimir Saldo, two vehicles have been damaged

Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

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US base in Syria’s Dei ez-Zor governorate comes under missile attack — TV

No further details were provided

Donbass was in danger of genocide from Ukraine, Serbian expert says

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Lebanese premier approves roadmap for ceasefire with Israel

The implementation of the agreement will help to bring stability to the region, Najib Mikati said

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Russia fails to get seat at OPCW Executive Council — vote outcome

Russian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Permanent Representative to the OPCW Vladimir Tarabrin noted that the current situation regarding the participation in the Executive council "is clear evidence of the crisis that the Organization has fallen into"

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

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EU Commissioner for Justice calls on members states to step up assistance to Ukraine

Didier Reynders stressed that EU countries provided Ukraine with 45.5 billion euros for military needs and supplied "a wide variety of arms" from their stockpiles, including F-16 aircraft

NATO pledges to continue supporting Ukraine following Russia’s launch of Oreshnik missile

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Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Kremlin confident Putin’s warning about strikes inside Russia was well heard in West

According to Dmitry Peskov, the position of the Russian Federation was outlined quite clearly by President Vladimir Putin

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

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

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Key energy facility in Ternopol Region almost completely destroyed

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US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

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Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq discuss oil market, compensations

Participants in the meeting highlighted importance of keeping stability and balance in global oil markets

Past year was deadliest for humanitarian workers in Gaza — Russia’s UN envoy

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Russian military engaged in tough battles with Ukrainians in Kharkov Region — official

"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

Ottawa Convention’s secretariat views transfer of antipersonnel mines to Kiev as violation

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US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

"In my opinion, the United States should invest in the reconstruction of Afghanistan after everything it has done and abandoned there," the top security official emphasized

Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

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Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Iran ready to escort foreign ships in Red Sea — navy commander

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

US no longer objects to use of S-400 air defense systems by Turkey, Defense Minister says

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Zaluzhny, not Zelensky, would become president if Ukraine held election today — poll

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West wants to use Kalinousky Regiment to destabilize Belarus — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that now this nationalist group was fighting together with the Ukrainian army along with the Russian Volunteer Corps (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization) and the Georgian Legion (the paramilitary group Georgian National Legion is blacklisted as terrorist and banned in Russia)

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 440 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots

British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

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Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

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UN secretary-general welcomes ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon

Antonio Guterres also urged the parties to undertake immediate steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701

Israel’s national security minister calls ceasefire in Lebanon ‘historic mistake’

Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the agreement fails to fulfill the goal of this war - the safe return of northern dwellers to their homes

PREVIEW: Putin to begin state visit to Kazakhstan

He is expected to discuss various cooperation aspects and take part in the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Anglo-Saxon special services involved in Nord Stream blasts, SVR chief says

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that Nord Stream was a joint Russian-European project "aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted supply of inexpensive Russian gas to Europe"

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow