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Middle East conflict

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Israel starts to flood tunnels in Gaza - WSJ

The operation may take weeks, the report says

NEW YORK, December 12. /TASS/. The Israeli military has started pumping seawater into the system of tunnels in the Gaza Strip, as Israel believes they are used by Hamas fighters, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.

The report said the operation, which is part of an effort to destroy Hamas infrastructure, could take weeks.

In early December, the newspaper wrote that the Israel Defense Forces completed the installation of five pumping stations near the Al-Shati refugee camp in mid-November. The stations are capable of flooding the tunnels within a few weeks by pumping water from the Mediterranean Sea. The newspaper said it is almost impossible to predict the impact of an attempt to flood the tunnels on the soil and groundwater, as well as what will happen to the water supply and sewage systems in the enclave. In addition, there is the possibility that the flooding could release hazardous substances that are likely to be in the tunnels into the soil.

The newspaper said the move could put US President Joe Biden and his administration on the spot and would draw condemnation from around the world. Earlier, Russia's UN mission said that if Israel were to flood the tunnels in the Gaza Strip, it should be considered a war crime.

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Middle East conflict

No winners in Arab-Israeli conflict, Russia calls for ceasefire — Lavrov

"The path to normalizing the situation lies in ending the bloodshed and establishing conditions for a political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on universally recognized international law," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Russian foreign trade to be above $700 bln as of 2024 year-end

China, India, Turkey and member-countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are main trade partners of Russia at present

Retaliation against Kiev's strike on special forces university was prompt — Kadyrov

The Russian Defense Ministry's Air Force hit the unmanned systems control center of the General Staff in Kiev with two Geran drones

Arms supplies to Kiev will not coerce Russia into anything — ex-German chancellor

Schroeder believes that Putin’s goal is to protect Russia from foreign attacks

Turkey can make important contribution into BRICS development — Lavrov

"The parameters for Turkey’s participation in the group will be determined by consensus, respecting the sovereign choices of all BRICS countries and Turkey itself," the top Russian diplomat added

TotalEnergies unable to withdraw Novatek dividends from Russia

"The dividends of Novatek were representing around $600 million per year," CEO of the French energy company Patrick Pouyanne noted

Comprehensive partnership with Iran to be signed soon — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, the treaty will outline the parties' commitment to closer cooperation in the areas of defense and in the interests of peace and security both regionally and globally

Russian troops liberate Yasnaya Polyana community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 810 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

Google can return to the Russian market only if it complies with the court’s decision

Saudi foreign minister says normalization with Israel at risk

The security of the entire region is at risk, if we don't take care of the rights of the Palestinians, if we don't find the path that will lead us to the establishment of a Palestinian state," Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said

Kremlin dismisses rumors on halting attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities as fake news

"Today, many fakes circulate that have no relation to reality. Even the most respected outlets do not hesitate to publish such fabrications," Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

Earlier, military lawyer from the Center for Support of Veterans and Their Families Roman Likhachev said that more than 100,000 servicemen had voluntarily left their units

Russian forces liberate 20-kilometer-long strip of land in south Donetsk area

Vladimir Rogov pointed out that Ukrainian forces were quickly leaving their positions

Drones attack enterprises in Russia’s Bashkortostan, no casualties reported — official

According to regional leader Radiy Khabirov, there have been no casualties or damage

Russian Su-35 fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite

Iran plans to carry out major strike on Israel from Iraq within days — report

The US doesn't know if Tehran has made a decision to go ahead with the strike soon, a US official told Axios

Yerevan sees peace treaty with Baku close at hand

According to the top Armenian diplomat, Yerevan and Baku will soon notify each other of the ratification of the regulations for the work of the commissions on border delimitation

West must stop view Russia, China ‘through rifle sights’ — Belarusian Foreign Minister

"Political will is necessary to achieve a sustainable and serious peace, to ensure security," Maxim Ryzhenkov said

FACTBOX: Western countries' military support for Ukraine

The total military aid to Kiev from February 2022 to August 2024, according to calculations by Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, amounted to $123.5 billion

Russia’s new bill on immigration will seek to tighten control — Medvedev

Medvedev also said it is necessary to "know exactly who comes here and why, where they work and live, and whether they are ready to integrate into Russian society"

Spanish floods death toll rises to 140 — media

Most of the dead were reported in the autonomous community of Valencia in the east of the country

Death toll from Spain flooding rises to 155

The EFE news agency earlier reported the disaster took 140 lives across the entire country, but said most casualties happened in in Valencia

Death toll in Israeli strikes on Syria’s Al-Qusayr rises to six

Earlier, Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported that Israel had shelled residential neighborhoods and an industrial zone in Al-Qusayr

Hungarian premier slams EU reluctance to negotiate with Russia

In Viktor Orban opinion, Ukraine has no chance of achieving its goals, and "the situation is getting worse day by day"

Capture of Kruglyakovka in Kharkov Region blocks vital supply route for Ukraine — official

The Russian Defense Ministry reported about the liberation of the settlement on October 30

West still tries to digitally interfere in Russia's affairs — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that modern technologies, while opening up additional opportunities, "also give rise to considerable risks"

Kremlin aide claims US, NATO plot regime change in Black Sea straits

Nikolay Patrushev noted that unfriendly Western countries are working to diminish Russia's role in the Black Sea region

Hungary receives record volume of gas from Russia — Szijjarto after meeting Lavrov

A total of 20 mln cubic meters of gas are supplied to Hungary via TurkStream each day, the Hungarian foreign minister said

Georgian opposition to hold rally protesting election results on November 4

Leader of the Strong Georgia opposition party Anna Dolidze insisted that the opposition has already figured the scheme that the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party had purportedly used to falsify the election results

West attempted to disrupt Aeroflot flights to Mauritius — Russian Ambassador

The Western countries "stoop to nothing" in order to prevent other countries from developing relations with Russia, Konstantin Klimovsky said

Frontline developments leave Kiev regime 'quite nervous’ — Kremlin Spokesman

"Evidently, all the ‘peace plans’ and ‘victory plans’ — whether classified or not — are essentially attempts by Kiev to draw Western countries deeper into the conflict and legitimize that involvement," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia-North Korea agreements should not alarm anyone — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the recent missile launch by North Korea, specifically not confirming whether Russia provided any technological assistance to its North Korean partners

Zelensky advises Ukrainian troops to retreat when heavily outnumbered

"We must save our soldiers and protect our people," the Ukrainian president emphasized

Orban says he sought to broker at least ceasefire in Moscow, Kiev talks

The politician said he believed at the time he could broker a ceasefire if he could convince both sides that "time was working against them"

TASS acquires new photos of Ukrainian troops training on UK ranges

The group photos were taken during training sessions in the UK and during the presentation of certificates of completion of a special course as part of Operation Interflex

Moldovan presidential candidate Stoianoglo opposes severing ties with CIS

"I am poised to meet with CIS leaders to build dialogue and improve trade, economic and cultural ties that truly benefit our country and its citizens," Alexandr Stoianoglo said

Liberation of Yasnaya Polyana in DPR to worsen Kiev’s logistics near Velikaya Novosyolka

The Ukrainian army set up a powerful fortified area near the settlement

Islamic Resistance in Iraq carries out four attacks on targets in Israel — TV

Israeli media reported that fighter jets intercepted two drones launched from the east over the Red Sea

US authorizes energy transactions for Russian banks

Energy-related transactions are understood as all the transactions related to production, refining, processing, transportation and purchase of oil

Press review: Russia strengthens nuclear triad while Ukraine awaits US strike approval

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 30th

Slovak prime minister looks forward to attending Moscow’s Victory Day Parade in 2025

Robert Fico emphasized that he has consistently paid tribute to the bravery of Soviet soldiers, particularly during celebrations of the Slovak National Uprising and the 80th anniversary of the Red Army’s Carpathian-Dukla offensive earlier this year

Over 200 injured after Typhoon Kong-Rey makes landfall on Taiwan

At least one person has died

Zelensky’s request for US Tomahawk missiles irks Washington — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister is confident that Washington will put Vladimir Zelensky in place "every time he tries to drag the United States into a war against Russia"

Central Bank chief says period of tight monetary policy new for Russian economy

The regulator raised its key rate by 2 percentage points to a record level of 21% per annum at its meeting of the board of directors on October 25

UK assumes rotating presidency of UN Security Council for one month

It is possible that one of the first meetings of the Security Council under the UK presidency will be held on Monday, November 4

Two out of six Moldovan Constitutional Judges state dissenting opinion on Euroreferendum

The Constitutional Court of Moldova approved the outcome of the European referendum

No facts pointing to serious violations during elections in Georgia, prime minister says

In Irakli Kobakhidze opinion, claims of non-existent vote rigging were the opposition’s only chance to explain the electoral defeat to supporters

Ukrainian defenses crumbling everywhere as reserves run out — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that it is too early to talk about the Ukrainian army’s complete exhaustion

Russia successfully puts spacecraft into orbit to serve its defense needs

The spacecraft was launched and orbited normally, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed, saying that it has already been taken under the control of ground-based facilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces

Georgian elections saw unprecedented foreign interference — premier

Foreign funding is used for this purpose, Irakli Kobakhidze noted

South Korea doesn’t plan to send troops to Ukraine — report

Earlier, a lawmaker from a leading opposition party said sending military analysts to Ukraine would require parliamentary approval

DPRK says it tested newest Hwasong-19 ICBM on Thursday

According to the report, the missile climbed to the maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km, covering the distance of over 1,000 km

Trump denies speculation about his alleged ties to Russia

The US Republican presidential candidate recalled that he blocked the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline

Georgian prosecutors bring charges against organizers of ballot stuffing

Earlier on Thursday, the Georgian Interior Ministry said in a statement it had detained two persons for ballot stuffing at the 69th polling station in the Marneuli district

Ukrainian military has severe shortage of troops, ammunition — Iranian analyst

"The West and its supporters are suffering significant damage from the advance of Russian troops in the special military operation zone," Ruhollah Modabber said

Low-skilled migrants should come to Russia for work period only — Medvedev

"All the conditions should be formed for compatriots, high-skilled specialists coming to our country," the official stressed

Lebanon hopes for ceasefire 'in coming hours or days' — premier

According to Najib Mikati, he had just held a phone conversation with US Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos Hochstein

Serbia gives up purchase of S-400 systems over threat of US sanctions

Earlier, it was reported that Serbian authorities were considering buying S-400 surface-to-air missile systems on long-term credit

Pacific Fleet ships enter South China Sea via Strait of Malacca

During the crossing of the strait, Pacific Fleet personnel held shipboard exercises on air defense and damage control

OSCE aware of Sandu's resource use for victory, stays silent — foreign intel agency

"The leadership of the OSCE Secretariat believes that the Moldovan authorities will employ similar tactics during the second round of the presidential election on November 3," the SVR press bureau highlighted

Time to book capacity for 2025 gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine is up — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that "the contract ends at the end of this year, in December"

Ukrainian General Staff building damaged in Kiev — ex-lawmaker

The air alert declared in Kiev overnight to Wednesday lasted about two hours

French mercenary involved in transporting internal organs of Ukrainian soldiers — official

Maxime Roger Henri Barrat is also under investigation by the civilian-military administration’s department of the interior in connection with the crime against a female civilian from the village of Glubokoye in the Kharkov Region

Several countries request UNSC meeting on November 4 on DPRK missile launch

The decision on holding a meeting will be made by the British permanent mission to the UN, which will take over the presidency of the Security Council in November

Putin dismisses scope of 'bomb effect' in US on reports of North Korean troops in Russia

The Russian president said the satellite images were "a serious thing" but added that NATO troops had been directly involved in the Ukraine conflict for a long time now

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 97.02 rubles for November 1

The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.61 rubles, up two kopecks

Battlegroup North’s flamethrower hits Ukrainian manpower near Kharkov

The accuracy of the strike with thermobaric munitions on the shelters of Ukrainian manpower was confirmed by data recorders

Russia’s migration policy must correspond to domestic interests — Medvedev

According to the official, the state structures must "cover all the key directions of the government’s policy on migrants"

Bosch CEO not ruling out further job cuts

"Bosch will not reach its economic targets in 2024," CEO of the German industrial giant Stefan Hartung said

Iran says Israel struck from US-controlled area in Iraq

On July 23, Reuters reported that there were around 2,500 US troops in Iraq

Ukraine accelerates fleeing from Selidovo to save remaining troops — security services

"They come out in groups along the roads that are subjected to shelling, losing significant numbers of people there," the source said

Press review: Putin highlights GDP growth while the Russian military claims top rank

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 29th

Google should not restrict Russian TV channels broadcasting on its platform — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the fine of two undecillion rubles imposed on the company "is full of symbolism"

Turkish mediation unlikely to succeed, because Kiev, West do not want peace — Lavrov

"Washington and its allies continue to provide extensive support to Kiev, discuss the possibility of using Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory," the Russian foreign minister said

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Ending Ukrainian conflict in draw won't ensure everyone's interests — Lavrov

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the West has realized that it is necessary to try to negotiate a "draw" in the Ukrainian conflict

Russian Defense Ministry releases video of Bulava missile launch

The launch was carried out from the Sea of Okhotsk

Ruscon launches scheduled service for delivering package freight from Israel to Russia

The service is suitable for a wide range of cargoes, including hazardous and chemical ones

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian drone attack targets Berdyansk port, key details uncovered

According to Governor Yevgeny Balitsky, three individuals have been hospitalized with injuries of varying severity

Case against US mercenary, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian tactical aircraft and artillery hit clusters of manpower and equipment of 14 Ukrainian brigades in the Kursk Region

At least ten powerful explosions heard on Beirut’s southern outskirts — source

The Israeli warplanes remain in the airspace of Beirut, flying at low altitudes

Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine Russia's legitimate military target — Kremlin

Earlier, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced that the company was opening a plant in Ukraine specializing in the repair and production of armored vehicles

Moldova’s EU integration path does not imply confrontation with Russia — candidate

In Alexandr Stoianoglo opinion, the country’s development requires constructive relations with all partners

General Staff reports challenges for Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk area

Sergey Dobryak, the head of the Kiev-controlled Pokrovsk Military Administration, announced on October 30 that the town would be sealed off from entry and exit to various neighborhoods and streets

Over 4,300 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

In a separate development, the Russian reconciliation center carried out five humanitarian missions in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa, Idlib and Tartus, distributing 980 sets of food weighting almost over 9.7 metric tons in total

Russia says 5 drones shot down over Bryansk, Kursk regions and Crimea

In a separate statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Kursk and Belgorod regions slightly earlier on Thursday

Moldovan presidential candidate Stoianoglo says ready for dialogue with Russia

The republic needs to maintain balanced relations with other countries to preserve its independence, Alexandr Stoianoglo said

Gas trading platform in Istanbul to be created in 2025 — Turkish energy minister

"The Istanbul gas index will be in force here, which means that the gas price will be formed in Istanbul," Alparslan Bayraktar said

Polyus produces first ton of gold from Sukhoi Log goldfield ore

"This field is the largest in Russia and one of the most promising worldwide," the company said

Finland charges Russia’s Torden of war crimes in Ukraine — media

The arrest warrant states that the alleged crimes occurred between 2014 and 2015

Google's fines to Russian government could soon exceed company’s value — experts

According to lawyer Ivan Morozov, Google's fines to the Russian government for administrative violations had reached 2 undecillion rubles

Reporter injured during attempt to interview British diplomats at Vnukovo Airport

The Ministry noted that if the claim is deemed valid, a procedural decision will be made despite the potential status and immunity of the perpetrator

Israeli strike on central Gaza leaves at least 13 killed, 30 wounded — TV

The attack targeted two residential buildings north of the Nuseirat refugee camp

Sun unleashes powerful X-class solar flare — scientists

It lasted for 27 minutes

Press review: US election set to shape politics while Kiev seeks 'energy deal' with Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 31st

IAEA reports minor water leak from Zaporozhye NPP reactor, sees no threat

The team on the site was informed on Thursday that welding work had been completed and that radiography checks of the welds were on-going

Hungary’s Orban expects Trump to reach agreement with Russia if he wins US elections

According to the Hungarian prime minister, the Republicans are not interested in sending billions of dollars as aid for Ukraine

Russian Ka-52M helicopters destroy Ukrainian manpower, equipment in borderline Kursk area

After the strike, the army aviation crews performed a missile-evasion maneuver at an ultra-low altitude by firing decoy flares to evade hits by enemy surface-to-air missiles

Russian Skvorets drone takes out expensive Canadian-made Senator armored vehicle

The ONF specified that the drone is equipped with a PG-7VL hollow charge anti-tank grenade that is very effective against modern armored targets, enemy fortifications and manpower inside brick and reinforced concrete buildings, and earthen shelters

Russian attack UAV thwarts Ukrainian troop rotation in overnight strike in Kharkov Region

"The UAV operators dropped explosives from the drone that accurately hit the target," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine, Russia should begin peace talks without preconditions — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko noted that once peace talks commence, it may be possible to achieve a ceasefire under certain conditions and subsequently withdraw troops from the front lines