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Middle East conflict

Israeli strikes on Rafah kill at least 25 people

Earlier, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that the number of people killed in Israel’s operation in Gaza and clashes in the West Bank had exceeded 19,000

DUBAI, December 19. /TASS/. About 25 people were killed in Israeli strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera reports.

According to Palestinian journalist Ismail Abu Omar, Israeli strikes on several residential buildings in Rafah killed at least 25.

Earlier, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that the number of people killed in Israel’s operation in Gaza and clashes in the West Bank had exceeded 19,000. According to the ministry, 70% of those killed are women and children.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking over 200 people hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out retaliatory strikes on Gaza, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria.

G7 demands that Iran halt alleged transfer of missiles to Russia

Moscow and Tehran have repeatedly rejected theories of Iranian arms deliveries to Russia for use in Ukraine

No White House announcement regarding strikes inside Russia following Biden-Starmer talks

The two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine and expressed concern about the alleged provision of weapons to Russia by Iran and North Korea and " the People’s Republic of China’s support to Russia’s defense industrial base"

Russian forces consolidating gains near Kupyansk, military expert says

"After successful operations in the Kupyansk direction, our troops, let’s say, are consolidating gains and tightening up their flanks," Andrey Marochko said

Bank of Russia raises key rate by 100 bp to 19% per annum

At the same time, operational indicators and GDP data for the Q2 of 2024 indicate a slight slowdown in Russian economic growth mainly due to rising constraints on the supply side and a declining external demand, the Bank of Russia said

Witnesses confirm Ukrainian citizen’s involvement in journalist Dugina’s assassination

The court ruling on Natalya Vovk’s arrest in absentia says that files presented to the judge prove that suspicions of her involvement were justified

Iranian embassy says Sky News report on missile deliveries to Russia speculative fiction

"No evidence of missiles being loaded or unloaded, and the location isn’t even specified," the embassy said

West afraid to even discuss interception of Russian missiles over Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky noted that Western states did discuss ensuring Israel’s air defense during the Iranian attack on April 13, but they refuse to make the same steps for Ukraine

Russia to see NATO’s permit to use long-range weapons as direct involvement in war

According to the Russian diplomat, such a scenario would cardinally change Moscow’s relations with Western countries

Developer states constant upgrade of Forpost UAV based on its use in special military op

According to the developer, the Forpost was developed to solve reconnaissance and strike tasks in conditions where the enemy does not have a highly organized air defense system, and within the Air Defense Forces the system is used where there is no enemy counteraction

Russian aviation hit formations of 7 Ukrainian brigades in Kursk region — Defense Ministry

It also struck reserves of 11 brigades in the Sumy region, the ministry reported

Proposal to limit titanium, nickel exports not related to arms supplies to Kiev — Kremlin

No details on how the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin on restricting titanium and nickel exports will be implemented are available yet, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters

Russian army hits airfields, Ukrainian military’s energy facilities

Russia’s battlegroup West has repelled three Ukrainian counterattacks over the past day, eliminating up to 445 enemy servicemen, the Defense Ministry emphasized

Russia will not tolerate activities of undeclared British secret service officers — MFA

"Our uncompromising stance on this issue will be formulated in accordance with the interests of national security," Maria Zakharova stated

Moscow reaches breaking point with British spies in Russia — intelligence official

According to the statement, "any diplomatic etiquette has been thrown completely out the window"

Storm Shadow missile strikes into Russian territory not to help Ukraine win — BBC reporter

According to Jeremy Bowen, if Ukraine is allowed to hit Russia with Western missiles, it might add another layer to the conflict and certainly give the Ukrainians another means to hit Russia with, but it will not bring Ukraine victory in the war

No decision on strikes deep into Russia expected after Biden-Starmer meeting — Kirby

Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that US President Joe Biden intends to discuss the withdrawal of restrictions on Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory with US-made weapons with Prime Minister Starmer in Washington

Scientific equipment for Luna-26, Luna-27 missions almost ready — academician

The launch of the Luna-27 mission on a space flight either to the North Pole of the Moon or to its far side is scheduled for the turn of 2028

Bank of Russia’s chief names main disadvantages of high inflation for Russia

Elvira Nabiullina stressed that high inflation meant greater price volatility

Georgia to apologize for war that Saakashvili started against Ossetians — ruling party

Bidzina Ivanishvili said that the ruling party needs to get a constitutional majority in the new parliament in order to put Saakashvili's party on trial for unleashing the 2008 war

NORAD reports tracking two Russian military aircraft near Alaska

The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter the airspace of either the United States or Canada, as this Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ "occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the command said in a statement

Russian forces advance in all directions, Kiev running out of resources — newspaper

Russia also sucessfully repelling the Ukrainian incursion into its borderline region of Kursk, the La Repubblica newspaper’s military columnist Gianluca De Feo wrote

Ukraine’s failed attack on drilling rig may be sign of infighting in its military — expert

According to Vasily Prozorov, the attack might be a result of infighting between Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky

Ukraine has highest mortality rate in world — report

Earlier, the Opendatabot resource, which monitors Ukrainian state registers, reported that now for every person born in Ukraine, three people die

Ukraine’s army loses roughly 300 troops, seven tanks in Kursk area over past day

As the Russian Defense Ministry specified, "the operation to destroy Ukrainian armed formations continues"

Trump’s plan on Ukraine envisages demilitarized zone, Kiev’s neutrality — running mate

Apart from that, "the Germans and other countries have to fund some Ukrainian reconstruction", David Vance said

Western companies still working in Russia, despite promises to leave — Bloomberg

It was noted that most of these companies rebranded instead of leaving the country

Break of diplomatic relations with UK would be extreme measure — Russian mission

According to Dmitry Polyansky, there are "many stages" of lowering diplomatic relations in diplomatic practices to express resentment over the other side’s actions

Attacks with Western weapons on Russia can backfire on NATO — expert

"It may even come to nuclear strikes, but I hope this won't happen," Sergey Karaganov said

Severing diplomatic relations with UK out of question — Kremlin

Earlier, an anonymous representative of the Russian security services said that six UK diplomats had been expelled from Russia

FIDE Ethics Commission cancels suspension of Russian Chess Federation membership

The suspension of membership was replaced with a €45,000 fine

Orban says EU countries start thinking about settlement in Ukraine after his initiative

The Hungarian prime minister added that he was preparing new events as part of the peace initiative, expected "in the coming weeks"

Musk’s security payments amount to millions of dollars a year — NYT

The documents show that dealing with stalkers and death threats regularly now has caused Musk to barricade himself behind "a growing phalanx of armed bodyguards that operates like a mini-Secret Service", the newspaper reported

Hungary has more unexpected peace initiatives on Ukraine in stock, PM Orban says

Budapest plans to "continue to have unexpected initiatives that will each take us one step closer to peace," the Hungarian Prime Minister said

German chancellor calls for unbiased investigation into Nord Stream sabotage

"If we manage to catch them, we want to try them in Germany," Olaf Scholz said

Russian diplomat says Nuland’s statements prove US played role in disrupting Ukraine deal

"The West has never been interested in a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

UK has enough malice to make decision on use of its weapons for strikes at Russia — envoy

"London has enough Russophobic malice to make a decision on the use of its long-range systems [for strikes] deep into Russian territory," the diplomat said on Russian TV.

Top Polish diplomat laughs with pranksters, talking about Nord Streams sabotage

Radoslaw Sikorski added that "the Americans had advance knowledge of it and didn’t stop it"

BRICS is not a platform for settling political scores — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that the platform is designed to "be closer to people, closer to normal life, to healthy values"

US not to be able to sit nuclear conflict in Europe out — Russian ambassador

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that nuclear terrorists is the Kiev regime’s hallmark

Germany does not supply arms to Ukraine for strikes on Russia’s interior — cabinet

According to the official, Berlin "has nothing to add" to its earlier statements about German weapons supplied to the Kiev regime

US seeks to divide Russia and Iran with statements about missiles, but won’t succeed — MFA

"Our cooperation has stood the test of time," the senior diplomat Sergey Ryabkov said

Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

Biden may soon approve use of US weapons to strike deep inside Russia — ambassador to US

Anatoly Antonov stressed that it could happen any moment

Netherlands unable to send Patriot system to Ukraine after unnamed ally leaves it hanging

In June, the Netherlands announced that it and an ally had teamed up to jointly provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system

Ukrainian saboteur who prepared Dugina’s murder facing four criminal charges

Bogdan Tsyganenko has been arrested in absentia on charges of murder, the illegal purchase, transfer, sale, storage and transportation of explosive devices, the illegal making of explosives and premeditated destruction or damage of property in Russia and put on international wanted list

No weapon can become game changer for Kiev — Pentagon

In Washington’s opinion, Ukraine should focus on employing capabilities currently at its disposal

Zelensky says Biden responsible for his ‘peace plan’

The Ukrainian president said that he was unable to fully disclose his initiative because he had given his word to the American president

Senior Russian diplomat sees BRICS as model for equitable communication between countries

According to Ryabkov, years of joint work in BRICS created "a special culture of dialogue"

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts repelled: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost up to 300 troops and seven tanks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Moscow’s verbal signals to West about escalation need to be changed — senior diplomat

Ryabkov called on "the political and military leadership of Russia's opponents to weigh the severity of the consequences that could arise as a result of their irresponsible, extremely dangerous actions."

Russia waits for US to explain how warfare agent got in hands Ukrainian troops — diplomat

"The Russian side thoroughly registers chemical incidents evidencing that Ukraine violates its commitments under the CWC," Vasily Nebenzya said

Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk Region to deal 'symbolic blow' for Kiev — newspaper

At the same time, a Ukrainian military officer told the newspaper that the situation in the area was difficult for Ukrainian forces

Finland’s territory not to be used to attacks against Russia — General Staff

Finnish Defense Forces General Staff noted that it monitors the situation around the attack of Ukrainian drones in the Murmansk Region

Musk warns of looming World War Three if US approves strikes on Russian soil

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s intention to let Kiev use its long-range projectiles for strikes deep into Russia’s interior is another step in escalating the conflict

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

It is reported that under some psychotropics a person can stay awake for a week

Ukrainian forces lost up to 520 troops in Battlegroup West zone of responsibility

The enemy also lost six vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled howitzer, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and two electronic warfare stations

Expert calls on Russia, China to strengthen exchanges amid US missile deployment plans

Zheng Renyi sees in the situation with Japan and the US missiles the ancient martial arts idea of "seme," or getting in your opponent’s head before attacking

Russian arms get the job done in special op — senior military official

Alexander Fomin noted that "Western weapon systems, purportedly possessing some high performance characteristics, according to promotional ads, burn perfectly well on the battlefield without any chances for restoration"

Moscow to respond with tough countermeasures to Tokyo’s unfriendly steps — MFA

The Russian side gave a principled assessment of the current state and prospects of bilateral relations "which have degraded to an unprecedently low level," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Moscow views transfer of Russian aircraft to Ukraine by Portugal as hostile move — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, it is evident that in this way Lisbon "is seeking to faithfully demonstrate its allied zeal and obedient compliance with the trajectory imposed on the Europeans by their handlers from across the ocean"

Scholz says he won’t allow Ukraine to use German weapons for strikes deep inside Russia

According to the chancellor, permission for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia would be a problem and he won’t allow that

Brazil’s delegation to BRICS Media Summit note association’s role in fighting fake news

"Fake news is something that seriously poisons the modern society due to the very rapid development of the Internet," CMA Group President Jose Juan Sanchez said

West's decision to attack deep into Russia won’t change situation on front — commander

"For us, nothing will change directly on the front, because the front is moving and will continue to move until Russia wins," Apty Alaudinov emphasized

Rhetoric about lifting ban on strikes into Russia with Western arms doesn’t promote peace

Ukraine will be among the items high on the agenda of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' various bilateral meetings

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said

Six UK diplomats working in Moscow engaged in intelligence, subversive activities — FSB

"The revealed facts give grounds to consider the activities of UK diplomats sent to Moscow by the Directorate as a threat to Russia’s security," the report said

White House taking Putin’s words about NATO’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict seriously

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that by allowing Ukraine to use its weapons to strike deep inside Russia the West will get directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict

Moscow knows the West has already decided to strike deep into Russia — senior diplomat

"The President spoke very clearly on this topic. We know that the corresponding decisions were made some time ago, and signals of this kind have been transmitted to Kiev," the high-ranking diplomat said, answering a question on the matter

Biden tells reporters he doesn’t think much about Putin

The Russian leader told the media earlier that NATO countries are not just debating about Kiev's possible use of Western long-range weapons but rather they are essentially making up their mind whether to get directly involved in the Ukraine conflict or not

North Korea shows off enriched uranium production facility for first time — media

The news agency noted that this was the first time that North Korea had publicly disclosed any details about its uranium enrichment site via state media

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

European Commission offers new ways to secure sanctions on frozen Russian assets — Reuters

One of the options includes extending the asset freeze for five years with a review every 12 months

Media people from global majority to gather at BRICS Media Summit in Moscow

Panel discussions will cover the role of the BRICS media community in bolstering stability in a multipolar world

US imposes sanctions on Rossiya Segodnya media group, TV-Novosti, Eurasia NGO

Restrictions are also imposed on Eurasia NGO Director Nelly Parutenko

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

Bank of Russia confirms resumption of consultations with IMF

Head of the regulator Elvira Nabiullina said that it is "a routine, permanent practice for all IMF members"

Aerial bomb strikes Ukrainian personnel near DPR's Selidovo

Several pieces of hardware and ammunition were also destroyed in the area

Russia condemns Western pressure on media, reaction to follow — senior diplomat

"We resolutely condemn this practice and confirm our intention to react to this accordingly, in order to break their habit of putting such pressure on our media outlets," he said

Russian diplomat slams plans to simulate nuclear blast aftermath in Russia as absurd

Mikhail Ulyanov noted that such rhetoric is irresponsible

China to address security challenges at SCO — senior Chinese diplomat

Chen Xiaodong emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in this field jointly with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Latin American countries "to help form a crucial community that would seek peace and prosperity.".

German jets scrambled over Baltic Sea over Russian Tu-142, Su-30 planes

Such mutual checks are mostly routine

Kiev switches mercenaries to Kupyansk to hold back advance of Russian forces — expert

The expert specified that the Ukrainian national battalions near Kupyansk "are engaged in their traditional activities", playing the role of a "deterrent" - barrier detachments

Russia’s National Guard wipes out 5 Ukrainian strongholds in borderline Kursk Region

It is noted that its units in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region continue to detect and eliminate the camouflaged positions of Ukrainian military personnel and hardware

Israel reports projectiles crossing from Lebanon

No injuries were reported

Putin invites Cabinet to consider restricting exports of uranium, titanium, nickel

The Russian leader reiterated that the government should "think about certain restrictions on supplies to the foreign market" of these and a number of other goods

US, allies launch campaign to address alleged threat posed by RT — Blinken

Blinken added that Washington would impose sanctions on three entities and two individuals that were supposedly involved in such operations, including, as the US claims, alleged meddling in Moldova’s internal affairs and the upcoming election in that country

NATO has been prepping Ukraine for war with Russia for eight years, Ukrainian POW says

It is noted that the Ukrainian media outlets have been deliberately shaping Russia’s negative image

Russia, Turkey disagree on Crimea’s status, Moscow keeps persuading Ankara — Kremlin

"We hope that over time this will allow Ankara to understand us better and to agree with our arguments," Dmitry Peskov explained

Over 280 port infrastructure facilities in Ukraine destroyed or damaged — official

The Nikolayev and Odessa regional authorities periodically report port infrastructure and warehouse damage and Kiev calls for strengthening the country’s air defense

Putin discusses Foreign Ministry issues with Security Council members

"We will ask Sergey Viktorovich [Lavrov] to tell us about his recent contacts with his foreign colleagues," the president said

BRICS media outlets increase interaction, foster understanding between nations — Lavrov

Lavrov noted that the summit is for the first time organized by "TASS - one of the leaders of Russian and international information space"

Ten settlements liberated by Russian forces in Kursk Region in past week

Ukraine's losses stood at 3,520 troops in the operational area of the battlegroup North

North Korea’s Kim lauds relations with Moscow as rapidly developing at meeting with Shoigu

"He gave his assurances that the North Korean government will continue to expand cooperation with Russia in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership," the state-owned radio broadcaster said

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

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

Putin's statement on consequences of strikes deep into Russia reaches addressees — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Putin's statement admitted of no dual interpretations

Over 20 country leaders confirm participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — senior diplomat

Russia assumed the one-year rotating chairmanship of the BRICS intergovernmental group on January 1, 2024

West driving situation around Ukraine into poorly controlled escalation — senior diplomat

"Washington and London are driving the situation into a stage of poorly controlled escalation. We (Russia - TASS) are actually warning those in power there on a daily basis about the consequences of such actions," he said.

Russian envoy says he received calls from US ex-officials following Putin’s statements

Earlier Russian president warned that a potential decision to allow Ukraine to deliver long-range strikes inside Russia may have consequences

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

US not ready for dialogue with Russia on Ukraine, Russian ambassador says

"The Americans are unwilling to negotiate. They are uncomfortable discussing that. They say they do not control the Ukrainians," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia communicates messages to US to avert uncontrollable crisis — senior diplomat

Communication with the United States is conducted through embassies and occasionally at other levels, Sergey Ryabkov said