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Middle East conflict

Some 130 hostages still held by Hamas, three Russians among them — Israeli ambassador

Earlier, Hamas said it had released two female hostages with Russian citizenship and handed them over to the Red Cross "in response to the efforts of Russian President" Vladimir Putin

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Three Russian citizens are still being held by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, while overall some 130 hostages remain in captivity, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

"There are 130 hostages in the hands of Hamas. Of them, I think that 11 are nationals of other countries who do not have Israeli citizenship. <...> Some of them have Russian citizenship, I think there are three [Russians among them]," the ambassador said.

Earlier, Hamas said it had released two female hostages with Russian citizenship and handed them over to the Red Cross "in response to the efforts of Russian President" Vladimir Putin. Hours before that, Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouq said the movement planned to release several more Russians as a show of respect to Putin.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 200 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ aggressive actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

Middle East conflict

Israeli army declares strikes on 180 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

"The Israel Defense Forces have completed a series of strikes on southern Lebanon," the army’s press service said in a statement

FIDE General Assembly to consider full-fledged access of Russian athletes

The Ukrainian Chess Federation requested earlier that the International Chess Federation rule out its plans to consider resuming the Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions at its General Assembly in Budapest

Iran's supreme leader calls on Islamic countries to sever economic ties with Israel

"The Zionist regime is committing crimes shamelessly and without hiding it," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said

Russia will not 'shoot itself in the foot' by halting gas supplies — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, for many decades, since the times of the Soviet Union, since the 1970s, Moscow has been establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in gas supplies

Nazi Germany’s Gestapo officers accompanied Katyn commission

Аs follows from testimonies by a laboratory technician, the German Army’s Senior Ensign Ludwig Schneider, contained in the declassified FSB archive materials

Erdogan says ready to meet with Syria’s Assad, waiting for response from Damascus

We have said that we would like to hold a meeting with Bashar Assad to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria, Erdogan said

Lavrov says he agrees with Trump about destructiveness of sanctions for US dollar

The Russian foreign minister stressed that, despite the continued dependence of many economies on the dollar, the risk of this phenomenon has already been recognized

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

Russia’s air defenses repel massive attack on Bryansk region, taking down over 50 drones

Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense forces intercepted or destroyed 53 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Russia’s Akhmat special force destroys military storage facility in Kursk direction

Akhmat also eliminated one armored personnel carrier and one self-propelled artillery weapon, the deputy chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces Apty Alaudinov said

Ukraine’s forces in Ugledar virtually encircled — sources

"Most positions around the city, including those at the most important sites and heights are Russian, the whole city is exposed to fire," the sources explained

As many as 1,200 people evacuated from municipality in southern Russia after drone attack

Two unmanned aerial vehicles were downed outside Tikhoretsk this morning

Florida court rules to arrest Russian citizen Postovoy, take him to Washington

The date of the next court hearing, to take place in Washington, has not been set yet

Hezbollah handing out pagers hours before their detonation — agency

The sources said that the Shiite movement did not have any specific suspicions about these pagers and their "checks had been part of a routine 'sweep' of its equipment to find any indications that they were laced with explosives"

Russia, Belarus remain faithful allies and partners, Russian deputy defense chief says

I would like to note that we and our Belarusian counterparts have been and remain faithful allies and reliable partners

Six Hezbollah elite unit Radwan commanders killed by Israel’s airstrike o Beirut

According to the MTV television channel, they were taking part in an operations headquarters meeting held by Hezbollah military leader Ibrahim Aqil

EU will grant loan to Kiev that will be paid from frozen Russian assets — EC president

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that 35 billion euros is the part which the European countries will contribute to the 45 billion euro loan approved by the G7 in Italy in the summer

UN human rights commissioner slams blasts in Lebanon as war crime

The UN official called for bringing those behind these blasts to responsibility under international law and protecting civilians in conflict zoes

EP resolution regarding strikes on Russia madness, EU seeks war — French politician

According to Florian Filippot, France should urgently withdraw from the EU and advocate for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

Senior Russian lawmaker warns that calls for long-range strikes open way to nuclear war

Vyacheslav Volodin commented on a recent resolution of the European Parliament to allow strikes inside Russia with Western weapons

Hezbollah confirms death of its commander in airstrike on Beirut

Together with Ibrahim Aqil at least six commanders of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force died in the airstrike

Russia delivers urgent assistance to Mali — portal

The delivery was organized as part of military cooperation between Russia and Mali to boost defense and security ties

Scholz says Germany not to send Kiev missiles ‘capable of reaching as far as Moscow’

German Chancellor emphasized the need to explore ways in order to peacefully resolve the Ukraine conflict

Russian forces strike Ukrainian energy facilities, troops last night — top brass

Overnight, the Russian Armed Forces launched a group strike on energy facilities that supply electricity to Ukrainian defense plants and drone production cites as well as Ukrainian troops

Ukrainian forces in difficult situation in Kursk Region, try gain foothold — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that, on Thursday, he visited the rightmost flank of the Russian troops on the Kursk direction - near cities of Rylsk and Lgov

Putin highlights importance of efforts to develop relations between Russia, Armenia

The Russian President congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Armenia’s Independence Day

Turkish banks want to stop transactions with Russia, transfer them to one bank — source

The issue reportedly concerns private and state-owned Turkish banks that do not have foreign partners, mainly Western ones

Battlegroup North liberates two settlements in Kursk Region this week

Apart from that, according to the report, Russian aircraft struck areas of deployment of manpower and weapons of the Ukrainian army’s three mechanized, one tank, and two assault brigades

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts thwarted: developments in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled three attempts by the Ukrainian military to break through the border near Novy Put, Malaya Obukhovka and Medvezhye

More than 25 aerial targets downed over Kherson region, Sea of Azov — governor

No injuries were caused

Stoltenberg's statements on use of long-range missiles against Russia senseless — MFA

According to the outgoing NATO Secretary-General, Ukraine's use of long-range missiles will not lead to the alliance being drawn into a conflict with Russia

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

Bentley came to Donbass from the United States in 2014

Russia welcomes normalization of Iran’s relations with Arab countries — Lavrov

It is in the interests of both Iran and its Arab countries to establish "friendly, normal, goods relations," Russian Foreign Minister added

Report on alternative payment systems will be prepared by BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also drew attention to the growth of trade in national currencies between Russia and other countries

US to step up efforts to limit Russia’s fuel exports, defense imports – White House

Sanctions and export controls are "our tools", US Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics Daleep Singh said

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Ukrainian troops attack two settlements in Russia’s Belgorod region, leaving no casualties

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that in the settlement of Murom, the Shebekinsky district, the windows of a private house were broken out, the roof and fence were damaged due to a drone attack

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 19th

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

Ukraine is still facing the question of the legitimacy of power in the absence of parliamentary and presidential elections, which cannot be held during martial law

Ukrainian forces create concentration camps in Russian border areas — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that one of the Ukrainian prisoners of war reported an attack on a passenger train being prepared in the Kursk Region

Russia wants no nuclear war — Lavrov

The foreign minister still assured that Russia possesses weapons "that will have serious implications for the handlers of the Ukrainian regime"

Serbian citizens sincerely appreciate Putin - deputy PM

According to Aleksandar Vulin, the Russian president "is appreciated because he fights for the values we believe in"

Russia fully ready to defend its interests in Arctic — Lavrov

The minister to say that NATO is becoming increasingly interested in the Arctic region

First five Baikal aircraft will be delivered in 2026 — minister

"It has been decided that we will switch to the domestic VK-800 engine," Anton Alikhanov said

Russian troops repulse ten Ukraine’s counterattacks near Kremennaya in LPR in one week

The enemy is being actively knocked out as it acts near Chervonaya Dibrova, Ternov

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."

Evacuation starts in Kuban settlement due to explosion after drone fragments fall

Two unmanned aerial vehicles have been downed near Tikhoretsk

Sixteen drones eliminated over Russia’s Bryansk Region

Governor Alexander Bogomaz said earlier that the Russian Defense Ministry’s air defense forces were repelling a massive drone attack

Russia's military to restore control of all districts of Kursk Region — Kremlin

"The situation in those areas which are under the control of the Ukrainian militants is extraordinary, of course," Dmitry Peskov stated

West’s attempts to turn UNGA into pro-Ukrainian show doomed to fail — Russian MFA

"The UN General Assembly always encompasses a very broad agenda," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Putin has no plans to attend Mexican president's inauguration — Kremlin

Earlier, the Mexican embassy in Moscow stated that the Russian president had received an invitation to Sheinbaum's inauguration ceremony

Russian forces take control of two settlements in Kursk Region

According to Major General Apty Alaudinov, the entire frontline in moving forward, with Ukrainian soldiers surrendering

Attempts made to provoke Hezbollah with aim of US interference in war — Lavrov

Lavrov pointed put that without this, recurrent outbreaks of violence will never stop in the Middle East

Russia to push for multipolar world order jointly with global majority — diplomat

The event will be held in New York on September 22-23 in the runup to the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

Hezbollah attacks Israeli military headquarters in Ein-Zeitim

The statement said that the Shiite units conducted these operations in response to the Israeli Air Force strikes on Lebanese populated localities

Lifting ban on strikes deep into Russia won't help Ukraine much — Pentagon

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, for his part, said that Moscow was aware of the West's decision to attack deep into Russian territory and to send appropriate signals to Kiev

North Korea convinced Russia to win special military operation in Ukraine — top diplomat

"The North Korean people express their support for the Russian people in their just struggle," Choe Son Hui stressed

US’ new military aid package for Ukraine to be worth $375 mln — agency

According to Reuters, the new package will include patrol boats, additional munitions for high-mobility artillery rocket systems

Businessman probably related to exploding gadgets in Lebanon missing in Norway

At this point, there is no evidence indicating that Rinson Jose had any knowledge about the operation to create the explosive gadgets

Russian Federation Council Speaker calls detonations in Lebanon a 'heinous attack'

Valentina Matviyenko noted that Russia’s position regarding the ongoing escalation in the Middle East was "clearly stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Representative to the UN"

Russia, China launch joint naval exercise in Vladivostok — Pacific Fleet

A joint group of warships from the Pacific Fleet and China’s PLA Navy has departed from Vladivostok to conduct Russian-Chinese naval maneuvers

Russia to explain risks of cooperation with NATO to post-Soviet countries — MFA

"No doubt, such voyages of representatives of the aggressive military bloc do not contribute to regional stability and security," Maria Zakharova said

Ukrainians sustain over 300 casualties in Kursk area in past day, Russia says

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian losses have amounted to over 300 troops and nine units of armored hardware, including an infantry fighting vehicle, two APCs, six armored combat vehicles, as well as six artillery guns

Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian manpower, equipment in Kursk area

After receiving a confirmation from reconnaissance that the Ukrainian army’s temporary disposition location had been destroyed, the crew safely returned to the airfield of departure

CERN's turn away from Russian scientists has positive aspects — Kurchatov Center chief

This is quite obviously a positive development for us in some respects, Kovalchuk said

Researchers from Siberia’s Tomsk who partnered with CERN start working at home

All eight researchers from the university who took part in mega science research have already returned to Russia

Up to 62 flights of Ukrainian drones reported near ZNPP every day — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov recalled that Ukraine had been shelling the ZNPP practically non-stop from mid-July to November 20, 2022

US carries out mock electronic launch of Minuteman III ICBM

Such test deployments of Minuteman III missiles without an actual launch are being carried out twice a year at various air bases, the statement says

No more red lines for Israel, any Hezbollah radical is legitimate target — PM’s office

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier that a pinpoint strike was delivered on Beirut that killed Hezbollah Shiite militia commander Ibrahim Aqil and several other Hezbollah commanders

Explosions in Lebanon pose interest for Russian intelligence — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not discussed the events in Lebanon with regional actors

Some 101 Ukrainian drones intercepted in Russian regions, Azov Sea overnight — ministry

Air defenses eliminated UAVs over eight regions, Defense Ministry said

Russian troops entrenched in liberated settlements of Kursk Region’s Sudzha District

According to commander of the Akhmat special forces unit Apty Alaudinov, the situation is under control

Physicists from Russia to be banned from Large Hadron Collider from December 1 — Nature

At the same time, CERN will continue to work on projects already underway with about 270 employees of the Russian Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

Theft of Russian assets to nullify trust towards EU — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union had lost independence

West is persuading Ukraine to give up claims to 1991 borders — legislator

Yegor Chernev shared a "feeling" that the Western world is ready to declare as a victory for Ukraine at least the fact that "Kiev has not fallen" and that it "has not lost its sovereignty"

Ten Ukrainian drones destroyed over Russia’s Bryansk Region — governor

There are no casualties or damage

Russia cautions Chisinau against involvement in Ukrainian conflict — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the speculations about Romania's plans for redirecting to Moldova the mobile maintenance stations for F-16 fighter jets received by Bucharest for their subsequent deployment at the Marculesti airbase

Strikes at Beirut and shelling of Lebanon: escalation on Lebanese-Israeli border

The IDF has also intensified the hostilities in the northern direction and started carrying out massive airstrikes at Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Russia, China do not need to create military alliance — Lavrov

Those relations are the best in the whole history of ties that existed between two countries, Foreign Minister added

Kremlin slams Poland's idea to revise Crimea's status 'absurd'

"Russian territory and Russian regions cannot be the subject of any discussion or transfer to anyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Hezbollah commanders wanted to repeat October 7 in northern Israel — General Staff

The IDF said that it had conducted a targeted strike in Beirut, adding that Ibrahim Aqil, a military commander of Hezbollah’s militia, was killed along with other top brass

Press review: Israel declares new phase of war and Russia boosts drone production

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 20th

Kadyrov send two more Cybertucks to special military operation zone

"The electric car’s mobility, comfort and maneuverability are what is needed here," the Chechen leader said

Drones downed in southwest of Russia’s Tver Region

Emergency services together with representatives of the territory’s administration are working on the spot

Zelensky says Ukrainian troops in extremely difficult situation in two DPR areas

The situation on the frontline remains extremely difficult, Ukrainian President said

Russia’s Battlegroup Center repulse nine Ukrainian counterattacks in 24 hours — top brass

As a result of active actions, the group took more advantageous lines and inflicted damage on formations of six brigades of the enemy

Russia-Africa summit to be held in 2-3 years on African continent — Lavrov

There is a plan of action developed by the commission of the African Union and the government of the Russian Federation through 2026, Russian Foreign Minister said

Iran warns about pending response to Israel after Hamas leader Haniyeh’s killing

The head of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office slammed human rights activists for practicing double standards, when they are "silent while 41,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, mostly women and children, have been killed by the cruel Zionist regime"

Russia is committed to Israel’s security, but not at others’ expense — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that he had good relations with many of his Israeli counterparts

Cases against Ukrainian servicemen: situation in Kursk Region

Russian investigators have initiated three criminal cases against Ukrainian militants involved in crimes against civilians in the Kursk Region

West switches to open support for Kiev's terrorist attacks against civilians — MFA

"The West continues to supply arms and money to the Kiev regime, propose pseudo-peace initiatives, and try to rally as many countries as possible to their side," Maria Zakharova said

Only Lebanese hospitals, kindergartens used exploded pagers — Iranian ambassador

Multiple explosions of communication devices occurred in Lebanon on September 17 and 18

Israel wants no war with Lebanon — ambassador to UN

Unless de-escalation is reached through diplomacy, Israel will have no other choice except to use all means for protection of its citizens, Danny Danon said

Russia's newest satellites to change course of Ukrainian conflict — former UN inspector

According to Ritter this conflict would become "unsustainable for the Ukrainian sometime by the end of summer, early fall"

Twenty Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strike on Beirut — Axios

The news website cited a senior Israeli official who confirmed that Israel had not informed the US in advance of the preparations for the attack on Beirut, "but briefed senior US officials on the matter immediately after it was carried out"

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

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

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Transformer damaged in Ukrainian attack on Energodar, Zaporozhye NPP safety jeopardized

This substation is engaged in supplying power to the plant’s infrastructure facilities, the plant said in a statement on its Telegram channel

Kiev and EU open joint defense innovation office — Ukrainian Defense Minister

According to him, the so-called IT coalition of 13 countries has already attracted more than 70 million euros for the needs of Ukraine

Ukrainian drones attack Kamenka-Dneprovskaya in Zaporozhye Region

"Another cynical attack by terrorists for whom nothing is sacred," Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said

Ukrainian troops retreat from village near Artyomovsk in DPR — Russian officers

The enemy fled from near Andreyevka where it has long been holding positions, it has retreated, law enforcement officers said