{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Military operation in Ukraine

Italian Defense Minister calls for political resolution in Ukraine

According to Guido Crosetto, it is necessary to come to "what was before the war"

ROME, December 23. /TASS/. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto believes that the Ukrainian crisis must be resolved via political means.

The war has been going on for almost two years, and, I believe, in parallel with the hostilities and the support for Ukraine, it is necessary to consider the paths that would lead to a political resolution," the Minister said during his visit to the Italian NATO contingent in Poland. "What cannot be achieved militarily, […] could be achieved diplomatically, to achieve results via political means and to achieve peace."

According to Crosetto, it is necessary to come to "what was before the war."

"And if we cannot do that with weapons, we must try to do it otherwise," he added.

This is not the first time the Italian minister talks about a political settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, he previously signed a new inter-government decree - the eight in a row - on shipment of military aid to Ukraine. The contents of this package are not disclosed. Previously, Crosetto said that Italy’s capacity for military aid to Ukraine is "almost entirely depleted.".

Tags

Ukraine Italy Military operation in Ukraine

Middle East conflict

US aims to exploit war to control Lebanon — expert

"The US aims to eliminate the resistance forces led by Hezbollah, which hinder their plans to reshape the Middle East," Adnan Mansour stated

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

North Korea’s Kim authorized support to Russia since start of special military op — MFA

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Pyongyang had no doubt that the Russian Army, led by President Vladimir Putin, will win in the special military operation

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

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

FACTBOX: Aftermath of UAV attacks on apartment buildings in Bryansk, Oryol regions

A drone attack on an apartment building in Bryansk resulted in one injury, while two residential buildings sustained damage in the Oryol Region

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"

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

Russia-DPRK strategic partnership treaty to stabilize Eurasia — Lavrov

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, the treaty "has laid a solid foundation" for the further deepening of Moscow-Pyongyang relations

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

ZNPP director confirms minor leak in reactor has been fixed

All necessary measures to fix the leak have been implemented," Yury Chernichuk added, stating that the equipment would be returned to operation upon the completion of monitoring procedures

Moscow-Pyongyang relations at record high — Lavrov

Dialogue between the two countries was propelled to a brand-new level following the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty at a historic summit in Pyongyang, the Russian foreign minister said

Press review: Lavrov embarks on EU visit and Russia permits individual crypto mining

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 1st

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

Georgian elections saw unprecedented foreign interference — premier

Foreign funding is used for this purpose, Irakli Kobakhidze noted

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"

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

Ukrainian General Staff building damaged in Kiev — ex-lawmaker

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

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

Top Russian, North Korean diplomats to hold talks in Moscow on Friday — Foreign Ministry

Earlier, Maria Zakharova said that the North Korean foreign minister will hold "strategic consultations" with Sergey Lavrov as part of her official visit to Russia

Sun unleashes powerful X-class solar flare — scientists

It lasted for 27 minutes

Russian Defense Ministry releases video of Bulava missile launch

The launch was carried out from the Sea of Okhotsk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 frigate carrying hypersonic weapons embarks on first deployment in distant waters

"The group comprises the frigate Admiral Golovko carrying long-range precision weapons and the medium sea tanker Vyazma," the Northern Fleet’s press office said

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"

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

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

Trump roasts Democrats, says country 'run by fools'

The US Republican presidential candidate also harshly criticized incumbent President Joe Biden

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

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

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

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

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

Zelensky advises Ukrainian troops to retreat when heavily outnumbered

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

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

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

For US losing dollar as a standard of settlements would be like losing a war, Trump says

The Republican presidential candidate criticized the current US administration for allowing the unification of Russia, China, Iran, the DPRK and a number of other countries into one group

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

Nord Stream 2 completed, Trump's statements about its destruction unclear — Kremlin

Earlier, in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Donald Trump strongly denied Democrats' claims that he has ties with Russia, recalling that he blocked the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drone crashes at oil depot in south Russia’s Stavropol Region, nobody injured

According to the region's head, emergency services are working at the site

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

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

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

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

Both Russia and Turkey would benefit from Russia's participation in Sinop NPP — Lavrov

As the foreign minister noted, Russia has adapted to the pressure of sanctions and is developing successfully

No comment from Kremlin on Blinken's words DPRK military ready to engage in combat

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken argued that 8,000 out of the 10,000 DPRK servicemen allegedly on Russian territory had been moved to the Kursk Region

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

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"

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

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

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

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

Lavrov, top North Korean diplomat unveil memorial plaque at Moscow’s railway station — MFA

"Following this, discussions will continue at the Foreign Ministry," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia has no preference regarding US presidential candidates — Lavrov

"We remain open to dialogue if the Americans demonstrate a genuine intention to negotiate in good faith, based on respect for each other's interests and the principle of reciprocity," the Russian foreign minister emphasized

ICBM test launch shows Pyongyang’s importance ahead of US election — expert

Wang Wen recalled that China and Russia also recently tested their intercontinental ballistic missiles

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

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"

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

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

The international company incorporated in the United States has been engaged in promoting the policies of unfriendly states regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and actively supports the LGBT community, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office explained

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

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

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

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

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