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Middle East conflict

Time for diplomatic solution on Lebanese border runs out, Israel’s Gantz says

The situation on Israel’s northern border calls for changes, Benny Gantz said

TEL AVIV, December 28. /TASS/. The time for a diplomatic resolution of the situation near the Lebanese border is running out, says Benny Gantz, member of the emergency military cabinet of Israel and former Minister of Defense.

"The situation on Israel’s northern border calls for changes. The time for a diplomatic solution is running out. If the world and the Lebanese government cannot prevent the shelling of Israel’s northern regions and to push Hezbollah from the border, then the IDF will do it," Ganz said during a press conference.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli General Staff Chair Herzi Halevi said that the IDF approved plans for "various unforeseen circumstances," adding that the IDF troops at the Lebanese border are on "very high alert."

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

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Palestine Israel

Qatar hands over to Russia two children evacuated from special-op zone

The children were reunited with their families in the Embassy of Qatar in Moscow

US sanctions against Gazprombank leading to energy price growth in Europe — investor

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Ukraine loses 500 troops near Dzerzhinsk in DPR in past ten days — Ukrainian officer

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Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that Moldova is "following in its footsteps"

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

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

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

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

Europe bracing for influx of Ukrainian troops after conflict is over — agency

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

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

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

Ukrainian forces attempt to assassinate Novaya Kakhovka head, his deputy with drones

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

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

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

Ill-thought-out command and control of Ukrainian troops has demoralized enemy forces and increased the number of desertions among its personnel in that frontline area, Andrey Marochko said

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

The list of parties to the agreement expanded to 14

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

According to Admiral Shakhram Irani, Iranian military ships always escort the republic’s trade vessels at sea, not because of concerns that the Houthis may attack them, but to protect them from pirates

Russian Agriculture Ministry weighs idea of growing bananas domestically

Oksana Lut highlighted the export potential of agricultural products, given that certain parts of the world do not have a climate conducive to growing things

PREVIEW: Putin to begin state visit to Kazakhstan

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No requests yet for CSTO assistance from Russia over ATACMS strikes — secretary general

Imangali Tasmagambetov also stressed that the agenda for the CSTO session does not specifically address the matter of the ATACMS strikes on Russian territory, but member states will discuss the situation in the CSTO responsibility zone and on its borders

Russian military repels Ukrainian attack, destroys two targets over Sevastopol waters

According to Mikhail Razvozhayev, all services are on high alert

Blinken says hopes US support for Ukraine will continue under Trump

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Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 22 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 10 UAVs over the Rostov Region, seven over the Belgorod Region, two over the Voronezh Region, and the other three over the regions of Kursk, Bryansk and Smolensk, the ministry specified

Putin publishes article on Russian-Kazakh relations ahead of visit to Astana

Simultaneously, Russia’s Izvestia newspaper published an article by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

US continues to plunder Afghanistan with impunity, says Shoigu

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

West tired of Ukrainian conflict, while Russia ready to continue it — magazine

The article noted that the West "no longer has the political will to help Ukraine win by military means" and is trying to achieve peace through negotiations with Russia"

Germany orders closure of Russia’s Channel One bureau in Berlin

According to Ivan Blagoy, his bureau received the corresponding documents, a 10-page report that substantiates the move, citing EU sanctions, from the German authorities on Tuesday

NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

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

West disregards Russia’s signal with Oreshnik’s launch to shift blame for escalation

Alexander Tokovinin said that the next NATO-Ukraine session at the level of foreign ministers of the Western military bloc’s member states is scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Brussels

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

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

British mercenary taken into custody and Ukraine's losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 250 troops, four tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, three armored combat vehicles, eight motor vehicles and two mortars in the past day

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

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

Russian troops liberate Novaya Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West repelled four Ukrainian counterattacks and inflicted roughly 450 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

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

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PREVIEW: Russia to hand over BRICS presidency to Brazil

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Russia’s nuclear potential is powerful 'security blanket,' US admits — top researcher

Mikhail Kovalchuk noted that Russia should continue strengthening this potential

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

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

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

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

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

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"Euro-Atlantic elites are trying to convince the rest of the world that the only alternative to Western power is chaos, and for this purpose, they deliberately seek destabilization in key regions of the planet," Sergey Naryshkin said

Russian forces strike Ukrainian drone control centers near ZNPP

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Russian air defenses repulse drone attack over Black Sea, Sevastopol

Residents were asked to remain in shelters or safe locations

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Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

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Russia ‘shows teeth’ with launch of Oreshnik missile while avoiding escalation — media

"Russia has shown that it has a weapon, previously unveiled, and was prepared to use it," the report says

France, UK will have to pay for their helping Ukraine strike inside Russia — diplomat

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

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Two Ukrainian infantry groups eliminated near Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

Another enemy group was destroyed several hours later

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NATO seeking to escalate conflict in Ukraine to hinder Trump — Russian envoy to Belgium

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

No further details were provided

Trump’s team, Biden administration sign memorandum of understanding

This engagement allows to begin critical preparations for transition of power

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

Austria ready to host Ukraine talks — chancellor

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

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

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

Ukrainian media reports plant in Lvov Region destroyed

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

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

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Press review: Russia to avenge Kiev's new strike as experts analyze US-EU trade risks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 27th

Senators support Putin's decision to launch Oreshnik missile — speaker

Valentina Matviyenko noted that the Federation Council is willing to further support actions aimed at protecting Russia

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

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

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

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

Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iraq discuss oil market, compensations

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

Ukraine launches second strike on Novaya Kakhovka after emergency services arrive

According to Governor Vladimir Saldo, two vehicles have been damaged

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

According to the Pentagon, these missile air defense systems could help revealing certain specifications of jet fighters and thus negatively affect their combat capabilities

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

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

Drones to replace fighter jets in future wars, Musk says

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

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

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman also commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s "resilience plan"

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

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

Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire deal enters force — newspaper

According to Al Nahar, the Lebanese government will undertake the commitment to act against illegal armed groups on its territory and to curb their ability to arm themselves through arms trafficking and illegal production of weapons

Trump focused on solution to Ukrainian conflict — national security adviser

Mike Waltz compared the scope of the tragedy to World War One, describing it as "trench warfare" with hundreds of thousands of victims

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

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

Russian troops liberate Kopanki community in Kharkov Region over past day

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

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Public tribunal releases more testimonies exposing Kiev forces' atrocities in Selidovo

According to the report, Ukrainian forces are known to have killed at least a hundred civilians

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

According to the sources, some of these makeshift morgues were destroyed by retreating Ukrainian troops

Press review: Israel approves US ceasefire agreement and Georgia's new parliament convenes

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 26th

Russia developing echeloned system for air and missile defense — expert

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that "this also applies to intermediate-range high-precision systems such as the Tomahawk and other weapons that NATO countries may provide to Ukraine"

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

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

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

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

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

Hamas ready for ceasefire in Gaza following truce in Lebanon

Earlier, the Israeli war cabinet approved a plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon

Serbian film director Kusturica announces plans to get Russian citizenship

"But I’m already Russian," Emir Kusturica said

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Lebanese premier approves roadmap for ceasefire with Israel

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

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

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

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

NATO said in the statement that Russia’s deployment of the missile called the Oreshnik will not change the course of the conflict

Preparation of Russia’s energy strategy until 2050 is in its final stage — PM Mishustin

The prime minister emphasized that increasing the energy and resource efficiency of the Russian economy is of paramount importance for the further sustainable development of the country

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

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

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

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

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

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

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West