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EU’s Borrell meets Hezbollah delegation — report

The source told the television channel that Hezbollah’s delegation was led by Mohammad Raad, a member of the Lebanese legislature

BEIRUT, January 7. /TASS/. Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell has met with a delegation from Hezbollah during his trip to Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, citing a source in the Lebanese government.

The source told the television channel that Hezbollah’s delegation was led by Mohammad Raad, a member of the Lebanese legislature. Hezbollah representatives reportedly informed Borrel that the party would not discuss the situation in the south of Lebanon until Israel ends its aggression in the Gaza Strip.

On Friday, the EU mission in Lebanon said that the top EU diplomat would travel to Beirut from January 5-7 to discuss with the leadership of the country the situation in its south and in the Gaza Strip. The agenda of Borrell's visit also includes meetings with Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Joseph Aoun and the commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, Spanish General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz.

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Middle East conflict

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Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

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

Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

Earlier, it was reported that the Russian forces had advanced for over 2 km near Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye Region

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Trump promises to impose 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico, Canada

Mexico and Canada have every right and opportunity to easily resolve this long-standing problem, US president-elect said

T-90M tank shows itself as best in the world in real fight — Medvedev

Many experts believe this is the best tank of our time, compared to Western counterparts in particular, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council said

UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

"A mercenary from Britain has been taken prisoner in the Kursk area," the person said

No int’l restrictions on deployment of Oreshnik systems — senior Russian diplomat

When asked if the 1998 Russian-US memorandum of understanding on notifications of missile launches remained in effect, Sergey Ryabkov answered in the affirmative

Explosion occurs at oil refinery in western Turkey, cause being investigated — TV

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. (local time)

Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

The UN Secretary-General urged world leaders to join the Ottawa Convention

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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Earlier, Trump promised to impose an additional 10% tariff on all goods from China due to the alleged large-scale drug smuggling from China into the US

Western air defense systems unlikely to intercept Russian missiles — France’s Le Monde

According to the French military source, Russia's recent use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile should be taken in the context of possible negotiations regarding the ongoing Ukrainian conflict

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russia "will continue insisting on the most resolute measures to stop the bloodshed in Gaza," Dmitry Polyansky added

Russia will respond 'in every way' to Seoul’s arms supply to Kiev — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko called on South Korean to soberly assess the situation and refrain from "reckless steps"

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

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North Korea dismantles power lines in Kaesong on border with South Korea

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Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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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

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

Moscow to announce new Russian ambassador to US after relevant decree is signed — Kremlin

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Antonov from the office of Ambassador of Russia to the United States

'Western vector' leaves Ukraine poorest country in Europe — politician

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

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Rajnath Singh will participate in the flag-raising ceremony of the Project 11356 frigate and its transfer to the Indian Navy," the source said

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Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who leads the Social Democratic Party, ended up third with 19.15% of the vote

Europe's 'hotheads' for sending troops to Ukraine, but there is no unity — Kremlin

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

According to Russian security council deputy chairman, this primarily concerns drones

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

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Restrictions under New START treaty don’t apply to Oreshnik missile — Russian diplomat

"As for New START, you are well aware of our decision to suspend it," Sergey Ryabkov said

UK delivered dozens of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev weeks ago — news agency

Bloomberg pointed out that the missiles were sent before the US and UK authorization to use long-range precision-guided weapons to launch strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia

Russia delivers 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over past year

Such work will continue, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said

Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

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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

Netanyahu convenes security cabinet amid talks on Lebanon

Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, noted that "the agenda of the meeting will be announced at a later date"

Russian diplomat doesn’t rule out missile deployment in Asia as response to US’ actions

Sergey Ryabkov warned Russia’s adversaries against settling into a "false sense of security"

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

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

He pointed out that to this end, Russia will continue to support Kabul's integration into regional structures and associations

Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Lebanon wary of reports of potential ceasefire with Israel

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Fire breaks out in Japan during test of Epsilon S rocket engine

There were no casualties as a result of the incident, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said

Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

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

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Russia acted responsibly in warning US about Oreshnik missile launch, Kremlin says

The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

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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"

Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Alexey Erkhov also recalled Russia's interest in participating in the implementation of the second NPP in Turkey

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It is specified that the Ukrainian army’s losses in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours amounted to 30 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and four motor vehicles

Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments," Dmitry Peskov said

Top Israeli defense official announces construction of fence on border with Jordan

"We are going to do it very quickly," Israel Katz said

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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US did not contact Russia after use of Oreshnik missile — Deputy Foreign Minister

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US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace 16 times in past day

Apart from that, one violation of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles was reporte

British mercenary claims he was sent to Russia’s Kursk Region against his will

The captive explained that he had served as a private in a battalion for four months

Shooting of Selidovo residents by Ukrainian troops meant to repeat Bucha provocation

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

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Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

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FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Azimuth airline caught fire as the plane landed at Antalya Airport on Sunday, TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

Gazprom, Moldova plan to continue discussing gas supplies from January 1, Moldova's debt

The company also noted that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov discussed cooperation in the gas sector at a working meeting

Trump promises to impose 10% tariffs on goods from China, allegedly due to drug smuggling

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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London intensifies anti-Russian campaign in face of impending ‘Ukrainian project’ failure

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France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

Georgescu is reserved about Romania’s NATO membership and he has been cautiously pushing for normalization with Russia

Russians liberate about 8 square kilometers east of Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

Earlier, Rogov said Russian forces had pushed toward that locality from Novodonetskoye in the southeast and Yasnaya Polyana in the northeast

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 mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

Russia gave OPCW over 30 reports proving Ukraine used banned substances, official says

Kirill Lysogorsky noted that "the Kiev regime continues to systematically use toxic chemicals and chemical riot control agents"

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

Fire at warehouse in southern Moscow completely extinguished

The firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to the adjacent building, where freon is stored

French politician calls for protests against deployment of Western troops to Ukraine

Florian Philippot called on his supporters to rally "in support for peace and against this madness" on December 1

Ukrainian forces indiscriminately shoot Selidovo passers-by — Russian envoy

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British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

The new fighter-bombers have undergone necessary testing and have been sent to the places of their operation, Vadim Badekha noted

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

Kabul counts on Moscow to help neutralize Western pressure

"We can assure you that the Islamic Emirate is a reliable economic partner," Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said

Ukrainian army mercenaries from Colombia linked to US-controlled drug cartels — expert

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Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

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Warehouse catches fire in southern Moscow, over 2,500 square meters on fire

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Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"