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Middle East conflict

Blinken meets Netanyahu, stresses importance of avoiding further civilian harm in Gaza

The US secretary of state "welcomed the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, pledging close cooperation with her in this new capacity"

WASHINGTON, January 9./TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of avoiding further harm to Gaza civilians and damage to infrastructure, Spokesperson for the Department of State Matthew Miller said.

According to a written statement, Blinken met with Netanyahu and the Israeli War Cabinet in Tel Aviv. "The Secretary reaffirmed our support for Israel’s right to prevent the terrorist attacks of October 7 from being repeated and stressed the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza," the spokesperson reported.

The document specified that Blinken and Netanyahu "discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and the importance of increasing the level of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza." The US secretary of state "welcomed the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, pledging close cooperation with her in this new capacity." Blinken reiterated "the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realization of a Palestinian state," Miller added.

Blinken also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, stressing the need to take all possible precautions to minimize harm to civilians.

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 people hostage, including women, children and the elderly. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on targets in the enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.

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

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Candidate for post of top diplomat confirms bid to join NATO, EU a priority for Georgia

On Monday, acting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze endorsed Bochorishvili as a candidate for the position of the republic’s foreign minister to replace Ilia Darchiashvili

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

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Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

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

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

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

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Iran challenges US, UK, France military capabilities, IRGC general says

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

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

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

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New EU sanctions on Russia may target 80 individuals, entities — agency

In addition, the EU proposes imposing restrictions on some 30 organizations allegedly assisting Moscow in acquiring military technologies

Biden team may escalate global tensions to highest level, FSB chief warns

According to Alexander Bortnikov, the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies will continue trying "to blatantly interfere in allied relations within the CIS, hinder integration processes, and undermine our joint efforts to ensure security and stability across the Commonwealth"

Moscow concerned with outgoing US President Biden’s escalation strategy — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov’s statement comes in the wake of US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby who said earlier that the American administration had provided the Ukrainian armed forces with instructions on selecting targets for strikes using American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

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

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

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Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

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

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Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin added that the Western capitals "stopped thinking about strategically defeating Russia and shifted to thinking about how to avoid such a defeat themselves"

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"

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

Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

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

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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

US Justice Department drops federal cases against Trump — transition team

"Today's decision by the Department of Justice ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law," Steven Cheung, Communications Director of the polician’s transition team, said

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

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

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

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

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

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Donbass was in danger of genocide from Ukraine, Serbian expert says

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German activists demand compensation from Ukraine for Nord Stream explosion

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The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

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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

NATO expanding presence in Arctic, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian regions — FSB chief

According to Alexander Bortnikov, a US lab network is reportedly working to implement a program to create biological weapons of selective action, while citing the need to combat some "biological threats" as an excuse

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A spokesperson for the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of Issues Related to Ukrainian War Crimes (JCCC), in turn, told TASS that the last day when no shelling attacks were reported in the region was in 2023

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

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

The realization of the impending failure of the ‘Ukrainian project’ London has been staking on in hopes of capitalizing on plans to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ on our country by proxy is now as clear as ever," the embassy said

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

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

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

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

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

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

Emergence of new weapons changed canons of war, Medvedev says

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

Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

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

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

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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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

Anglo-Saxons secretly push Kiev toward nuclear terrorism — FSB head

"The minds of the Ukrainian population have been reformatted in a Russophobic way," Alexander Bortnikov stated

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

According to Vyacheslav Khomenko, soldiers in his platoon don’t have required combat experience

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

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

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

The South Korean servicemen speculate that the transmission line supports, which have been out of service since June 2020 when the power supply was cut after the bombing of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, will also be dismantled soon

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

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

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

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

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

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

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

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"

Kremlin spokesman advises those fearing nuclear escalation to review Russia’s doctrine

"You should listen to President Putin’s statements attentively and carefully assess the actions by the authorities of this or that country of the collective West that is directly involved in these conflicts," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Proposal to give Kiev nuclear arms highly extremist — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that this is an absolutely irresponsible line of reasoning from those with a poor grasp of reality

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

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

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

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

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

Ukrainian forces indiscriminately shoot Selidovo passers-by — Russian envoy

According to Rodion Miroshnik, Ukrainian security forces came to places where there were generators, where people came to get water, and could shoot a person

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

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

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

Kiev forces lose over 450 troops in Battlegroup Center responsibility area in one day

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy lost more than 450 servicemen, a tank, five vehicles, a 203-mm self-propelled gun Pion, a 152-mm howitzer Msta-B, 2 152-mm guns D-20 and 2 122-mm howitzers D-30

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

The shooting of civilians could have been meant to "simply intimidate people who want to continue living on their soil," Russian foreign ministry’s ambassador at large, Rodion MIroshnik said

Current rules to prevent Europe from winning 'future arms battle,' French admiral warns

According to the media outlet, the French admiral expects next year’s NATO summit in The Hague to send a message to the European Union: "If you want to stay in the arms race, change your rules"