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Middle East conflict

Israeli army withdraws one of its four divisions from Gaza Strip for rest, training

After its withdrawal, the 162nd Division will remain in northern Gaza "carrying out clean-up operations to locate Hamas’s infrastructure and kill or capture its remaining operatives," the media reported

TEL AVIV, January 15. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has withdrawn the 36th Division from the Gaza Strip for rest, recreation and training "as part of the IDF’s plans for a long war against Hamas," The Times of Israel said.

According to the paper, three divisions will continue fighting Hamas in Gaza. As the paper says, "Over the past two months, the 36th Division operated in northern Gaza, dismantling Hamas’s battalions." After its withdrawal, the 162nd Division will remain in northern Gaza "carrying out clean-up operations to locate Hamas’s infrastructure and kill or capture its remaining operatives," the paper said. The 99th Division "is operating in the central part of the Strip; and the 98th Division is fighting Hamas in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza," The Times of Israel added.

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 reported in the West Bank.

Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

The senior Serbian lawmaker stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and hailed the activities of groups for cooperation with Serbia in both houses of Russia’s parliament, adding that the Serbian parliamentary group of friendship with Russia "is traditionally one of the largest."

Peacekeepers deployment in Ukraine possible only with consent of all conflict parties

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said in a statement earlier in the day that the West may seek to achieve its objectives in Ukraine by implementing an actual occupation, deploying a so-called peacekeeping contingent of 100,000 personnel, with plans to divide the country among Romania, Poland, Germany, and the UK

Oreshnik’s massive strike comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

The Russian leader additionally stressed that "certainly, Oreshnik is not a weapon of mass destruction"

Israel ready for all-out war should Lebanon ceasefire be disrupted, PM says

"If the agreement is violated, we will proceed to an all-out war," Benjamin Netanyahu told

FACTBOX: What to know about attacks of militants on Syria’s government forces

No turning back on BRICS independent payment system

According to Sergey Ryabkov, BRICS is creating a payment structure that countries of the global majority can use to protect themselves from "hostile states" who want to do them harm

Western handlers beginning to dump Zelensky — Ukrainian politician

"Polls are now emerging where Zelensky is no longer at the top but in second or even third place," Viktor Medvedchuk noted

Ukrainian group of 22 servicemen surrenders in Kursk Region — law enforcement officials

Photos and videos of the surrender were also posted by military reporter and expert Boris Rozhin on his Telegram channel

Russia’s SVR chief questions role of NATO membership for Finnish people

"History shows that cooperation with Russia benefited Finland more than its previous attempts to follow the lead of aggressive Russophobic and even neo-Nazi policies," Sergey Naryshkin noted

Russia may block agenda of US Security Council presidency next month — mission to UN

First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said that the US may try to complicate life for the successors to the presidency

Up to 200,000 deserters in Ukrainian army, Verkhovna Rada MP says

Ukrainian troops are leaving their duties, as "bone-tired by the constancy of war, they are psychologically and emotionally scarred," the article reads

West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

Ukrainians flee from Kiev regime to regions reunited with Russia — politician

The process, which can today be confidently called the reunification of the Ukrainian people with Russia, began after the 2014 coup, Viktor Medvedchuk stressed

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine on conditions proposed in June — Putin

The head of state held a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry in June, where he listed the conditions for talks with Ukraine

Kiev opposes Washington's demand for lowering draft age — media

A representative of US President Joe Biden's administration had earlier stated that the Ukrainian military is facing a critical manpower shortage

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields, manpower in 146 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 330 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Putin believes that US President-elect Trump’s life may be in danger

Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts this year: one during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, and the second one in September, when a radical supporter of aid to Ukraine opened fire near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida

Biden’s initiative on Middle Eastern ceasefire overdue yet important — Erdogan

"Regional and global peace cannot be achieved unless an urgent, just, lasting ceasefire is established in Gaza," the Turkish leader stressed

Ukrainians facing critical battlefield situation amid manpower shortages — CNN

Earlier reports indicated that an official in the Biden administration had surmised that Ukrainian forces need more manpower

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

Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk area, Kharkov Region over week

Russian forces delivered one massive and 32 combined strikes by air-launched, seaborne and ground-based precision weapons, hitting Ukrainian military airfields and power facilities of defense enterprises over the past week, the ministry reported

Romania, Poland, Germany, UK plan to divide Ukraine — Russia's foreign intel

"A total of 100,000 so-called peacekeepers are planned to be sent to Ukraine," the SVR noted

Ukrainian servicemen abandon military units due to fear of Russian army — official

Kiev is constantly losing control over populated areas because "tens of thousands of tired and desperate Ukrainian servicemen are leaving their positions to flee in an unknown direction," the agency reported

Press review: CSTO discusses Russian weapons as US and Russia continue prisoner talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 29th

Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

Qatar holds negotiations to expand areas of mediation between Russia, Ukraine

"We hold negotiations on other kinds of mediation. Recently, we have started working on the issue of the POWs," Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari added

Russian football chief disappointed national team left off 2026 World Cup draw list

"Until the decision is reversed, our team will have no chance to participate in international competitions," Alexander Dyukov said

FACTBOX: Ukraine faces explosions, blackouts

Explosions occurred in Kiev, Nikolayev, Vinnitsa, Kropivnitskoye, Odessa, Kharkov, Lutsk, Ivanovo-Frankovsk, and Rovno

Bilateral exchanges between Russia, North Korea their own business — Chinese MFA

Mao Ning also stated that she was not aware of the details of Belousov's visit and reiterated that China's position on the Ukrainian crisis remains consistent

Russia works on transforming '3+3' platform into organization — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that the '3+3' regional cooperation platform is important for harmonizing the interests of all countries of the region

Case against Ukrainian militants, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the past day, the enemy lost more than 250 men, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored fighting vehicle, six cars and five mortars

Root causes need to be addressed to settle Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin spokesman

"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia doesn’t want to "expose to danger the lives and health of international experts amid the extensive use of various weapons" along the engagement line

US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

Kiev's defeatist rhetoric may be masking planned attacks on Russia — expert

The enemy may be trying to lull us into a false sense of security by saying that their situation is bad, only to hit us by surprise, Andrey Marochko said

Borrell calls for preventing consolidation of whole world against West

The EU diplomatic chief once again tried to portray Russia as an "imperialist" power that allegedly poses "an existential threat" to the EU, if the EU wishes to achieve victory in Ukraine

Russia launches 100 missiles at Ukraine in past two days — Putin

According to the president, overnight, the Russian Armed Forces launched a comprehensive strike with 90 missiles and 100 drones, hitting 17 Ukrainian military targets

Zelensky reshuffles Ukrainian military command

According to the statement, Mikhail Drapaty has been appointed as the new commander of the Ukrainian ground forces

Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

According to the law, digital currency is recognized as property

Putting Oreshnik's in Eastern Russia strategic play to help allies, counter US

According to Alexander Stepanov, the deployment makes sense in a situation where the Pentagon continues to project its military presence on Russia's eastern borders

Russia not going to leave strikes deep inside country unanswered — Putin

"As I have repeatedly said, we will always respond," the president emphasized

Ukraine not South Korea's ally to demand weapons — newspaper

The author of the article recalled that in September the Ukrainian ambassador to Tokyo visited the Yasukuni Shrine, considered in East Asia as a symbol of Japanese militarism, of which the Korean Peninsula was a victim

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

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

Presidential aide blames West for attempts to harm Russia at sea

Nikolay Patrushev said that in a situation like this Russia should firmly defend its position and prepare tools for the "comprehensive management of maritime activities aimed at ensuring national interests"

Russians wipe out three Ukrainian strongholds, over 20 Azov fighters in advance on Kharkov

According to Andrey Marochko, during their advance near Kopanki, which was liberated earlier this week, the Russian forces improved their tactical positions southwest of the locality as they also expanded their control zone at this sector of the line of engagement

Sending EU troops to Ukraine to make peace settlement impossible — Austrian lawmaker

Harald Vilimsky noted that the joint deployment of European troops will further escalate the security situation in Europe

Medvedev says Zelensky's fate won't be pretty if Ukraine faces second Maidan

The Russian senior official was indignant over the fact that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry "condemned the crackdown on protests in Georgia"

Paris grants Netanyahu immunity for Lebanon ceasefire role, French magazine says

The report indicates that shortly after the ICC issued its warrant, Macron had a phone conversation with Netanyahu, in which he acknowledged that Paris was obliged to respect the ICC and cooperate fully

Russian scientists to develop computer working at ‘speed of light’ by 2027 — researcher

"In the next two years, we plan to create a working prototype with processing speed of over 10 to the power of 19 operations per second, which significantly exceeds the current global level," Alexander Sergeyev said

IN BRIEF: How Russia responded to Kiev’s strikes deep into its territory

Here are the key points about the strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities

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

NATO growing more inclined to freeze Ukraine conflict — Russia’s SVR

"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

Russian passengers on Antarctica cruise liner with engine failure go on hunger strike

The liner left Cape Town on November 13 for a 20-day cruise, and passengers say they paid between $9,000 and $12,000 for the trip

Russia’s top diplomat slams NATO for discussions of preemptive strikes on Russia

"These claims were made by some admiral. Absolutely reckless. They have a lot of high-ranking military officials who have never even seen real battle," Sergey Lavrov stated

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

He made this comment answering a question if Russia can strike military hubs in Romania and Poland

Western analysts describe Russia's Oreshnik as longest-range weapon ever used in Europe

The recent strike on the Yuzhmash missile-producing plant in Ukraine demonstrated Russia’s "real military capability", a nuclear nonproliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said

Putin apologizes to Merkel over labrador incident

The president said that he "wanted to create a casual, friendly atmosphere" and did not know that the former German chancellor was afraid of dogs

Kiev can only produce 'dirty bomb,' Russia to give appropriate response — Putin

"Of course, it’s possible to produce something dirty - the so-called 'dirty bomb' - using waste from nuclear power plants," the Russian leader emphasized

Unidentified UAVs continue to appear over US Air Force bases in UK — newspaper

On Tuesday, about 60 British military experts were stationed at US airbases across the UK to operate a counter-UAV system to operate a counter-UAV system designed to detect, track and destroy them

Hungarian PM sounds alarm over presence of US, French troops in Ukraine

Additionally, the news that Russia used its latest Oreshnik high-precision ballistic missile, which has significant destructive power, to destroy Yuzhmash, a Ukrainian defense plant in Dnipro (previously known as Dnepropetrovsk), is alarming, Viktor Orban stressed

Design of super-heavy rocket to be finalized based on new technologies — Roscosmos

"The development of a super-heavy class rocket exposed a need for introducing innovative solutions, including new materials and engines," the press service said

Niger receives delivery of military equipment from Russia — TV

The report also stated that this delivery highlights the strengthening of military-technical cooperation between Russia and Niger

Several Oreshnik missiles equivalent to nuclear strike, do not harm environment — Putin

The Russian president still reiterated that such a strike is not nuclear, because it is highly accurate and not equipped with a nuclear explosive device

Syrian forces begin counteroffensive near Aleppo — TV

According to the report, the government forces have already liberated the town of El Bakoum

Russian forces wipe out five ATACMS launchers using Iskander missiles

In particular, two MLRS launchers and a transporter-loader vehicle were destroyed near the settlement of Tokari, and three HIMARS launchers were taken out near the settlement of Maly Bobrik, the statement reads

Biden unlikely to dare to seriously increase military aid to Kiev — expert

"The potential future use of Oreshnik will render ATACMS and Storm Shadow as battle-losing capabilities," a retired British diplomat and former economic counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow Ian Proud said

Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

Amid the successful advance of Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have been indiscriminately attacking civilian neighborhoods in Gorlovka, which is adjacent to Dzerzhinsk, Denis Pushilin said

Putin concludes state visit to Kazakhstan

Before leaving, the Russian president was answering journalists’ questions on various subjects for almost an hour

Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

The head of state is confident that there will be a quick response from the Russian side

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards eyes big response to Israel's latest attack

Iran’s Operation True Promise was carried out in April in response to the Israeli bombing of the Islamic republic’s embassy in Damascus

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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

Nuclear arms unable to protect Ukraine, likely to aggravate conflict — Chinese expert

"If Ukraine were to acquire nuclear weapons again, they would not only fail to enhance its security, but would escalate the Russia-Ukraine conflict into a potential nuclear war," Sun Qi said

US mercenary in-absentia arrest, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 340 troops, an armored personnel carrier, an armored combat vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, an artillery piece and six mortars

Three dead, 21 poisoned in social center in Russia’s Altay Region

It is reported that the organization’s premises were decontaminated and sanitized

Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

Gergely Gulyas was commenting on the decision of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to go to the Russian capital to celebrate the anniversary of Victory at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

"We urge Syria’s authorities to reassert control and restore constitutional order as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Biden's decision on ATACMS 'not panacea', it will harm Kiev — Defense News columnists

The article reads that the US intelligence community warned of the risks associated with US missile strikes on Russian territory and suggested abandoning the decision

Russia winning in Ukrainian conflict, Polish national security chief says

"The Russian side unquestionably holds both the initiative and the advantage on the battlefield," Head of the Polish National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera said

One in three relocated individuals return to Russia from Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime itself brands these figures as "terrible"

Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

Belarusian President Lukashenko points to 'NATOfication' of Europe, entire world

"The arms race is rapidly gaining momentum," Alexander Lukashenko underlined

Georgia suspends consultations on launch of EU accession talks until 2028

According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia needs to make European bureaucrats understand that they should use decent language with the country rather than employ blackmail and insults

Defense Minister notes active expansion of Russia-North Korea military cooperation

"We look forward to close and fruitful cooperation with our Korean comrades," Andrey Belousov said

UK continuing arms supplies to Kiev fraught with conflict of nuclear powers — diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

Closure of Russian consulates general in Poland possible, ambassador says

"Anything is possible, so we have long been prepared for any eventuality," Sergey Andreyev noted

Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

The Ukrainian officer said that each company in his battalion was supposed to have 120 men, but "due to deaths, injuries and desertions," some companies had as few as 10 soldiers

Russia's opponents see Finland as springboard in case of open conflict — politician

Leonid Slutsky noted that the current and previous leadership of Finland has been and remains engaged "on the lower turn of the sine wave, which is now marked by a sharp cooling of bilateral relations"

Chad severs defense cooperation agreement with France — AFP

On April 18, the Chadian authorities sent a letter to the United States, in which they notified Washington about their intent to sever the military agreement

Russia, North Korea remain good neighbors, longtime friends — Russian defense minister

"The most important outcome of the summit was the signing of a new fundamental interstate document - the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and North Korea," Andrey Belousov stressed

Iran informs IAEA of plans to install more uranium enrichment units — report

Tehran informed the IAEA that eight recently added cascades of IR-6 machines would enrich uranium to up to 5% purity

Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

The Russian president also spoke about inflation and the ruble exchange rate, noting that the situation is under control

Britain’s MI6 chief admits London's involvement in covert operations in Ukraine

According to Richard Moore, the cost of supporting Kiev was "well known"

Scholz shares details of talks with Putin, Zelensky says

The conversation between the Russian president and the German chancellor took place on November 15

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Russia sees no need to downgrade relations with Poland, ambassador says

Sergey Andreyev explained that relations will eventually need to be restored, so Russia does not want to initiate an escalation

Over 400 terrorists from Jabhat al-Nusra group wiped out in Aleppo, Idlib in past day

According to the Russian military, Jabhat al-Nusra’s units carried out 13 shelling attacks on the Syrian army’s positions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past day, with 12 attacks reported in the Idlib province and another one in the Aleppo Province

Putin slams election mudslinging against Trump’s family as 'vile'

According to the Russian president, when gangs fight with each other, they "don’t target women and children but leave them alone"

Putin declares Kazakhstan visit a success

The Russian leader pointed out that Kazakhstan is more than just a trusted ally of Russia

Georgian Police pushes protesters from entire Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi

Several people were apprehended