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Alexander Stubb, Pekka Haavisto leading Finland’s presidential election

According to the country’s justice ministry, Stubb is scoring 28.3% of the vote and Haavisto - 25.8% after counting 61.1% of ballots

HELSINKI, January 28. /TASS/. Finland’s former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and former Foreign Minister and now lawmaker Pekka Haavisto are leading presidential election, the country’s justice ministry said.

According to the ministry, Stubb is scoring 28.3% of the vote and Haavisto - 25.8% after counting 61.1% of ballots. They are followed by parliament speaker Jussi Kristian Halla-aho (16.2%) and Central Bank governor Olli Ilmari Rehn (15.5%). Other candidates are winning less than ten percent.

Commenting on the preliminary results, Stubb said he is ready to face any candidate in the runoff round. "This is much more than I dared to expect. I have never been that grateful before. I would be happy to face any [rival] in the second round," he told the Yle television channel.

Haavisto, too, said he is satisfied with the polling results and noted that the runoff voting with his participation is quite possible.

The justice ministry is expected to finish counting ballots within hours, however official results will be announced only on January 30. If neither of the candidates win more than 50% of the vote, the runoff election will be held on February 11.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister — KCNA

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Syrian army eliminates hundreds of terrorists, repelling their attack on Aleppo, Idlib

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Russia to pour over OPCW report on use of toxins in Ukraine — diplomat

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

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

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

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Russian forces wipe out five ATACMS launchers using Iskander missiles

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

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Putin apologizes to Merkel over labrador incident

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Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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Aeroflot reports difficulties with purchases, returns of tickets

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Putin approves purchase of Russian Elevator Company from French grain trader Louis Dreyfus

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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

Borrell calls for preventing consolidation of whole world against West

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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"

Debt burden of Russian stands at 11% of total households income — Central Bank

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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

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

Hungary greenlights pouring of first concrete in Paks-2 NPP foundation — MFA

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted that in order to approve the construction of Paks-2, some not-so-simple safety measures had to be taken

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

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"

Rosneft produced 193.4 mln tons of hydrocarbons in 9M 2024 — company

Oil refining stood at 62.6 mln metric tons in nine months of this year

Russia weighs resumption of nuclear tests — senior diplomat

"The situation is quite complicated," Sergey Ryabkov said

Banning import of food from New Zealand won’t affect Russia — watchdog

Earlier on Friday, the Russian government extended the food embargo for countries that imposed sanctions against Russia until the end of 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

Putin signs law on taxation of digital currencies

According to the law, digital currency is recognized as property

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

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

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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

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

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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

Syria will not let terrorists 'achieve their diabolical goals,' top diplomat pledges

The top Iranian diplomat noted that the increased terrorist activity in northern Syria is tied to "the US-Israeli plan to destabilize the region amid the Israeli regime’s failures in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon"

Serbia lauds development of bilateral ties with Russia — Serbian parliament

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Welcome to Russia project helps to find spiritual, moral refuge — State Duma deputy

People want to move to Russia to preserve traditional values and maintain their own history, Maria Butina noted

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

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 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

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

Anti-Russia sanctions killing EU economies — Hungarian Foreign Minister

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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

Russian Embassy in Argentina monitors situation with malfunctioning ocean liner

The diplomatic mission said that they are in touch with the company organizing the cruise as well as with the Russian citizens onboard the vessel

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

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

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

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

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Syrian government forces attacking terrorist headquarters in Idlib, Al-Dana — media

The Syrian army command reported on November 28 that units of the Jabhat al-Nusra extremist group had staged a large-scale attack on Syria’s northern governorates the day prior

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"

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

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

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Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

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

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

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

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

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

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

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

Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $34.71 per metric ton from December 4

The export duty rate for wheat and meslin is calculated based on an indicative price of $223.8 per metric ton

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

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Russia to continue gathering evidence about Kiev’s chemical crimes — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia’s mission to the OPCW has submitted more than 30 notes to the organization, and they are available to the general public

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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Leonardo booking system’s functionality restored — Rostec

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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"

Russian aerospace forces eliminate at least 20 militants in Syria’s Aleppo, Idlib

Russia’s aerospace forces are backing the Syrian government army and deliver missile strikes on positions of illegal armed groups, their weapons, control centers, and weapons depots, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said

Oreshnik’s massive strike comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

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