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Bill on aid for Ukraine fails procedural vote in US Senate

The initiative implied allocation of over $118 billion of additional funding

WASHINGTON, February 7. /TASS/. The package bill on aid to Israel and Ukraine and on tightening control measures on the US’ southern border failed the first procedural vote in the US Senate. The vote was live streamed on the Senate website.

The initiative implied allocation of over $118 billion of additional funding. Of those, $60.06 billion were proposed to spend on supporting Ukraine, $14.1 billion - to aid Israel, and $20.23 billion - on securing the border with Mexico.

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Ukraine United States Israel

Georgescu wins first round of Romania’s presidential vote as ballot tally ends

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

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Moscow doing everything to bring Russian citizens back home — Kremlin spokesman

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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

Ukraine sustains almost 65,000 casualties from Russia’s Battlegroup North since May

Also, since mid-May, the Ukrainians have sustained at least 2,500 casualties per week from the Battlegroup West which has been active in areas adjacent to the area of the Battlegroup North’s responsibility

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

Trump ‘incredibly concerned’ about escalation in Ukraine, his NSA pick Waltz says

Trump is "incredibly concerned" about the escalation that is taking place and "where it’s all going," he said on Fox News

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

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

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Netanyahu approves deal with Hezbollah 'in principle' — report

The Israeli news website Ynet also reported earlier that Israel tentatively approved a proposed ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, and it is now subject to final endorsement by the cabinet

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

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

Putin doesn’t let US feel comfortable on global stage — Turkish columnist

Melih Altinok also praised Putin for "not surrendering to the World Health Organization during the pandemic" and pursuing the nation’s own policy in fighting the virus

Kremlin sees US-led West ready to do anything to suppress Russia

The situation is "unprecedented," the spokesman told the reporter from the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

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

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

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

Dmitry Peskov said that he himself did not know about this work before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it

Peace deal between Israel, Hezbollah 'very close' — TV

The Ynet news website reported earlier that Israel had given a preliminary green light to a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, subject to final approval by the cabinet

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

Guterres condemns supply of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine

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

Ciolacu, Lasconi to face off in presidential runoff in Romania next month — exit polls

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

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Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

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

Kremlin accuses Biden’s team of trying to thwart Trump’s efforts for settlement in Ukraine

According to the Kremlin spokesman, the Biden administration continues escalation because it is a "party of war" that sees Ukraine as a tool to fight Russia

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

Putin, Turkish president hold phone talks — Kremlin

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

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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’s updated nuclear doctrine is a signal to the West, Kremlin confirms

Dmitry Peskov also noted that the outgoing US administration is taking increasingly reckless steps, increasing tensions around the Ukrainian conflict

Ukrainian army admits loss of 40% of territories it controlled in Kursk Region — agency

"At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometers, now of course this territory is smaller," the source said

US Army under Trump may fire all trans persons — media

Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth has publicly railed against weak and "effeminate" leadership in the Armed Forces, saying that the next commander-in-chief will have to get his house in order

Gazprombank’s UnionPay cards no longer serviced in several countries

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"

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"

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

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

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

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Russian troops mopping up enemy positions in Yelizavetovka in Donbass region — politician

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Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

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Comprehensive partnership agreement between Russia, Iran to cover defense sphere

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Most of Russian weapons manufactured inside Russia — Medvedev

Russian, North Korean ministers of sport agree on exchanges in 2025 — KCNA

The Russian delegation has toured sports facilities and memorials in Pyongyang and viewed a Taekwondo demonstration

Putin has high hopes for cancer vaccine being developed in Russia

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

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Cyprus submits NATO accession plan to US — report

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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

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

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

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Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

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

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"

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

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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

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Over the reporting period, Russian forces also destroyed 11 tanks, 89 field artillery guns, 16 electronic warfare and counterbattery radar stations, 33 field ammunition depots and more than 230 combat vehicles of the Ukrainian army in those frontline areas, Andrey Marochko said

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

In recent months, the number of Ukrainian employees with exemptions from military service has increased from 900,000 to 1.6 million

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

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

US officials believe that ramping up weapons supplies to Ukraine is unlikely to change the situation in the combat zone short term, but it may help Kiev strengthen its stance in case a truce is reached

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

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

According to Zaluzhny, European countries lack munitions to shoot down air bombs

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

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

"Based on the tasks and the range of this weapon, it can hit targets across entire Europe, which sets it apart from other high-precision long-range weapons," Sergey Karakayev said

Kremlin spokesman says EU will look back on its foreign policy under Borrell with shame

According to Peskov, the EU is far from taking an independent, sober view of what is happening

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

Cargo plane crashes near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

One of the pilots reportedly survived the crash, while no information is currently available about the other people on board

Kremlin doesn’t see Trump’s future term through ‘rose-colored glasses’ — spokesman

Trump is scheduled to be sworn in as president on January 20, 2025

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

Nikita Zhuravel was detained in May 2023 in Volgograd for setting fire to the Quran in front of a mosque, and during questioning, he confessed that he did it for money, under instructions from Ukrainian intelligence

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

According to the Russian foreign minister, the West is directly involved in the use of long-range weapons against Russia, as not a single missile could be launched without its involvement

Warehouse with containers of flammable liquids on fire in Barnaul — Emergencies ministry

As the ministry’s the regional headquarters reported, the area of the fire is 6,000 square meters

Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside 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

Russia to toughly respond to Japan’s steps against it — Deputy Foreign Minister

According to Andrey Rudenko, Tokyo has no intention to change anything to the positive side

Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

According to the sources, this is driven by the fact that Washington may scale back support for Ukraine after Donald Trump returns to office as US president on January 20, 2025

Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

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

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

Russian armed forces defeat Ukrainian assault Battalion Shkval in DPR

Kiev forces lost over 440 troops in battlegroup group West responsibility zone

US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

"There is more in the Russian arsenal than many believe," said Karin Kneissl, the former Foreign Minister of Austria

Russian MFA withholds public comment on nominee for new ambassador to US

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Anatoly Antonov of his duties as Russian ambassador to the US

Abkhazia did not reach point of no return, ex-president says

Aslan Bzhania believes that the recent developments in the republic have inflicted reputational damage on it

Georgian presidential elections should be held in 2024 — parliament speaker

Shalva Papuashvili also noted that the parliament will determine the exact date of the election on Tuesday

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"

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

Ukrainian strikes inside Russia impossible without Western support — newspaper

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 12 that Ukraine was unable to strike inside Russia without the West’s assistance because it would require intelligence data from satellites and flight assignments

Ukrainian military fires over 50 projectiles at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

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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

Russia’s Sukhoi jet catches fire while landing in Turkey

According to HaberGlobal television, all 79 passengers on board were evacuated

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

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