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Middle East conflict

US considering possibility of airdropping aid into Gaza — media

According to the United Nations, the amount of aid reaching Gaza fell by half in February compared to January

WASHINGTON, February 29. /TASS/. Washington is considering the possibility of airdropping humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip from US military planes as deliveries by land become increasingly difficult, the Axios news website reported, citing US officials.

According to the sources, the fact that the US administration is considering such a move indicates its growing concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The situation is really bad. We are unable to get enough aid [in] by truck so we need desperate measures like airdrops," one of the officials said. The sources point out that the White House only recently started discussing this option.

"The officials said that airdrops can offer some help due to the extreme need, but the only way to move aid into Gaza at the scale that is required is by land," Axios notes.

According to the United Nations, the amount of aid reaching Gaza fell by half in February compared to January. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that a joint operation with Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the US and France had been carried out with 160 packages of food and medical equipment airdropped into southern Gaza and the Jordanian field hospital in Khan Yunis.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7, 2023, 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. Israel started carrying out retaliatory strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. On December 1, the Israeli army accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire that had taken effect on November 24 and resumed combat operations in the Gaza Strip.

US cannot confirm downing of MQ-9 Reaper drone by Houthis

The movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said earlier that a US MQ-9 drone had been downed when it was carrying out hostile actions over the airspace of the Marib province

Friendly football match between Russia and Thailand canceled — source

The match was scheduled to take place on September 7, but was canceled due to bad weather

Serbia sees how high Putin values it — deputy PM

The deputy prime minister pointed out that the presence of high-ranking officials at the meeting was meaningful for Serbia

Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

According to the Russian defense minister, the liberation of several residential settlements in Donbass, disclosed Kiev attempts to prevent the collapse of the front

Ukraine loses over 600 men after Russian attack on Poltava military school — politician

Igor Mosiychuk noted that the blame for what happened lies mainly with the Ukrainian military authorities, who allowed such a large number of servicemen to gather in one place

Russia’s 4th Yasen-class submarine completes hydraulic tests

The first Project 885 nuclear submarine Severodvinsk was delivered to the Russian Navy in 2014

Putin says Russia 'backs' Harris post-Biden exit

The Russian president joked that Harris’ "laughter is so expressive and contagious," that you can assume "she’s doing well"

Russian government orders to set up embassy in Dominican Republic

According to the order, the Russian Foreign Ministry is to determine the number of the embassy staff and to endorse the schedule

West doesn’t want to listen to Russia’s concerns – Kremlin

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, these accusations are "direct evidence that they are not going to take Russia's position into account at all"

Ukrainian ambassador’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine 'affronts' Asian peoples — Chinese daily

The newspaper also recommended Sergey Korsunsky not to forget about China's peacekeeping efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict

Conflict in Ukraine to be settled through talks — Pentagon chief

"We are going continue to work to put Ukraine in the best possible position" for peace talks, Lloyd Austin pledged

Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

Ramzan Kadyrov noted that there is no need to worry about hostilities currently happening on Russian territory

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Kalinovo settlement in DPR

The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost up to 810 servicemen in the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup over the day

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Miners’ power consumption in Russia above 2.5 GW — Bitriver

"Gray miners make connections to public utility networks using tariffs for households, which are not designed for the consumption profile characteristic for mining," the statement reads

French war correspondent says country had hand in planning attack on Kursk

It is reported that France strategically calls its military specialists in Ukraine mercenaries to avoid responsibility

Russia already won special military op — army official

"Our next task is to do everything possible to ensure that we remain a united family ready for future challenges," Apty Alaudinov said

Kremlin spokesman denies Russia meddles in US elections

"This is not the first time that Russia has been blamed for interfering into America’s elections," Dmitry Peskov told

Russian units expand offensive bridgehead in DPR over week

According to the report, the Russian forces liberated several residential areas in the region

Trump says he was offended by Putin’s ironic remark about endorsing Harris

Earlier, the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Lavrov says his only meeting with Kuleba lacked constructiveness

The minister noted making an exception while visiting Antalya - there were no plans to participate in this diplomatic conference, because it did not fit into the schedule

Ukraine’s 80th Brigade mopped up Kursk Region villages — captured solder says

Oleg Ivanenko surrendered to the Akhmat special forces on August 16

White House irked by Putin’s ironic comment about US elections

Earlier the Russian leader said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

South Africa considering oil supplies from Russia — ambassador in Moscow

Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka added that PetroSA, the largest state-owned oil and gas corporation in South Africa, is in touch with all Russian oil and gas majors, including Gazprom and Tatarstan-based Tatneft

Azerbaijan, Armenia agree on 80% of peace treaty’s wording — President Aliyev

"We are actively continuing negotiations, with almost 80% of the peace treaty paragraphs having been approved," the president noted

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

Russia's hydro potential allows to build 250 GW of hydroelectric power stations — minister

Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev emphasized that Russia will use this potential in stages

Telegram founder may be forced to hand over encryption keys to France — Medvedev

The politician thinks that the French authorities will have to release Pavel Durov sooner or later in order not to tarnish their reputation due to the general negative reaction to his detention

West escalates situation in Ukraine, does not want a ceasefire — Iranian Ambassador

The ambassador stressed that "this is the West's approach not only to Ukraine".

Saturn to appear extra large, bright in night sky on September 8

The opposition of planets is a configuration which puts their centers on a common line

Iranian President plans to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan — Ambassador

There Masoud Pezeshkian plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kazem Jalali said

Voter turnout at gubernatorial election in Kursk Region nears 47%

As many as 55,040 people took part in the voting online

Over 100 mosques, three churches destroyed in Gaza in Israel’s strikes — Hamas

It condemned the strike on the Great Omari Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the Gaza Strip, which led to its partial destruction

Turkey's entry into BRICS will encourage other countries to join association — expert

It is reported that Turkey's corresponding decision stems from its intention to enhance its status in the changing geopolitical order amid the world’s irreversible drift to multipolarity

Procedure to enter Russia for foreigners not sharing Western values simplified

Such visitors will be issued three-month visas based on the decision by the head of a Russian diplomatic mission or a consulate

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

Ukraine’s troops cling to outskirts of Krasnogorovka, sustain daily losses — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said Russian soldiers were very resourceful in selecting methods and tactics of liberating the city, as well as rescuing the local population

Another Ukrainian projectile destroyed over Kursk Region

Earlier in the day, Governor Alexey Smirnov reported that two Ukrainian projectiles had been shot down over the Kursk Region

Putin calls West's policy to ban Russia from dollar settlements ‘stupid’

The head of state noted that in this situation, Russia and its friendly countries are switching to national currencies in their mutual settlements

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

According to the report, the Russian military repelled two attacks by enemy assault groups towards Matveyevka and Olgovka, and foiled Ukrainian attempts to attack three settlements

Putin appreciates Brazil, India, China for trying to help resolve Ukraine crisis

Russia will always protect its interests and the interests of people in Ukraine who fight for their rights to speak Russian and for their traditions, the Russian leader emphasized

Putin congratulates city residents on Moscow City Day

The Russian President called Moscow a symbol and a reliable stronghold of Russian statehood

Former NASA chief hopes for US-Russia-China cooperation in outer space

"I'm one of these guys, it's kind of odd, my hope is that at some point we'll reach out and bring the Chinese into the collaboration, the partners in space flight," the former chief of the US space agency said

Russian forces advance in some areas in Kursk direction, senior commander says

According to Apty Alaudinov, while there has been "heavy fighting since this morning," Russian forces "have been gradually eliminating the enemy, driving them out, while pressing forward"

Ukrainian mass resignations speak of Kiev's transition to full dictatorship — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik emphasized that many deputies, even from the President's Servant of the People party, are no longer willing to follow the instructions of the President's Office

US, Europe working on substitutes for S-300 system, R-27 missile — Pentagon chief

Earlier, Western media outlets reported that Ukraine had failed to fully replace Soviet-made S-300 missile systems with Western-manufactured ones

Passenger left note about bomb onboard Indian plane landed in Turkey in plane’s restroom

No attempt to identify the man that left the note has been made so far, it will be done later, Governor of the Turkish province of Erzurum said

Striking Ukrainian reserves: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the Ukrainian military lost up to 370 servicemen and 17 armored vehicles

BRICS countries may present instruments for mutual settlements at summit in Kazan

The key principles in designing the new financial system are decentralization of international interaction and the use of digital technologies, Andrey Mikhailishin said

NATO invades Russia in Kursk Region, ex-US intel officer says

Scott Ritter noted that the Russian army was learning from the situation in the Kursk Region and would use that experience in the future

Iran’s mission to UN denies country supplies weapons to sides of conflict in Ukraine

The statement followed a report by the Wall Street Journal that alleged, citing unnamed US and European officials, that Iran supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia

Kiev reiterates hopes for Moscow’s attendance of second peace conference

"It is very difficult to end this war diplomatically without the Russian side," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said

Russia effectively fighting foreign military instructors in Ukraine — Kremlin

"Foreign countries are definitely involved in the conflict," Dmitry Peskov noted

German fighter jets practice landings in Finland, 180 km from Russian border

The German Air Force told the newspaper that the German fighter jets had been practicing landings in Finland since September 4

Chernobyl would pale in comparison to strike on Kursk NPP — Rosatom chief

On August 8, fragments of downed Ukrainian projectiles were discovered on the premises of the Kursk NPP

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

China launches remote sensing satellites

The satellites of this group will be used for testing new technologies of low-orbit constellations

Russian forces use drones in road mining to wipe out enemy vehicles — businessman

According to Alexey Chadayev, the new method has an advantage in that a mining device can be produced directly at the site of combat

Putin didn’t pass along new information about potential unrest, Kremlin spokesman says

"We continue to have regular communication at various levels, including in very, very sensitive areas," Dmitry Peskov noted

UK to extend training program for Ukrainian soldiers in 2025

Defense Secretary John Healey said that since early 2022, as many as 45,000 Ukrainian personnel have been trained under Operation Interflex, which provided them with "the vital skills they need to defend their nation"

Response to mpox requires $290 mln over six months — WHO

"The strategy, plan and resource requirement will be reviewed and adjusted quarterly," the organization said

Landing humans on Mars needs international collaboration — former NASA chief

However, the former chief of the US space agency was skeptical about the prospect of a private company’s capability of sending humans to Mars alone

There should be less talk about militarization of space, says former NASA chief

According to Charles Bolden, he felt that his job was to to maintain peace

EAEU, SCO, BRICS can become backbone of global economic regulatory system

According to him, it is necessary to remove existing legislative barriers, primarily in the area of taxation and currency control

Oil market still underestimates OPEC+ actions and geopolitical risks — experts

Finam analyst Nikolay Dudchenko noted that yesterday’s OPEC+ decision demonstrates the cartel’s readiness to continue controlling the situation on the oil market

Downed drone causes fire at warehouse in Gomel, Belarus, no one injured — Ministry

It is reported that the fire damaged 5 square meters of the roof

Press review: Mongolia shoves Putin's arrest warrant and big deals abound at EEF

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 4th

Putin slams Germany's refusal to turn on Nord Stream 2 as lunacy, nonsense

If Nord Stream 2 is brought back online, 27.5 bln cubic meters of gas would immediately go to Europe, the Russian leader stressed

Kiev’s allies worried Ukraine could be pushed out of Kursk border area in a few months

Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Kiev could use the situation in the Kursk Region "as a bargaining chip in talks"

Ukrainian forces daily send troops to Kursk area, suffering losses — commander

In particular, three Baba Yaga drones and three mortars were destroyed during the day

EU officials focus on serving US energy interests, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova noted that the EU distorted facts and spread direct disinformation to portray Russia as an unreliable energy supplier

Paris sees 26,000 people take to streets protesting against Macron’s policy — prefecture

Against this backdrop, Jean-Luc Melenchon, founder of the leftist France Unbowed party, said about the onset of the "right of the strongest" in France and called on supporters for a "long-term struggle" against Macron’s policy

Russian Air Defense shoots down 4 HIMARS MLRS missiles, 3 Hammer bombs, 30 Ukrainian UAVs

The Russian Defense Ministry added that since the beginning of the special military operation, Russian troops have destroyed 17,953 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 14,226 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 25,766 special military vehicles

Ukraine runs out of money to pay its military — Rada committee

Roksolana Pidlasa clarified that the difficulties regarding the payments arose as the US did not provide military assistance to Kiev in the first quarter of 2024 due to delays in the approval of the relevant bill in Congress

Medvedev touts Russia as global leader in drone warfare thanks to special op

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed out that no one could have imagined that drone usage would become so widespread before the special military operation

Top Hungarian diplomat condemns idea of using Western weapons deep inside Russia

According to the statement, Peter Szijjarto "reiterated Hungary’s commitment to diplomacy over arms, emphasizing that Hungary remains the only EU and NATO member that has not and will not supply weapons to Ukraine"

Political stability in Russia is of particular importance today, says President Putin

"The Single Voting Day is held across Russia on September 8," the head of state said

Three civilians wounded in Ukrainian shelling attack on borderline Belgorod Region

The governor added that two houses and four outbuildings caught fire after shells hit them

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian training center with NATO instructors in Poltava

Vladimir Saldo stressed that the military bloc is providing both financial and administrative support for the operation of such centers

35 radicals eliminated, 45 detained by Israeli military in West Bank over past week

Dozens of weapons and explosive devices were seized and three laboratories manufacturing explosives were wiped out, the IDF said

Belarus won’t be drawn into military confrontation with Ukraine, Russian senator believes

According to Konstantin Kosachev, Russian-Belarusian cooperation is the most important element for preventing "this situation from developing in some unpredictable and uncontrollable direction"

Russia to allocate $1.9 bln for purchases of currency, gold from September 6 to October 4

Daily volume of purchase of foreign currency and gold will equal 8.2 bln rubles

Former US President Trump can 'hardly' resolve Ukrainian conflict within 24 hours

Russian Ambassador to London Andrey Kelin noted that Russia was "not going to stop with its offensive actions" even if negotiations on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine were launched

Press review: Big bucks flow at EEF and Macron's PM pick has left talking impeachment

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 6th

Russia says its Grad MLRS destroys Ukrainian positions near border in Kursk Region

The ministry said that, in cooperation with forward reconnaissance teams and unmanned aircraft, Grad crews strike enemy locations, strongholds and observation posts

More than 500,000 Israelis protesting in Tel Aviv — organizers

Similar protests took place in Jerusalem, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Be'er Sheva, Netanya, Rehovot and Rishon LeZion

IAEA intends to increase cooperation with Russia

"I hope everybody understands the work of the IAEA, the technical basis of what we do, and our un-relentless compromise with nuclear safety," Director General Rafael Grossi stressed

Ukraine may receive about 2 million FPV-drones by year-end — expert

"According to open sources, in 2023, about 40 billion rubles was allocated to finance the Ukrainian project Drone Army," a representative of the Center for Unmanned Competences said

Scholz wants to know who is behind Nord Stream blasts — government spokesman

According to Steffen Hebestreit, the topic of the Nord Steams act of sabotage is still on the agenda, including in contacts with Kiev

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.1 mln cubic meters

Earlier, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said that the events in the Sudzha area of the Kursk region have already led to a sharp increase in the price of natural and liquefied gas

Russia’s neutral athletes invited to attend 2024 Paralympics closing ceremony — RPC chief

"Not everyone will be in attendance at the closing ceremony, because on the following day our athletes are scheduled to take a lengthy flight to Russia with a stop in [Turkey’s] Istanbul," Pavel Rozhkov said

Russia plans to create 90 nm lithography machine — minister

The first commercial specimen of the lithographic printer operating on the 350 nm topology already appeared this year

Trump puzzled by Putin’s ironic comment about supporting Harris

Puyin said ironically that after incumbent US President Joe Biden "had been withdrawn" from the presidential race, Moscow came "to back" his successor Kamala Harris

Russia becomes largest economy in Europe, 'being right in hot pursuit of Japan' — aide

Maxim Oreshkin stressed that the gradual loss of all these elements leads to long-term stagnation of the European economy

Putin convinced Russia to keep boosting ties with Tajikistan

Putin pointed out that relations between the two countries are "making progress in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance."

German-made Leopard tanks prove inefficient on battlefield, says DPR

According to Yan Gagin, Ukrainian servicemen perish both in operations as Leopard 2 crews and in attempts to evacuate the armor from the battlefield

Durov declines Russian, Emirati diplomatic assistance — Politico

"The person concerned refused Russian consular protection and an Emirati consular visit but agreed that the Emirati embassy be kept up to date on his situation," the official said

Malaysia ready to offer special relations to Russia, PM says

Anwar Ibrahim highlighted enormous potential for cooperation between the two countries

US allocates new $250 million military aid package to Ukraine — Pentagon

According to the statement, the package includes RIM-7 missiles and air defense support, ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, artillery shells of 155 mm and 105 mm caliber, Stinger MANPADS, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems

Lavrov slams as blackmail Kiev's demands for letting it use Storm Shadow against Russia

The Russian top diplomat warned that the West was playing with fire whenever it started discussions on this topic

Lavrov begins talks with Swiss counterpart Cassis

The meeting, organized on Switzerland’s initiative, is currently under way at the UN headquarters in New York