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Middle East conflict

Israeli military 'dismantles' 20 of 24 Hamas battalions — newspaper

The Israeli army has warned that it may soon turn its focus on the four remaining battalions that are in the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt and remain "completely operational"

WASHINGTON, March 27. /TASS/. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has "dismantled" 20 of the original 24 Hamas battalions since the start of its military operation in Gaza, the Washington Post writes.

However, according to the paper, "dismantled does not mean destroyed; its remnants are still capable of waging a lethal insurgency."

Israeli forces claim to have killed 11,500 to 13,000 Hamas militants in the Gaza operation. The Washington Post points out that "these numbers are difficult to confirm, as the IDF does not list individual Hamas fighters killed, nor does it keep its own tally of civilian deaths."

The Israeli army has warned that it may soon turn its focus on the four remaining battalions that are in the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt and remain "completely operational."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 22 that it was impossible to wipe out the remaining Hamas battalions without carrying out a ground operation in Rafah. The city is currently home to about 1.4 mln displaced Palestinians.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out earlier that a possible operation in Rafah would turn into "ethnic cleansing." He said that the destruction of the Gaza Strip and the expulsion of two mln people from the enclave would create a disaster that would last for decades if not centuries. Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on March 26 that Moscow expected the UN Security Council’s resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to be fully implemented, which would include the prevention of Israel’s operation in Rafah.

Opposition halts talks with officials in Abkhazia, plans to build up forces

Protesters seized control of key government buildings in the country’s capital earlier

Press review: US to maintain aid to Israel while Kiev regime faces challenge to retain it

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 14th

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

Gaza radicals post new video of hostage identifying himself as Russian national Trufanov

The man pointed out that the hostages' lives "are in grave danger every day," and recalled the country’s religious obligation to ransom the hostages

Russia always fulfilled its trade obligations, ready to cooperate with Germany — Putin

"It was underscored that Russia has always been committed to its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if the German side shows interest in this," the statement says

Drone rigged with C4 explosives downed in Zaporozhye Region

The law enforcement representative underscored that the drone’s payload is unable to inflict serious damage to armored vehicles, but could be efficiently used against civilians

Scholz, Putin agree to maintain contact — source in German cabinet

It is reported that Scholz expressed concern over reports about the alleged deployment of North Korean servicemen to Russia

Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 655 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region

Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

According to Sue Gough, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, an office at the US Department of Defense that investigates unidentified anomalous phenomena, "is continuing its review of the historical record of US government UAP programs"

Abkhazia’s opposition demands cancelation of investment agreement, president’s resignation

In case the authorities do not accept the opposition's demands, former lawmaker Natali Smyr called on the protesters not to leave the square around the complex of government buildings

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

Abkhazian president leaves interior ministry’s building

Aslan Bzhania headed to the village of Tamysh, his press service told TASS

Putin tells Scholz agreements on Ukraine should proceed from realities on ground — Kremlin

"Possible agreements should take into account Russia’s interests in the security sphere, proceed from the new territorial realities and, above all, eliminate the causes of the conflict," the Russian leader said

Ukrainian people don't need support promised by Scholz after talks with Putin — Lavrov

Commenting on the Russian side's assessment of the conversation, the top diplomat emphasized that there is already a corresponding comment from the Kremlin

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

The gas pipeline is ready for operation, the Russian President said

Ukrainian battlegroup deprived of regular supplies in Kurakhovo in Donetsk area — expert

The Ukrainian battlegroup’s supplies have been impaired in the Kurakhovo area after Russian forces placed a road section west of that community under their gunfire control, Andrey Marochko clarified

US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation in Abkhazia

In order to stabilize the situation, President Aslan Bzhania decided to withdraw from the parliament a bill on the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

Russia routs Brunei 11:0 in friendly football match

That is the biggest ever victory for the Russian team

Zelensky's new plan for Ukraine is just another effort to stay in media spotlight

In his video address on November 14, Zelensky announced 10 provisions of his new plan, including matters of security, energy, armaments, industrial development in Ukraine, and cooperation with partners

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania refuses to step down amid riots

According to him, the government is also staying in the country and continues its work

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Russian nationalist released from Minsk remand prison

The ultra-right activist should appear in police on demand

FACTBOX: Putin, Scholz hold phone talks first time in two years

The talks were initiated by Berlin

Trump announces appointment of senior White House officials

Dan Scavino, one of Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides, will be assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

Abkhazia’s opposition sets up groups to defend seized government complex

Representatives of Abkhazia’s opposition and public organizations have set up a coordination headquarters to hold talks with the republic's authorities

Scholz's call to Putin speaks of intention to learn Russia's position firsthand — Kremlin

The conversation took place at the initiative of the German side

Opposition seizes control of entire complex of Abkhazia’s government buildings

A representative of the republic's authorities told TASS that Abkhazia’s President Aslan Bzhania is absent from the building of the presidential administration

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 12th

Russian aircraft destroy Ukraine’s Buk missile system - Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, the targets were destroyed by air-to-surface missiles

Baltic Fleet’s patrol ship Neustrashimy returns to Baltiysk after long-distance campaign

Neustrashimy spent more than four months at sea and sailed approximately 30,000 nautical miles

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partner countries — Russian MFA

"The BRICS Summit in Kazan demonstrated the desire of the global majority to establish a fair world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said

UAE’s accession to BRICS to strengthen coordination with Russia on global problems

Russian foreign ministet Sergey Lavrov visited the United Arab Emirates and talked with his colleague Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Russian missile-armed Ufa submarine makes call to Indonesian port

The Ufa is heading from the Baltic Sea to join the Pacific Fleet

Politician slams Western elites for behaving like 'collective Hitler' on Ukraine issue

Viktor Medvedchuk added that there was no unified position in the West regarding the situation in Ukraine

Armenia’s statements indicate its reluctance to take part in CSTO events — diplomat

When asked about Yerevan’s possible participation in the upcoming CSTO events, including a summit on late November, Alexander Pankin said that this question should be addressed to the Armenian side

All weapons pledged by Biden to Kiev to be delivered before he leaves office — Pentagon

Department’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh expects that for the 'next coming months of this administration'

Kalashnikov concern trains first group of operators for Bars-Sarmat UAV unit

The soldiers studied the hardware, including the drones’ electronics, internal systems and rules of operation

Women’s shelter near Moscow catches fire, six injured

In its statement, the Russian emergencies ministry named "a short circuit in an electric heater" as a potential cause

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 4,715 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 10 Western-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Rubicon drones strike Ukrainian trench shelters

"Upon detecting enemy positions and equipment, the data was immediately relayed to the strike force," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Participants in Sir Bani Yas forum in UAE understand causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sir Bani Yas international peace and security forum and has already held a series of bilateral meetings

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

According to the investigation, the defendants, acting as part of a Ukrainian sabotage group, armed with firearms and explosives, illegally crossed the Russian border and infiltrated two settlements in the Bryansk Region, opening fire at civilian cars and people

Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 100 rubles for November 16-18

The official yuan rate is fixed at 13.80 rubles

China receives first batch of Russian S-400 missile systems — source

Russia’s S-400 Triumf is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and surface targets

Finland seizes over 30 more real estate properties owned by Russian government

The value of these confiscated apartments is more than ten million euros, the agency said

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

Release of 23 Russians taken to Ukraine from Kursk Region being discussed — ombudswoman

The documents are currently being considered by the Verkhovna Rada’s commissioner for human rights, Dmitry Lubinets and his office

Israeli practices ‘consistent with characteristics of genocide’ — UN committee

The document points out that 'civilians have been indiscriminately and disproportionally killed en masse in Gaza'

Israel hits nuclear research facility in Iran, Axios claims

In October, Axios reported that an Israeli strike on Iran had disabled a crucial component of Iran's ballistic missiles production program

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Trump unlikely to impose new sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports, economist believes

Igbal Guliyev noted that "with additional restrictions on exports from Russia, it will be almost impossible to maintain low prices for oil products on the domestic market"

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

SCO members will continue consultations on establishing Development Bank — statement

Earlier this month, SCO Secretary General suggested that attraction of funds to joint multi-partner projects be encouraged

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Outgoing US administration should end military support for Ukraine — Hungary’s Orban

Viktor Orban believes it would be only fair and just for the outgoing Biden administration to reduce military support for Ukraine as power changes hands

US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

At the same time, the official evaded a direct question of whether the facility is capable of protecting country from missiles

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Zelensky tried to dissuade Scholz from telephone talks with Putin — news agency

According to the source, Vladimir Zelensky told Scholz that the conversation with Putin "will only help to reduce the isolation" of Russia

Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"Russia's position was clearly worded by the Russian president on June 14, 2024," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Kennedy Jr. added to Mirotvorets list after Trump’s appointment

Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump previously nominated to head the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, is also still on the list

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

In terms of weapons, the plan will focus on production in Ukraine and cooperation with partners

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

"We are witnessing the culmination of the Anglo-Saxons' systematic efforts to vilify our country, exerted over decades, and maybe even centuries," Maria Zakharova said

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

Scholz, Biden have nothing to offer Putin — German expert

"He [Scholz], like another lame duck in the US - Joe Biden, has nothing to offer," Prof. Thomas Eger of the University of Cologne told the Bild newspaper

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

"Russian President Vladimir Putin told Olaf Scholz in detail about Russia's vision of what is happening, about possible prospects for the development of the situation," Dmitry Peskov said

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

Football fans clash during France vs Israel football match in Paris

The match is taking place a week after a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv football club wreaked havoc in Amsterdam

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Ukrainian army attacks Kharkov Military-Civil Administration car with drones

The car's chassis, body, and cabin were badly damaged in the attack

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Only plan Zelensky should be thinking about is 'plan of surrender' — opinion

In a video address on November 14, the Ukrainian president unveiled a ten-point plan covering the issues of security, energy, weaponry, production in Ukraine, and cooperation with allies

Abkhazia’s opposition demands president step down in one hour

"We have sent people with this ultimatum to him," Levan Mikaa, an opposition spokesman said

Russia introduced temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the US

This is a tit-for-tat measure against the restriction of Russian uranium products imports introduced by the US for 2024-2027 and the ban to be imposed by it since 2028 onward

Lebanon receives draft ceasefire agreement with Israel from US — newspaper

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the 13-point document provides, among other things, for the transition of the country’s southern areas after the withdrawal of Israeli troops under the control of the Lebanese army

Opposition in Abkhazia demands early presidential election

A Central Election Commission official has told TASS that if the president agrees to resign today, an early election should be held within three months

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Russian troops organizing logistics, ammo delivery in Kupyansk outskirts — military expert

"Logistics is being organized to enable our troops to retain their positions they are trying to secure," Andrey Marochko explained

Zelensky’s new plan for Ukraine is ‘an attempt to imitate’ busy activities — politician

Vitaly Ganchev noted that Zelensky's plans "pose no particular interest anymore to anyone and they the proposals are certainly not taken seriously"

FACTBOX: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

APEC economies account for 62% of the world’s GDP and 47% of global trade, with approximately 3 billion people living in countries that participate in the forum

Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

Ukraine lost more than 100 servicemen, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, two D-30 122-mm howitzers, a mortar and an electronic warfare station over the past day

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Ukraine not holding talks on gas transit from Russia after December 31 — Energy Ministry

The agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz on the transit of Russian gas to Europe expires on December 31

Musk says Trump, himself have public mandate for change

US President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency in his new administration

Opposition halts talks with officials in Abkhazia, plans to build up forces

Protesters seized control of key government buildings in the country’s capital earlier

Russia’s Vityaz, Viking air defense systems attract major attention at Airshow China

Russian surface-to-air missile systems have demonstrated their value in the special military operation in Ukraine, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln noted