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Middle East conflict

Israel looking for negotiating leverage as it seizes Hamas' 'strategic assets' — Netanyahu

This is another key to releasing our sons and daughters, Prime Minister said

TEL AVIV, March 28. /TASS/. Israel has seized "the strategic assets" of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas and plans to use them as negotiating leverage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"We have seized Hamas’ strategic assets. This is another key to releasing our sons and daughters. We have control of the northern [Gaza] Strip and Khan Yunis; we have divided the Strip and are preparing to enter Rafah. In order to bring not some but all [hostages] back, we need to use these assets wisely in the negotiations that I personally hold every day," he said at a meeting with the families of the Israeli hostages held by the radicals. However, Netanyahu did not explain what assets he was talking about.

"To date, we have brought 123 of those kidnapped back home, and it is my duty to bring every last one back. I won’t leave anyone behind. I am personally working on it day and night. The continued powerful military pressure that we have been and will continue exerting [on Hamas] is the only thing that has helped bring [some of] our abductees back and will bring back all [the rest]," the Israeli prime minister added.

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Palestine Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

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West attempting to stage color revolution in Georgia, Lavrov warns

According to the top Russian diplomat, the West actively uses an extensive network of non-governmental organizations "to create domestic instability in the countries of the Global South and the Global East"

Netanyahu may accept ceasefire in Lebanon to stop Hezbollah bombings — diplomat

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Ukrainian forces indiscriminately shoot Selidovo passers-by — Russian envoy

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NATO disregards all etiquette in discussing possible preemptive strikes on Russia — Lavrov

NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer earlier called for producing more weapons for precision strikes inside Russia in case a conflict broke out

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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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"

Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

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New EU sanctions on Russia may target 80 individuals, entities — agency

In addition, the EU proposes imposing restrictions on some 30 organizations allegedly assisting Moscow in acquiring military technologies

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Rajnath Singh will participate in the flag-raising ceremony of the Project 11356 frigate and its transfer to the Indian Navy," the source said

Denmark, its neighbors hold talks with China about damaged cables under Baltic Sea-report

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Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

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Potential handover of nuclear arms by US to Kiev ‘act of treason’ — US congresswoman

Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested that the Biden administration is "trying to start a nuclear war and use it as the reason to stop the transfer of power to Donald Trump"

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

Ill-thought-out command and control of Ukrainian troops has demoralized enemy forces and increased the number of desertions among its personnel in that frontline area, Andrey Marochko said

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US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

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Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

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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

Trump promises to impose 10% tariffs on goods from China, allegedly due to drug smuggling

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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

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

Fire breaks out in Japan during test of Epsilon S rocket engine

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Kiev regime cooperates with terrorists against Russia, Syria, Africa — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat also expressed confidence that the security agencies of the CIS member states should "respond to all such threats in a timely and decisive manner"

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Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

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Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

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Head of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency Veronika Skvortskova briefed the Russian President on the vaccine's development

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The US was notified automatically 30 minutes before the launch by Russia's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center

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The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

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

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Ukrainians have never seen the promised freedom, Viktor Medvedchuk noted

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"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

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Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Lebanon wary of reports of potential ceasefire with Israel

Beirut is cautious for now because it is dealing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "and all previous deals with him have failed," Lebanese Parliament Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab pointed out

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

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Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

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

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

Commenting on the motivation of Colombian fighters to join the hostilities in Ukraine, Alexander Stepanov explained that it is linked to the situation in the South American drug trafficking market

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

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

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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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

Biden team may escalate global tensions to highest level, FSB chief warns

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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"

Top Israeli defense official announces construction of fence on border with Jordan

"We are going to do it very quickly," Israel Katz said

Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

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NATO expanding presence in Arctic, Baltic, Black Sea, Caspian regions — FSB chief

According to Alexander Bortnikov, a US lab network is reportedly working to implement a program to create biological weapons of selective action, while citing the need to combat some "biological threats" as an excuse

West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

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Kabul counts on Moscow to help neutralize Western pressure

"We can assure you that the Islamic Emirate is a reliable economic partner," Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said

UK delivered dozens of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev weeks ago — news agency

Bloomberg pointed out that the missiles were sent before the US and UK authorization to use long-range precision-guided weapons to launch strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia

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

A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by the Azimuth airline caught fire as the plane landed at Antalya Airport on Sunday, TASS has compiled the key facts about the situation

Russia delivers 1,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan over past year

Such work will continue, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu said

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

He pointed out that to this end, Russia will continue to support Kabul's integration into regional structures and associations

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

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

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

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

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

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

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

Russia gave OPCW over 30 reports proving Ukraine used banned substances, official says

Kirill Lysogorsky noted that "the Kiev regime continues to systematically use toxic chemicals and chemical riot control agents"

Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

According to the sources, some of these makeshift morgues were destroyed by retreating Ukrainian troops

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over day — top brass

It is specified that the Ukrainian army’s losses in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours amounted to 30 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and four motor vehicles

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"

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

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

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Trump promises to impose 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico, Canada

Mexico and Canada have every right and opportunity to easily resolve this long-standing problem, US president-elect said

Timing for commissioning entire Akkuyu NPP needs to be clarified — Russian ambassador

Alexey Erkhov also recalled Russia's interest in participating in the implementation of the second NPP in Turkey