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Conflict in Syria

Israel attacks Iranian consulate with six projectiles, Tehran to retaliate — ambassador

According to Hossein Akbari, the building was attacked by F-35 fighter jets

DUBAI, April 1. /TASS/. Israel has fired six projectiles from F-35 fighter jets at the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iranian Ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari said, adding that Tehran will respond harshly to the attack.

"The [consulate] building was attacked by F-35 fighter jets, which fired six projectiles. I was at my workplace in the embassy," Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted Akbari as saying. "Israel's actions will be met with a harsh response," he pointed out.

Earlier, the Syrian SANA news agency reported that the Israeli air force hit a house in Damascus. Iran's SNN TV channel reported that the consulate building and the Iranian ambassador's residence were hit. The Tasnim news agency reported that five, not six, people were killed in the air strike.

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Iran Syrian conflict

Military operation in Ukraine

Pentagon confirms lifting of ban on entry into Ukraine for US military contractors

The Department made this decision "after careful risk assessment and in coordination with interagency stakeholders," the official said

Ukrainian lawmaker calls on Zelensky to step down

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Chinese supplies to the United States increased by 1.2%

Putin announces era of radical, revolutionary changes

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Russian Mi-28NM helicopter crew destroys Ukrainian stronghold in Kursk Region

The Russian Defense Ministry noted the combat mission was aimed at providing support to ground troops

Putin congratulates Trump on his election as US president at Valdai Forum

We will work with any head of state who is trusted by the American people, Putin said

Zelensky to try to rebrand himself as peacemaker after Trump's victory — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk explained that no one asks Zelensky's opinion anymore

Russia to raise wheat export duty to $26.32 per ton from November 13

The duty on corn will increase to $33.69 per ton

Russia to send Cuba diesel fuel and equipment worth $62 mln in aid

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko added that Russia will send repair kits for damaged power equipment

Some find Trump’s election win shocking because of legacy media’s lies, Musk says

The United States held its presidential election on November 5

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President of Palestine states readiness to work with Trump

Mahmoud Abbas wished the president-elect success and expressed his hope that "the United States, led by Trump, will support the Palestinian people’s right for self-determination and acquisition of its own state"

Kremlin redirects question on DPRK troops in special op area to Defense Ministry

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Press review: Trump’s foreign policy reshapes alliances while Germany’s coalition crumbles

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Russian diplomat says White House likely works to cover up corrupt deals in Ukraine

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The German chancellor said he would call for a confidence vote on January 15, 2025, in the Bundestag, which could trigger a snap election before late March

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Pentagon confirms lifting of ban on entry into Ukraine for US military contractors

The Department made this decision "after careful risk assessment and in coordination with interagency stakeholders," the official said

Russian Navy should operate at least four aircraft carriers, expert believes

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Russian, Ukrainian ombudspersons meet in Belarus

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Russian troops cut off Zaporozhye-Kurakhovo highway — official

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G20 parliamentary speakers don't mention Ukraine in final document — Russian senator

According to Konstantin Kosachev, this means that lawmakers "are capable of paying attention and dedicating their efforts to far more serious and important issues on the current international agenda"

IN BRIEF: What President Putin told the Valdai discussion club

TASS has compiled a summary of the Russian leader’s remarks

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It is reported that the EU must develop its own capabilities, including in defense

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According to Viktor Orban, "the number of people who think they need to adjust to the new circumstances is rising"

Elon Musk takes part in Trump-Zelensky phone call — Axios

The Republican reportedly promised to continue supporting Ukraine, but the sides did not delve into such details as Trump’s purported plan to end the conflict

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Number of people injured in Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region rises to 364

A total of 7,164 people, including 1,493 children, are staying at 96 temporary accommodation centers in the Kursk Region

Kiev conceals true casualties from Russian strike on Motor Sich Factory

Vladimir Rogov emphasized that all the victims were involved in the production of drone components

Biden, Harris aides blame each other for presidential election loss

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Ukrainian troops in Volchansk will soon be trapped in a pocket — Russian lawmaker

As the State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky noted, despite the fact that it is a small city, it is heavily fortified

Cuba confident in BRICS’ successful work — deputy PM

Ricardo Cabrisas noted that Cuba welcomes the final declaration of the BRICS Summit in Kazan

Russia not to mess around if Japan returns to cooperation – Putin

He underscored that Russia is ready to build relations with Japan "both for the next 5 and for the next 50 years"

US lifts ban on sending US contractors to Ukraine to service US-made weapons

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"The Israeli aggression affects entire Lebanon, its population and even the Lebanese army," Shawki Bou Nassar said

Countries of collective West virtually live on credit — Shoigu

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US to pressure Europe, which may turn to Minsk, Moscow — Belarusian leader

The Belarusian president did not rule out that in the future, the EU might unite and begin collaborating with Belarus and Russia

Russia open to countries ready to build relations in multipolar world — senior official

Sergey Obryvalin noted that Russia "is not trying to use sectoral dialogue platforms as an arena for political machinations to distort the truth"

Putin reaffirms Russia's stance at Valdai Forum, signals readiness for US ties — expert

According to Alexander Dynkin, the Russian leader gave his assessment "on all key issues of the international agenda"

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The president-elect went on to say that he had already talked to approximately 70 world leaders

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The party "needs a complete reboot," hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said

Ukraine terminates air service agreement with Iran

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After analyzing the intelligence received, a decision was made to destroy the enemy's combat vehicle, the report said

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Jean-Claude Gakosso welcomed "Russia's diplomatic success on the international stage"

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The North Atlantic Council called on all countries "not to provide any kind of assistance" to Russia and "condemn all those who are facilitating and thereby prolonging" Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine

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As Dusan Bajatovic underscored, amid difficulties with energy supplies, some European countries are resuming use of coal

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According tot the Defense Ministry, Russian forces took advantageous sites and repulsed two Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Kupyansk area

Ukrainian military to blow up experimental nuclear reactor at Kharkov Institute — ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that "on March 6, foreign journalists arrived in Kharkov to register the consequences of the provocation, followed by accusing Russia of creating an environmental disaster"

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Russia not rejecting dollar use — Putin

Russia is not struggling with the US currency but is thinking of creating new instruments in response to new trends of global economic development, he added

Trump vows to settle conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration

He also pledged to prevent World War Three

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Apart from that, several residential houses were destroyed in the central part of the city and in the Miyah al-Jana neighborhood

West brought situation to coup in Ukraine, forced Russia to begin special op – Putin

The West needs to rip Russia and Europe apart, especially Russia and Germany, France, Russian President said

Data on recon drone base in Finland near Russian borders must be verified — Kremlin

"If you recall their statements when they were joining NATO, they said that Finland will not deploy any elements of military infrastructure near our borders," Dmitry Peskov said

Hezbollah attacks Israeli air base near Tel Aviv

According to the statement, the training camp of an Israeli airborne brigade in the Carmel settlement in the western Galilee came under missile attack

US defense contractors in Ukraine to repair F-16s, Patriots — TV

According to the official, these contractors will be located far from combat operations areas

FACTBOX: Developments in Kursk Region: Russian advance, Ukrainian losses

The battlegroup North repulsed 11 enemy counterattacks toward the settlements of Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino and Novoivanovka

Press review: Trump’s victory stuns investors while Russia’s economy holds strong

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 7th

US expert sees Ukraine as biggest loser in wake of Trump’s election victory

"There are no European champions that can take the place of America as the alliance’s leader, so its future ability to stand up to Russia and China is in grave doubt," Francis Fukuyama noted

Putin says West supported al-Qaida when it fought against Russia

According to Putin, Russia’s goal at the time was to use all means to hold the country together

Putin’s congratulations to Trump can be viewed as official — spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the US president-elect at the plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion Club

IN BRIEF: What is known about aftermath of drone attack on Russia’s Saratov

First responders and representatives from the local administration were dispatched to the site of the incident

Stupinets fast attack craft to be handed over to Russian Navy in 2025 — source

The main strike weapon of the Project 12418 fast attack missile boat is the Uran anti-ship missile system fitted with Kh-35 missiles

Houthis say they hit Israeli base with hypersonic missile

The movement’s military spokesperson said that "the Yemeni armed forces conducted a military operation and attacked the Nevatim Airbase in Negev"

Russian troops overtake forest belt, railway station in Kupyansk advance — military expert

Russian forces also expanded the liberated area north and south of Kruglyakovka and took over the Skorostnoi railway station, Andrey Marochko specified

Ukraine’s army chief preparing troop retreat from Kursk area — lawmaker

Maryana Bezuglaya also proposed that Syrsky himself stay in the Kursk Region

Putin expects next 20 years to be even more difficult

"Experts point to the threats stemming from new regional conflicts, global epidemics, the complicated and controversial ethical aspects of interaction between humans and artificial intelligence, as well as to the way traditions and progress go together," the head of state noted

Putin's speech at Valdai Forum gives a chance to end Ukrainian conflict — expert

"It has long been known about [the conditions for ending the conflict, which include] Kiev’s neutrality, determination of Ukraine's new borders along the division line, maybe with taking our new regions into account," Alexander Dynkin noted

Russian military blocked two Ukrainian groups of 15,000 troops in total — Putin

About 10,000 Ukrainian troops are blocked on the bank of a water reservoir. In another area near Kupyansk, about 5,000 troops are blocked, Russian President said

Putin doesn’t expect Trump to offer alliance against China

Putin said he believes that Trump realizes that this issue is "very far from the realities in which we live"

Bloodshed in Ukraine to end soon, Musk says

The Axios portal reported earlier that Musk took part in a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Zelensky

Russia open to dialogue on Ukraine, but this does not change special op goals — Kremlin

"Putin has repeatedly spoken about openness to dialogue with all interested parties and all those who can contribute to the settlement of this conflict," Dmitry Peskov noted

Bolivian president says rapprochement with BRICS key achievement of his foreign policy

Luis Arce noted the importance of the status obtained by Bolivia in the context of the world’s move toward multipolarity

Change of power in US increases likelihood of military coup in Kiev, expert says

According to Vyacheslav Smolenko, under the new administration, circles associated with the Democratic Party will remain sidelined in the United States

Nearly 20% Ukrainian servicemen gone AWOL from battlefield — The Economist

According to the journal’s estimates, Kiev may face acute shortages of personnel and ammunition within about six months

Wine imports to Russia fall 1.5-fold in 10 months to 357,700 tons

The report also noted that in the first 10 months of 2024 Russian wine exports increased by 20% compared to the same period last year and reached 1,680 tons

Exporters increase currency sales by 21% in October — Central Bank

At the same time, the ruble continued to weaken due to the recovery of import volumes with a stable level of exports in October

Yemen’s Houthis say they shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone

According to the source, the Houthis intercepted the drone with a surface-to-air missile known as the 358

EU’s Borrell to travel to Ukraine in upcoming days to discuss aid for Kiev

According to the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, the European Union must help Ukraine, regardless of what is happening in the United States

IN BRIEF: What is known about new UK sanctions against Russia

The British authorities have imposed restrictive measures against the Afrika Corps paramilitary organization, allegedly linked to Russia

Trump’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine sparks alarm in Kiev — newspaper

According to Corriere della Sera, the demilitarized zone could be patrolled by European troops, who would also be assigned the task of defending Ukraine, with US weapons supplies continuing

Russian troops destroy group of foreign mercenaries in Kharkov area

Two militants sustained wounds incompatible with life and one militant was hospitalized in severe condition, Andrey Marochko specified

Russia warns Canada of retaliation for hostile actions, accuses Ottawa of provocations

"The Canadian authorities should exercise caution and refrain from harmful steps that could escalate confrontation with Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized

Extension of OPEC+ production cuts may be related to winter oil demand decline — Novak

The Russian deputy prime minister stressed that at the OPEC+ ministerial meeting, the alliance countries will once again analyze the situation on the oil market

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

Russia dealing with tragic consequences of Soviet foreign policy of mid-1980s — Putin

He pointed out that in the middle of the 1980s, the Soviet Union had called for ending ideological confrontation, overcoming the legacy of the Cold War, and removing the barriers preventing common integration and universal development