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Middle East conflict

Israeli army arrests several Palestinians in West Bank

Clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Palestinian resistance forces were also reported in the town of Tubas and in Tarqumiyah, northwest of Hebron

DUBAI, May 21. /TASS/. The Israeli army has arrested several Palestinians during raids in the West Bank, the WAFA news agency reported.

According to it, four Palestinians were arrested in the villages of Rujeib, east of Nablus, and al-Jalama, near the city of Jenin. Several others were detained in the town of Sinjil, north of the city of Ramallah.

Clashes between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian resistance forces were also reported in the town of Tubas and in Tarqumiyah, northwest of Hebron.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from Gaza, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians before the crisis, and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes have also been reported on the West Bank.

Nord Stream gas leak investigation

New findings in Nord Stream sabotage case may sway Europe’s perception of Ukraine — expert

Robinder Sachdev added that information on Ukraine’s involvement in the attacks on gas pipelines "may lead European leaders, especially in Germany, to reconsider their support for Ukraine"

Russian troops repulse 20 Ukrainian attempts to penetrate LPR over week — expert

"Over the reporting period, Ukraine’s armed formations lost about 10,040 Ukrainian militants and mercenaries or 890 more compared to the previous period under review," Andrey Marochko said

Ukraine launching decoy missiles toward Crimea to probe into its defenses — official

The enemy is again probing into the peninsula’s defenses, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

Local official warns people against returning to their homes in Kursk Region border areas

Marina Degtyareva called on people to be patient

Baku says Armenian troops shelled Azerbaijani positions in Nakhichevan

The ministry reported shelling attacks on Azerbaijani positions in Nakhichevan on Thursday and Friday

Iran ready to transit Russian gas through its territory — ambassador to Moscow

Jalali specified that Russia ranked first in terms of foreign investment in the country in 2023

Russia’s Battlegroup East eliminates 105 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours — top brass

"In 24 hours, over 105 troops of the enemy, a towed Msta-B howitzer, eight automotive equipment units, three fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and two ammunition supply points were eliminated," Battlegroup Spokesman Alexander Gordeyev told

Kiev forces lost over 530 servicemen in Battlegroup Center responsibility zone in a day

Two counterattacks of the assault groups of the 23rd and 31st Mechanized Brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces were repelled, the head of the group’s press center Alexander Savchuk said

Pilot of Tu-22M3 bomber that crashed in Irkutsk dies

Governor Igor Kobzev expressed his condolences to the pilot’s friends and family

IAEA confirms Russia’s non-involvement in fire at ZNPP — Russian diplomat

The fire at the Zaporozhye plant’s cooling tower followed after Ukraine’s drone attack on August 11

Azerbaijani president and his wife welcome Putin at informal dinner at their residence

The meeting was held in an informal atmosphere, with the two leaders sitting in a summer terrace in white shirts with their jackets and ties off

Kursk Region's Sudzha is not under Ukrainian army’s control — mayor

A massive attack by the Ukrainian military on the Kursk Region began on August 6

Over 30 aftershocks registered in past day after earthquake in Russia’s Kamchatka

Аn intense aftershock process can last for up to a month and then it will subside and become less intense

Kiev begins preparation of attack on Kursk nuclear power plant — Russian Foreign Ministry

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry warned that Moscow will immediately use harsh response measures

Belarus withdraws some 20,000 troops from Ukrainian border in July, says president

According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus requested clarifications from Ukraine

Over 1,700 people evacuated from border areas of Kursk Region in 24 hours

Around 10,000 people, including 3,000 children, are in 174 emergency shelters in 24 regions across Russia

US authorities have embarked on path of total censorship — ambassador Antonov

"Freedom of speech in the modern United States is sacred only if this word is pro-American," the diplomat said

Putin appoints Sergey Butin as First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia — decree

Sergey Butin was born in 1964; he graduated from the Moscow State University Institute of Asian and African Studies

Minsk, Moscow see from where in West aggression against Common State may come — Lukashenko

"We see from where the most serious blow may be dealt at our Union and at our joint group," he said

EU keeping quiet about Ukraine's Kursk attack for fear of negative consequences — media

According to the unnamed European diplomat, the EU leaders’ silence is rooted in "curiosity multiplied by trepidation and anticipation" of the consequences of the Ukrainian attack

Russia’s Battlegroup West seize 30 Ukrainian army’s strongholds over past day

Battlegroup West’s motor rifle units improved their forward edge positions

Geomagnetic storm begins on Earth — expert

The geomagnetic storm is expected to continue at least until Sunday noon

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Ukrainian troops in Kakhovka hurting for ammunition, Russian serviceman says

"The adversary is still trying to break through to the islands from the right bank," according to the report

West involved in planning of attack on Russia’s borderline Kursk region — Kremlin aide

Nikolay Patrushev dismissed the US Department of State’s claims of non-involvement into the matter

Enemy troops relocating to another area in Kursk Region for new attack — Russian commander

"Most of the troops that tried to advance yesterday were eliminated, as well as some of their equipment," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Top commander says two more Ukrainian servicemen surrender in Kursk area

He reported that five Ukrainian militants, including a fighter of the Azov battalion (banned in Russia, recognized as terrorist) were captured in the Kursk area in two days

American family escapes moral decline in US, seeks asylum, better life in Russia

Irina Volk noted that Leo and Chantel Heyer were born and raised in New York

Kiev may not have enough ammunition for offensives in medium term — report

"The current level of donations for artillery systems will not meet the Ukrainian army’s reconstitution and force generation requirements," the report emphasizes

Kiev deserves nothing but defeat, unconditional surrender — Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky remarked that there had been "not a single word of condemnation" of the Kiev regime's crimes from Ukraine's Western allies

Eighteen injured in Rostov Region after drone causes warehouse fire

Five people are in serious condition and are waiting to be airlifted out of there

IAEA chief expected to visit Kursk NPP soon — Russian diplomat

According to Ulyanov, Grossi responded to Russia’s invitation to visit the Kursk NPP promptly

Iskander missile systems successfully destroy key Ukrainian military targets — producer

"This precision weapon is very powerful and highly intelligent," it said

Russian grenade launchers take it to enemy troop clusters near Kursk

Operators of grenade launchers open massive fire to hit the enemy

Zelensky’s time gone, pragmatic politicians are to replace him — opposition politician

"Zelensky is a master of political shows, but he cannot count money, resources, anticipate potential situations," Viktor Medvedchuk added

Kiev raising stakes with Kursk Region, says Lukashenko about Ukraine's raid

On August 6, Russia’s borderline Kursk Region came under a massive attack from Ukraine

FSB opens criminal case over illegal crossing of border in Sudzha by Italian reporters

These charges carry a hefty fine or an imprisonment of up to four years

US coalition fighter bomber flies too close to Russian plane in Syria

The incident took place at an altitude of around 6,700 meters over the al-Tanf area in the Homs governorate

Press review: Berlin's Nord Stream probe smells fishy and Putin tables peace proposal

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 15th

New world order possible only with powerful trigger — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin pointed out that it is impossible to imagine a situation in which the West would want to maintain its dominance in a narrower format

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts damage on Ukraine’s nationalist Azov special force

Ivan Bigma noted that "in counterbattery fire, Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian Gvozdika and Krab motorized artillery systems, one M198 howitzer, one FH70 towed howitzer, one M119 artillery gun as well as 17 mortar detachments"

Putin, Aliyev set for extensive dialogue in Baku, says ambassador

Both presidents are set for an extensive dialogue, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu said

Nothing to talks about with Kiev regime, which is killing civilians — Russian diplomat

The West, according to Zakharova, must push Kiev to stop committing terror attacks on critical infrastructure in Russia

Defense of Belarusian western border has been developed by Minsk, Moscow — Lukashenko

The border between Belarus and Ukraine is mined "as never before" now and the Ukrainian military can only cross it with huge losses, Lukashenko noted

EU ministers to discuss military supplies to Kiev on August 29-30 amid Kursk raid

Support of Ukraine, including possible new military supplies, will obviously be the key issue on the agenda, a diplomatic source in Brussels said

Kursk attack may get Ukrainian army in more trouble on eastern front — newspaper

The paper points out that in order to carry out the attack, Ukraine "transferred troops and weapons from its already-creaking front lines," which "risks making a bad situation worse"

Ukrainian forces unprepared for Russia’s resistance in Kursk Region — Chechen commander

Apty Alaudinov noted that Ukrainian combat hardware is currently under attack by a large number of Russian units

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

Russia to test new 122mm robotic howitzer in Ukraine operation

The Klever robotic howitzer was unveiled at the Army 2024 international military-technical forum outside Moscow

Putin, Russian troops "to sweep Ukrainian military" in Kursk Region — Lukashenko

Belarus and Russia see that Western countries may send in its military formations directly to Ukraine, Lukashenko noted

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian armor by glide bombs in Kursk Region

The strike against enemy’s fortified targets was delivered by upgraded aerial bombs

Russian authorities looking into presence of US reporters in Sudzha — diplomat

"Russian law enforcement officers are looking into the facts surrounding the activity of the US journalists," Maria Zakharova explained

Lukashenko says draft dodgers from Ukraine fleeing to West via Belarus

"98% is men who run from the war and do not want to carry on war," Lukashenko added

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

Putin reveals EU resale scheme of Gazprom’s gas at spot prices may be fueling crisis

The Russian President also recalled that the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline has been switched to reverse mode

Situation in Kursk Region: elimination of Ukrainian mobile groups, HIMARS launchers

Ukraine’s overall losses in the course of combat operations stand at up to 2,860 troops

Russian Giatsint-B howitzer wipes out camouflaged Ukrainian weapon in Zaporozhye area

The Giatsint-B howitzer crew has a record of several NATO-made M777 howitzers destroyed

Talks on Ukraine should start from what was reached in Istanbul — Lukashenko

"If the situation develops as near Kursk, there will be an escalation, which will result in Ukraine’s elimination," the president added

No formal request yet from Russia for military assistance over situation in Kursk — CSTO

The Collective Security Treaty Organization emphasized that it closely monitored the developments

Russia continues to suppress Ukrainian breakthrough attempts in Kursk area — top commander

The enemy is trying to break through into our territory around the clock, Apty Alaudinov said

Dozens of experts urge NATO not to admit Ukraine — Politico

Kiev’s membership may trigger NATO’s Article 5, they said

New findings in Nord Stream sabotage case may sway Europe’s perception of Ukraine — expert

Robinder Sachdev added that information on Ukraine’s involvement in the attacks on gas pipelines "may lead European leaders, especially in Germany, to reconsider their support for Ukraine"

US expert calls Russian version of fire on Zaporozhye NPP ‘more plausible’

The expert added that IAEA officials examined the damaged cooling tower on Monday but could not determine the cause of the fire

Russian aerospace forces strike two terrorists bases in Syria

During the past day, the Russian aerospace forces delivered airstrikes on two places of the deployment of militants who left the al-Tanf area

French politician calls on EU to stop helping Kiev if it is behind Nord Stream blasts

A theory that the act of sabotage at the gas pipelines had been committed by a group of six Ukrainians without any external support "looks improbable", Florian Philippot said

Much-vaunted Patriots can’t even defend themselves

In the course of the special military operation, it was confirmed that Russian air defense systems have the potential to repel strikes by all types of enemy air attack capabilities

US forces destroy Houthi drone in Yemen

This was reported by the US Central Command

Harris holds slim lead over Trump in latest poll

The survey was held from August 9 through 13 among more than 2,300 respondents nationwide

Belarus hopes to receive more Russian helicopters, fighter jets next year

We received another batch of Mi-35M helicopters this spring, Andrey Lukyanovich said

US should immediately negotiate with Russia, Ukraine — presidential candidate

"We need to engage in basic diplomacy," Jill Stein said

Russian forces clear Martynovka in Kursk Region of Ukrainian troops — commander

It is noted that the Ukrainians had been pulling "everything they could" to those settlements with a view to breaching the Russian defenses and establishing a route to push deeper into Russia as they realized that Russian forces had been holding them off

Ukraine keeping over 120,000 troops on Belarusian border — Lukashenko

The environment on the border also deteriorated during preparations to a parade in Minsk on Independence Day at the end of June and the beginning of July, the president added

Ukraine fires over 150 projectiles at Belgorod Region over day

The Borisovsky, Volokonovsky, and Prokhorovsky districts were attacked with ten munitions and three UAVs

Russian law enforcers probe into actions of US journalists in Sudzha — MFA

Earlier, The Washington Post reporters entered the territory of the Kursk Region together with Ukrainian troops

Press review: Russia shuts down Ukraine talk reports and Putin pays visit to Azerbaijan

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 19th

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Five more refugees leave Rukban camp in Syria — Russian reconciliation center

The situation in the Rukban refugee camp located in the US-occupied al-Tanf area remains unfavorable

Blinken talks about 'last chance' to reach deal on Gaza

The US Secretary of State arrived in Israel the night before

US sees ex-Ukrainian interior minister as replacement for Zelensky — Russian intelligence

According to the SVR, White House officials believe that the move "will allow the West to better prepare for possible talks with Russia on resolving the conflict"

Shiveluch volcano in Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka region starts to erupt

The press service of the Russian emergencies ministry’s department in the Kamchatka region said the eruption had no effect on the daily life of local residents

Trade turnover between Russia, China to hit last year’s high level in 2024 — minister

The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China said earlier that the volume of the Sino-Russian trade amounted to $136.67 billion in January-July, having increased by 1.6% year-on-year

Bridge across Seim River destroyed in Russia’s Kursk Region — official

According to the report, overland evacuation from a part of the Glushkovsky District is now cut off

Putin arrives in Azerbaijan on state visit

His talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are expected to focus on the current state of and prospects for the further development of bilateral relations, as well as pressing issues on the international and regional agenda

Russian air defenses down drone over Oryol Region

Andrey Klychkov also said that despite ongoing Ukrainian attacks, the Oryol Region continued to provide assistance to internally displaced persons from the border areas of the neighboring Russian regions

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42 mcm via Sudzha

The request for the Sokhranovka gas pumping station has been rejected

Musk says he did not donate Tesla Cybertruck to Chechnya’s head

"Are you seriously so retarded that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general? That’s amazing," Elon Musk noted

Israel holding ‘very complex negotiations’ on hostage release — Netanyahu

Strong military and diplomatic pressure are the way to secure the release of our hostages, he stressed

Kiev troops will be forced to retreat from Russia after attack on Kursk region — expert

According to Monica Duffy Toft, Kiev’s surviving troops and equipment "will be redistributed, after rest and refit, to other critical areas of Ukraine’s front with Russia"

Russia declares Clooney Foundation for Justice undesirable organization

Russian prosecutors pointed out that "the foundation carries out work aimed at discrediting Russia in true Hollywood fashion"

Belarusian president says preparing republic’s citizens to his stepping down

"I want no disappointment or failure," he said in an interview for the News of the Week program on the Rossiya-1 TV channel

Two women wounded in Ukrainian drone attacks on Belgorod Region

Another drone attacked a passenger car in the village of Yasnye Zori. The car was burned down

Harris leads Trump by three percentage points in terms of voter support, poll shows

The nationwide poll, conducted on August 14-16, involved about 3,300 registered voters

China's State Council premier to visit Russia on August 20-22 — government

The sides will discuss "topical issues of the development of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation," the statement adds

Russian air defenses down 10 HIMARS rockets, 35 Ukrainian drones over day

Russian forces repelled two counterattacks by assault groups of the 116th mechanized and 44th airmobile brigades

Russian consulate general’s office may be opened in Azerbaijan, says ambassador

This issue is in the stage of discussions

Russian air defense downs 7 HIMARS rockets, 27 Ukrainian drones in 24 hours

In all, the Russian forces have destroyed 639 Ukrainian warplanes, 282 helicopters, 30,112 unmanned aerial vehicles, 575 anti-aircraft missile systems

US keeps fuelling conflict in Ukraine — presidential candidate

Jill Stein said that it is necessary to stop flow of weapons and funds that basically throw gasoline on the fires in Ukraine

Trump warns of potential US failure if Harris wins presidential election

The US will hold its presidential election on November 5

Russian Lancet munition destroys Ukrainian combat engineer vehicle at Kursk Region border

"After an analysis of the reconnaissance data received, a decision was made to deliver a pinpoint strike on the enemy’s combat engineering vehicle," the Russian Defense Ministry said

Belarus reinforces troops near border with Ukraine

Troops have already been reinforced