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Middle East conflict

Top Iranian commander welcomes Hamas’ pick for political leader

Abdolrahim Mousavi also warned that Israel will receive a "definite and decisive response" for its crimes, including the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran

DUBAI, August 7. /TASS/. Hamas selecting Yahya Sinwar as its new political chief may strip Israel of any hopes of survival, said Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.

"The selection yesterday <...> of Yahya Sinwar indicated the Palestinian combatants and Hamas’ determination and the fact that the Zionist regime (Israel - TASS) has to give up hopes of survival," Tasnim News Agency quoted the Iranian general as saying. Mousavi called Sinwar one of the greatest fighters for Palestinian freedom.

The Iran Army chief also warned that Israel will receive a "definite and decisive response" for its crimes, including the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

On July 31, Hamas said that Politburo Chairman Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran, where he had arrived to attend the inauguration of Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, Iran’s elite military units) said that Haniyeh was killed with a short-range projectile carrying a warhead with about 7 kg of explosives, adding that his assassination was organized by Israel with the US’ support.

On Tuesday, the Palestinian radical movement announced that it had named Sinwar as head of the Hamas political bureau as a replacement for the late Haniyeh. Sinwar is believed to be a founder of the movement’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and Hamas’ internal security force Majd, which is known for its punitive operations against Palestinians collaborating with Israel.

Anti-Russian sanctions

US resident arrested on charges of conspiring to evade US sanctions against Russia

According to the charges, Sam Bhambhani worked with a Russian citizen who resold laser equipment to a subsidiary of the Russian government-owned company Rosatom from 2015 to 2021

Russia, China to hold joint drills in two seas in September — Chinese top brass

The drills will be held according to a plan agreed by the two countries, the Chinese ministry noted

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

Beglov wins St. Petersburg regional governor election

Earlier, Alexander Beglov proposed the incumbent Federation Council Chairwoman, Valentina Matviyenko, to become a senator from St. Petersburg

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 puzzled by Armenia’s resistance to logistics corridor agreements

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow believes that it is essential to "follow the spirit and the letter of the series of trilateral agreements between the Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian leaders, which were reached in 2020-2022"

World opting for BRICS as it is tired of US’ aggression — Russian diplomat

When asked why so many countries are seeking BRICS membership, Zakharova said that the world is tired of "America’s claims," attacks and "implicit or even explicit aggression."

Ukraine’s Zelensky should be tried for war crimes, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin pointed out that it was Zelensky who gave criminal orders and took a position that seriously endangered both the residents of Donbass and the population of the rest of Ukraine

Foreign mercenaries operating in Kursk direction particularly brutal — security source

It is the mercenaries that act the most brutally towards civilians, a source in security agencies said

Russian, Afghan businesses refuse dollar in favor of rubles and Afghani — Ambassador

Dmitry Zhirnov noted that economic relations between Russia and Afghanistan, as well as the volume of trade between the countries are growing

Ukraine was ready to sign peace deal with Russia but gave up under US pressure — Patrushev

The first Russian-Ukrainian negotiations after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine took place in Belarus in early March 2022 but the talks yielded no tangible results

Russia expects Latin American representatives at BRICS summit, invitations sent — diplomat

Alexander Schetinin told Izvestiya that the work is underway

Germany expects UK to join project on development of long-range missiles — newspaper

According to the sources, the defense ministers of Germany, France, Italy and Poland signed a memorandum of intentions on development of weapons with a range of over 1,000 km

Over 100,000 take part in May 1 demonstration in Moscow - police

Police, troops of the National Guard and members of people’s guards are ensuring security and public order

Washington approves five cluster munition transfers to Kiev in 2023-2024, report reveals

According to the annual report, last year, as many as 219 cluster munition casualties were recorded globally

PM Mishustin to travel to Uzbekistan with two-day official visit

The sides will review the implementation of agreements, achieved during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Uzbekistan on May 26-28

Russian helicopters wipeout Ukrainian troops, armored vehicles in Kursk Region

"The enemy manpower and armored vehicles were eliminated," the ministry said

S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

Victor Gumenny said the advanced systems may solve the tasks of air-space defence and may fight hypersonic weapons

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

Zelensky destroying Ukrainian economy — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "during martial law, Zelensky has been actively raising prices," for example, by signing a bill on raising excise duties on gas, diesel and autogas

Twenty six heads of state confirm participation in Victory Day celebrations in Moscow

Among them are the Chinese, Indian, South African, Vietnamese, North Korean and Czech leaders, as well as heads of UNESCO and the Council of Europe

Yerevan hands over to Baku completely agreed draft of peace treaty — top diplomat

According to Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia and Azerbaijan have all the chances to sign a peace treaty soon

Lavrov meets with GCC secretary general in Riyadh

The top Russian duplomat noted that this meeting is the fifth of its kind

Missing 75th Victory Day celebrations in Moscow would be a mistake for WWII allies — Putin

Russia sent invitations to many world leaders to attend the celebrations

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Russia may launch beryllium production in 2020

Armenia, EU begin visa liberalization talks — Armenian deputy PM

"We see this process as a strategic agenda on the modernization of such spheres as migration, people’s movements and border management," Mger Grigoryan said

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

Russian air defenses down Ukrainian aerial bomb in Kursk Region

Since early Monday, the authorities of the Kursk Region have issued two missile alerts

IN BRIEF: Far East becomes Russia’s 'flagship' in new global economic reality — Putin

Agreements worth more than 10.5 trillion rubles ($116.4 bln) have been signed at the last three Eastern Economic Forums

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

First-ever Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize awarded to African Union

The prize was handed over to African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat by Jury President and Bolshoi Theater Director Valery Gergiev

Putin congratulates Kim Jong Un on North Korea's 76th anniversary — Kremlin

The Russian leader noted that relations between the two countries remain at a high level, which was fully confirmed by the recent substantial and fruitful talks in Pyongyang

Putin talked to guests - African leaders after Main Naval Parade

Russian President approached each of them, shook hands and exchanged several phrases

Russian forces liberate DPR’s Novogrodovka

Also the Defense Ministry said that Russian servicemen have hit a temporary deployment site of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center South

Kremlin sees no reason for Putin to give interview to freed US journalist Gershkovich

Eight Russian nationals, detained or convicted in several NATO countries, as well as two minors, had returned home following a prisoner swap conducted at Ankara’s airport

Apple unveils iPhone 16 models

The new models have the Action button introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, and a touch button for camera control, giving quick access to shooting settings

US resident arrested on charges of conspiring to evade US sanctions against Russia

According to the charges, Sam Bhambhani worked with a Russian citizen who resold laser equipment to a subsidiary of the Russian government-owned company Rosatom from 2015 to 2021

Equipment failure may have caused crash of only Alex-251 amphibious aircraft

According to the source, the plane was flown by an experienced pilot

Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

According to the Defense Ministry, after receiving confirmation from the intelligence service that the targets had been destroyed, the crew returned safely to the airfield

Princess Catherine of Wales completes her cancer treatment

The princess said that she would focus on making sure that the remission that had occurred lasted as long as possible

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

Ukraine peace proposals fail to protect Russian speakers — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, the root of the conflict in Ukraine was a crackdown on the rights of Russian-speaking residents by the Kiev regime following the coup in 2014

US to face domestic problems regardless of presidential election results — Russian MFA

The next US presidential election will take place in November 2024

De Gaulle’s grandson says Putin wants peace, unlike Western leaders

"I believe in the wisdom of the Russian soul," Pierre de Gaulle said

Gulf countries call for return of Palestinian Authority to Gaza

"The Ministerial Council underscored the importance of preparing a comprehensive plan for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza upon the conclusion of the war, reaffirming the GCC's rejection of entrenching the idea of separating Gaza from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," the statement said

Putin declares beginning of military operation in Ukraine

The Russian leader said that Moscow would seek the "demilitarization and denazification" of Ukraine, called upon the Ukrainian army to lay down weapons and warned there would follow a prompt response to attempts at foreign intervention from outside

Russia works for preventing major war in Middle East — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed to "a sharp deterioration of the military and political situation in the entire region - from the border of Lebanon and Israel to the Red Sea"

Kiev loses over 11,400 troops since incursion in Kursk area — Russia’s top brass

The Ukrainian military also lost 89 tanks, 42 infantry fighting vehicles and 74 armored personnel carriers

Joint Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military unit may be used to occupy Ukraine, Putin warns

The Russian leader stresses that if Polish units enter Lvov or some other territories in Ukraine, they will be staying put there to remain on the ground "for good"

Plane en route from Moscow to Istanbul makes unplanned landing in Warsaw — website

According to the online service database, the plane is owned by Turkey’s Pegasus

Income of Russian top officials in 2019

The income, expenses and property declarations became available online on Friday

Kremlin aware of Scholz’s 'peace plan' only from media

"We are not rejecting any plans in advance but it is necessary to understand what this is about," Dmitry Peskov noted

Press review: Kiev bets on own arms production and US, NATO bearing down on Latin America

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 9th

Gulf countries support Qatar, US, Egypt’s mediatory efforts toward Gaza settlement

The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave

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"

Potential catastrophe at Kursk NPP to affect entire Europe — Russian officer

He said that he doesn’t understand "why Europe as yielded to America’s globalist interests and is doing everything it can to let America stage a catastrophe that would affect not only Russia and Ukraine, but also entire Europe."

Ruling party leader hails elections in Russia as complying with country’s laws

The Single Voting Day was held throughout Russia on September 6-8, when almost 4,000 election campaigns held

Main thing in Ukraine settlement is protection of people's rights, says Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that it is easy to agree on the place and time of the negotiations on Ukraine, but first it is necessary to understand what will be discussed

Russia, Saudi Arabia aim to expand investment cooperation — Russian MFA

According to the ministry, during Sergey Lavrov's visit to the kingdom, the Russian Foreign Minister was received by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and met with the country's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

US pursuit for maintaining dominance in Middle East fails — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that there should be "an immediate cease-fire" and recalled that the root of the conflict's problem was the "80-year-old unresolved issue of the establishment of a Palestinian state"

Trump’s attendance at WWII victory celebrations in Moscow depends on his schedule — Lavrov

The top diplomat added that Russia and the US would also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Elbe Day

Russian Battlegroup North hits Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region’s border area

According to the report, the operation was controlled online

Russia’s foreign minister, Saudi crown prince discuss implementation of summit agreements

"In addition to the bilateral agenda, we discussed the tasks we are facing in the light of the evolving international situation," the Russian foreign minister pointed out

Russia says its battlegroup North inflicts up to 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that air defenses shot down two French-made guided aerial bombs Hammer, four HIMARS rockets of US manufacture and 45 unmanned aerial vehicles

Russia, India to build more nuclear plants together, large and small — Rosatom

"Joint work on closing the nuclear fuel cycle seems promising," the state-run corporation said

Ukrainian troops targeting civilian vehicles in Kursk Region — volunteer

Alexander Kasaurov cited an incident when a Ukrainian drone broke the windshield of a moving car with two civilians on board, a man and a woman

Russian ambassador says Washington’s sanctions benefit firms working for US intelligence

US tried to "to scare away businesses from normal mutually beneficial interaction, and consumers from purchasing Kaspersky products," Anatoly Antonov said

Terrorists sentenced for Crocus City Hall attack to face harsh jail conditions — activist

"Nothing good awaits those perpetrators of the act of terror," executive secretary of the Moscow Public Monitoring Commission Alexey Melnikov told

Int’l institutions unable to resolve crises in Ukraine, Gaza — de Gaulle’s grandson

"With no real political will for peace, the scale of the conflicts is only growing," Pierre de Gaulle stressed, adding that "international institutions have proved to be useless"

Author of "My Heart Will Go On" hit dies in US

He had been in declining health for the past 5-6 years

FACTBOX: What is known about plane crash near Moscow

Moscow’s interregional transport prosecutor’s office has launched a probe into the crash

Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

It is noted that opinions are changing not only about relationships with colleagues, but also about romance between a subordinate and a supervisor

First Starships to Mars to launch in two years, Musk says

If those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in 4 years

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

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

Lavrov meets with Saudi Crown Prince

Earlier, the Russian foreign minister met with his counterparts Mauro Vieira of Brazil, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar of India, and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia

Israeli strike at Syria possibly targeted Iranian missile production base — report

The IDF has not yet commented the situation

Lavrov says West doesn’t want to reach fair agreement on Ukraine

"The West wants to continue to do everything so that Russia, as they hope, approaches a situation when it will be possible to declare that a strategic defeat has been inflicted on us on the battlefield," the Russian foreign minister stressed

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

UNGA should respect decisions by member countries including Russia — diplomat

President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis said he had hoped the conflict in Ukraine would have come to an end already

Ukraine pulling fresh forces to Kursk area — Russian officer

According to the commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit Apty Alaudinov, there were no large-scale attacks on Wednesday

Moscow to cancel fireworks, major outdoor concerts during New Year holidays

According to the mayor, "children will also be able to use the Father Frost’s mail to send greeting cards to our soldiers and to residents of new regions"

Actor James Earl Jones, iconic voice of Darth Vader, dies at the age of 93

The cause of the actor's death was not made public

De Gaulle's grandson elected as deputy chairman of Tolstoy Peace Prize jury

According to Vladimir Tolstoy, director general of the Leo Tolstoy State Museum, the writer's great-grandson, the prize will be awarded annually at the Bolshoi Theater

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

Russian forces wipe out several dozen Ukrainian militants near Slavyansk in DPR

It is reported that the exact number of eliminated Ukrainian neo-Nazi fighters is currently being determined

IAEA chief rules out restarting reactors at Zaporozhye nuke plant amid ongoing hostilities

According to Rafael Grossi, all the plant’s reactors remain in cold shutdown

Conditions in Russian hostage even better than in Ukrainian units — commander

Major General Apty Alaudinov said that Russia "fully provides the prisoners of war with food and everything they need, and they receive full medical care"

IDF stops UN convoy to check for Palestinian suspects

The Israeli military said they received intelligence that several Palestinian suspects could be hiding in one of the vehicles

Hungary’s Orban prepares new peace initiative event in September — TV

The Hungarian PM did not give any details about the upcoming event

Lavrov calls for practical steps toward establishing Palestinian State

The Russian foreign minister emphasized "the position that it is necessary to immediately stop violence, resolve humanitarian problems"

Ukraine loses over 11,220 troops since start of hostilities in Kursk area

Russian servicemen repelled five Ukrainian attacks, the Russian Defense Ministry said

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

Russia to change nuclear doctrine upon examination of West’s actions — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov explained that the corresponding document is being finalized, but it is too early to talk about a specific timeframe for its completion

Hungary’s MOL reaches agreement on oil supplies from Russia via Druzhba pipeline

According to the document, in 2024 the Group "will take over ownership of the affected volumes of crude oil at the Belarus-Ukraine border, effective from 9 September 2024"

De Gaulle's grandson tells State Duma speaker about plans to move to Russia

On September 9, Vyacheslav Volodin met with Pierre de Gaulle in the State Duma

Ukrainian attacks thwarted: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost up to 240 servicemen and 13 armored vehicles, including two tanks and 11 armored combat vehicles

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

IAEA chief urges to prevent attacks on Kursk nuclear power plant

Rafael Grossi noted that the agency is monitoring military actions in the Kursk Region where the nuclear facility is located

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

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace ten times in past day

Apart from that, seven violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 were reported