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Eastern Europe unprepared for potential conflict with Russia — agency

It is reported that the Romanian government "began enlistment drives after recent defense ministry data showed 43% of officers’ positions were unfilled, along with the positions of 23% of soldiers and other professional ranks"

LONDON, August 9. /TASS/. Eastern European countries are facing recruitment difficulties as they are struggling to prepare for a potential conflict with Russia, Reuters reports.

According to the news agency, NATO plans to form 35 to 50 extra brigades to confront Russia.

Reuters notes that Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are struggling to sign up new soldiers. In particular, Prague has missed recruitment targets for years and struggled to maintain troop levels. "In 2021 the Czechs reached 56% of their recruiting goal, rising to 85% in 2022, according to the most recent army data," Reuters writes.

"We cannot do anything without people - if we modernize equipment and don't have enough competent people and motivated people, that is all wasted money," the news agency quoted Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Karel Rehka as saying.

According to Reuters, the Romanian government "began enlistment drives after recent defense ministry data showed 43% of officers’ positions were unfilled, along with the positions of 23% of soldiers and other professional ranks."

On July 8, Reuters reported, citing a military source, "NATO will need between 35 and 50 extra brigades" to defend against a hypothetical attack from Russia. The news agency noted that "a brigade consists of between 3,000 and 7,000 troops, so generating 35 to 50 more such units would present a significant challenge."

Middle East conflict

Hezbollah reports over 100 Israeli troops eliminated in south Lebanon since October 1

According to the Lebanon-based Shiite party, 1 000 more were wounded

West attempted to prevent Russia-Africa ministerial meeting, diplomat says

African countries realized that "this pressure contradicts their own national interests", Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

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Russian PM to attend UN Climate Change Conference in Baku

The greater part of Mikhail Mishustin’s visit will be devoted to Russian-Azerbaijani ties

Ukraine imposes sanctions on maintenance services of two Moscow airports

The decree, which lists a total of 63 legal entities, sets the restrictions for a period of 10 years

Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli airbases near Haifa, Tel Aviv

According to the statement, Hezbollah units also delivered a missile strike on Israel’s Tel Nof airbase located 27 kilometers south of Tel Aviv

Death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon nears 3,300 — health ministry

As many as 88 civilians received wounds during the past day, bringing the overall number of those wounded up to 14,222, including 1,280 children

Medvedev characterizes Great Britain as eternal adversary of Russia

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Over 3,800 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

As many as 3,849 people crossed Syria’s border from Lebanon

Ukraine offers up to 750,000 dollars to Russian pilot for hijacking helicopter — TV

The correspondent also reported that the Ukrainian intelligence officer obtained the phone number of the pilot's wife and persuaded her to leave Russia before the helicopter was hijacked

Medvedev suggests that Elon Musk launch campaign to amend US Constitution

Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

Russian stock indices falling on Tuesday — market data

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Russian lower house passes third reading of bill banning child-free propaganda

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Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

After Tokyo imposed anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine, Russia halted consultations with Japan on a peace treaty

More countries understand reasons for conflict in Ukraine didn’t arise overnight — Lavrov

Russia’s top diplomat pointed to many years of efforts in Ukraine to eradicate the Russian language in education, news media and culture, and to the recent law that bans the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

According to the plan, 360,000 people are to be mobilized in October; 325,000 and 300,000 in November and December, respectively

Russian senator slams candidate for German chancellorship’s remarks as irresponsible

Konstantin Kosachev also emphasized that talking to Russia in the language of ultimatums "is not only counterproductive, but also short-sighted, especially for Germany"

Musk helping Trump choose top officials — media

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Dagestani deminer holds stronghold on his own for several weeks

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Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over past day

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Israeli foreign minister says preparations underway for annexing some West Bank areas

"2025 should be the year of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria," Bezalel Smotrich said

US military strikes car carrying Houthi rebel leaders — TV

According to the source, the US also carried out strikes at Houthi military targets in this area

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"

Russia to equip 290 landing sites for drone operations by 2030 — regulator

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Houthis attack two US destroyers — Pentagon

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Top Russian security official hails strategic cooperation with China

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Africa goes through second ‘awakening,’ now from neocolonial oppression — Lavrov

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Lukashenko calls for support to developing nations in accessing green technologies

The Belarusian leader emphasized that global action to combat climate change requires a united international effort in practice

Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian Stryker armored vehicle in Kharkov Region

The strike’s accuracy and efficiency were confirmed by data-recording equipment in real time

Russia's AI industry ready to thrive with proper support, expert says

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US to continue arms supplies to Israel — news portal

According to Axios, "some of Blinken's senior aides and senior White House officials thought the ultimatum was effective and pushed Israel to change course"

Russia for the first time displays Su-57 jet at China show

Su-57 multirole fifth-generation fighter jet was designed to destroy all air, ground, and water surface targets, monitor the airspace at major distances from deployment bases, make adversary headquarters, command posts and control systems inoperative

Ukraine issue gets more attention at UN after Trump’s election win — Russian diplomat

"People started actively commenting behind the scenes, making forecasts about where things could go now," Dmitry Polyansky noted

First S-550 air defense systems enter service in Russia — source

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Ukraine retreating fast, delaying peace to result in lost territories — entrepreneur

"The simplest path to peace in Ukraine is to go back to the draft deal signed in Istanbul," David Sacks said

Czech intelligence warns of crime surge after Ukraine conflict ends

More than 380,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to the Czech Republic since February 24, 2022

Combat experience distinguishes Su-57 among fifth-generation fighters

The Russian Defense Ministry said it excellently performed in combat

Trump to reverse Biden’s executive orders in first week in office — press secretary

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Israel reports eliminating most of Hezbollah arms production sites near Beirut

The statement noted that "over the years, the Intelligence Directorate has developed a situational assessment of the locations of Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the area"

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Among those who are ready to move are technical professionals in the metalworking industry

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

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Russia’s Rubikon unmanned technology center team destroys Ukrainian armor in Kursk area

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Lavrov to lead Russia’s delegation to G20 summit in Brazil

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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

IAEA chief urges Iran to find diplomatic solution on nuclear program

Rafael Grossi acknowledged that the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program, which the US later abandoned, had become an "empty shell"

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Ukrainians play 'radio games' with Russian recon to spread disinfo on attacks — LPR expert

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Thailand receives invitation to become BRICS partner country — diplomatic source

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Over 1,000 dead seals found on Caspian coast in Kazakhstan

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Tatyana Bakalchuk: I dared to take risks and it paid off

The CEO of Wildberries, Russia’s largest Internet retailer, in a TASS special project on Top Business Officials

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What we know about massive Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions

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Russian troops secure supply route to Plekhovo in Kursk Region — commander

It is reported that fighting in the settlement itself is taking place at the moment

Russian engine maker unveils cutting-edge aircraft engine

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Press review: Russia, Belarus finalize security deal as China readies for Trump’s new term

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 11th

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Climate policy should be based on common sense, not ideology — Orban

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US intelligence agencies must prevent new attempts on Trump’s life — Kremlin aide

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Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter debuts at Airshow China

Earlier, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Russia’s state tech corporation Rostec, stated that the Su-57 is the only fifth-generation aircraft globally that has demonstrated its exceptional performance characteristics in all combat scenarios

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

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

US hegemony ambitions led to global problems starting with Belgrade bombings — lawmaker

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Defense enterprises in Ukraine hiding their employees from mobilization

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Ukraine admits to mismanagement of military personnel

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Houthis say they attacked US aircraft carrier in Arabian Sea

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Ukrainian General Staff reports difficult situation along entire frontline

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Two US military bases in Syria come under missiles attacks — TV

According to tAl Mayadeen, at least two attacks targeted a military facility near the Conico gas field in the Deir ez-Zor governorate in a span of one hour

Russian troops destroy fourth US-made Abrams tank in Ukraine operation

The reconnaissance teams managed to get to the damaged vehicle, inspect it and retrieve all the necessary equipment

Moldova expresses displeasure about Georgian prime minister’s comments

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Trump may be set to change US course on global conflicts, Russian envoy believes

Alexander Lavrentyev also pointed to the potential withdrawal of US troops from Syria

Russian advances, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup North have continued their offensive, defeating Ukrainian formations near several settlements in the Kursk Region

Trump appoints Florida Rep. Mike Waltz National Security Advisor

Now, Jake Sullivan serves as the US National Security Advisor

Russia demonstrates Il-76MD-90A(E) airlifter to 11 foreign customers this year

The latest modification is distinguished by new equipment, including a glass cockpit, modern PS-90A-76 engines, a modified wing and reinforced chassis

Italian producer announces two collaborative projects with Russia

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Amount of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland unchanged since August — agency

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US State Department insists DPRK troops engaged in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Patel also insisted that "Russian forces have trained the DPRK soldiers in artillery, in UAV, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations"

Breakthrough near Krasnoarmeysk could enable Russian push toward the Dnieper — expert

Markus Reisner noted that many of the Ukrainian units on this section of the frontline are understaffed by 50%

Kiev been pushed by West toward aggression against own population for 8 years — diplomat

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Ukraine’s troops south of Kurakhovo caught in pincers — military sources

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Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

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Russian emergencies chief visits Cuba

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Police say Russian-made drone without explosives fell down in Moldovan territory

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Kremlin spokesman denies media reports of phone call between Putin, Trump

Dmitry Peskov described the Washington Post and Reuters reports about the alleged telephone conversation as "the most remarkable example of the quality of the information that is published nowadays, sometimes even by quite respected outlets"

Security official stresses need to counter US policy of dual containment of Russia, China

Sergey Shoigu arrived in China on a working visit on Monday