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Pentagon awards $12.5 bln contracts to firms to upgrade US Air Force base infrastructure

The department expects that the works under the contract will be completed by August 15, 2034

WASHINGTON, August 17. /TASS/. The US Department of Defense has awarded contracts to a number of companies to modernize the infrastructure of all US Air Force bases, according to a statement released by the Pentagon on Friday.

As explained in the document, the contract provides for the involvement of qualified resources to modernize, operate and maintain the network infrastructure of US Air Force bases around the world.

The total contract amounted to $12.5 billion. The department expects that the works under the contract will be completed by August 15, 2034.

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Germany has not passed information on Scholz peace plan to Russia — Zakharova

At the same time, Maria Zakharova said, in case of such a peace initiative from Germany "no one will give it a standing ovation," because it is Scholz, who alongside others "sends money and weapons to the Kiev regime"

Trump deals US democracy its worst blow since the Civil War — Harris

Kamala Harris also said that Republican presidential candidate has contributed to the start of trade wars

Soyuz MS-26 crew with new TASS correspondent to head to ISS from Baikonur spaceport

The launch of the Soyuz 2.1a booster is scheduled for 7:23 p.m. Moscow time from Baikonur's launch pad No. 31

Russian military has plan for pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Region — Kremlin

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

China supports Russia as BRICS chair — top Chinese diplomat

According to Wang Yi, Beijing aims to turn BRICS into "the main channel for new forces to make their voices heard."

Harris' performance in debate with Trump resonates with voters — CNN poll

82% of the respondents said that the debate will have no bearing on who they vote for in the November election

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

Ukrainians warming up to idea of negotiations with Moscow — WSJ

According to the newspaper, opinion polls in Ukraine indicate a gradual shift towards supporting negotiations with Russia

Russia’s strike on Kramatorsk eliminates two Ukrainian generals, 50 officers — top brass

It is noted that Ukrainian troops continue attempts to advance in three directions

Trump, Harris start debate by shaking hands

The presidential candidates also exchanged remarks before the speeches began

US imposes sanctions against two companies, nine vessels from Russia — Treasury

The Sea River Service Limited Liability Company from the city of Azov and VAFA Wholesale LTD from Astrakhan were blacklisted

Russia’s Ocean-2024 naval drills of no threat to US, NATO — Pentagon

Washington believes that "China will be the only true participant, with a few other countries only observing"

Trump says Democrats will drag US into World War III

Trump said the Democratic administration has "millions of people pouring" into the US, which has led to serious problems

Houthis confirm two schoolgirls killed in US-UK strike at school in Yemen

Mohammed Abdulsalam called the incident a "brutal aggression" and a "horrible crime," claiming that Washington and London will not force the movement to stop supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

Syrsky to be fired over fallout from attack on Kursk Region, says Ukrainian politician

Ukraine’s former Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko said that the best Ukrainian units and equipment had been deployed to the Kursk Region

Explosion rocks facility belonging to US embassy in Iraq — news outlet

No information has yet been given on the cause of the explosions

Kremlin hopes for interaction between Putin, Erdogan at BRICS summit in Kazan

Putin invites Cabinet to consider restricting exports of uranium, titanium, nickel

The Russian leader reiterated that the government should "think about certain restrictions on supplies to the foreign market" of these and a number of other goods

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

Iran criticizes UK, Germany, France over air service termination

According to Nasser Kanaani, Tehran will respond "proportionately"

Russian MFA warns more arms supplies to Ukraine could set off 'uncontrollable' escalation

Western countries "do not care anymore, apparently, what will happen to Ukraine and Ukrainians," Maria Zakharova stressed

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

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Dmitry Peskov cautioned "against treating reports of various digital media or media-like outlets as primary sources"

US presidential debate mere dog and pony show — Russian diplomat

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Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

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Kiev seeks more terror while weakening on battlefield — Foreign Ministry

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US moves toward escalation by considering possibility of Kiev strikes on Russia — diplomat

"The US has total control over Kiev, which cannot make any decision without the approval or support of the US and other Western allies," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov underlined

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"We're working that out now," the US leader said

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Kiev to be given permission to attack Russia with Western missiles — Kremlin spokesman

"At the moment, the media is simply conducting such a campaign to formalize a decision that has already been made," Dmitry Peskov noted

Musk believes Harris to be in charge of US office already

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Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Russia must be ready to repel military aggression from any direction — Putin

The Russian leader wished the participants of the exercise "success in accomplishing the assigned tasks"

Moscow welcomes Brazilian, Chinese peace initiatives on Ukraine — Russian diplomat

"I will tell you that Russia has always expressed its readiness to resume negotiations," Sergey Ryabkov went on to say

Rising number of dead foreigners in Ukraine proves West's involvement — envoy to UN

"We have warned from the beginning that those who help the Zelensky clique stay afloat will become our legitimate targets," Vasily Nebezya reminded

Mi-28NM copter hits Ukrainian armored vehicles in Kursk border area — Defense Ministry

Reconnaissance confirmed the elimination of Ukrainian manpower and armor, the Defense Ministry said

London must admit its anti-Russian sanctions policy failed — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the sanctions are "inefficient, counter-productive for those that come up with them and imposes them on Russia"

Allegations on weapons deliveries to Russia from abroad are groundless — Kremlin

"We are developing our relations with a number of countries, we are cooperating in various spheres, and we will continue this cooperation in the interests of all involved countries," Dmitry Peskov added

Scholz says conference on resolving Ukrainian conflict with Russian participation needed

The German chancellor reiterated that "peace that respects Ukraine's integrity and sovereignty must be just, and not imposed or achieved by capitulation"

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

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Israel used 2,000-pound bombs in strike on Palestinian refugee camp — newspaper

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Russia won’t account to US for cooperation with China — MFA

"We are building relations with China in a mutually beneficial way, in full compliance with international law and we are not going to give the United States an account," Maria Zakharova said

Ukraine agrees to transit Russian oil purchased by European companies — Prime Minister

Denis Shmygal emphasized that Kiev was not in talks and did not plan to conduct negotiations with Moscow on extending agreements on the transit of Russian oil and gas

Russian aircraft firm masters mass production of Su-57 fighter jets — top executive

The Sukhoi Su-57 is a Russian-made fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air, ground and naval targets

Russia will not accept any ultimatums on Ukraine — senior diplomat

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West pushing Kiev’s terrorist regime to cross redlines — senior Russian MP

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He also plans to settle the conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration if he wins the election

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Wang Yi pointed out that against the background of unprecedented changes in the world, China-Russia cooperation "maintains the momentum for stable and healthy development"

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Real time footage shows how the howitzer exploded, the ministry noted

Russian diplomat says Washington, London stand behind Ukrainian strike on Ramenskoye

According Maria Zakharova, attempts by Western governments and special services to push Russia’s non-systemic opposition toward destabilizing the internal political situation in Russia are doomed to fail

Murmansk Region beefs up security amid enemy drone strikes — governor

According to Andrey Chibis, three Ukrainian drones have been downed in the skies over his region

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Rada admits Ukrainian army struggles in Kursk Region

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Russia finishing preparations for signing new interstate agreement with Iran — Shoigu

"We continue keeping an eye on issues of the practical implementation of top-level agreements," the Russian Security Council secretary underlined

US military-industrial complex doesn’t want cash cow Ukraine conflict to end — expert

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Ka-52M helicopters hit Ukrainian manpower, equipment in Kursk border area — top brass

The ministry added that the attack was carried out with air-to-air missiles on reconnaissance targets of the enemy

Russian Admiral Golovko frigate launches Kalibr missile during Ocean-2024 drills

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There are no countries hostile to Russia, there are hostile elites — Putin

The Russian leader noted that hostile elites were obsessed with the idea of dismembering Russia

FACTBOX: Drone attack on Moscow and other Russian regions

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None of Russian regions can be disputed in talks on Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who said that the return of Crimea was allegedly a provision of international law

Khibiny Airport in Murmansk Region suspends flights — Russian aviation agency

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Russian air defense weapons are world’s best — expert

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Three enemy drones downed over northwestern Russia’s Murmansk Region — governor

As a precaution to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft, flights at Murmansk and Apatity airports have been temporarily suspended

Ukraine’s attack on Kursk unlikely to change strategic situation — Turkish MP

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UK adds ten more Russian ships to sanctions list — Treasury

The tankers will be banned from UK ports and may be struck off from the UK Ship Register

Russian diplomat says Nuland’s statements prove US played role in disrupting Ukraine deal

"The West has never been interested in a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

Ending Ukrainian conflict serves US interests — Trump

Russian army approaches Seversk to increase range of weapons used — military expert

Andrey Marochko noted that this development will allow Russian troops to "increase pressure" on the enemy and "expand the range of weapons used"

No more illusions about talks with Kiev after attack on Kursk — activist

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Iran blasts US claims of arms shipments to third countries as lies, propaganda

"The publication of false and misleading reports about the transfer of Iranian weapons to some countries is simply an ugly propaganda to conceal the large illegal arms support of the United States and some Western countries for the genocide in Gaza," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated

Kremlin spokesman says he cannot recall Putin ever talking to Kamala Harris

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Ukrainian drone killed some Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region, captured soldier says

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Trump intends to impose significant tariffs if he wins the election

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Russia to take additional measures to support Cuba — Shoigu

The Security Council secretary noted that Moscow and Havana will develop their strategic cooperation in a wide array of areas

West only prepared to give money to Belarusian opposition for armed fighting — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader warned that the Belarusian authorities know about the opposition’s plans for a potential invasion

Russia assumes Iran heard its position on Zangezur Corridor — Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

"We have provided all necessary explanations in this regard," Maria Zakharova stressed

Kremlin praises military success in repelling drone attacks

Dmitry Peskov did not specify whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with how Russia’s air defenses were operating

Russia to continue contacts with Hamas to release hostages — foreign ministry

Mikhail Bogdanov emphasized that this humanitarian task was in a top priority in contacts with representatives of the Hamas political wing in coordination with the authorities of a number of Middle East countries

End of Russian gas transit to weaken Kiev’s strategic position — Bloomberg

Nobody needs a renewal of the gas-transit contract quite as much as Kiev which risks losing up to $800 mln a year in transit fees, while greater efforts would be required for reaching a new agreement in the future, according to the report

Ukraine’s General Staff says situation is difficult along entire front line

The most tense situation at the moment is in the Kurakhovo and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) areas of the Kiev-controlled part of the DPR

US, UK once again attack Houthi facilities in Yemen — TV

No deaths or injuries were reported, Al Masirah reported

US, OSCE ODIHR conspiring to discredit Georgian elections — SVR

According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, "the plan is that 10-20 days before the vote, the OSCE ODIHR will publish an interim report concluding that the country lacks conditions to hold free and honest elections"

Putin accuses US of prompting arms race

According to the Russian leader, the United States is creating preconditions for a dangerous crisis situation in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region