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Middle East conflict

Hamas leader disguises himself in women's clothing to avoid capture by Israel — media

The Israeli army believes that Yahya Sinwar’s arrest or killing would mean the collapse of Hamas’ leadership hierarchy and its subsequent dissolution

TEL AVIV, August 26. /TASS/. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar lives underground in the Gaza Strip and moves around crowded streets wearing women’s clothes in a bid to escape being targeted by the Israeli military, the Maariv newspaper reported.

According to the newspaper, some ten days ago Israeli troops just missed capturing Sinwar in a tunnel in Gaza where he was hiding out. "His (Sinwar’s - TASS) coffee was still hot," the newspaper said, citing sources. Since then, "he has been trying to blend in with crowds" in a "women’s dress" so he is not spotted by Israeli drones, it said.

The Israeli army believes that Sinwar’s arrest or killing would mean the collapse of Hamas’ leadership hierarchy and its subsequent dissolution, Maariv said, adding that Hamas leaders change their shelters every 24-36 hours. The movement’s political bureau is so worried about its security that last week it "added conditions" to ensure its safety to the list of demands at the hostage release talks in Cairo.

On August 12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Israel sees Sinwar as the only obstacle standing in the way of getting a hostage deal done. Sinwar was elected Hamas leader in early August after the death of Ismail Haniyeh who was killed in Tehran. Israel still has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.

The latest round of indirect talks on the hostage release and Gaza ceasefire deal was held in Cairo on August 25. The previous meeting of the mediators took place in Doha ten days prior.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

According to the latest data from the Israeli side, as many as 109 people are still held hostage in Gaza.

Expert calls on Russia, China to strengthen exchanges amid US missile deployment plans

Zheng Renyi sees in the situation with Japan and the US missiles the ancient martial arts idea of "seme," or getting in your opponent’s head before attacking

Russia puts some foreign reporters on wanted persons list over illegal border crossing

They are Italy’s RAI television reporter Stefania Battistini, Deutsche Welle reporter Nicholas Simon Connolly, CNN reporter Nick Paton Walsh and Ukrainian reporters Natalya Nagornaya, Olesya Borovik and Diana Butsko

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

No weapon can become game changer for Kiev — Pentagon

In Washington’s opinion, Ukraine should focus on employing capabilities currently at its disposal

UK to be remembered in history as sponsor of Ukrainian terrorists — Russian embassy

The Russian diplomatic mission said that "in an attempt to overcome their clients’ negative developments on the battlefield, the UK government seems to be close to stepping onto a yet another dangerous turn in the escalation spiral."

North Korea shows off enriched uranium production facility for first time — media

The news agency noted that this was the first time that North Korea had publicly disclosed any details about its uranium enrichment site via state media

Kim Jong Un oversees tests of new 600mm multiple rocket launcher

The trials included "the driving test and volley test"

BRICS security leaders convene in St. Petersburg to discuss new world order

According to the preliminary agenda, the representatives of the BRICS group, chaired this year by Russia, intend to talk about how to work together to counter the "rules-based order" imposed by the West

Aerial bomb strikes Ukrainian personnel near DPR's Selidovo

Several pieces of hardware and ammunition were also destroyed in the area

Colombia seeks to stop recruitment of its citizens to Ukraine via diplomatic channels

The Foreign Ministry is aware about three citizens, detained in Russia under charges of mercenarism for fighting on Ukrainian side

Ukraine keeps Western tanks away from front due to high risk of losing them — newspaper

It is also pointed out that the US-made Abrams tanks "sit idle" "in a field miles from the front line"

Six UK diplomats working in Moscow engaged in intelligence, subversive activities — FSB

"The revealed facts give grounds to consider the activities of UK diplomats sent to Moscow by the Directorate as a threat to Russia’s security," the report said

Ukraine is running low on Storm Shadow missiles — The Daily Telegraph

Reports on whether Kiev is authorized to use the UK-supplied missiles for deep strikes on Russia have been controversial over the past few months

Musk warns of looming World War Three if US approves strikes on Russian soil

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s intention to let Kiev use its long-range projectiles for strikes deep into Russia’s interior is another step in escalating the conflict

Four US nationals convicted of conspiracy to work for Russia — US Justice Department

The statement alleged that they acted under the direction of Russian anti-globalization human rights activist Alexander Ionov

Kim Jong Un gives instructions to boost production of weapons-grade nuclear materials

North Korean leader "stressed the need to further augment the number of centrifuges in order to exponentially increase the nuclear weapons", KNCA reported

Severing diplomatic relations with UK out of question — Kremlin

Earlier, an anonymous representative of the Russian security services said that six UK diplomats had been expelled from Russia

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

US imposes Ukrainian military experience on Asia-Pacific

Under the pretext of creating a free and open Indo-Pacific region, western countries are creating military alliances similar to NATO in the region

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

IMF supports Turkey's decision to join BRICS — fund representative

Earlier Julie Kozak stated that the IMF supports the expansion of BRICS in order to take advantage of global integration

Storm Shadow missile strikes into Russian territory not to help Ukraine win — BBC reporter

According to Jeremy Bowen, if Ukraine is allowed to hit Russia with Western missiles, it might add another layer to the conflict and certainly give the Ukrainians another means to hit Russia with, but it will not bring Ukraine victory in the war

Poland has zero desire to defend Ukraine, top Polish diplomat says

According to Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland is now discussing whether to shoot down Russian cruise missiles over Ukraine's airspace from its own airspace without entering the Ukrainian territory

Ukraine’s army loses roughly 300 troops, seven tanks in Kursk area over past day

As the Russian Defense Ministry specified, "the operation to destroy Ukrainian armed formations continues"

EU prolongs individual sanctions against Russia, removes two persons from blacklist

The EU Council stressed that the blacklist against Russia currently includes more than 2,200 individuals and legal entities

Hungary believes in dialogue, not in 'lectures and sanctions' — Orban

Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called for honesty on EU enlargement and criticized its leaders for playing a joke on the Western Balkan countries with accession to the EU

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

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

Witnesses confirm Ukrainian citizen’s involvement in journalist Dugina’s assassination

The court ruling on Natalya Vovk’s arrest in absentia says that files presented to the judge prove that suspicions of her involvement were justified

India’s PM adviser says never conveyed any statements from Zelensky to Putin — Kremlin

Ajit Kumar Doval described the main content of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's contacts in Kiev and the main basics of Modi's approach to resolving the conflict over Ukraine, Dmitry Peskov said

Investigators record cases of Ukrainian troops’ terrorism in Russia’s Kursk Region

Investigative bodies are dealing with the cases of residents of Sudzhansky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, and other border districts of Kursk Region

Strategic partnership between Russia, China guarantees peace, stability — Defense Ministry

Alexander Fomin also noted that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China, testifying to the strength of their alliance

Zelensky complains West refused to use long-range weapons against Russia

"If restrictions are lifted on some weapons for which there are no missiles, that is not a lifting of restrictions," the Ukrainian president said

Israeli military declares Hamas’ Rafah brigade obliterated

According to the IDF, in recent weeks Israeli units also operated in the Tell al-Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah

Press review: US moves to allow strikes inside Russia and Trump, Harris trade debate blows

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 12th

Criminal case into Ukraine’s attack on Kursk has over 200 volumes — official

Among the charges that are now being investigated are murders, attempted murders and terrorism

Russia, Turkey disagree on Crimea’s status, Moscow keeps persuading Ankara — Kremlin

"We hope that over time this will allow Ankara to understand us better and to agree with our arguments," Dmitry Peskov explained

Russia’s National Guard wipes out 5 Ukrainian strongholds in borderline Kursk Region

It is noted that its units in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region continue to detect and eliminate the camouflaged positions of Ukrainian military personnel and hardware

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

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

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"

Less volunteers join Ukrainian army due to command's poor attitude — POW

It is reported that servicemen were deployed to build fortifications near the front line and could be left out of contact for an indefinite period

Biden could allow strikes inside Russia with European missiles, but not ATACMS — report

The US President could greenlight the use of UK’s Storm Shadow missiles and French Scalp missiles

Army liberates Krasnogorovka after taking enemy by surprise — Russian serviceman

According to the report, all the assault operations in Krasnogorovka were carefully planned

OHCHR closely registers reports of civilian casualties of Ukrainian attacks — spokeswoman

On Wednesday, the Russian delegation, which takes part in the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, criticized the HRC’s partiality in assessment of violations of rights and freedoms

Drug supplies to Ukrainian army come from US — POW

It is reported that under some psychotropics a person can stay awake for a week

US intends to adjust aid to Ukraine — Blinken on strikes deep into Russian territory

The high-ranking official avoided directly answering the question about strikes deep into Russian territory with US-made weapons

Russian forces advance in all directions, Kiev running out of resources — newspaper

Russia also sucessfully repelling the Ukrainian incursion into its borderline region of Kursk, the La Repubblica newspaper’s military columnist Gianluca De Feo wrote

European elites seek to bring iron curtain back, which is way to nowhere — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president noted that at times it seems as though people coming to the country "leave their mutual quarrels, reproaches, and grudges at the border crossings"

Russian deputy defense minister presents Russia’s approaches to security issues in Beijing

Alexander Fomin met with heads of delegations from China, Brunei, Laos, Mongolia and Iran

Russia’s Su-34 fighter-bomber destroys Ukrainian troops, equipment in Kursk Region

The strike involved aviation bombs with universal planning and correction modules, which allow precise strikes from a safe distance from the line of contact

Israel close to eliminating Hamas' military and political power — Netanyahu's office

According to Dmitry Gendelman, "the military defeat of Hamas brings closer" the release of hostages held in Gaza

Russian MFA says Ukraine set up ‘something like concentration camps’ in Kursk Region

"For example, from 70 to 100 civilians were forcibly taken into the basements of the Sudzha boarding school, where they were subjected to psychological abuse and used for filming propaganda stories by Ukrainian and foreign journalists," the report says

Kiev lost some 7,000 troops in Sudzha district of Kursk Region — commander

According to Apty Alaudinov, Ukraine is taking heavy casualties

NATO views Russia as ‘most significant and direct threat’ now and in long term

The experts claimed that Iran’s alleged supplies of ballistic missiles to Russia "represents a substantial escalation"

Russian air defenses destroy 20 Ukrainian drones above 6 regions overnight

Later, Oryol Region Governor Andrey Klychkov reported that one Ukrainian drone was jammed by electronic warfare systems and the other - by aviation equipment

Moscow reaches breaking point with British spies in Russia — intelligence official

According to the statement, "any diplomatic etiquette has been thrown completely out the window"

Reaction to permission to hit Russian territory with Western weapons to follow — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, "this raises significantly the degree of the collective West’s involvement in this war around Ukraine"

Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk Region to deal 'symbolic blow' for Kiev — newspaper

At the same time, a Ukrainian military officer told the newspaper that the situation in the area was difficult for Ukrainian forces

Ten settlements liberated: developments in Kursk Region

Russian troops also repelled four Ukrainian attempts to break through the border towards the settlements of Novy Put and Medvezhye

Ukrainian trench system discovered in settlements liberated on way to Krasnoarmeysk

DPR head Denis Pushilin announced that he had visited Karlovka, Novosyolovka Pervaya, Peski and seven other settlements

Double standards unacceptable while resolving Ukraine, Mideast conflicts — minister

In Dong Jun's opinion, root causes of these conflicts need to be studied in order to resolve them

NASA delays Crew Dragon mission with Russian cosmonaut aboard by one day

Alexander Gorbunov and his launch partner, NASA astronaut Nick Hague, will arrive at Cape Canaveral launch facility in Florida to spend the next two weeks in routine preflight quarantine

Finland’s territory not to be used to attacks against Russia — General Staff

Finnish Defense Forces General Staff noted that it monitors the situation around the attack of Ukrainian drones in the Murmansk Region

Trump’s plan on Ukraine envisages demilitarized zone, Kiev’s neutrality — running mate

Apart from that, "the Germans and other countries have to fund some Ukrainian reconstruction", David Vance said

Putin discusses Foreign Ministry issues with Security Council members

"We will ask Sergey Viktorovich [Lavrov] to tell us about his recent contacts with his foreign colleagues," the president said

West's decision to attack deep into Russia won’t change situation on front — commander

"For us, nothing will change directly on the front, because the front is moving and will continue to move until Russia wins," Apty Alaudinov emphasized

Local residents testify to Ukraine's atrocities in Kursk Region

On September 9, the Investigative Committee announced that criminal cases had been filed against Ukrainian servicemen suspected of committing various crimes in the Kursk Region

Putin's statement on consequences of strikes deep into Russia reaches addressees — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Putin's statement admitted of no dual interpretations

Stoltenberg to become new Munich security conference chairman — media

According to the report, Jens Stoltenberg will assume the office after the Munich Conference in February 2025

War correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny discharged from hospital

On August 7, Poddubny was injured in the Kursk Region near the border, where fighting with Ukrainian groups is taking place

Medvedev doubts prospects of century-long UK-Ukraine partnership

Kiev is unlikely to last even a quarter of this term, he said

Group of Ukrainian pilots trained to fly F-16s in Romania — defense minister

Rustem Umerov also said that a new Patriot air defense system, pledged by Romania, will be delivered to Ukraine soon

Top Polish diplomat laughs with pranksters, talking about Nord Streams sabotage

Radoslaw Sikorski added that "the Americans had advance knowledge of it and didn’t stop it"

West fully supported Ukraine’s assault on Russia’s Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

As Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin noted, it was proved "that the 'Ukraine project,' at least since the Maidan coup, has been and still remains an instrument of the collective West"

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl confirms West’s plans to split up Russia

Some people in the Atlantic Council, and this is not only Americans, but also British, even German and Austrian scholars, said that Russia could be divided just as the Federation of Yugoslavia was divided

Press review: US keeps itself at arm's length from Kiev and Russia, China flex naval power

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 11th

Bank of Russia raises key rate by 100 bp to 19% per annum

At the same time, operational indicators and GDP data for the Q2 of 2024 indicate a slight slowdown in Russian economic growth mainly due to rising constraints on the supply side and a declining external demand, the Bank of Russia said

Russian army hits airfields, Ukrainian military’s energy facilities

Russia’s battlegroup West has repelled three Ukrainian counterattacks over the past day, eliminating up to 445 enemy servicemen, the Defense Ministry emphasized

US delays solution to Ukrainian conflict, causes destabilization in Europe — North Korea

The statement came in response to remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Russia, China, countries of global South seek just world order — Putin

"We will do everything to prepare relevant decisions on the basis of consensus, customary in our relations," the Russian leader stressed

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts repelled: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost up to 300 troops and seven tanks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Region, will undoubtedly succeed — Lavrov

The foreign minister pointed out that "it is the West that supplies Ukraine with offensive weapons that are used in terrorist attacks"

UK already permitted Kiev to use Storm Shadow, but will not admit it publicly — paper

The report quotes anonymous sources as saying that "it would be considered unnecessarily provocative" in London to make a public announcement of this kind

Russian-Chinese 2024 military cooperation plan lists over 100 events

Such events include strategic exercises, drills for various services and braches of the armed forces, training of military specialists, sharing experience, etc.

West trying to add so-called Crimean platform into its formats on 'peace summit' — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed to the fact that the Kiev regime had repeatedly voiced its real intentions regarding Crimea

Ukrainian forces attempt to eliminate their own troops captured by Russian units

"Look at us: there are injuries but these wounds came from the drones that attacked us," the Ukrainian soldier said

Ukrainian troops use drones with thermite in special operation zone

It is stressed that they are a serious threat, given that the grass is very dry now, it doesn’t rain much here and the fire spreads to positions in all directions

Proposal to limit titanium, nickel exports not related to arms supplies to Kiev — Kremlin

No details on how the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin on restricting titanium and nickel exports will be implemented are available yet, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters

Germany does not supply arms to Ukraine for strikes on Russia’s interior — cabinet

According to the official, Berlin "has nothing to add" to its earlier statements about German weapons supplied to the Kiev regime

UK diplomats working in Russia engaged in harming Russian people — diplomat

"We fully share the Russian Federal Security Service's assessment of the activities of the so-called British diplomats," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Ukraine’s failed attack on drilling rig may be sign of infighting in its military — expert

According to Vasily Prozorov, the attack might be a result of infighting between Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky

Scholz calls for peace talks on Ukraine to meet people’s will — MP

Steffen Kotre is very skeptical about the chances that the chancellor "will do everything in his power"

Xi accepts Putin invitation to attend BRICS summit in Kazan, China’s top diplomat says

According to Wang Yi, the two leaders will "build on their strategic interaction" at the summit

Trump refuses to hold new round of debates with Harris

US ex-President noted that Polls shows that he won last debate

NATO has been prepping Ukraine for war with Russia for eight years, Ukrainian POW says

It is noted that the Ukrainian media outlets have been deliberately shaping Russia’s negative image

ICRC says three staff members killed in Kiev-controlled territory of DPR

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said that she strongly condemned the "attacks on Red Cross personnel"

Ukrainian troops execute comrades attempting to surrender in Kursk — army

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that getting captured Ukrainian soldiers out of the combat zone is no easy task

Russian arms get the job done in special op — senior military official

Alexander Fomin noted that "Western weapon systems, purportedly possessing some high performance characteristics, according to promotional ads, burn perfectly well on the battlefield without any chances for restoration"

India’s PM adviser shares with Putin possible ways of settling Ukraine crisis — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that it was not "a clear-cut peace plan"

US decision to strike deep into Russia won’t solve Ukrainian problems — newspaper

It is pointed out that Washington has tempered its expectations of what Kiev can achieve in the near future

IMF resumes article 4 consultations with Russia as economy stabilizing — fund official

According to Julie Kozak, the representatives of IMF will discuss with the Russian authorities "the country's economic developments, prospects and policies"

Ukraine suffers heavy losses after repeated attempts to advance in Kursk Region — army

Apty Alaudinov emphasized that "the situation remains difficult but under control"