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Middle East conflict

Israel believes half of some 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are dead

So far, the Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of only 33 hostages, the media said

TEL AVIV, September 23. /TASS/. Israel's leadership believes that only about half of the 97 Israeli hostages held by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip are still alive, The Times of Israel quotes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying at a meeting in parliament behind closed doors.

"According to the information we have, half [of the 97 remaining] hostages in Gaza are alive," a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee reportedly said.

So far, the Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of only 33 hostages, The Times of Israel stresses.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated after the infiltration of militants of the Palestinian movement Hamas from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, accompanied by the killings of civilians in border settlements and the capture of 250 hostages. The radicals said the attack was in response to the Israeli authorities' actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a complete blockade of Gaza and launched retaliatory strikes against it and parts of Lebanon and Syria before launching a ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.

Middle East conflict

Kremlin concerned about rising tensions in the Middle East

Dmitry Peskov noted that the situation in the region was getting worse every day

First submarine carrying unmanned vehicles Poseidon to be launched in spring

Poseidon is undergoing successful tests, the president stressed

Physicists from Russia to be banned from Large Hadron Collider from December 1 — Nature

At the same time, CERN will continue to work on projects already underway with about 270 employees of the Russian Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

Elite Iranian army unit bans use of comm devices in wake of Lebanon blasts — media

Top officials are concerned about the incident, having requested the results of technical examination as well as several samples of detonated products from Hezbollah

Russia will not 'shoot itself in the foot' by halting gas supplies — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, for many decades, since the times of the Soviet Union, since the 1970s, Moscow has been establishing mutually beneficial cooperation in gas supplies

Russia cautions Chisinau against involvement in Ukrainian conflict — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the speculations about Romania's plans for redirecting to Moldova the mobile maintenance stations for F-16 fighter jets received by Bucharest for their subsequent deployment at the Marculesti airbase

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry sapper dies in Kursk Region during mine clearance

Vyacheslav Tsoffka had to his credit than 10,000 detected and neutralized explosive items

Macron calls for reviewing ties with Russia

The French president also called for bigger presence of "densely populated countries, which did not exist when the current world order was only forming" in international organizations

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

Kiev’s plans and Ukrainian losses: latest update on situation in Kursk Region

Ukrainian troops are regrouping in the Kursk Region in an attempt to stage an attack at another location but Russian forces are in control of the situation, Major General Apty Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and commander of the Akhmat special forces commando unit, said

Spacemen to return to Earth after longest mission in ISS’s history

The undocking has been scheduled for 11:37 Moscow time, the spacecraft is expected to land at about 15:00 Moscow time

Israeli army delivers extensive strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

According to the report, the strikes targeted rocket launchers quite close to civilian homes

Ukrainian troops retreat from village near Artyomovsk in DPR — Russian officers

The enemy fled from near Andreyevka where it has long been holding positions, it has retreated, law enforcement officers said

Russia says drone shot down over Kursk Region

The Kiev regime made an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack with a fixed-wing drone on sites on the territory of the Russian Federation

Russia says battlegroup West struck 4 Ukrainian brigades

Enemy lost up to 420 troops

Soyuz MS-25 undocks from ISS

The spacecraft carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolay Chub, accompanied by NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, back to Earth is expected to land southeast of Jezkazgan, Kazakhstan, at 3:00 p.m. Moscow time

Ukrainians sustain over 300 casualties in Kursk area in past day, Russia says

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian losses have amounted to over 300 troops and nine units of armored hardware, including an infantry fighting vehicle, two APCs, six armored combat vehicles, as well as six artillery guns

Russia keeps balance in relations with Muslim countries — Muslim Board

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin added that Russia was originally formed in the bosom of three monotheistic religions and for more than 1,000 years has continued and consolidated the tradition of communion, good-neighborliness and brotherhood of religions

Russia, China launch joint naval exercise in Vladivostok — Pacific Fleet

A joint group of warships from the Pacific Fleet and China’s PLA Navy has departed from Vladivostok to conduct Russian-Chinese naval maneuvers

Russia wants no nuclear war — Lavrov

The foreign minister still assured that Russia possesses weapons "that will have serious implications for the handlers of the Ukrainian regime"

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories

The countries and territories mentioned in the list imposed or joined the sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Lavrov says he agrees with Trump about destructiveness of sanctions for US dollar

The Russian foreign minister stressed that, despite the continued dependence of many economies on the dollar, the risk of this phenomenon has already been recognized

More than 100 rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon on Sunday morning — Israeli military

Some of them was intercepted, according to the statement

Russia ready for talks with Turkey on Su-35, Su-57 fighters

Russia earlier noted its readiness to participate in the program of developing the Turkish TF-X fifth-generation fighter

Anura Kumara Dissanayake wins presidential election in Sri Lanka

According to the news portal Newsfirst, Dissanayake was supported by 5,740,179 voters after second ballot count

Hezbollah fighters claim Merkava tank hit on Israeli border

The Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that the tank caught fire, two servicemen were killed and one got injured

Poland accuses Russia of 'disinformation campaign' amid large-scale flooding

According to the police, 7 people died and over 6,000 people have been evacuated from the flooded area

Israel is ‘well prepared’ for further actions against Hezbollah — General Staff

"We will bring the residents [of Israeli northern settlement] back to their homes providing them with security, and if Hezbollah still hasn’t understood, it will receive blow after blow - until that organization understands," Herzi Halevi said

Explosions in Lebanon pose interest for Russian intelligence — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow has not discussed the events in Lebanon with regional actors

UN General Assembly has lost its viability, says Brazilian president

"The pandemic, conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the arms race, the climate crisis have revealed the limitations of multilateral formats," Inacio Lula da Silva said at the Summit of the Future at the UN headquarters

West to be ready for nuclear escalation in confrontation with Russia — expert

According to Glenn Diesen, NATO expansion that canceled inclusive pan-European security agreements with Russia was "the main manifestation of America's hegemonic ambitions after the Cold War"

Israel verifying reports about Hamas leader Sinwar’s possible death

According to Kan, so far it is impossible to confirm these reports

All restrictions on entry to Tikhoretsk lifted after Ukrainian attack

Two drones were downed on Saturday by Russian servicemen in the Tikhoretsky district of the Krasnodar Region, where the falling debris resulted in a fire, followed by the detonation of explosive items

Zelensky says Ukrainian troops in extremely difficult situation in two DPR areas

The situation on the frontline remains extremely difficult, Ukrainian President said

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on Golan Heights — results of vote

India’s Modi expresses concerns over humanitarian situation in Gaza at meeting with Abbas

"Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening of the bilateral relations between India and Palestine," the Indian Foreign Ministry said

Russia begins mass production of heavy-duty UAV Privet-82XL

According to the company’s representative, the drone with an increased payload will allow unexpected strikes to be carried out on the enemy deep within the frontlines.

Russian aerospace forces strike four terrorists bases in two Syrian governorates

They left the al-Tanf area, Oleg Igansyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said

Modi, Biden discuss cooperation between India, US

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which includes Australia, India, the United States and Japan and is also known as QUAD, in Wilmington, a city in Delaware

Hezbollah attacks Israeli Ramat David air base for second time

Movement used two types of rockets: Fadi-1, with a range of 80 km, and Fadi-2, with a range of 105 km

Russia's military to restore control of all districts of Kursk Region — Kremlin

"The situation in those areas which are under the control of the Ukrainian militants is extraordinary, of course," Dmitry Peskov stated

Press review: US shifts rhetoric on Ukraine and walkie-talkie explosions rock Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 19th

Russian lower house speaker arrives in Belarus for working visit

According to the Russian State Duma press service, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Russia and Belarus will hold a meeting in Mogilev on September 23

Senior Russian diplomat meets with UN coordinator for Gaza in New York

"The sides exchanged views on the current situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict amid the continuing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip," the press service of the Russian mission to the United Nations said

Press review: Israel declares new phase of war and Russia boosts drone production

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 20th

Four people dead, dozens injured in Alabama shooting — report

According to the report, two men and a woman died at the scene

6-magnitude earthquake rocks Argentina

The epicenter was located 158 km northwest of the city of San Luis

Bundestag members address Cabinet with query regarding Ukraine’s attack on Kursk Region

The legislators are asking whether German weapons are used by the Ukrainian forces in their incursion into the Kursk Region

Neglect of Russia’s interests makes lasting settlement in Ukraine impossible — MFA

At the same time, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova explained that Russian representatives "have not participated in any meetings within the framework of the ‘Buergenstock process’ and are not going to participate in any

Russian diplomat slams Pact for the Future as serious blow on UN

"The United Nations had infringed upon its own principles to pander to a group of delegations from the ‘beautiful garden,’ who have usurped the talks from the very beginning," Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said

Death toll in Israeli Air Force strike outside Beirut rises to 59

The media reported that several bodies, including those of women and children, were recovered from under the rubble following search and rescue operations on Sunday, September 22

Tensions flare up in North Caucasus since start of special military op — commander

Lieutenant General Vladimir Makeyev also mentioned the emergence of self-radicalized citizens, usually living abroad

Russia says its Iskander missile destroys US-made HIMARS in Sumy Region

The crew of an Iskander tactical missile system of the Russian Armed Forces carried out a missile strike on the position of an M142 HIMARS of Ukrainian forces in the settlement of Shaposhnikovo

QUAD leaders oppose unilateral actions that hinder peace in the Middle East

"We underscore the need to prevent the conflict from escalating and spilling over in the region," said a joint statement by the leaders

No details on Kursk Region residents taken away by Ukraine available — ombudswoman

Tatyana Moskalkova added that she had asked Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitry Lubints to provide information with a list of citizens who found themselves in the territories temporarily occupied by the Ukrainian Nazis

Israeli air force attacks 290 Hezbollah facilities in Lebanon in 24 hours

According to IDF, 180 targets were hit

Russian, Lao servicemen hold first joint exercise in Russia’s Far East — top brass

The Russian Defense Ministry pointed out that the first stage of the drills will begin on September 25

Sri Lankan premier resigns following Dissanayake’s presidential win

Dinesh Gunawardena said he resigned "to create space" for the appointment of a new cabinet

Russia says 15 drones shot down over 5 Russian regions, Sea of Azov overnight

Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev said the situation didn’t warrant a drone attack alert

Russian aviation hit 20 areas of deployment of Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region

Russian warplanes hit 13 settlement in the Sumy Region as well, the Russian defense ministry said

Prime Minister Mishustin to speak at key microelectronics forum

The event will also be attended by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov and Minister of Digital Development and Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Kremlin slams Poland's idea to revise Crimea's status 'absurd'

"Russian territory and Russian regions cannot be the subject of any discussion or transfer to anyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Zelensky may be overthrown if Ukraine fails to hold elections — Ukrainian MP

Ukraine is still facing the question of the legitimacy of power in the absence of parliamentary and presidential elections, which cannot be held during martial law

Ukrainian minister says West pledged funds for making missiles, drones in Ukraine

We have developed a missile program, Ukrainian Defense Minister said

Cosmonauts, astronaut move from ISS to Soyuz MS-25, close hatches

The crew will now don their spacesuits and take their seats for the journey back

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

US billionaire sees Zelensky’s 'victory plan' leading to third world war

David Sacks said hopefully Joe Biden can remember why he has rejected the points of the Ukrainian president’s plan

Ukraine spends over $150 billion on military needs, but it's not enough — Defense Ministry

Rustem Umerov did not specify for what period exactly the specified amount was spent

Decision on strikes into Russia unlikely to come after Biden-Zelensky talks — The Times

The newspaper noted that the decision on strikes deep into Russian territory is unlikely to change turn the tide of the conflict, because Russia has withdrawn its planes and missile systems from the range of Western-made weapons, used in the Ukrainian conflict

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Cessna-182 makes emergency landing in Moscow Region — Investigative Committee

No one was hurt, a spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee’s Western interregional investigative department for transport said

FIDE postpones decision on easing sanctions against Russian chess players

Sixty-six delegates voted in favor of consultations with the IOC and IPC on the partial qualification of Russian and Belarussian chess players

Putin, Berdimuhamedow discuss partnership, international meetings

Putin earlier sent a message with birthday greetings to the Turkmen president

Harris will be unable to stop WWIII, Trump argues

Earlier, the politician also warned that the United States would head toward a third world war under a Democratic administration

Ukrainian troops captured: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy has lost over 11,800 servicemen since fighting began in the region

Press review: Prognosing upcoming Zelensky-Biden meetup and Hezbollah ups ante with Israel

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 23rd

Russian ambassador’s escort car drives into mine in Pakistan, policemen injured

Russian diplomats were not hurt

Russia to display Lancet-E kamikaze drone at ADEX show

"Our solutions provide protection against the whole range of internal and external security threats to regional countries," Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said

Erdogan says ready to meet with Syria’s Assad, waiting for response from Damascus

We have said that we would like to hold a meeting with Bashar Assad to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria, Erdogan said

Hezbollah handing out pagers hours before their detonation — agency

The sources said that the Shiite movement did not have any specific suspicions about these pagers and their "checks had been part of a routine 'sweep' of its equipment to find any indications that they were laced with explosives"

UNGA member countries adopt Pact for the Future, despite Russia’s objection

Along with Russia, Belarus and Nicaragua, delegations from North Korea, Syria, Sudan, and Iran voted against

CERN's turn away from Russian scientists has positive aspects — Kurchatov Center chief

This is quite obviously a positive development for us in some respects, Kovalchuk said

IRGC says exposed network of 12 Israeli agents in 6 Iranian provinces

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has blamed Israel for seeking to spread the conflict onto Iran’s territory and destabilize the situation inside the country

Russia must respond to West's banditry — Peskov on limiting raw materials exports

We need to respond to — not just unfriendly, but thuggish — actions against us, he said

Israel wants to drag whole region into war, engages in terrorism, says Erdogan

The Turkish President said he would address the UNGA to ask the participants to remember "the need for taking action against genocide in the Gaza Strip and Israel's aggressive policies"

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

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

Conflicts in space to increase over time, German general predicts

"The enemy views our space capabilities, both civilian and military, as targets," Michael Traut, the head of Germany's Military Space Command, noted

Putin bids last respects to his demised first judo coach Rakhlin

Rakhlin has trained Vladimir Putin for 11 years

Europe's new security architecture yet to be built — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov noted that this would require great efforts in the future and be a matter of special concern for the Kremlin in order to ensure Russia's legitimate security interests

Hollywood action star Jackie Chan says he loves Russia, thanks his fans

The actor wished that the friendship between China and Russia would last forever

Kremlin spokesman says West ‘obsessed’ with fighting Russia until Ukraine runs out of men

Peskov was commenting on NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's recent statement that there is no need to be afraid of using Western weapons for strikes deep inside Russia

Russian forces strike Ukrainian energy facilities, troops last night — top brass

Overnight, the Russian Armed Forces launched a group strike on energy facilities that supply electricity to Ukrainian defense plants and drone production cites as well as Ukrainian troops

Ukraine’s forces in Ugledar virtually encircled — sources

"Most positions around the city, including those at the most important sites and heights are Russian, the whole city is exposed to fire," the sources explained

Advanced Sarmat ICBM systems go on combat alert in Russia — Roscosmos head

The RS-28 Sarmat missile to replace the R-36M2 Voyevoda ICBM operational in the Russian Strategic Missile Force since 1988

Russia's newest satellites to change course of Ukrainian conflict — former UN inspector

According to Ritter this conflict would become "unsustainable for the Ukrainian sometime by the end of summer, early fall"

Russia’s response to long-range weapons supplies to Kiev will be brutal — MFA

"The opponents in Washington, London, and other places clearly underestimate the degree of danger of the game they continue to play," Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said

Scholz speak in favor of reforming UN Security Council

At the same time, he said that he doesn’t understand Russia’s position on the Pact for the Future, which was adopted ahead of general discussion of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly

IDF carries out massive strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

"The details will be published later," the press office said

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

6,000 terrorist cell members neutralized in North Caucasus over 25 years

According to Lieutenant General Vladimir Makeyev, over this period, 4,000 infrastructure facilities of criminal groups and approximately 2 tons of explosives have also been discovered and destroyed