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Middle East conflict

Israel’s latest air raid on Beirut probably targeted one of Hezbollah’s leaders — TV

Hashem Safieddine is a member of Hezbollah’s operational headquarters, responsible for military operations

BEIRUT, October 4. /TASS/. Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and a likely candidate to replace the movement’s deceased leader Hasan Nasrallah, could be the target of Israel’s latest Israeli air raid on southern outskirts of Beirut on Thursday night, the Al Hadath television said, citing Israeli sources.

The Axios portal reported, citing an Israeli official, that Safieddine was in an underground bunker at the time of the attack, and his possible death has not yet been confirmed.

Safieddine is a cousin of Nasrallah, who was assassinated on September 27, and is in charge of domestic policy issues. Moreover, he is a member of Hezbollah’s operational headquarters, responsible for military operations.

Late on Thursday, Israeli warplanes delivered over 15 strikes along the perimeter of Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The strikes targeted areas in the Lebanese capital’s southern areas, known to house Hezbollah facilities and homes of its members.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Kim Jong Un says North Korea to use nuclear weapons if attacked

In DPRK leader’s words, the threatening rhetoric by hostile countries will not stop North Korea’s military buildup

Syria’s Russian-made air defense systems shot down six Israeli missiles — ministry

According to the Russian defense official, the Israeli airstrikes inflicted minor damage on the ground, two Syrian servicemen were injured

Russia boosts LNG exports to Europe by 16% in 9M 2024 — IEA

Russia became one of global leaders of LNG production growth due to increased capacity utilization at Yamal LNG and Sakhalin-2 plants as compared to the prior year

Ugledar served as Ukraine’s stronghold on Russia’s way to further liberate Kurakhovo

"The capture of the fortified areas would enable to secure further approaches to Mariupol and railroad communications in the south of the DPR," the source reported

US seeks to consolidate its military advantages with talks on strategic stability — MFA

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov pointed to the fact that US calls for negotiations on strategic stability with the prospect of concluding a new treaty on strategic offensive arms reduction have a dual purpose

Possible permission to strike deep inside Russia paves way to nuclear conflict — diplomat

In Antonov’s opinion, Russia needs to do its best to avert a nuclear war, as there can be no winners in this kind of a standoff

Israel to continue attacking Hezbollah targets in Beirut, eastern Lebanon — IDF

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi expressed confidence that Israeli troops are gaining the upper hand over the enemy in the ground operation in southern Lebanon

IN BRIEF: World awaits Israeli response as Iran says 'not afraid of war'

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the attack targeted Israeli military facilities only, while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the country's defenses against the massive Iranian missile attack as "successful"

Russian troops liberate Verkhnekamenskoye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 855 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day

Putin calls T-90M Proryv world’s best main battle tank

"The tank fires to a longer range and more accurately. It also has better protection," the head of state noted

Biden doesn’t reject potentially meeting Putin at G20 or APEC, but doubts Putin will come

The G20 summit is expected to take place in Brazil from November 18-19, while the official dates of the APEC summit in Peru are November 9-16

Iran attacked Mossad headquarters, two Israeli airbases, says chief of General Staff

Iran also attacked radars of anti-missile systems and clusters of Israeli tanks

Iran fires over 500 missiles at Israel — newspaper

Earlier, the Israeli army said that Iran had launched a missile attack on the country

Israeli warplanes strike southern outskirts of Beirut

At least two strikes targeted the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camp

Ukrainian General Staff says situation remains tense in two DPR areas

Retired Ukrainian General Sergey Krivonos said earlier that only a miracle can save Ukraine after its recent failures on the frontline

Russia warns Kiev’s sponsors against attempts to affect BRICS summit in Kazan — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia can see "what is happening in terms of West sponsoring the most instigating and far-reaching plans of the Kiev regime," and is ready to repel such attempts in all fields

Russia to use BRICS platform to explain causes of Ukrainian crisis — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the situation in the Euro-Atlantic region has reached the current "dangerous limit"

Slovak Prime Minister ready to restore EU-Russia ties once Ukrainian conflict ends

According to Robert Fico, Bratislava will also take care to maintain "normal, friendly relations" with Kiev

Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Ugledar in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the statement, the result was achieved due to "decisive actions by units of the battlegroup East"

Ukrainian army retreats from positions near Tsukurino station in DPR — security forces

According to the report, Russian troops are putting more pressure on the Ukrainian army in the Selidovo area

Drones now capable of missions that used to be assigned exclusively to planes — Putin

"Modern unmanned aerial vehicles are gradually but fundamentally changing the principles of military operations," the Russian leader underlined

Russian troops seize control of fortifications in DPR's Ugledar

The DPR head pointed out that Ugledar was important for the Ukrainian military because its high-rise buildings made it possible to set up observation posts and a system of repeaters

Russian troops advance: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military repelled two Ukrainian attempts to break through the border towards Novy Put

Liberation of Ugledar paving way to large lithium deposit — expert

"Full-scale lithium production on already explored reserves can be an important element of replenishing the budget of the Donetsk People’s Republic and significantly help the Western countries in making the energy transition," Nikolay Novik noted

Russian-Iranian relations reach all-time high — Foreign Ministry

It is reported that Russian-Iranian ties are friendly

Arab League to view invasion into Lebanon as infringement on Arab national security

Participants of the emergency meeting underscored their "full solidarity with Lebanon in the face of this aggression" and called upon international organizations to speed up their aid deliveries to the country

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

Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Lisichansk in LPR — expert

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberated the settlement of Verkhnekamenskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic on October 2

Baby kangaroo kidnapped from Russia’s Yaroslavl zoo found alive in Moscow Region

Earlier, a suspect in the theft of three kangaroos from zoos in the Yaroslavl and Kaluga regions was detained

Bold Russian jet maneuver near Alaska shows who ‘rules the roost’ — analyst

Accordnig to the expert, "It's not so much about professionalism as the extreme courage"

Hezbollah agrees to Lebanese army’s deployment to southern areas — Lebanese PM

Najib Mikati also recognized that in order to ensure stability in the country, it would be necessary to elect a president who meets the interests of all parties and representatives of Lebanese society

G7 leaders call for restraint, de-escalation in Middle East

They also said they would continue to be in close contact with all actors in the Middle East in order to de-escalate the situation

Israel bears all blame for Middle East escalation — Russia’s UN envoy

"As part of its mandate to maintain international peace and security, the UN Security Council must compel Israel to immediately cease hostilities," Vasily Nebenzya went on to say

Forbes lists Gazprom as Russia's top financial loser for 2023

The company’s loss was "accounting-based," largely driven by the depreciation of non-financial assets worth 1.15 trillion rubles and exchange rate losses totaling 652 bln rubles, according to the report

Hezbollah leader agreed to ceasefire before being killed, Lebanon’s foreign minister says

According to Abdallah Bou Habib, movement informed US and French representatives about the decision

Russia, Azerbaijan foil provocation against Russian diplomat — intelligence chief

"Cooperation between the Foreign Intelligence Service and our Azerbaijani counterparts largely stems from the strategic partnership between the two states, as well as the historical, fraternal ties between our peoples," Sergey Naryshkin stressed

Russian embassy hands over humanitarian aid to Lebanese government

A plane of the Russian emergencies ministry delivered food, tents, medicines and mobile power stations to Beirut on October 3

Hezbollah says it hit Israeli city of Safed

The group didn’t elaborate on the consequences of the attack

Press review: Iran rains down missiles on Israel and Rutte takes helm as captain of NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 2nd

Russian Emergency Situations Ministry plane brings 60 evacuees from Lebanon to Moscow

On board were families of employees of the Russian embassy in Lebanon

Stoltenberg could face life imprisonment for his crimes — lawyer

"We are talking about very serious charges," Philippe Vanlangendonck pointed out

Some 115 civilians remain in Ugledar, they receive all necessary assistance — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that the DPR's specialized agencies would later provide assistance to the civilians remaining in the city

Russian army in Donbass moves at 'unseen pace,' Finnish analyst tells The Washington Post

The Russian army’s greatest advances "occurred from mid-August to mid-September, coinciding with the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region," Pasi Paroinen said

Elimination of mercenaries, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy lost more than 17,750 people during the fighting

Russia's Pantsir to have no problems with shooting down F-16 fighter jet — Rostec

Earlier this year, the manufacturers said that the Pantsir system successfully coped with the destruction of both ATACMS ballistic missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles in the special operation

Kazakhstan asks Russia for clarifications after request to suspend grain deliveries

"We have asked Rosselkhoznadzor in a reply letter to provide us with confirming facts about the violations found," Ermek Kenzhekhanuly said

Lebanon requests diplomatic assistance from Moscow, envoy says

Moscow "made it clear that they are making a lot of calls" in order to support a peaceful solution, Shawki Bou Nassar said

Kim Jong Un says North Korea to use nuclear weapons if attacked

In DPRK leader’s words, the threatening rhetoric by hostile countries will not stop North Korea’s military buildup

EU supporting Ukraine based on its own interests, top diplomat says

Josep Borrell considers that if Russia wins, "US and European interests will be damaged"

Turkish leader confirms participation in BRICS summit in Kazan — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia keeps Turkey’s position on Ukraine in mind

Situation with external power supply to ZNPP continues to get worse — IAEA chief

In Rafael Grossi words, earlier this week the ZNPP lost the connection to its only remaining back-up 330kV power line for 36 hours

Russian piped gas supplies to Europe to grow by 10% in 2024 — IEA

Piped gas supplies from Russia to Europe added more than 5% or 1.5 bln cubic meters annually in January - September 2024

Beijing, Moscow to promote just, multipolar world order, says top Chinese diplomat

According to Wang Yi, pursuing the historical trend for a multipolar world order "should be regarded as the strategic choice of the two countries"

Russia says its military repairmen retrieved US-made MaxxPro from battlefield

According to Defense Ministry, the American armored vehicle was destroyed by an FPV drone unit of the battlegroup Center’s special-purpose unit

Russia sees no possibility for direct communication with Kiev — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Russia could not turn a blind eye to blatant violations of the rights of Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population

Russian forces clear Ugledar in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — defense circles

Kiev has sustained "heavy losses" due to its refusal to withdraw its troops from the city when it was possible, the source said

Iran ready to respond to any aggression from Israel — deputy foreign minister

Iran's recent missile strike on Israel was dubbed Operation True Promise 2, similar to True Promise 1, an Iranian attack on the Jewish state in April 2024

OSCE is on decline by serving interests of 'golden billion' states — Russia’s intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin stressed that the restless bloc of the Western countries keeps interfering in the internal politics of the South Caucasus states

China needs strong Russia while Russia needs prosperous, stable China — Lavrov

"Our friendly and good-neighborly relations are not within an alliance, but they are superior in their effectiveness to military-political alliances that exercise the logic of confrontation," the Russian foreign minister said

Israeli military says it eliminated senior Hezbollah member

According to a statement, issued by the IDF press service, Mahmoud Yusef Anisi was killed in "a precise, intelligence-based strike" on the capital of Lebanon "earlier this week"

Russian Aerospace Forces hit four militant bases in Syria

In addition, representatives of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Enemy Parties in the Syrian Arab Republic held a humanitarian action in the Aleppo governorate

Failures start again in Telegram

The messenger experienced the delay with sending messages and uploading media files on October 1

Breakthrough attempts: situation in Kursk Region

Ukraine carried out five unsuccessful attempts to infiltrate Novy Put

IAEA inspectors continue to hear explosions near ZNPP — IAEA head

On Thursday, the team of inspectors that spent the past several weeks at the site was replaced by another group of IAEA staff

Ukrainian army loses almost 200 soldiers in two weeks near Ugledar — POW

The dead and wounded are just left on the battlefield, since there is no one to take them away, Viktor Neverko added

Iran has no need to buy Russia’s S-400 missile systems — defense minister

Iran’s Bavar-373 long-range mobile air defense system, believed to be an equivalent of Russia's S-300 systems, will become operational by the year-end

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army’s energy sites over past day — top brass

It is specified that Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 145 personnel, an armored combat vehicle, two motor vehicles, a 152mm D-20 howitzer and a 122mm D-30 howitzer

Borrell warns against attacks on nuclear facilities during conflict in Middle East

"The European Union has always taken a firm position on an attack on any nuclear facility in the world," the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said

At least three killed, some 10 wounded in Israeli airstrikes on eastern Lebanon — agency

According to the report, Israel’s air raids targeted Ras al-Ain and Temnine et Tahta residential localities near Baalbek

Russia plans launching 292 communication satellites by 2027 — minister

Russia also plans to initiate large-scale production of domestic base stations of 4G and 5G communication formats since as part of the National Solutions federal project, Maksut Shadaev said

Russian Aerospace Forces hit three militant bases in two Syrian provinces

The Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out strikes on three bases of militants coming from the Al-Tanf area

Georgian parliament speaker signs law banning LGBT propaganda

Shalva Papuashvili said the president’s refusal to sign the law came as no surprise, describing her as "the nominal opposition leader"

Japan remains main purchaser of LNG from Sakhalin-2 project

According to Leonid Alexandrov’s presentation, Japan accounted for 57.5% of sales of LNG from the Sakhalin-2 project in 2023, South Korea accounted for 16.2% of sales, and China accounted for another 26.3% of sales

Russia looks forward to Xi Jinping attending BRICS summit — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat emphasized that Moscow and Beijing have managed to build an exemplary model for interstate collaboration of truly comprehensive strategic nature whilst showing wisdom and restraint

Russia contributes much to China’s energy security — Lavrov

"Thanks to natural gas from the Power of Siberia pipeline the environmental conditions in Chinese megacities is improving," the Russian foreign minister noted

Power generation by nuclear plants to grow by 37% by 2036 — Novak

The country has also completed certain groundwork in the hydrogen energy sphere, the Russian deputy prime minister said

Russia’s Kalashnikov gunmaker to boost output of aircraft guns for fighter jets

The aircraft gun has been dubbed the Ballerina for its lightness and high rate of fire: it outshines rivals in terms of precision, accuracy and rate of fire

Friendly countries showing interest in Russian analog of Starlink — minister

Maksut Shadaev expressed hope that the constellation would have the huge export potential

One thousand sappers, 12 months needed to demine Ugledar — expert

According to Andrey Shenaurin, a great deal will depend on the real conditions on the ground, including the absence of hostilities

Pink Floyd founder Waters confesses now he has more respect for Putin — Daily Telegraph

Seoul rebukes Moscow to justify nuclear weapons-related preparations — Russian MFA

According to the statement, "South Korea’s demands that Moscow 'must' do something go beyond diplomatic communication"

2016 World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan

Sports include eagle hunting, bone throwing and kok-boru, a Central Asian form of polo in which two teams battle for control of a decapitated goat carcass

Pantsir-S hits UAV in border area of Kursk Region

"As a result of competent actions by the crews, the Ukrainian attack drone was engaged and destroyed," the Russian Defense Ministry said

Security Council expresses support to Guterres after Israel declares him persona non grata

The statement also says that "any decision not to engage with the UN Secretary General or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East"

Kiev allies not ready to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, Zelensky admits

The Ukrainian president complained that Western countries are ready to provide assistance in protecting the airspace of Israel, but not Ukraine

Ukraine contact group to discuss lifting restrictions on strikes at targets inside Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said it is up to each individual country that gives Ukraine weapons to decide whether to lift the restriction

Russia's warning has been heard in most Western capitals — intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin pointed out that speculations about the possibility of crossing Russia's red lines on the issue of strikes with long-range Western weapons was a great delusion

Israeli reserve brigade joins fighting in southern Lebanon

According to the statement, the Israeli troops are conducting targeted raids to thwart and destroy the infrastructure of the Hezbollah organization

Israel’s latest air raid on Beirut probably targeted one of Hezbollah’s leaders — TV

Hashem Safieddine is a member of Hezbollah’s operational headquarters, responsible for military operations

West destroying Russian projectiles over Ukraine would involve US in war — Pentagon

Washington believes that Kiev can defend itself, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Putin has no common topics to discuss with Scholz now — Kremlin

However, Dmitry Peskov said, the Russian president has always been and remains open to dialogue

Biden’s administration pushes world towards nuclear catastrophe — Russian ambassador

Anatoly Antonov also said he had tried to explain the essence of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed amendments to the Russian nuclear doctrine to officials in the White House and the Department of State

Conflict US escalating with Russia may 'destroy the entire world' — Tucker Carlson

"In a year, no one could be alive if we continue sleep-walking into a wider war with Russia," the reporter emphasized

Iran proves that Israel's Iron Dome is more fragile than glass — president

Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran does not want war, but is not afraid of it, and "will stop at nothing to protect the country's national security, honor and authority"

Russia ready for long-term confrontation with US — Deputy Foreign Minister

"We are sending warning signals to our opponent so that they don’t underestimate our determination," Sergey Ryabkov said

Israel making plans to fuel conflict between Iran, US — Russian envoy to UN

"We would like to believe that our American colleagues will finally begin to see things clearly and fully realize their responsibility as a permanent UN Security Council member," Vasily Nebenzya added

IEA expects Russian gas transit via Ukraine to halt after 2024

This will result in the loss of supplies of about 6 bln cubic meters of natural gas to the EU in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the International Energy Agency noted

Moscow rejects Japan’s demarche over alleged incident involving Russian aircraft

Russia pointed out that it was counterproductive on the part of Tokyo to politicize such issues, "which should be discussed via the relevant channels," Maria Zakharova said

Lebanon fires nearly 230 projectiles into Israel over day — army

"The IDF will continue to operate against the threat of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, in defense of the State of Israel and its residents," the press service added

Press review: Israeli reprisal against Iran looms and Iraq bets on Russia amid US exit

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 3rd

Pentagon silent on start of training additional 18 Ukrainian pilots

Earlier, US President Joe Biden ordered the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, by supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year