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Middle East conflict

Nearly 750,000 Lebanese flee their homes due to fighting — UN agency

According to the international organization, 400,000 children have left their homes in Lebanon in the last three weeks alone, creating additional difficulties for the national school system

BEIRUT, October 17. /TASS/. More than 746,000 people have fled their homes in Lebanon due to the fighting and escalation of the situation in the Middle East, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Lebanon reported.

"As of October 14, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 746,584 internally displaced persons [in Lebanon] since October 8, 2023," the report said. "Of these, 188,146 displaced people are accommodated in 1,059 collective shelters, of which 876 (83%) have reached their maximum capacity," the document emphasized.

According to the international organization, 400,000 children have left their homes in Lebanon in the last three weeks alone, creating additional difficulties for the national school system.

On September 23, Israel launched Operation Northern Arrows against Hezbollah units in Lebanon, during which it is carrying out massive airstrikes against the movement’s military facilities. The stated goal is to create secure conditions in Israel’s northern border areas so that tens of thousands of residents can return there. As a result of one of the strikes, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah was eliminated in Beirut on September 27. The organization confirmed his death and vowed to continue its confrontation with Israel. In the early morning hours of October 1, the Israeli army announced the start of a ground operation in the border areas in southern Lebanon.

BRICS expansion signals Asia’s disappointment with US order — Chinese expert

Sun Peisong notes that the United States’ desire to form its own "economic camp" in the world runs counter to the interests of Asian countries, for which stimulating growth remains a priority issue

Oslo's new requirements paralyze Russian diplomatic missions in Norway — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that Russia would take this latest unfriendly move into account when shaping its future approach toward Norway

US announces $425 mln military assistance package for Ukraine

"The package includes additional air defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs," the statement says

Georgia has no plans to participate in 3+3 platform meeting in Istanbul — MFA

"Georgia has been stating for a long time that it does not work in this format," the press service said

Ukrainian troops sent to areas seized by Russia to become 'cannon fodder,' POW says

According to the soldier, retreating from the settlement of Karlovka was especially hard for him and his fellow servicemen

US unlikely to supply Ukraine with THAAD systems — military analyst

According to Igor Korotchenko, if the THAAD missile defense system "was to be destroyed by the Russian armed forces, it would mean a huge loss of image for the United States"

Pier upgrade at Pacific Fleet base allowed 7 subs to enter service, Russian ministry says

Commander of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Forces Vice Admiral Vladimir Dmitriyev made the statement in a report to Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov as the minister was visiting the Kamchatka Region

Russia’s Su-25 attack aircraft disrupt rotation of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

After the use of aviation weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile maneuver, releasing decoy flares, and returned to their airfield of departure

Over 60 people detained in Interpol’s sweeping anti-terrorism operation

"The operation focused on identifying and analyzing the movement patterns of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and people with links to terrorism as well as criminal groups responsible for cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and human trafficking," the international police organization’s press service said

Harris close on Trump’s heels, latest poll shows

The poll was conducted online and by phone on October 10 and from October 13 to October 15

NATO provided Ukraine with weapons worth $20.9 bln in first half of 2024

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that work is well on track on the pledge of 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine next year

Number of deserters in Ukraine quadruples in 9 months

Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies are not capable of investigating such a large number of cases

Biden to depart to Berlin to meet with Steinmeier, Scholz on Thursday

According to White House Spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden will discuss a number of bilateral issues and international agenda with the German leaders, including the Ukrainian crisis

One Direction’s former member Liam Payne falls to death in Buenos Aires

He was 31 years old

Kiev ready for ceasefire along current front line, without recognizing new border — media

A significant number of Ukrainian troops "find themselves trapped" on Russian territory (near Kursk) and are unable to come to aid in Donbass where they are outnumbered in men, the report added

Unknown person kills special op participant who just arrived home

The press service of the Moscow Region Investigative Committee announced that a criminal case has been initiated for murder and illegal arms trafficking in connection with the incident

'Nuclear Five' countries meet in New York on October 10, Russian MFA says

Maria Zakharova said that the meeting was held at the level of experts

Ukraine’s Zelensky rules out territorial concessions in his so-called settlement plan

Other key provisions of the plan include inviting Ukraine to join NATO, allowing the country to strike deep into Russia, increasing arms supplies to Ukraine

Zelensky’s so-called victory plan has two secret annexes that won’t be made public

The public part of the third provision spoke about the deployment of a kind of "comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on the territory of the country

Bundestag lawmaker calls Zelensky’s initiative a 'world war plan'

According to Sevim Dagdelen, the German government must deny such an initiative

Russia’s ruling party leader says US political traditions should be treated with respect

Some of US political traditions may seem hilarious to an outsider, Dmitry Medvedev added

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits eastern Turkey

According to the report, the quake struck 47 kilometers east of the city of Malatya which has a population of some 441,000

US claims of China’s help to Russia in Ukrainian conflict hypocritical — Chinese embassy

"China always handles the export of military products in a prudent and responsible way, and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, including drones for civilian use," the spokesperson for Chinese embassy in the US, Liu Pengyu, said

Russian forces liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Krasny Yar in DPR and battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Nevskoye in LPR as a result of active offensive operations

Russian Lancet munition destroys Polish-made Krab howitzer in Kharkov Region — top brass

It is reported that data recorders showed the destruction of a Polish-supplied 155mm Krab self-propelled artillery system of the Ukrainian army by a Lancet loitering munition

Murder of military officer in Moscow Region pre-planned

According to the source, the serviceman's car was waiting for him, possibly following his movements

Musk spends over $1 billion to fund failed coup in Venezuela — Maduro

"The US government was behind the attempt, there is a constant conspiracy by the 'North American empire,'" the Venezuelan president stressed

Ukrainian troops try to leave Selidovo in small groups — security forces

It is noted that the operational situation for the Ukrainian armed forces around the city is deteriorating

Zelensky plan a scheme to pull West into direct standoff with Russia — senior lawmaker

"With this set of brazen and provocative demands, the Ukrainian ‘fuhrer’ is trying to shirk responsibility for exterminating the Ukrainian people and blatantly shifts it to the West," Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky said

NATO defense ministers to discuss military budgets, aid to Kiev

Simultaneously, Brussles will also host a summit of the European Union, also discussing military support to Ukraine

Russian diplomat says US 'can’t wait to see' things flare up in Korean peninsula

Maria Zakharova was commenting on the US State Department's appeal to North Korea to stop actions that increase the risk of conflict on the Korean peninsula

Ukraine’s military created network of underpasses near Ugledar — Russia’s top brass

As Russian servicemen say, the enemy is poorly trained and only few fighters, largely foreign mercenaries, put up fierce resistance while the others try to retreat or surrender

Russia-China cooperation on the rise despite external pressure, PM says

Moscow and Beijing are also creating new international transport corridors and paying special attention to agriculture and strengthening food security in Russia and China, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Russia urges Argentina not to support Kiev by attending Ottawa conference — envoy

Dmitry Feoktistov pointed out that Russia views the conference as a "blatantly anti-Russian project"

Ukraine won't get 20 F-16 fighter jets, 40 trained pilots until summer 2025 — newspaper

The report pointed out that during the training, experienced pilots had problems with their English language skills, as well as with mastering "American training methods"

Russian warplanes destroy training base of terrorists in Idlib zone — military

The strikes were delivered with the goal of preventing radical groups from attacking territories controlled by the Syrian government, said Oleg Igansyuk, the deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria

US attacks five underground Houthi weapons depots in Yemen — Pentagon chief

Lloyd Austin emphasized that the US strikes would "further degrade the Houthis' capability to continue their destabilizing behavior," as well as allegedly help ensure the safety of US and partner forces

EU leaders to discuss conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East

European Council President Charles Michel said the European Council is also expected to send a signal to the Georgian government, threatening it to freeze the country’s European integration process if Tbilisi fails to change its political course

Ukrainian front in Kursk area may collapse within month — Russian commander

"If we observe the events on the entire front, that is, in about ten areas in total, where the units of the Russian Defense Ministry are advancing, we can see that the prospects of the ministry and its units are quite serious and massive," Major General Apty Alaudinov said

Malaysia confirms intention to join BRICS to its countries — deputy minister

"The presence of a senior Malaysian minister at the BRICS Outreach/BRICS Plus Summit at the end of October presents a valuable opportunity to garner support from BRICS leaders," Liew Chin Tong said

Scholz says nothing changes in Germany’s position, decisions on Ukraine

"Otherwise, there are strategic issues that need to be discussed. You know what decisions I have made, and nothing will change in them," the German chancellor assured

Nine counterattacks repulsed: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian military lost more than 350 personnel, twenty-one armored vehicles, including two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and 16 armored combat vehicles, as well as five mortars and seven automobiles

Prisoner of war says Ukraine has no missiles for anti-tank systems

Yevgeny Khotenko noted that he did not want to cross into the Kursk Region

Kiev realizes liberation of Kupyansk inevitable — official

According to Vitaly Ganchev, this is not the first time that the Ukrainian authorities have carried out a mandatory evacuation

Ukrainian Defense Ministry reshuffle aims to keep intel chief away from finances — expert

According to Mikhail Pavliv, Budanov has set his sights on becoming the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces

Iran tells US it wouldn’t respond to 'limited' Israeli strike — report

According to the media, the "behind-the-scenes" message from Iran to the US differs from the Iranian public statements, which threaten a painful response to a possible Israeli strike

Eyewitnesses say not only Ukrainians fighting for Kiev in Kursk Region

It is also reported that the Ukrainian armed forces fired "everything they could" - assault rifles, machine guns, artillery

Zelensky unveils his plan without getting West's approval — media

It is reported that Ukrainian officials were expecting a response during a meeting of the contact group on military assistance to Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany

President of Nicaragua sees Zelensky as 'spawn of Hitler' for fighting Russia

According to Daniel Ortega, Hitler also believed that his attack on the USSR would be successful, but he underestimated the resilience of the Soviet people

Israeli foreign minister says attack on UN forces in Lebanon happened by accident

"Attacking UNIFIL is not part of our policy. We are now working to solve the problem," Israel Katz said

Trophy active protection system 'toothless’ against Russian anti-tank weapons, says source

The Trophy active protection system is operational in the Israeli and US armies

EU fails to persuade Gulf states to support anti-Russian sanctions

The document’s section, devoted to Ukraine, says that the sides "reaffirm our respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and commitment to fundamental principles of the UN Charter"

Slovak prime minister predicts imminent end of Ukrainian conflict

Robert Fico also noted that "there are talks again about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO"

All African states to take part in Russia-Africa meeting of foreign ministers in Sirius

The ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa partnership forum will be held on the federal territory of Sirius on November 9-10, 2024

Press review: NATO postures with nuke drills and Biden's arms control calls miss mark

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 15th

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

Iran to respond 'painfully' if Israel attacks its facilities — commander-in-chief

Recalling Operation True Promise-2 (a massive missile strike on Israel on October 1 in response to the assassination of key leaders of Hamas, Hezbollah and the IRGC), Salami emphasized that it was only a warning for Israel to "learn a lesson"

Israel may strike Iran soon — media

Iran had launched a massive missile attack on Israel on October 1, in retaliation for the assassinations of key figures from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Lavrov, Brazil’ foreign minister discuss BRICS summit, Ukrainian crisis

"Substantive discussion was given to preparations for the 16th BRICS summit to be held in Kazan from October 22-24, as well as certain aspects of the group’s activities," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

US, Europe recognize insufficiency of Zelensky's plan — media

Meanwhile, "there’s a fracturing consensus among Western governments about how much of Zelensky’s 'wish list' should be granted," Ishaan Tharoor noted

NATO cannot confirm reports about DPRK troops’ involvement in special op — Rutte

"We have no confirming reports, but we believe that the DPRK is already supporting Russia's military efforts in technical terms," NATO Secretary General said, answering questions from South Korean reporters

West's endgame to make Moldova part of Romania — Foreign Ministry

"This is a historical battle that has been going on for decades and centuries, and now it has simply reached a new level," Maria Zakharova stated

EU's 'Potemkin armies' leave Europe vulnerable — Bloomberg

The number of ground troops in NATO’s European member countries declined by 61% in 1994-2024, from two mln to 784,000

North Korea fully severs transport communication with South

A spokesman for North Korea’s Defense Ministry said Pyongyang would take more measures "to permanently fortify the closed southern border"

Era of European 'divide and rule' principle in Middle East over — Iranian MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei also expressed regret over the Arab countries joining "misleading claims against the neighboring country"

Ukrainian troops demoralized, routing on Avdeyevka direction — reconnaissance commander

According to the report, Russian troops slowly, but steadily, approach the city of Pokrovsk

Russia’s UN envoy lashes at Israeli bill to ban UNRWA

"UN officials are sounding the alarm: 2024 has a chance to ‘break a new deadly record’ in this regard," Vasily Nebenzya said

Ukraine loses key road previously used for supplies for forces — security agencies

This will make the situation for the Ukrainian armed forces in this area worse, as well as make it easier for the Russian troops to advance in strategically important areas, the source clarified

Russian embassy alarmed by anti-Russian sentiments in Germany

The embassy said that "the artificial hysteria in addition to stories about the growing 'hybrid threat' Russia poses result in calls for rapid mobilization in Germany and pumping even more arms and equipment into Ukraine"

BRICS Kazan summit to challenge Western, US hegemony — Angolan newspaper

The US may soon "leave the stage" since the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East lead to "an overload of Washington’s capabilities," the media said

Ukrainian forces near Kupyansk face encirclement — retired Ukrainian officer

Oleg Starikov also said Russian forces could then continue their advance toward Kharkov

Biden to depart on his postponed visit to Germany

According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden will hold bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Russian women's futsal team 'didn't have to wear hijabs, but chose to' — coach

According to the team's coach, the Russian players were really interested in experiencing what it felt like to wear the hijab and play in it all the time

Idea of Russia’s ‘strategic defeat’ absolutely illusory — Russian embassy

"Russia is not interested in disrupting ties between the two major world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council," the embassy said

Scholz says ready to discuss Ukrainian settlement with Putin

At the same time, the German cabinet has nothing to say at the moment about the possible telephone conversation between Putin and Scholz

Russian diplomat dubs Zelensky’s plan as 'collection of incoherent slogans'

Maria Zakharova stressed that the Ukrainian president is using his plan to push NATO toward a direct conflict with Russia

Russia to give military help to North Korea if it comes under attack — senior diplomat

Andrey Rudenko said clauses to that effect are contained in the treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea that was submitted to the State Duma for ratification the day before

Ukrainian troops preparing to retreat from Russia’s borderline Kursk Region — blogger

Russian forces continue operations to destroy Ukrainian army units in the borderline Kursk Region

Ukrainians in Poland show no interest in fighting for Ukraine — Polish defense minister

On July 8, following his talks with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced the establishment of a Ukrainian volunteer military unit he dubbed the "Ukrainian legion" in Poland

Tula engineers deliver 4,000 kamikaze drones with computer vision to Russian troops

The drone features a remote detonation function, a self-destruct system and a payload-loading multilayered protection system, the People’s Front specified

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian military must encircle and eliminate the Ukrainian servicemen operating in the Kursk Region, Major General Apty Alaudinov stressed

Israeli military uses phosphorus munitions against refugees in Gaza — TV

A fire broke out in the building, but no information on casualties is available at this point, Al Mayadeen reported

New NATO command center for Ukraine to 'make real difference' on battlefield — Rutte

The new NATO headquarters in Wiesbaden is being established based on a decision made during the NATO summit in Washington

NATO disintegration is just a matter of time, says Politico

It is reported that the only real question the election will resolve for Europe’s security is the timing of NATO’s collapse

Switzerland expands sanctions against Russia — Federal Council

The Federal Council decided to adopt most of the measures in the EU’s 14th package of sanctions against Russia

Israel begins to view UN flag in Gaza as target indicator — Russia’s UN envoy

"It appears that the UN flag is not only failing to protect civilians, humanitarian workers and civilian social infrastructure, but also tends to become a direct target for the IDF," Vasily Nebenzya said

Georgian opposition plots constitutional coup after elections — parliament speaker

Among the indicators that Shalva Papuashvili named are "local observers who in reality pursue political goals, and their concocted false statements about the election process that have been prepared in advance"

UN currently doesn’t confirm secretary-general will attend BRICS summit

The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place from October 22-24

IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Russian Airborne Force snipers daily destroy Ukrainian manpower in borderline Kursk area

Sniper pairs pay special attention to camouflaging their positions

Polish national security official calls for producing, stockpiling cluster munitions

"We have production facilities that are capable of producing them," Jacek Siewiera said

Ukrainian troops attack volunteers aiding in evacuation of civilians for sport — volunteer

Maria shared a story of Ukrainian forces trying to attack a civilian car carrying eight civilians with a kamikaze drone in the settlement of Krasnooktyabrskoye

Swedish police request statement from Mbappe amid rape allegations — French TV

Kylian Mbappe's lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard stated on Tuesday that her client is planning to sue for libel

Hezbollah fighters destroy two Israeli tanks in southern Lebanon

On September 23, Israel launched Operation Northern Arrows against Hezbollah units in Lebanon, during which it is carrying out massive airstrikes against the movement’s military facilities

Undocking of Crew Dragon with cosmonaut Grebenkin on board due on Oct. 20 or later — NASA

The undocking was again delayed by weather conditions

Putin describes Ukraine as artificial state

"We have every reason to affirm that Ukraine is an artificial state that was shaped at Stalin's will," the Russian President said

Press review: Kim Jong Un dynamites Seoul links and NATO, US lay plans to deter Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, October 16th

Zelensky passes off fighting to last Ukrainian as new 'peace plan' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that there are still possibilities for a peaceful resolution under specific conditions

Australia to send military aid worth $164 million to Ukraine — deputy premier

This latest package "will add to the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s firepower and mobility, and complement partners’ support for Ukraine’s armoured brigades," Richard Marles said

Growing autonomy of Russian strike drones prompts US to boost its defenses — portal

According to Defense One, the United States plans to employ the Leonidas high-powered microwave system, which is designed to overload an incoming drone’s circuits with energy and knock it out