Middle East conflict

10 Dec 2024, 11:12

IDF denies reports of advancing toward Damascus

"IDF troops are stationed within the buffer zone and in defensive positions along the border for Israel’s protection," the army reported

TEL AVIV, December 10. /TASS/. Information about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) advancing toward the Syrian capital is false, the Israeli army press service reported.

"The reports circulating in the media about the alleged advancement of Israeli tanks toward Damascus are false," the statement said.

"IDF troops are stationed within the buffer zone and in defensive positions along the border for Israel’s protection," the army added.

Japan’s PM considers inappropriate to link trade and security talks with the US

"We must resolve security issues without linking them to tariff issues," Shigeru Ishiba noted

3 May 2024, 07:30

Russia to fully provide itself with critical raw materials by 2030 — official

Surplus minerals will be exported, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Yevgeny Petrov said

Yesterday, 13:31

Ukrainian conflict resolution process is heading in right direction — Kellogg

The special envoy also addressed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent remarks suggesting that Washington might limit its efforts to resolve the crisis if progress stalls

Yesterday, 17:09

St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation heading to Russia with Holy Fire taken in Jerusalem

The lamp with the fire will be delivered to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Russia’s capital

Yesterday, 07:51

Zelensky may find US-proposed version of peace deal 'hard to swallow' — newspaper

The current US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff package "doesn’t seem to include US-backed security guarantees," The Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote

Two days ago, 19:54

Russia to resolve Ukraine conflict quickly if EU, US 'wash hands of it' — Medvedev

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the negotiation on Ukraine if the parties sabotaged it

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 17th

Two days ago, 16:50

Iran to reduce uranium enrichment if Trump doesn't scrap nuclear pact — news agency

According to the news agency, Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has set "red lines" within which the country, regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the United States, will not dismantle its centrifuges for uranium enrichment and will not stop it completely

US Senate idea to tax countries working with Russia could cripple global economy — expert

In his opinion, US President Donald Trump "continues to be under severe pressure"

Two days ago, 14:01

New port of Archangelsk to provide Russia with year-round access to World Ocean

The design capacity of the port is 31.4 mln metric tons of cargo per year

Two days ago, 08:47

Trump, Lula admire Putin, disdain Zelensky — media

The Brazilian news outlet notes that relations between the American and Brazilian administrations remain strained, as the two leaders have virtually nothing in common

Two days ago, 11:04

Moscow breaks temperature record for April 18 — lead meteorologist

According to Roman Vilfand, the previous record was set in 1921

Yesterday, 22:24

Russian Patriarch calls to actively love neighbors

"Even the tiniest efforts, the modest mites will not lose the value in eyes of the Lord if we, following the gospel precepts, will labor to the benefit of our neighbors," he said

Two days ago, 15:05

Houthis attack US aircraft carriers Harry Truman, Carl Vinson — spokesman

Yahya Saria also said that "the US military buildup and continued aggression against Yemen will only lead to more attacks"

6 Oct 2024, 03:18

Russian soldiers eliminated Ukrainian militants who shot civilians in Kursk region

During one of these clashes, fighter eliminated two Ukrainian soldiers in hand-to-hand combat

Easter personifies revival and hope — Russian Prime Minister

The bright Resurrection of Christ is a special day for millions of believers, that personifies revival and hope, the minister said

26 Dec 2024, 08:21

Two people preparing attempts on Russian military officials' lives recruited in Ukraine

One of the detainees stated that he had moved to Ukraine, where he was recruited by Ukrainian special forces

Yesterday, 13:31

Russian forces hit test site of Ukrainian Sapsan missile defense system — top brass

Russian servicemen have liberated the Shevchenko settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 15:51

Putin shows respect for feelings of believers by announcing Easter truce — legislator

Slutsky expressed confidence that the Russian armed forces will strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreements

Two days ago, 14:25

US offers easing of anti-Russia sanctions as part of Ukrainian settlement — Bloomberg

The proposals presented by the US to its allies in Paris also imply that all territories liberated by Russia remain under Moscow’s control, while "Kyiv’s aspirations of joining NATO would be off the table"

Yesterday, 17:05

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev calls Easter truce ‘one step toward peace’

Putin announced Easter truce from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 Moscow time on April 21

Yesterday, 13:44

All issues on Iran's nuclear program should be resolved through diplomacy — Kremlin

Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov highlighted that Russia considers a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear question a priority

Trump concedes NATO at war against Russia in Ukraine

US president made the statement at a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

5 Jul 2020, 04:08

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

Yesterday, 05:54

China successfully launches six satellites

According to the CASC, the launch was carried out at 6:51 a.m. Beijing time on April 18 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center using the CZ-6A (Chang Zheng 6A) carrier rocket

Two days ago, 16:25

European Council’s head says American LNG could replace Russian energy resources

The share of Russian gas in the EU reserves has decreased from 40% in 2022 to 19% in 2024

Yesterday, 16:06

Putin congratulates military, all Orthodox Christians on Easter

He urged Gerasimov to pass along his best wishes to the soldiers, expressing gratitude for their dedication, sacrifice, and heroism in service of the Fatherland

Yesterday, 15:42

IN BRIEF: Putin declares Easter truce, holds meeting with chief of General Staff

TASS has reviewed the key points of the meeting

Japan’s PM considers inappropriate to link trade and security talks with the US

"We must resolve security issues without linking them to tariff issues," Shigeru Ishiba noted

Yesterday, 05:29

Russian forces advance near Volchansk despite serious Ukrainian counterattacks — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that at the moment the Russian forces are currently engaged in active fighting in the area of Volchanskiye Khutora

Yesterday, 02:59

Russia’s Battlegroup North strikes Ukrainian brigades in Sumy Region

According to the battlegroup’s spokesman Yaroslav Yakimkin, Ukrainian losses amounted up to 85 troops

Two days ago, 09:41

US envoy says territorial issue could be partially resolved in Russia’s favor

According to Steve Witkoff, the territorial issue was the focus of his talks with the Russian leader

Two days ago, 17:48

Crimea's 18th-century incorporation gave Russia lasting strategic edge — Russian lawmaker

In 2018, Russia marked the day Crimea, Taman and Kuban became a part of the Russian Empire as a commemorative date on the Russian calendar

Yesterday, 10:16

Europe invests in arms production in Ukraine amid uncertainty with US — newspaper

The Washington Post also pointed out that the stocks of American weapons transferred by the previous Washington administration are running out, and "doubts have festered about whether Europe can fully compensate for a possible halt to American aid"

Yesterday, 16:39

Iran, U.S. reach greater understanding at talks in Rome — Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister also emphasized in comments to Tasnim News Agency that Washington has so far refrained from crossing Tehran’s red lines and has not attempted to broaden discussions beyond Iran’s nuclear program

Two days ago, 17:30

Trump believes Ukrainian conflict to be settled soon

The US leader expressed confidence that all sides were showing enthusiasm to reach the agreement

Russia’s Medvedev says European troops to return in coffins if deployed to Ukraine

Earlier, Andrey Yermak, the head of the office of Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, said he along with the Ukrainian defense and foreign ministers, Rustem Umerov and Andrey Sibiga, respectively, had arrived in Paris for talks with senior US officials

Yesterday, 13:24

Kiev will not become part of NATO, it’s out of the question — Trump’s special envoy

US President Donald Trump suggested earlier that the Ukrainian conflict may have been triggered by Kiev’s ambitions to join the alliance

Yesterday, 08:49

Iran won’t engage in contacts with new Syrian authorities until they restore order — MFA

According to Abbas Araghchi, the Syrian issue was raised during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov

Yesterday, 21:38

Night Easter service begins in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

The chruch, as usual on Easter Day, is filled with several thousand believers

Yesterday, 02:55

US’ threats to abandon talks on Ukraine directed against Kiev rather than Moscow — Axios

The European diplomats pointed out that during talks in Paris, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not mentioned "increasing the pressure on Russia"

Yesterday, 07:07

Israel weighs strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in coming months — news agency

According to Reuters, Israel has offered the US several options for attacks, including air strikes and special operations

ISS end won't mean end to space cooperation, Putin assures

The People’s Republic of China has huge plans, interesting and promising ones, the Russian leader noted

Lavrov confirms to Rubio Moscow’s readiness to work with US on Ukrainian crisis — ministry

Also, Rubio informed Lavrov about his contacts with Ukrainian delegates in France

Ukraine, US sign memorandum expressing willingness to reach deal on minerals — official

The sides are preparing to set up an investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine

Two days ago, 09:40

Japan protests what it thinks is Russia’s growing presence in Kurils

"A protest has been submitted via diplomatic channels," Takeshi Iwai stressed

Yesterday, 10:32

Putin instructs to consider buyback mechanism for departed brands by May 15

Companies that left the Russian market after February 22, 2022 will be subject to this measure

Two days ago, 17:50

Pakistan completed preparations for first freight train from Russia — Ambassador

The two countries have never had the rail service before

20 Oct 2011, 11:57

Gaddafi’s defence minister killed in Libya - doctors

Gaddafi was earlier reported captured by the forces of the Transitional National Council on Thursday

Aircraft with Russian servicemen returned from captivity landed in Moscow

The prisoners’ swap with Ukraine was implemented on April 19

Yesterday, 21:40

FACTBOX: Orthodox Easter

This year orthodox believers will celebrate Easter on April 20

14 Apr 2023, 23:49

Orthodox believers start celebrating Easter with night-time worship services across Russia

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will celebrate Easter Vigil Liturgy at at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

Two days ago, 07:43

Memo signed between Ukraine, US envisages no security guarantees — Ukrainian MP

The document was signed on April 17

Two days ago, 23:16

Russian forces approach village of Loknya in Sumy Region — military expert

Active combat is underway there right now, military expert Andrey Marochko said

Yesterday, 03:14

Russia’s Battlegroup West eliminates over 260 Ukrainian troops, Starlink stations

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma added that the enemy’s losses included three armored combat vehicles, 10 motor vehicles

Yesterday, 08:16

Kiev’s allies want to coordinate Ukraine ceasefire plan in London — newspaper

According to the New York Post, in order to attract Russia to negotiations on the said proposal, Washington may offer Moscow an easing of anti-Russian sanctions and possibly the unblocking of Russian assets frozen in the West

US to decide on military presence in Europe after contacts with Russia — Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth said that US President Donald Trump will make a determination about the force structure of US troops in Europe

Yesterday, 09:16

Russian delegation arrives at Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

After the ceremony a part of the holy relic will be brought to Moscow for the Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Two days ago, 18:14

Western intel agencies aid anti-government forces in Afghanistan — SVR

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the West is trying to maintain instability in Afghanistan in order to advance its own geopolitical interests

Yesterday, 03:48

Russia’s Battlegroup Center eliminated over 315 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

The battlegroup’s spokesman Alexander Savchuk added that the enemy lost two tanks, three armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles and a field artillery gun

Two days ago, 14:58

Zelensky aide's remarks on ceasefire ring cynical as Ukraine attacks ZNPP — diplomat

On April 17, a Ukrainian delegation led by Yermak met with US and European representatives in Paris to discuss a possible settlement to the conflict in Ukraine

IMF to lower global economic growth forecast due to US tariffs — Bloomberg

The world’s economy is expected to experience the first shock waves provoked by Washington’s tariff policy very soon, according to the agency

Two days ago, 08:51

US has other things to focus on following three years of support to Ukraine — Rubio

According to the US Secretary of State, the administration of US President Donald Trump has done more in 80 days than former US President Joe Biden ever did

Two days ago, 08:13

France, UK, Germany can help achieve peace in Ukraine, top US diplomat says

Marco Rubio pointed out that the White House was in constant contact with London and Paris on settling the Ukraine issue

Yesterday, 17:44

First chess tournament held in medieval tower in Ingushetia’s mountains

The competition drew professional chess players across various age groups, including children, highlighting its broad appeal

Chinese stocks rise after further escalation of China-US tariff conflict

The CSI 300 Index rose by 1.31% to 3,735.12 points

Russia's economy grows despite more than 28,000 sanctions imposed — deputy PM

As an example, Alexey Overchuk named the Russian aviation industry, where "regional jets made the first flight with all Russian parts, including Russian engines" as well as agriculture, where Russia remains "the world's number one exporter of grain"

Two days ago, 23:54

Russian forces take control over section of important road in Sumy Region — expert

Distance-wise, about five kilometers of the Yunakovka-Oleshnya highway is under fire control of the Russian Armed Forces

Yesterday, 19:46

Iran makes clear to US it has no intention to restore JCPOA — MFA

The second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran concluded on Saturday after nearly four hours of discussions in Rome, mediated by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi

Yesterday, 04:59

Minerals deal unrelated to peace process in Ukraine — US Department of State

Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Tammy Bruce added that US President Donald Trump "would expect that to be signed toward the end of next week"

Japan may increase rice imports from the US — newspaper

Japan is also considering an opportunity to offer simplified access of US vehicles to the country’s market, Nikkei reported

'Coalition of willing’ gone mad, strike on Sumy: Russian MFA spokewoman holds briefing

Vladimir Zelensky is "certainly" responsible for the unintended consequences of the Russian Armed Forces' attack on the venue where a Ukrainian command staff meeting was being held in Sumy, the Russian diplomat stated

Yesterday, 11:58

St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation brings Holy Fire to Russia

The descent of the Holy Fire takes place on the eve of Easter according to the Julian calendar

13 Sep 2021, 14:28

Zapad-2021 drills draw over 120 military representatives from 45 countries

Representaives of defense ministries of CIS countries, Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and the Central Asian Regions, and also delegates from Austria, Serbia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland are present at the exercise

Yesterday, 10:19

Russian forces liberate Oleshnya in Kursk Region — top brass

The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk Region have exceeded 75,000 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Yesterday, 04:23

Europe must understand that US may leave Ukrainian settlement process — State Department

That said, Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Tammy Bruce noted that there is "a lot of enthusiasm" following the Paris meeting on the matter

Yesterday, 20:10

Latest POW exchange between Russia, Ukraine was largest since conflict began — UAE

Since taking on the role of mediator at the start of 2024, the UAE has overseen the exchange of more than 3,700 POWs

Two days ago, 18:09

US declassifies over 10,000 pages of documents about assassination of JFK's brother

The files are published with minimal editing for privacy reasons, including the deletion of social security numbers and taxpayer identification numbers

Two days ago, 15:21

Port dues in Transarctic corridor may grow tenfold — Russian minister

The solution is to establish the Russian dredging fleet, Alexey Chekunkov noted

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: UN ready to join Black Sea deal while Russia lifts Taliban ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 18th

Kiev had no choice regarding Easter truce — Russian lawmaker

Alexey Pushkov assumed that Vladimir Zelensky had urgent telephone talks with Prime Minister of the Unied Kingdom Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, during which the decision to consent to the truce was made

Yesterday, 17:47

Russian, Iranian national teams to play two friendly futsal matches in October — agency

Previously, the Iranian Football Federation announced plans for a friendly encounter with Russia on October 6

Two days ago, 17:38

Russia's Kucherov wins Art Ross Trophy, 10th in NHL history with at least three

Nikita Kucherov is one of three Russians in history to win the Art Ross Trophy, along with Yevgeny Malkin and recently crowned goals king Alexander Ovechkin

Yesterday, 06:37

Humanoid robot runs twice as slow as humans at half-marathon in China

The robots ran the distance together with humans, but on a separately designated track

Yesterday, 01:29

US develops plan on monitoring ceasefire in Ukraine — WSJ

According to the newspaper, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that "the US has presented a framework on how the war might be ended, including a cease-fire"

Soyuz MS-26 crew returns to Earth

The cosmonauts and the astronaut were evacuated later from the return vehicle of the spacecraft

Yesterday, 16:38

Participants in Easter marches in Germany oppose arms supplies to Kiev

The primary issues on their agenda include disarmament, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East

Yesterday, 16:33

Too early for IAEA to join Iran-U.S. talks, says Iranian foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran continues to grant the IAEA access to nuclear sites, reaffirming that the organization holds full responsibility for monitoring and verification efforts

Yesterday, 10:17

One settlement left until full liberation of Kursk Region from Ukrainian troops — sources

The Defense Ministry said that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated Oleshnya

Two days ago, 16:48

China to take required measures to protect its interests if US introduces harbor fee

China urges the US to follow principles of the market economy and fair competition, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stressed

26 Nov 2024, 23:16

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Two days ago, 22:51

US may recognize Crimea as Russian territory — Bloomberg

The sources indicated that "a final decision on the matter hadn’t yet been taken"

Yesterday, 03:22

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipes out up to 85 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

The battlegroup’s spokesman Roman Kodryan added that the enemy’s losses included nine motor vehicles

19 Jul 2018, 10:19

Russia tests strategic bomber with new air-to-surface missile

As was reported earlier, Russia had been working on a new version of the Tu-22M3 bomber - the Tu-22M3M

Yesterday, 19:16

Zelensky claims that Kiev is ready to observe ceasefire

He added, "If complete calm prevails, Ukraine offers to extend the ceasefire beyond Easter Sunday hours on April 20 onward"

Hungarian officials not to come to Victory Day parade in Moscow — Orban’s office

According to Gergely Gulyas, "even if the countries of Western Europe were on good terms with Russia, it would still not make sense for Hungary to take part in the celebrations, as the end of World War II marked a bitter defeat for the country"

Yesterday, 08:39

Vulin not included in Serbia’s new cabinet because of Western pressure on Vucic — source

"Aleksandar Vulin has been removed from the government because of pressure from Brussels," the source pointed out

Yesterday, 13:54

US leadership understands root causes of Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin aide

However, a longstanding anti-Russian sentiment - built over many years and decades - hinders their ability to pursue reasonable solutions, Yury Ushakov said

Yesterday, 22:29

Soyuz MS-26 spaceship dedocked from ISS

Participants in the 72nd long-duration expedition at ISS Aleksey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner and Donald Pettit are on board

Yesterday, 11:49

Holy Fire descends in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire symbolizes the light of Christ's resurrection

Yesterday, 16:09

Putin's 30-hour Easter truce ceasefire comes into force

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Gerasimov "issued instructions to all group commanders in the special military operation zone to cease fire and pause combat operations"