{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

© Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Reuters Connect

ANKARA, December 14. /TASS/. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus has resumed operations after a nearly 13-year-long hiatus, CNN Turk said, noting that the Turkish flag was hoisted above the diplomatic mission.

Earlier, Turkey appointed Ambassador to Mauritania Burhan Koroglu as the charge d'affaires ad interim to Syria. According to the TV channel, he is currently at the embassy.

The Turkish Embassy in Syria has been closed since March 2012 when relations between the two countries completely froze over serious political differences around the internal Syrian conflict.

Tags

Conflict in Syria

Hezbollah expects authorities in Damascus to choose in interests of Syria and Lebanon

"The Syrian people have the right to elect their government and approved the constitution," Secretary General of Hezbollah movement Sheikh Naim Qassem said

Presidential election in Georgia is completed as over half of electoral college cast votes

Ioseliani added that the voting would continue until 2:00 p.m. local time (1:00 p.m. Moscow time), and then the Central Election Commission will begin calculating the votes

UNSC still paralyzed on Palestinian issue due to US’ veto — Russian foreign ministry

The ministry recalled that on December 11 the UN General Assembly adopted by the overwhelming majority of votes two resolutions

Mikhail Kavelashvili elected as 6th president of Georgia

A total of 224 members of the 300-member electoral college cast their votes in favor of Kavelashvili

New Georgian president to be free from foreign influence — parliament speaker

According to Shalva Papuashvili, after the December 29 inauguration, Georgia will have a president focused on the country, its people, and respect for the constitution

Pentagon reports successful conventional hypersonic missile test in Florida

US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro called the Florida launch "an important milestone in the development of one of the most advanced weapons systems" at Washington's disposal

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

Vladimir Putin met with first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Novo-Ogaryovo

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

The global prestige of Washington is steadily declining, Sergey Naryshkin emphasized

NYT predicts Ukraine conflict will end in 2025

The article points out that Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will serve to expedite the peace talks

Washington does not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks for aiding Russian defense sector

Washington and Beijing have a channel "to discuss specific concerns", US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine to Sudzha totals 42.4 mcm

The volume of supplies has not changed despite the statements on suspended flows of Russian gas to Austria’s OMV

Russian troops liberate seven communities in Kursk Region, Donbass area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,350 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

British mercenary Burke killed in Ukraine by fellow mercenary, coroner says

The main suspect in the case is Abdelfetah Nourine, a dual citizen of Australia and Algeria

New Syrian leader gives Russia chance to review relations with Syria

Ahmed al-Sharaa also said that the country's new authorities will not enter into a conflict with Israel

Shelter housing hostages in Gaza attacked by IDF, Hamas insists

According to the spokesman, Hamas fighters "tried to pull the hostages from under the rubble, and they managed to get one of them out, but their fate is unknown"

Russian forces trap Ukrainian battlegroup near Kurakhovo in DPR — security official

The kill zone stretches for more than four kilometers (2.5 miles)

Russia extends higher duties on goods from unfriendly countries until 2025 year-end

Renewal of measures was caused by continued effect of sanctions of unfriendly countries against Russia, the Ministry of Economic Development noted

Kremlin says it approves of Trump’s criticism of strikes inside Russia

Earlier, Trump slammed the decision which he said had been approved by the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to use US-made weapons for strikes deep into Russian territory as "crazy"

New Syrian authorities in touch with Western embassies, militant leader says

They are also "holding talks with the UK to reopen its mission in Damascus," Ahmed al-Sharaa said

US not to 'abandon' Ukraine, Trump says

The US president-elect added that if he had been still in office in 2022, the special military operation would not have started "for numerous reasons"

Russian forces quickly break through Ukraine's weakened positions in Donbass — newspaper

The New York Times also said that the test of Russia's newest Oreshnik hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile has increased pressure on Kiev and its allies

Russian president signs law banning GMO production

The document obliges importers of GMO products to a compulsory public registration

Russia in talks with Syrian authorities on keeping its military bases — source

On December 9, a TASS source said that on the previous day armed groups of Bashar al-Assad's opponents had established full control of the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located

Medvedev says discussed security issues with Chinese President Xi

The deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council pointed out that Moscow and Beijing are close strategic partners

Russia’s Ryabkov, Arab League Deputy Secretary General discuss Iranian nuclear program

"The sides had a spirited exchange of opinions about the situation concerning the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the prospects of multilateral efforts on the settlement around the Iranian nuclear program," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated

Future of Russian bases in Syria to depend on its new authorities - top Turkish diplomat

The issue of Russian bases in Syria is linked to the negotiating process between the Russians and Syria’s new authorities, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

South Korean Parliament upholds impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol

The formal impeachment procedure regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol will now have to be approved by the Constitutional Court within 180 days

No interaction with CIA on Syria, Russian intel chief says

Sergey Naryshkin also said that he had no information as to whether former Syrian President Bashar Assad had received state protection

Distrust in political parties grows among Donbass residents — DPR leader

The DPR residents believe that Ukraine's former ruling party, The Party of Regions, abandoned them, Denis Pushilin noted

West deliberately foments conflicts everywhere, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official noted that the West has always sought to prevent nations from cooperating and provoked rivalry and disagreements

Top diplomats from eight Arab countries call to create UN mission on Syria

They also urged to halt all military actions in Syria

FACTBOX: Explosions, blackouts ravage Ukraine

An air alert has been declared across the entire country

Russian finance ministry expects foreign investors to return to Russian market in 2025

The Finance Ministry and the Central Bank has drafted a decree by the Russian president that provides guarantees for new foreign investors on the Russian stock market

Press review: Syria’s future after Damascus takeover and Trump calls for ceasefire

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 9th

Assad may be outside Syria’s territory — Turkish foreign minister

Turkey expects the people of the neighboring Syria to determine their future and it also attaches great importance to the country’s territorial integrity, Hakan Fidan added

Slovakia negotiating continued gas supplies through Ukraine — PM

The situation with gas supplies will be solved in coming days "at various levels in various countries", the republic’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said

Ukraine refuses to allow Russian gas to transit through its territory — Moldovan Deputy PM

"Ukraine will not agree to preserve transit for Hungary and the Republic of Moldova only," Oleg Serebrian noted

Crowds of protesters gather at Georgian Parliament’s building amid presidential election

Georgia is holding the presidential election on Saturday

Russia’s defense chief inspects Battlegroup East in special military operation area

Battlegroup East Commander Lieutenant General Andrey Ivanayev reported to the defense minister that the Battlegroup’s units had liberated seven communities over the month and gained control of an area of more than 300 square kilometers

West is hypocritical in discussing troop deployment to Ukraine, expert says

"Although Europeans have been involved in the conflict from the very beginning by supplying ammunition, weapons, advisors, and intelligence, they refuse to acknowledge that they are at war," Guillaume Ancel said

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

Powerful explosions go off in Damascus — source

According to Al Manar television, the explosions were caused by Israeli shelling

Ukraine instructs its troops to kill civilians in front-line areas, POW testifies

Valentin Zubreichuk cited his fellow soldiers who have long been in military service in Ukraine as saying that civilians have been taken out not only in the South Donetsk region but also in the village of Kleshcheyevka and in Artyomovsk

Russia sole heir to Ancient Rus — Security Council Deputy Chairman

Dmitry Medvedev criticized as "delusional" the so-called "Rus-Ukraine" paradigm, popularized by Ukrainian historian Mikhail Grushevsky "and his chauvinistic and xenophobic supporters" in the early twentieth century

Ukraine loses its population, Ukrainians choose Russia, politician says

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, even some representatives of the current government acknowledge that the state policy regarding the support of internally displaced persons has actually failed

Ukraine to attempt new offensive in late December on Zelensky’s initiative — blogger

He did not disclose in which direction the Ukrainian troops will attempt their advance

Trump considering airstrikes on Iran to impede Tehran’s nuclear program — newspaper

According to the sources, Trump’s transition team is working on a new "maximum pressure" strategy against Tehran, which would include military steps and tighter financial penalties

Ukrainian losses exceed 40,260 troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

According to the report, Russian operational/tactical and army aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

Air raid alert issued in six regions of Ukraine

The air raid sirens went off in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kirovograd, Nikolayev, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkov regions

Ukrainian army loses 145 troops in 24 hours as result of actions by Battlegroup East

The enemy also lost an Maxxpro armored combat vehicle and one car, as well as Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, in 24 hours, Spokesman for the battlegroup Oleg Chekhov said

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

"This is quite possible," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

All Russian parliamentary parties support measures to protect civilians in Donbass — Putin

The Russian president said it speaking at the session of the United Russia ruling political party

Russian troops strike Kiev airport used to train F-16 pilots — politician

"The Russian army hit hangars and warehouses at the site, with secondary detonations continuing for up to two hours," Vladimir Rogov said

Kremlin vows retaliation after Ukraine’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the response will come when and how Russia thinks fit

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

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

Syria truce plan crushes Turkish president’s aggressive intentions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a live broadcast of Turkey’s national television on Wednesday that the Syria truce deal was a "dishonest" step as it ignored Ankara’s position

Armed man robs over $85,000 from bank in Russia’s Siberian city of Novosibirsk

"Police officers are conducting the necessary investigative and search activities to establish all details of the incident and locate the criminal," the statement reads

Ukrainian army to soon run out of soldiers to continue fighting — media

The report highlights that, in addition to a manpower deficit, Kiev may also face critical shortages of ammunition and weapons

Next year unlikely to be easy, Russia hopes for victory — Medvedev

Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it at the 22nd United Russia party congress.

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

Key Russian lawmaker reveals illicit Ebola, smallpox research at US-run Ukraine biolabs

According to the legislator, the information obtained indicates "aggressive goal-setting that underpins the foundation of these programs, de facto implemented by US Department of Defense on Ukrainian soil"

Putin lauds participation of lawmakers in special op as courageous move

The Russian president also said that the veterans who returned with injuries must receive special attention and full support

TOS-1A Solntsepyok-1A ammunition creates long-lived shock wave — Rostec

The state corporation specified that the Solntsepyok munition creates a very high temperature, burning everything that can burn

Calling all residents of Ukraine 'Ukrainians' not accurate, Medvedev says

The Russian senior official pointed out that the very word "Ukrainians" did not take on its modern ethnic meaning until the mid-19th century

Moscow’s special op exposed Pentagon’s biolab scheme in Ukraine, says key Russian MP

It is reported that the task of the commission is to "set forth all the evidence that has been investigated in a reasoned, consistent and systematic way"

Russia hits Ukraine's power grid after Kiev attacks airfield in Taganrog with ATACMS

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the attack was carried out with the help of high-precision long-range airborne and sea-based weapons, as well as strike drones

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

Ukraine loses over 200 troops in Kursk area over past day — top brass

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian army’s losses also one tank, one US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one armored combat vehicle, seven motor vehicles

WHO representative Vujnovic hopes diplomacy prevails in 2024

Melita Vujnovic noted that not everything depends on Russia in this business, but admitted that the high standards of the Russian diplomacy make her optimistic

Russia thwarts Ukrainian attempt to attack Donetsk with long-range missiles

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin added that two civilian infrastructure objects were also damaged in two districts of Gorlovka on Friday

Putin calls for increased attention to special military operation’s veterans

Russian President noted that their leadership qualities must be fully engaged in tackling national tasks, including within the framework of the Times of Heroes program

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

Viber is a messaging and voice communication app developed by Viber Media

Russia's Oreshnik missile test made Europe 'nervous,' ex-Pentagon official says

Jim Townsend suggested that with US President-elect Donald Trump soon to take office again, some in Europe would be "secretly pleased" to see a peace deal get done

World heading towards major changes, says Hungarian PM

According to Viktor Orban, these changes will impact the entire Western civilization as they "will take a long time in historical terms, leading from war to peace"

US authorizes energy transactions for Russian banks

Energy-related transactions are understood as all the transactions related to production, refining, processing, transportation and purchase of oil

Russia, US maintain interaction on prisoner swaps

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that there are several confidential channels of interaction between Moscow and Washington

Su-57 fifth-generation fighter may get flat nozzle for stealth purposes — pilot

The flat nozzle technology is a breakthrough in modern aircraft-building, Major-General Vladimir Popov noted

World is now closer to nuclear war than ever before — US journalist Carlson

No one in Washington "is working to make sure that this conflict doesn’t become a nuclear holocaust," the journalist said

Russian economy growing despite unprecedented sanctions — Putin

The Russian leader added that all objectives set forth for Russia in the near future and the long-term perspective will be fulfilled

Georgia to hold presidential election on Saturday

The electoral college consists of 300 members, including 150 members of the Georgian Parliament, 21 and 20 representatives of the Supreme Councils of Adjara and Abkhazia, respectively, as well as deputies from local authorities

Druze in Syrian border village opt for 'lesser evil,' seek Israeli rule

Early on December 8, Israel officially announced the deployment of its forces to the buffer zone on the border with Syria in the Golan Heights

7.5 mln Ukrainians remain abroad — Foreign Minister

He claimed that the newly-established Ministry of Unity will work on repatriation of these people

Trump suggests that European troops monitor potential ceasefire in Ukraine — report

It is noted that Europe should play the main role in defending and supporting Ukraine

US to continue efforts to impair Russian oil revenues — Treasury Secretary

Washington and its allies also could consider lowering the oil price cap on Russian oil, , US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said

IN BRIEF: Ex-Ukrainian intel officer’s car blown up in northern Moscow

The explosion occurred in a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado off-road vehicle parked on Korovinskoye highway in the north of Moscow, when the driver started the SUV

Fuel explosion likely behind destruction of European Intelsat satellite — scientist

Nathan Eismont added that all the satellite fragments recorded so far have been catalogued and their trajectories can be predicted