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Trump picks Grenell for special missions envoy’s position

Grenell served earlier as the US Ambassador to Germany and as the Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations

NEW YORK, December 15. /TASS/. US President-elect Donald Trump selected ex-Acting Director of the National Intelligence Richard Grenell to the position of the Presidential Envoy for Special Missions.

"I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our Presidential Envoy for Special Missions," Trump wrote on his page in the Truth Social network. Grenell will "work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea," he added.

Grenell served earlier as the US Ambassador to Germany and as the Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations.

Middle East conflict

Israeli military raiding West Bank — news agency

The military made searches using stun grenades and tear gas against local residents

Turkey’s embassy in Syria resumes operations — TV channel

It has been closed since March 2012

US authorities not yet finding causes of drones appearing in skies

FBI official thinks "there has been a slight overreaction” to the situation

Fourteen people died, thirty wounded in Israel strikes against Gaza — TV

The Israel Defense Forces hit several residential buildings in the city and its outskirts, the TV channel said

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

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

They also urged to halt all military actions in Syria

Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

Russia is ready to deal a new blow to terrorists if they again try to break peace in Syria, the president said

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"

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

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

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

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

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

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

Russian president signs law banning GMO production

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

Scholz politically isolated in EU, German politician says

"Regrettably, it should be said so: the majority of European politicians simply do not want to meet anymore the German Chancellor that either sits silent for hours or lectures the world," said Friedrich Merz

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

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

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

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

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

Russian assets worth around 3.5 bln euro blocked in Germany — ministry

The German Finance Ministry’s spokesman said at the end of December 2023 that the authorities had frozen Russian assets totaling about 4.1 bln euro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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"

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

Trump picks Grenell for special missions envoy’s position

Grenell served earlier as the US Ambassador to Germany and as the Presidential Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations

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

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

7.5 mln Ukrainians remain abroad — Foreign Minister

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

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

Progress reached in Israel-Hamas talks on hostages — news outlet

Key details of the deal are now kept secret to avoid political interference that may disrupt it, the official said

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

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.

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

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

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

Powerful explosions go off in Damascus — source

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

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"

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

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

Unidentified drones disrupt airport operations in State of New York — governor

The US administration has not yet established the origin of unmanned aerial vehicles spotted in skies over the State of New Jersey and New York, a FBI official said earlier at the online briefing

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

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

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

Israeli military raiding West Bank — news agency

The military made searches using stun grenades and tear gas against local residents

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

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

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

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

Damascus, Aleppo airports resume operations, but so far only under special permits

The restriction period is set from 8:00 p.m. GMT on December 12 to 3:00 p.m. GMT on December 18

Russia approves pact on peaceful space exploration with Algeria

The agreement encompasses various areas of cooperation, including space science, astrophysical phenomena studies, planetary research, and remote Earth sensing

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

Medvedev accuses West of seeking to eradicate Russian language in Ukraine

According to the politician, Kiev is being "hand-fed" by countries of the collective West

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

New regions may join Russia, Medvedev says

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

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

Georgia is holding the presidential election on Saturday

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

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

Avtovaz resumes production of seven-seater Largus, Largus Cross station wagons

In May 2024, Avtovaz started mass production of Lada Largus at the Izhevsk plant

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

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

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

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

Bolivarian Alliance countries support multipolar world — Maduro

The president called for "the unity of political trends" of the Latin American region

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

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

ABC News to pay $15 mln to Trump in pre-trial settlement

According to the agreement reached, ABC News will pay $15 mln as a charitable contribution "to be made to a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Plaintiff"

Access to Viber messenger restricted in Russia — media watchdog

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

Israel, Jordan held secret talks on Syria — Axios

The topic of the growing threat of weapons smuggling to the West Bank was discussed at the meeting, which may lead to aggravation of the situation in the Palestinian territory

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

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

Press review: Medvedev talks Ukraine with Xi and Houthis intensify attacks on Israel

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

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"

Russia, Iran work to set time for signing partnership agreement — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, cooperation between Moscow and Tehran is developing "intensively, effectively and aims to benefit people in both countries"

Kremlin refutes Trump’s remarks on losses in Ukrainian conflict

The Ukrainian army’s losses surpass those of Russia exponentially, Dmitry Peskov said

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

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

Russian Aerospace Force radars able to detect any aerial threats

Distinctive features of new equipment of radio-technical troops are the modern element base and the high level of automation for all process of radar information processing and output

Medvedev says US wants Taiwan to be its outpost in East Asia

According to the official, the plan is "quite in line with Washington's aspirations to bring the Asia-Pacific region into NATO's orbit and pit states against each other"

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

Su-35S fighter jets providing air coverage in border areas of Kursk Region

"When performing combat missions, crews of Su-35S multirole fighters practiced the air coverage in the designated area for operations of bombers and assault aircraft and army aviation helicopters when delivering air strikes against armored vehicles and personnel of the Ukrainian army," the ministry informed

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

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

Argentinian president Javier Milei granted Italy’s citizenship

The request was considered on a fast-track basis

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

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

CSTO understood Ukraine was turned into anti-Russia — ex-secretary general

Nikolay Bordyuzha noted "that the Ukrainian population was actually fostered in the spirit of hatred of Russians, everything Russia, and Russia"

Putin meets with former President of Kazakhstan Nazarbayev

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

Trump team in talks with US, Ukrainian officials about ending conflict - report

Trump’s advisers and cabinet nominees have yet to present a specific settlement plan, according to the report

Georgian president declares she will not give up presidency

Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14 and the new president will be inaugurated on December 29

Bolivarian Alliance summit participants approve declaration — Maduro

The plenary session of the summit took place for "four hours and forty minutes, and the work continued behind closed doors for two hours," the president said

Putin extends Russia’s anti-'oil price cap' measures until June 30, 2025 — decree

The decree on retaliatory measures against the oil price cap initially came into effect on February 1, 2023, and was originally intended to last until July 1, 2023, but has been extended multiple times since then

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