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Middle East conflict

Israel carries out nearly 100 strikes on schools in Gaza in past two months — UN

The report noted that "on 14 and 15 December alone, four schools were hit"

DUBAI, December 18. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has attacked schools in the Gaza Strip almost 100 times over the past two months, Al Jazeera said, citing a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The OCHA informs that UN agencies have documented 95 Israeli attacks on school buildings in the embattled enclave between October 6 and December 15. The majority of these buildings served as shelters for displaced Palestinians. The report noted that the attacks included "61 incidents in North Gaza governorate. On 14 and 15 December alone, four schools were hit."

The situation in the Middle East escalated dramatically when on October 7, 2023, armed Hamas supporters from the Gaza Strip penetrated Israeli territory, killing residents of border settlements and seizing more than 240 hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a military operation in the enclave in order to destroy the military and political structures of Hamas and liberate all those hostages. The hostilities in the Gaza Strip and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria continue to this day.

Middle East conflict

Progress made on Gaza deal, no agreements yet — Netanyahu’s office

"Israel hopes that efforts by international mediators will be successful resulting in the release of hostages taking place in the near future," Dmitry Gendelman said

Russian defense ministry notes slain general’s contribution into Russia’s security

He became a true mentor for many young specialists, inspiring their research, the Russian Defense Ministry said in an obituary

Russia, Brazil need to create direct air service bypassing unfriendly nations – ambassador

He added that the two nations need to "create maritime transport routes

Ukraine won’t accept Hungary’s mediation in conflict resolution — Zelensky

The Ukrainian president said he hopes for direct communication with the US after Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025

West seeks to open 'second front' against Russia in Central Asia — Russian diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, this policy from the West is marked by "attempts to get Central Asian nations join sanctions and isolate Russia once and for all," and "restore their military and intelligence presence in the region"

Russian forces setting up fire pocket for Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that if the Ukrainian command "does not react to these risks in time," up to a battalion of Ukrainian soldiers will be pushed against the Lozovaya River, cut off from any routes of retreat

Former Ukrainian president says frontline situation more difficult than ever

Pyotr Poroshenko specified that Ukrainian troops stationed in the Krasnoarmeisk and Kupyansk areas "are desperately calling out" about the lack of drones

Russia in contact with Turkey on bank transfer issue — diplomat

Andrey Buravov said that sanctions against Gazprombank negatively influences the development of Russia-Turkey trade and economic cooperation

Serial production of Oreshnik missiles to begin shortly — Putin

The head of state recalled that Russia’s newest powerful weapon "was successfully used in November in response to the strikes on our country’s territory"

Moscow sees no reason to exclude Hungary, Slovakia from list of unfriendly nations

The Russian government approved the list of unfriendly countries in March 2022

Merkel's memoirs confirm Russia sought to avoid conflict — reporter

Thomas Fazi said that, according to the former German chancellor, Russian President Vladimir Putin was committed to peace

Turkey did not support HTS during Syria uprising — spokesman of Erdogan’s party

Omer Celik noted that Turkey has opposed bloodshed in the neighboring country from the start and called for a political settlement

Ukrainian army’s losses exceed 41,660 troops: Situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Russian tactical and army aircraft and artillery forces struck enemy troops and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions

Some EU countries concerned about idea to seize Russian central bank assets — report

Discussions on the issue have been intensified amid concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump could reduce or stop support to Ukraine after taking office

Ukraine would have been admitted to NATO in no time if it depended on Poland – Tusk

Discussions around a potential invitation to NATO has invigorated in Ukraine in recent time

Trump looks set to resolve Ukraine conflict at Kiev’s expense, US expert believes

According to Francis Fukuyama, Trump "has little regard for [Ukraine’s Vladimir] Zelensky and even seems to have contempt for most democratically elected European leaders"

Senior Russian general, his aide killed in Moscow blast — investigators

According to Svetlana Petrenko, the Committee’s Moscow department has launched a criminal probe into the attack

Ukrainian expert doubts existence of ‘laser trident’ in Kiev’s arsenal

Ukrainian expert on defense technologies Sergey Zgurets explained that, according to his information, work in this field in Ukraine has remained at the level of scientific research

Ukrainian forces have no chance to stop Russian offensive on Kurakhovo — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, "it is clear that the Russians have the potential to break through the Ukrainian defenses in several areas simultaneously"

Russia to continue its military operation, as West only offers fake peace plans — UN envoy

The permanent representative added that Russia would respond to actions taken by the Ukrainian authorities appropriately

Flight of Japan’s first commercial Kairos-2 rocket aborted minutes after takeoff

The flight was terminated "after judging that the achievement of its mission would be difficult"

Russian nuclear defense chief's aide Ilya Polikarpov killed in Moscow explosion

Ilya Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation

BRICS’ own payment system is feasible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister believes

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the group also needs clearing mechanisms and transaction insurance systems, including insurance for the movement of goods and cargoes

Russia's economic indicators steady over the year despite sanctions — Finance Minister

As Anton Siluanov reported, the session discussed a number of measures to create "long money" in the economy

Ukraine loses most of its forces while trying to break out of encirclement near Kurakhovo

According to the security services, Ukraine has been losing dozens of servicemen in this area every day for the past two weeks

Scholz expects US position on long-range weapons for Ukraine to change under Trump

The German chancellor has repeatedly refused to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, saying that this move would trigger serious escalation risks

Ukrainian forces execute over 100 civilians in Selidovo

According to Maxim Grigoriev, all Ukrainian units participated in the shooting of civilians in Selidovo

US may deploy tactical nuclear weapons in UK in coming years — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s sources, the United States has been creating a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons at Lakenheath

Russia to raise topic of terror attack on Kirillov at UNSC meeting on December 20

"Those responsible for this crime must be duly punished and be unequivocally condemned by international community," Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky stressed

Kiev redeploys troops from Kharkov area to Krasnoarmeysk — security forces

In addition, according to the security forces, the Ukrainian military is also transferring equipment and weapons to this section of the line of engagement

US bounty on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham leader’s head remains in force

At the same time, US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller did not speculate on what the US administration will do if al-Sharaa is handed over to the US

Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

Department of State denies US had hand in attack on Russian nuclear defense chief

Matthew Miller said that he don’t have any assessment

Power of IED that killed senior general in Moscow was equivalent to over one kg of TNT

Work is underway to establish all those involved in the crime

Loss of Krasnoarmeysk to mark 'largest setback' for Ukraine in months — TV channel

Krasnoarmeysk is a key logistical hub for the Ukrainian group in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Erdogan calls for preventing Syria from turning into hotbed of terrorism

"Turkey is the only country and ally that defeated both of these terrorist organizations," the Turkish leader stressed

Results of Russian cancer vaccine’s preclinical studies due in late 2024 — minister

The research "is financed by the state as part of the governmental order," Mikhail Murashko said

Russian troops advance deep into northern Chasov Yar neighborhood

It is reported that the neighborhood is mainly composed of private residences, most of which have been burned or destroyed

State Duma passes bill tightening control over deals made by large financial organizations

The bill will become law on September 1, 2025

Russian troops liberate Annovka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 425 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian MFA sees attack on general as consequence of West’s connivance of Kiev’s crimes

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted a lack of reaction from the West to the crime

UN refrains from condemning terror attack on Russia’s nuclear defense chief Kirillov

Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said earlier in the day that Russia will raise this issue at a UN Security Council meeting on Western weapons supplies to Ukraine on December 20

Russia highly appreciates Brazil's desire to contribute to Ukrainian settlement — envoy

Alexey Labetsky pointed out that in the outgoing year political contacts between the countries developed very dynamically both at the bilateral level and in the formats of the G20 and BRICS

Trump’s call to Putin may put an end to Ukrainian conflict – US expert

In his opinion, the core reason behind the conflict needs to be addressed in order to resolve it

Captured Ukrainian soldier tells about orders to shoot civilians in Russia’s Kursk Region

Artur Plombirus was conscripted from prison, where he was serving a sentence under Article 186 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (robbery)

Russia remains among EU’s main liquefied natural gas suppliers in October

LNG imports from Russia in value terms were the highest since November 2023

Trump gets required number of electoral votes — CNN

The decisive moment was when Texas electors awarded him with 40 electoral votes during their meeting on Tuesday.

Syria’s new leader seeks to 'gain voice' in UN Security Council

Ahmad al-Sharaa didn’t say exactly what role the new Syrian government sees for itself in the UNSC

FSB detains Uzbek national for carrying out terrorist attack that killed Russian general

It is reported that the security forces identified and detained a citizen of Uzbekistan, born in 1995, who detonated a homemade explosive device near a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow

Pentagon says US does not support activities similar to Russian general’s killing

Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said that US was not aware of this operation in advance

Zelensky admits the impossibility of reclaiming Donbass, Crimea

Vladimir Zelensky responded negatively when asked whether Kiev could temporarily abandon its claims to Crimea or Donbass

Press review: EU imposes new anti-Russian sanctions and Russia braces for NATO conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 17th

Shortlist of Academy Awards published in US

The International Feature Film category lists 15 films

NATO takes over coordination of military aid to Ukraine from US — report

The source said the move is an attempt to safeguard the supply of armaments to Ukraine from a potential shift in sentiment in Washington under incoming President Donald Trump

Kirillov's killers to be tracked down, Western link clear — politician

Vladimir Rogov noted that Igor Kirillov’s assassination was "another case of Kiev's state terrorism, which spans the entirety of Russia"

Russia to display battle-tested Supercam drone at Vietnam show

The fixed-wing drone with protected communication channels and high jam-resistance confirmed effectiveness in Syria and Ukraine

Iran’s foreign minister doesn’t see events in Syria as unexpected

According to the minister, Israel over the past 14 months regularly carried out strikes at Syria’s defense infrastructure in order to weaken the Syrian government

Video camera used to surveil Russian general found inside car sharing vehicle — source

Items of interest to the investigation were seized from the car

Trump's special envoy on Ukraine may visit Russia — news agency

It is indicated that the trip to Moscow will be aimed at gathering information, and not for the implementation of any specific political goal

Over 12 tons of oil collected in South Russia in past day after tanker accident

Around 700 people and 60 vehicles are involved in the effort, which is hampered by strong winds and precipitation

Use of several Oreshnik missiles comparable to nuclear weapons — Putin

It is reported that the Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well, is very powerful

Suspect in Russian general’s murder carried out attack for money, European passport

"I was offered $100,000 and a European passport," he said

What is known about apprehension of perpetrator of terror attack on Russian general

The suspect admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

Poland may scale back military aid to Ukraine amid dwindling resources — prime minister

Donald Tusk announced that in January, Ukraine would receive a 46th aid package, without specifying what kind of weapons it would include

With Annovka liberated, Russia can reinforce troops in Kurakhovo in DPR

The Russian defense ministry reported earlier on Tuesday that units of Russia’s Battlegroup South had liberated the settlement of Annovka in the DPR

Polish premier calls for stop to speculation about Polish troops being sent to Ukraine

Donald Tusk also warned against offering Kiev security guarantees that may ultimately prove to be unenforceable

Resistance movement in Kherson facilitates elimination of over 120 Ukrainian troops

The movement’s activists helped to eliminate 38 Ukrainian army vehicles and three mortars

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

Russia’s Medvedev threatens punishment over attack on senior general Kirillov

The politician condemned the attack by what he called the collapsing Kiev regime

South Korea's president fails to show up for police questioning in mutiny case

CIO head Oh Dong-woon said the day before that the summonses were not accepted intentionally and that the law enforcement agencies would act according to the law

Russia holding consultations with Turkey on situation over sanctions on Gazprombank

"We are constantly holding consultations with the Turkish side as one of our active counteragents, so to say," Russia’s consul general in Istanbul Andrey Buravov told

Finnish president says too early to talk of any peacekeepers in Ukraine

Alexander Stubb urged to approach the issue of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine with caution without rushing into it

IN BRIEF: Russian defense minister speaks out on confrontation with West, Ukrainian losses

According to the minister, Ukrainian losses exceeded 560,000 servicemen killed and wounded in 2024

UK adds 20 tankers, two companies to its sanctions list for Russia

The sanctions target Dubai-based companies 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE, which specialize in energy trading

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

FACTBOX: Key details about the attack on Russia’s nuclear defense chief in Moscow

Senior officials from the Russian Interior Ministry’s Moscow department have arrived, along with investigators, medical personnel, and emergency services

No place out of Russia’s ICBMs’ reach — Strategic Missile Forces commander

Colonel General Sergey Karakayev, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces also announced that missile launches at maximum range are planned as part of state flight tests of advanced missile systems

Electoral college concludes session, awarding 312 votes to Trump — CNN

Trump’s electoral rival Kamala Harris got 226 votes

Analyst blames NATO special services for bomb attack on Russian general

According to Alexander Stepanov, this is a "planned operation" and evidence that an all-out hybrid war of annihilation is being waged on Russia

Russia's Embassy in Tunisia talking to authorities about arrest of Russians

Russian diplomats have already met "with the local authorities to clarify the circumstances of the case"

Union State secretary describes Oreshnik deployment in Belarus as forced measure

State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev described the move as "logical and justified" in an interview with the Zvezda TV channel

UN General Assembly adopts Russian-backed resolution on fight against neo-Nazism

The document was supported by 119 countries, 53 were against

Over half of Polish citizens believe that Kiev should accept territorial losses — survey

During a similar survey in September, 39% of respondents supported this opinion

Fall of Damascus and hopes for free Syria: Assad makes first statement after stepping down

Bashar Assad insists that he remained in Damascus until the early hours of December 8 and did not leave the country until late on that day

Pentagon says US does not support activities similar to Russian general’s killing

Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder refrained from further comments

Russia-Japan trade down by 15.9%, to $650 mln in November — TASS calculations

Russian exports grew by 11.3%, while imports declined by 22.2%

Killing of Russian general may complicate Trump’s peace effort in Ukraine — US expert

"While it's uncertain whether or not the President-elect will directly address this incident, he has been clear in his recent comments on ATACMS strikes inside Russia that he opposes actions that may lead to a heightening of tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the run-up to potential peace talks," the analyst said

Israel delivers strike on vehicle transporting weapons in south Lebanon

The IDF emphasized that Israeli troops are operating in accordance with the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon

Russian forces clear some seven hectares of forest near Kremennaya of Ukrainian troops

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced on Monday that 99.3% of the LPR territory had been liberated

Ukrainian commander-in-chief describes situation on frontline as ‘tough’

In his words, situation in the south of the country was also "tense"

Trump blasts Biden’s permission to use US weapons for strikes inside Russia as 'stupid'

The US President-elect said that nobody asked him to weigh in on the decision

Serbian leader wants to contact Putin over gas contract with Russia, US sanctions

Aleksandar Vucic earlier stated that the US decision to impose sanctions on NIS starting January 1, 2025, would not alter Belgrade's refusal to join the anti-Russian sanctions

Four drones taken down over three Russian regions overnight

"On-duty air defenses shot down four Ukrainian UAVs: two over the Belgorod Region, one over the Bryansk Region and one over the Kursk Region," the ministry said

Russian MFA sees attack on general as consequence of West’s connivance of Kiev’s crimes

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that "general Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed in a planned manner"

Press review: South Korean president impeached as Ukraine turns to foreign mercenaries

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 16th

EC not interested in continuation of Russian gas transit via Ukraine

"The Commission does not support any discussions on the contract extension nor other solutions to maintain transit flows and has not been involved in any kind of negotiations on this," the statement reads

General Kirillov knew he was being 'hunted' — Kostroma governor

"There was a clear understanding that the combat personnel he had trained and the combat efforts by his troops were a powerful weapon," Sergey Sitnikov said

US to high-tail it out of Syria a la Afghanistan, Iraq — Iranian MP

According to Esmail Kosari, the Syrian people will soon oust both the United States and Israel and "the resistance front will continue its work more resolutely"

Erdogan calls for eliminating all terrorist groups in Syria

Erdogan told Nehammer that Syrian refugees begin to return to their homeland

UN ready to back Ukraine peace proposals in line with organization’s mandate — spokesman

Stephane Dujarric made the statement in response to a request to comment on a recent statement by Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto

Russia urges Israel to abandon use of force in relations with Syria

Vasily Nebenzya underlined that such actions infringe on the Arab republic’s sovereignty and territorial integrity