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Ukraine files charges in absentia against Russian army deputy general staff chief

The SBU brings charges against Russian political, military, cultural and public figures in absentia on a regular basis

MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has filed charges in absentia against Alexey Kim, the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

According to the data published in the agency's Telegram channel, Kim was charged under two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.

The SBU brings charges against Russian political, military, cultural and public figures in absentia on a regular basis. Additionally, Vladimir Zelensky signs numerous decrees on sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities, as well as citizens of other countries whom Ukraine accuses of cooperating with Russia.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

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Ukraine files charges in absentia against Russian army deputy general staff chief

The SBU brings charges against Russian political, military, cultural and public figures in absentia on a regular basis

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Ukrainian troops struggling to escape being trapped in Lozovaya in Kharkov region — expert

In general, "quite active hostilities" are taking place near Dvurechnaya and Lozovaya in the Kupyansk sector of the line of engagement, Andrey Marochko noted

Russia achieves key objective in Syria — Putin

According to head of state, the groups that fought against Syrian government forces have gone through major internal changes

Russia has no concerns about who attends Trump's inauguration — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, this issue lies "on the periphery" for Moscow, and Russia views it "detachedly"

Ship with sailors from Syria, Egypt sends distress signal in Kerch Strait

According to the trade union, there are 16 people on board: one Egyptian citizen and 15 Syrians

Orban does not intend to react to Zelensky's provocations, will remain calm

The Hungarian prime minister reiterated that his proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia remains on the table

As many as 70% of soldiers desert from reinforcements sent to Kurakhovo — politician

The situation is similar at several other sections of the frontline in the DPR

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Italian opera icon Giancarlo del Monaco

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Russian, Uzbek security agents work to identify accomplices in general’s killing in Moscow

"The special services of the Republic of Uzbekistan are doing all they can to provide assistance," the agency said

Russia to raise issue of Ukrainian strikes on Rylsk at UNSC meeting on Friday — diplomat

Acting Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein said earlier that the town of Rylsk, located some 120 kilometers west of Kursk, had come under Ukrainian fire

Press review: Putin outlines Russia's future goals and Tehran faces energy blackout riots

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 20th

Russia forgives Somalia's Soviet-era debt

"One hundred percent of the stated amount is consolidated in accordance with this agreement," the document reads

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Ukrainian army floundering, while Russian forces continue to advance — Putin

"The enemy is unable to gain a foothold in the positions where it has retreated," the Russian president noted

Baltic states threaten mass deportation of Russians, take lead in Russophobia — statement

The Foreign Ministry noted that the facts of discrimination and persecution of Russians are often ignored by the official leadership of countries and international human rights agencies, leading many victims to remain silent

Ukrainian unit of machine-gunners disguised as Russian soldiers shoots civilians — captive

According to Bogdan Nikitchenko, the command sends "anyone available" to the Kursk Region

Zelensky fully rules out possibility of gas transit via Ukraine — Slovak Prime Minister

Robert Fico emphasized that by blocking the continuation of gas transit, the Kiev authorities are damaging Slovakia's national economic interests and could negatively impact the European bloc as a whole

Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas will hit EU economies hard — French expert

According to Jacques Sapir, the decision not to extend transit contracts was no surprise given the political landscape

Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses near Oskol Reservoir in Kharkov Region

The new positions will enable Russian troops to advance further in that frontline area and deliver more effective strikes on the enemy, Andrey Marochko specified

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Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein added that he was currently in Moscow for a State Council meeting but planned to travel to Rylsk as soon as possible

Russian troops liberate 10 communities in Donbass region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 3,610 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the week

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Lavrov explains Russia’s position on Ukrainian settlement to Swiss counterpart

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Putin suggests Zelensky may flee abroad, says Russia would take him in

"But he will be taken care of by those people whose interests he is serving now," the Russian leader said

UK unwilling to send military instructors to Ukraine for fear of Russian attacks — media

According to a source, "Russians would target any kind of Western assistance inside Ukraine"

Ukrainian forces try leaving positions southwest of DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security service

It is reported that Ukrainian positions in the settlement are under intense artillery fire by the Russian Armed Forces

Banks find opportunity to work under sanctions — Central Bank chief

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Oreshnik test launch forces London to take a step back — Russian ambassador

According to Andrey Kelin, the UK’s official reaction to the launch of the Oreshnik missile was rather vague

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Anatoly Viktorov expressed his wholehearted support to the family of Yelena Trufanova whose son Alexander is still being held hostage in the Palestinian enclave

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Earlier, Ukrainian media reported about explosions in the capital, and local authorities informed about the work of air defenses

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Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

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Russian agency to investigate Ukrainian strike on Kursk Region town as terrorist attack

According to the Russian Investigative Committee, on Friday, fighters of Ukrainian armed formations used long-range weapons to carry out a missile strike on the town of Rylsk in the Kursk Region

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Ukrainian attack on Kursk Region town kills 6, injures 10 — official

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Admiral Alexander Moiseyev noted that the construction of nuclear submarines is Sevmash’s main purpose, which is performs successfully

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Zelensky actually flips the bird to Trump by insulting Putin, Medvedev says

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The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

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Russia recognizes Ukrainian businessman Akhmetov as extremist

According to the Justice Ministry, the Ukrainian businessman belongs to the group which "is based on ideological and property interests clearly aimed against Russia"

Musk believes Germany’s Scholz should step down after car drives into crowd in Magdeburg

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Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban proposed a ceasefire and a major exchange of POWs between Russia and Ukraine during Christmas in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Four new Russian regions moving toward self-sufficiency at a rapid pace — Putin

According to the head of state, tax revenues have seen a consistent increase in absolute figures

Ukraine to halt Russian gas transit on January 1, 2025 — Ukrainian PM

The restart of transit via the Ukrainian gas transportation system is possible at a request of the European Commission if this is not Russian gas, Denis Shmygal said

Risks of trade wars growing, Bank of Russia says

Risks of intensified geopolitical pressure on Russia are in the same group of risks, Elvira Nabiullina added

Kremlin spokesman clarifies Putin’s statement about Oreshnik 'duel'

"It is very important to talk about these statements by the president in the context of the question he was asked," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Ukraine carries out missile strike on town of Rylsk in Russia’s Kursk Region

Acting region's governor Alexander Khinshtein stressed that the regional government would provide the necessary assistance to those injured in the attack and their families

Expert predicts Russia, new Syrian authorities to establish strong ties

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Russia calls Israel’s annexation of Golan Heights unacceptable — MFA

"Israel must return to the full compliance with the well-known 1974 agreement with Syria," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

US defense companies capitalize the most on Ukraine conflict — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya referred to data from the SIPRI which put last year’s revenues from sales of arms by the world’s top 100 largest businesses in the industry at $632 billion

Russian public may one day decide to bury Lenin proper, Putin speculates

The Russian president still noted that "today, especially in today’s Russia, we must not do anything that could divide the country"

Rutte announces launch of Command on Ukraine, calls to refrain from discussing peace

NATO secretary general claimed that Western states should focus on arms shipments to Ukraine

Scholz says he intends to continue to speak directly with Putin in future

The German Chancellor claimed he intended to "make clear" to the Russian leader the need for his contribution to ending the conflict and withdrawing troops

Scholz could travel to Moscow to boost his party’s approval rating — report

Germany is scheduled to hold a parliamentary election on February 23, 2025

Kiev’s Western patrons complicit in recent attack on senior Russian general — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya recalled that Igor Kirillov had repeatedly presented evidence of the military activity of US laboratories in Ukraine

NATO prepares for war with Russia, Moscow takes these risks into account — senior diplomat

According to Alexander Grushko, NATO's general course poses a danger both to Russia and to the entire architecture of global and regional security

US grants 3-month exemption from sanctions on Gazprombank for Hungary — Orban

Hungary will now be in a relatively safe position for several months, the prime minister said

Trump threatens EU of tariffs unless it increases energy purchases

The inauguration of the president-elect is scheduled for January 20, 2025

Heat supply cut off in almost 90 houses in Rylsk in wake of Ukrainian attack — official

According to Alexander Khinshtein, repair teams are working at the site

What is known about Russia’s retaliatory strike on Ukraine after attack on Rostov Region

Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the fires in Solomensky and Shevchenkovsky districts

Scholz announces supply of IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine

The German Chancellor recalled that the total amount of Berlin's support to Kiev stood at 37 billion euros

Russian forces create bridgehead near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy in Kharkov Region — expert

Ukrainian forces have been shifting significant reserves to this settlement, including fresh recruits with little to no training, to retain Kupyansk

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

Social facilities, homes damaged by Ukrainian missile attack on Rylsk — acting governor

"The buildings of the House of Culture, physical fitness center, teachers’ training college, school, firefighting depot and private households were damaged," Alexander Khinshtein said

European Union spends 130 bln euro to support Ukraine — von der Leyen

According to her, the EU accounts for 47% of weapons sent to Ukraine with around 40% being provided by the United States

Strike on SBU control center response to Russian general’s assassination, expert says

The ministry clarified that Ukraine launched a missile strike against the Kamensky Integrated Plant in the Rostov Region using six US-made ATACMS missiles and four Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Response to Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Rylsk to come shortly — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya warned as he denounced the attack as yet another unambiguous step by the Kiev regime toward escalation

Russia to retaliate against Ukrainian strikes, just as Putin said — Kremlin

"Russia’s position is well known, it was voiced by Putin back in St. Petersburg," Dmitry Peskov stressed