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Middle East conflict

Lives of several hostages depend on IDF’s advance in northern Gaza — Hamas

According to spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing Abu Ubaida, areas where these hostages are held allegedly come under regular Israeli bombardments

CAIRO, December 23. /TASS/. The lives of several hostages held in the northern Gaza Strip will depend on the actions by the Israeli military there, Abu Ubaida, spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said.

"The lives of several prisoners [hostages] in a number of neighborhoods in the north depends on the further, even the slightest, advance of the enemy army there," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to Ubaida, areas where these hostages are held allegedly come under regular Israeli bombardments. However, he did not say how many hostages are held in the northern Gaza Strip.

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said on December 14 that one of the shelters where hostages were held had been struck by Israel and nothing was known about the fate of the hostages. Abu Ubaida said back then that the Israeli military had allegedly "delivered a deliberate strike on this area to kill the hostages." He did not say how many hostages were held there.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

During a week-long Egypt and Qatar-mediated humanitarian ceasefire in late November 2023, more than 100 hostages were released, but the ceasefire was violated by Hamas on December 1, 2023 and Israel resumed its operation against Hamas. Hostilities continue until now.

According to the latest data of the Israeli side, 100 hostages are still being held hostage in Gaza. Radicals claim that at least 33 hostages have died and several more are missing.

US reconnaissance drone flies over Poland near Russian border

According to Polish radio station RMF FM, the flight was carried out as part of a NATO mission

Skoda, Volkswagen to recall over 55,000 cars in Russia — regulator

All owners of vehicles subject to the recall will be informed of the need to bring the vehicle to the nearest dealership for repairs, Rosstandart said

Iran informs Russia about ratification of free trade zone agreement with EAEU

Alexey Overchuk noted that the parties discussed Iran's participation in the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer

Group of foreign mercenaries taken out in Velikaya Novosyolka in Donbass region

The military said that a conversation in a foreign language was intercepted by radio intelligence before visual control over the group was established

Kremlin announces countries to become BRICS partners from January 1

According to Yuri Ushakov, the confirmations of readiness to become a BRICS partner country have been received from Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan

France announces new cabinet, with foreign and defense ministers keeping their jobs

Bruno Retailleau also stayed on as interior minister

Germany does not keep substantive contacts with Russia on Nord Stream case — envoy

"How much longer it will last remains to be seen," Sergey Nechaev noted

Russian forces take control of Severny neighborhood in Chasov Yar — Donbass region head

According to Denis Pushilin, Russian forces have been advancing almost along the entire line of engagement in the region

Trump’s election victory changed Western approach to Ukrainian conflict, adviser says

According to Mike Waltz, Trump has made it clear that the war must end

Russian stock indices in the green on Monday — market data

The ruble-denominated MOEX Russia Index edged up by 2.43%, the dollar-denominated RTS Index gained 3.16%

Ukraine’s General Staff admits tense situation along entire frontline

The Ukrainian military also admitted the Russian army’s supremacy in terms of military equipment and the size of personnel

Scientists discover 400 dead seals along Dagestan's coastline

The expedition once again confirmed the concerns of scientists that the Caspian seal population is declining at an unprecedented rate

Russian, Turkish diplomats stress importance of ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was initiated by the Turkish side

West to criticise Fico's visit to Russia, but understands necessity for it — expert

Fyodor Lukyanov emphasized that Robert Fico, just like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has also visited Russia, is driven by the interests of his country and first of all "is accountable to his own citizens, and not the European Commission"

Israeli Defense Minister admits his country's involvement in assassination of Hamas Leader

Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, Israel has previously denied any involvement in his assassination

Deployment of Moldovan troops to Transnistria to violate settlement accords — expert

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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

Russia and Pakistan to be connected by direct railway line — minister

"By the end of March, we are planning the first train - the first cargo train to leave Russia for Pakistan," Awais Leghari said

Latest nuclear-powered sub Arkhangelsk to join Russian Navy by yearend

The Arkhangelsk submarine was rolled out from the slipway of the Sevmash Shipyard on November 29, 2023 for completing its construction afloat

Greenland's parliament reminds Trump that island not for sale

However, Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz is not averse to enhanced cooperation with the US

Russia evacuates 4,000 Iranian fighters from Syria at their request — Putin

Russian forces evacuated them from the Hmeimim base to Tehran

Lavrov reaffirms Moscow’s unity with Belgrade in protecting rights of Serbs — Russian MFA

Another issue discussed was cooperation in the oil sector amid illegal Western sanctions, the ministry said

Russia ready to normalize relations with US without detriment to its interests — Putin

The previous generation of Russian politicians chose the course towards the country’s destruction for the sake of joining the so-called civilized world but this was what the West wanted, President Vladimir Putin

Slovak PM thanks Putin in Russian for meeting with him

This was Putin’s first personal meeting with Fico since 2016

Press review: Who benefits from Russian general's murder as Trump lacks Kremlin strategy

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 18th

Russian forces liberate one more settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic

According to the report, battlegroup Center made Ukraine suffer roughly 610 casualties and lose two tanks in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Trump's plan to seize Panama Canal to cause migration, poverty — Colombian president

Gustavo Petro emphasized Colombia's backing for Panama in defending its sovereignty

Berlin’s any aggressive action will not remain unanswered — Russian ambassador

"This concerns both the potential use of Taurus and plans for stationing US mid-range and short-range missiles on German soil," Sergey Nechayev stressed

CIS must enhance anti-terror measures amid Syrian developments — senior Russian lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition's assumption of power could have repercussions far beyond the region

Mineral fertilizer export duty in Russia to be 7% by end of December

"The measure will provide for lowering of the fiscal burden of mineral fertilizer producers, which paid export duties at a higher rate since last fall," the Russian Ministry of Economic Development stated

Putin arrives in Paris to pay last respects to Jacques Chirac

Chirac will be buried at the Montparnasse cemetery next to his daughter Laurence

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Russia no threat to Finland, Sweden, but ready to counter threats from them — diplomat

Addressing a news conference after the BRICS summit in Kazan earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of seeking to expand unfairly and warned that Russia would spare no effort to reverse the situation

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

The politician emphasized that "the president of a major country should be extremely polite and amiable"

Press review: Kiev escalates attacks as payments ease for Russian raw material buyers

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 23rd

Moldovan president plans military operation in Transnistria — Russian intel agency

According to the SVR, Maia Sandu recently convened a meeting on energy security issues with senior government officials

Kiev’s shelling kills 61 civilians in Russia-controlled part of Kharkov Region in 2024

According to the report, 35 civilians suffered injuries

Iranian president invited to visit Russia in early 2025

The Russian delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Minister of Sport Roman Starovoit, and RZD CEO Oleg Belozerov

Russia considers launching direct flights with Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan — Minister

Roman Starovoyt noted that Russia is holding negotiations with many airlines from friendly countries

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on residential buildings in Kazan

TASS has gathered the main information about the incident

Kremlin reviews Putin's international activity in outgoing year

The president participated in more than 220 events in 2024

Contracts worth over $286 million signed at Vietnam Defense Expo 2024

The exhibition attracted more than 260,000 visitors, while more than 1,800 bilateral meetings and negotiations were held on the sidelines

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Kharkov Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts 480 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day

Ukrainian army launches long-range missiles at Donetsk

Air defenses are in operation, and at least six aerial targets have been shot down

Two-thirds of Russians dissatisfied with 2024, survey reveals

Russians most often attribute their negative emotions regarding the past year to economic hardships and rising prices, while citing family events as positive highlights

Russia, Iran talk four points for Rasht-Astara project implementation — Deputy PM

According to Vitaly Savelyev, the Iranian side has taken on commitments to provide a land buyout schedule

Biden refuses to commute Boston Marathon terrorist's death sentence — media

Earlier, the head of the US administration commuted the sentence for 37 out of 40 people to life imprisonment without the possibility of release

Ukraine may cease to exist by 2034 — Russian security official

Dmitry Medvedev noted that Ukraine will never join NATO

Russian 'soldier of the future' combat gear tested in Syria

The Ratnik is a system of advanced protective and communication equipment, weapons and ammunition

Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also emphasized that Moscow is outraged by the hypocritical silence of the West and its media on the terrorist attacks in Russia

No real impulses for organization of Putin-Trump meeting so far — Kremlin spokesman

The Russian leader said during the press conference that he is ready for a conversation with the US president-elect and is ready to meet with him at any moment

Fico’s visit to Russia perfect slap in Zelensky’s face, Slovak politician says

The MEP said that Fico stands for Slovak interests in Russia, "even in spite of the warmongers in Brussels"

Kiev considers negotiations with Russia inevitable, Ukrainian official says

At the same time, Sergey Leshchenko clarified that "there will be no repeat of Minsk or Istanbul agreements," meaning there would be no agreements resembling the Minsk accords of 2015 or the Istanbul talks of spring 2022

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Germany fails to admit its policy of support to Ukraine falters — Russian envoy

"The ambition to impose a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia has fallen out of favor, even among hardline political figures, given the unfeasibility of such an outcome," Sergey Nechayev said

Ukraine shells city hosting Zaporozhye NPP — politician

No reports of casualties and damage have come in yet

Kiev to face more destruction after its UAV attack on Kazan, Putin warns

"We will not only restore the damage that some attempt to cause to us but will also move forward even at a faster pace as we are doing now," Russian President said

Netanyahu says ordered IDF to attack Houthi strategic targets

Israel, according to Netanyahu, adheres to a "very simple principle" that "those seeking to do harm to Israel receives harm in response

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

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

Lives of several hostages depend on IDF’s advance in northern Gaza — Hamas

According to spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing Abu Ubaida, areas where these hostages are held allegedly come under regular Israeli bombardments

Special services remove over 4,000 tons of contaminated soil in Krasnodar Region, Crimea

Russia's Maritime Rescue Service collected 25 tons of oil-water mixture in the Kerch Strait water area, surveying 170 square kilometers of water territory

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Senior Russian MP hopes that Trump really wants peace in Ukraine

"Such an achievement would serve his interests as the incoming US president," Leonid Slutsky noted

Meeting of Putin with Slovakia’s Fico lasted for two hours — presidential aide

According to Yuri Ushakov, the meeting was substantial

Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Putin holding talks with visiting Slovak PM

According to Putin’s press secretary, the meeting is being held one-on-one

Russian drone operators use air ramming to down 4 Ukrainian copters in Kharkov Region

UAV operators of the battle group North continue to be on round-the-clock duty in the sky over Kharkov Region and identify reconnaissance and strike drones of the Ukrainian militants

Kalashnikov improves combat capabilities of Vikhr-1 aviation missile

"I will not comment on that in any further detail, it is our client’s prerogative," Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov said

Russian Railways boost freight traffic via border crossings with China by 14.1% this year

The company carried 37.5 mln metric tons of goods in the export-import service via border crossings with China

Global mpox incidence exceeds 117,000 cases — WHO

A global public health emergency over mpox was effective from July 2022 through May 11, 2023

IN BRIEF: What is known about blast at former plant in Russia’s Khakassia Region

According to the latest data, two people were killed

Eight more dead dolphins found in Krasnodar Region following tanker accident

Earlier, 10 dead harbor porpoises were found after the accident in Novorossiysk

Russian Defense Ministry names those who worked on bioweapons in Ukraine

The chief of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, told a news briefing that one of the key figures was Robert Pope, the Director of the US Defense Department's Cooperative Threat Reduction Program at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov noted that uncontrolled expansion of the association would break its backbone

Ten dead dolphins found in Russia’s Krasnodar region following oil spill

Additionally, mass beaching of Azov Sea harbor porpoises has been reported in Novorossiysk, some 60-70 km (32-42 nautical miles) from Anapa, where the oil spill occurred, Tatyana Belei highlighted

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement struck military targets in Ashkelon and near Jaffa

Russia, Tajikistan to discuss cooperation in migration, economy and politics

"Certainly, acute issues in the migration sphere will also be discussed," Yury Ushakov said

White Helmets staged Douma ‘chemical weapons attack’ on civilians — Russian General Staff

On April 7, a number of NGOs, including the White Helmets, alleged that chemical weapons were used in Douma, Eastern Ghouta

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin thus meant that the Oreshnik missile is a generation ahead of all existing weapons, while not being a nuclear weapon itself

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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

Russian gas imports by Czech Republic soaring — news agency

The Czech Republic is receiving Russian pipe gas indirectly via Slovakia and Hungary

Houthis say attacked US aircraft carrier in Red Sea, shot down US fighter jet

According to the Houthi spokesman, the strike on US vessels was delivered with the use of "eight cruise missiles and 17 drones"

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

Ukrainian conflict will end when Kiev’s sponsors see need for peace — Russian diplomat

In a mid-June meeting with senior officials from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined key prerequisites for resolving the situation in Ukraine

Russia’s prominent figure skating coach Tarasova lauds ISU’s recent decision

Last week, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced a decision to clear Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Olympic qualifiers

Finland plans to open three crossings on border with Russia — paper

The media reports that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is expected to announce the government's decision on Tuesday

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Greenland PM tells Trump island not for sale

Mute Egede stressed that Denmark should continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with its neighbors

Situation with gas supplies from Russia to Europe difficult — Kremlin

"You have heard the Ukrainian side’s statement and you know the position of the European countries that continue purchasing Russian gas and that consider it necessary for normal operation of their economy," Dmitry Peskov said

Hungary wants to maintain ties with Russia under its economic neutrality policy — PM

Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

Lukashenko announces upcoming meeting with Putin and official visit to China

The Belarusian president pointed out that the coming year is expected to be difficult for a number of reasons

Russia to continue helping Sahel countries boost their armies’ combat capacities

According to Russian Ambassador to Mali Igor Gromyko, Moscow considers the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States as a major step toward consolidating efforts against Islamist groups in the Sahara-Sahel zone

IDF eliminates chief of Hamas Security Mechanism directorate

Prior to the strike measures had been taken to mitigate risks for civilians, the IDF said

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

"It's great when athletes, who devoted their lives to what they chose to do, get the chance once again of competing internationally, to win medals that they can bring home," he said

Ukrainian troops attempt counterattacks on Vasilyevka direction in Zaporozhye Region

According to the report, the Russian troops also improved their positions near Nesteryanka on the Orekhov direction

Former Mossad agents disclose details of pager operation against Hezbollah

Mossad used dummies to test how much explosive is required to be just enough to hurt the pager’s owner, but not the person next to him

Kremlin sums up Russia’s presidency in BRICS

According to Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, what is special about the Russian presidency is that Moscow had to support the work of BRICS in a new, expanded format, "to make sure that the new members of the group harmoniously fit into the customary arrangements, customary ways of interaction"

Explosion rocks premises of former plant in Russia’s Abakan, killing two

Regional head Valentin Konovalov said that the explosion occurred due to safety violations

Trump wants to rename North America's tallest mountain Denali

Denali, standing at 6,168 meters, was once considered the highest point of the Russian Empire before the territory was sold to the United States

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it