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Armenian PM to attend EAEU summit via video link — source

On December 25, the Armenian prime minister announced that his test for COVID-19 had returned positive again, and that he would continue working with restrictions until recovery

ST. PETERSBURG, December 26. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19, plans to participate in the EAEU summit in Russia's Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Region via video link, a source at the event site told TASS.

"Pashinyan is expected to attend via video link," the source confirmed.

On December 25, the Armenian prime minister announced that his test for COVID-19 had returned positive again, and that he would continue working with restrictions until recovery. Earlier, he had already decided not to attend the informal CIS summit near St. Petersburg due to a positive test.

Ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh died at age of 92

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Armored vehicle with Israeli commanding officers blown up in West Bank

The rest of the passengers in the vehicle did not get injured

Putin congratulates Emergencies Ministry’s staff on professional holiday

"Employees of the Ministry of Emergencies rightfully enjoy the deserved recognition and respect in our society," the president said

EAEU countries sign agreement on single customs transit system

The EEC stressed that the adoption of the document contributes to the development of the union's transit potential, an increase in the level of security of cross-border deliveries and an increase in trade turnover between the countries of the Eurasian Five

Bosphorus traffic resumes after broken tanker is towed away

The 274-meter Cordelia Moon tanker, which suffered an equipment failure, was safely towed and anchored at the Ahirkapi anchorage

Astana, Moscow, Baku will not hide information on plane crash — Senate speaker

Maulen Ashimbayev warned against premature conclusions concerning an external impact on the plane based on photographs, noting that certain forces were trying to derive dividends

Gazprom plans to produce gas at some fields for another 110 years — CEO

According to Alexey Miller, Gazprom is the world leader in terms of gas reserves

Gazprom to supply record 390 bcm of gas to consumers via gas transportation system in 2024

This is a record for the entire history of observations

Biden tasks Pentagon with boosting military aid to Kiev

In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way, the White House’s press service released

Over 25 countries want to take part in Intervision Song Contest, Lavrov says

Russia is ready to welcome tourists from Latin American countries in every possible way, to show them Moscow and St. Petersburg, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, Sochi, Suzdal, and Altai, the top Russian diplomat said

Russian emergencies minister expects more natural disasters due to climate change

The Russian emergencies minister, Alexander Kurenkov, added, that weather anomalies are becoming more and more frequent

Decision-making centers in Kiev may be targets of Russia’s strikes, says Lavrov

Moscow selects targets for strikes on the territory of Ukraine, proceeding solely from threats to Russia, the foreign minister stressed

Gazprom to supply about 31 bcm of gas via Power of Siberia to China in 2024

Gazprom Alexey Miller recalled that on December 1 Gazprom had brought the Power of Siberia pipeline to its maximum design capacity of 38 billion cubic meters of gas per year

Crew of plane that crashed in Kazakhstan lost control due to system failure

Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev noted that the information was also received that "after providing data on the weather in Makhachkala and Baku, the crew decided to fly to Aktau"

Russia’s still paying for gas transit through Ukraine — Putin

Pumping also continues through the Sudzha station, where military activities are ongoing

Kazakhstan’s Aktau Airport was aware of oxygen cylinder blast before plane’s crash

KazAeroNavigation’s flight director immediately notified all emergency services

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According to the Kazakh Transport Ministry, the plane belonged to Azerbaijan Airlines

Israel only starting to retaliate to Yemen’s Houthis — Netanyahu

"We will beat them to the bone until they understand, too," the minister said

Continued terror attacks by Kiev to be met with increasingly tougher response — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat expressed disappointment that virtually none of the Western nations have joined Russia’s condemnation of these attacks, including the leaders of international organizations like the UN, OSCE, or UNESCO

Russia not setting preconditions for talks on Ukraine — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia was deceived "when they stated that NATO would not expand eastwards and when they emphasized their commitment to resolve [the conflict] based on the UN Charter"

Russia 10 years ahead of whole world with research into 4th generation nuclear power

The BREST-300 fast neutron reactor is due to be launched in 2026-2027 and to go on stream in 2028

Russian gas is most profitable for Europe in terms of price and logistics — Novak

In conditions of competing China, Europeans pay significantly more for US LNG than for Russian gas, the official noted

Emigration of 5.3 million Ukrainians a serious blow, Ukrainian expert says

According to Alexey Poznyak, problems are to be expected in the labor market

Russian Cabinet to hold closing meeting in 2024

The agenda comprises issues pertaining to support of regions, road and transportation networks and other topics

Turkey to help new Syrian authorities create regular Armed Forces — Defense Ministry

The defense ministry also noted that the experience of Turkey, which has an "exemplary army" and a powerful defense industry infrastructure, will significantly contribute to strengthening Syria’s security and defense capability

Russia imposes state of federal-level emergency due to fuel oil spill in Black Sea

Alexander Kurenkov noted that "this classification will enable the deployment of additional resources and personnel from federal executive authorities and state corporations, as well as provide necessary financial assistance to the affected entities from the Russian government’s reserve fund"

Two people preparing attempts on Russian military officials' lives recruited in Ukraine

One of the detainees stated that he had moved to Ukraine, where he was recruited by Ukrainian special forces

Israel says strikes on Yemen serve to retaliate for earlier Houthi attacks

The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Houthi rebels "the centerpiece of Iran's axis of evil"

FSB foils series of assassination attempts on senior Russian defense officials

The bombs intended for killing high-placed Russian Defense Ministry officials were disguised as a power bank and a document folder, the FSB press office specified

Thailand accepts invitation to become BRICS partner state — MFA

As a BRICS partner state, Thailand hopes to raise the level of relations with the group’s members in order to gain better opportunities for the development of its economy

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

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

Expert sees the collective West behind Ursa Major terrorist attack

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that "the goal of the enemy’s terrorist campaign on international shipping routes was to disrupt trade and economic cooperation"

Biden’s last aid package to Kiev won’t contribute to Ukraine’s security — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this speaks of the fact that the West continues to do everything to escalate the conflict with Russia, not sparing effort or anyone in Ukraine

Sandu regime may seize Moldavan power plant in Transnistria — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that "under such a scenario, the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region will be jeopardized"

Kremlin admits legal action over transfer of $1 bln from Russian assets to Ukraine

"Such illegal actions, including the transfer of this billion, may surely prompt legal action. And we will surely use all possibilities in the future to protect our rights and the rights to our property," Dmitry Peskov noted

Contract for gas transit to EU cannot be renewed before New Year — Putin

According to the Russian President, an option of concluding contracts for delivery through third parties - Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, Azerbaijani companies - is possible

Russia has no illusions that Ukraine conflict can be resolved easily — top diplomat

"We have never stated that the incoming administration of [US President-elect Donald] Trump will necessarily give a start to negotiations on global security, on Ukraine," Sergey Lavrov noted

Press review: US, Israel aim to curb Turkey’s gains while Moscow, Tehran strengthen ties

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Putin calls EAEU one of self-sufficient pillars of multipolar world

Opening the meeting, the Russian president invited participants to discuss pressing issues and outline plans for the future

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"

Cuba ready for more active involvement in EAEU mechanisms — president

Miguel Diaz-Canel thanked the association of the invitation and noted that the participation in such events has become a usual event for Cuba

Russian fighters control about 40% of Terny in Donetsk region, military expert says

Andrey Marochko added that Russian servicemen have advanced east of Yampolovka, bringing the distance between that village and Russia’s frontline positions to less than 1.2 miles

Lukashenko, Putin discuss regional security, bilateral relations

The presidents also talked about cooperation between the countries in a variety of areas, including economy

Russian forces break through Ukrainian defense lines in Kharkov Region — expert

Marochko added that the operation allowed Russian troops to "expand their zone of control" in the area

Russia to press for progress on line of engagement — Putin

The President stressed that Moscow would move on in accordance with the plans it had outlined

Putin says Biden in 2021 proposed to postpone Ukraine's admission to NATO

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No panic aboard crashed Azerbaijan Airlines plane, eyewitness says

The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25

US may face bankruptcy if situation with national debt does not change — Musk

The US national debt for the first time climbed above $36 trillion on November 15

Russia’s economic growth will be almost 4% in 2024, Putin says

The Russian leader noted that the volume of trade between Moscow and Yerevan had doubled compared to 2023, and by the end of the current year it would amount to more than $ 10 billion

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Dmitry Peskov recalled that the day before during the informal summit of the CIS, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered deep condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured

Zelensky defines essence of next summit on Ukraine in four-letter explicit word — Lavrov

The first Kiev-initiated conference on Ukraine was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16

Bosphorus transit suspended due to malfunction of tanker en route to Russia

The Cordelia Moon is 274 meters long and 50 meters wide

Oreshnik missile systems still few, but they are enough — Putin

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Russia’s Chechnya ships 200 ‘Jihad mobile’ vehicles for special military operation

The authorities of Chechnya handed over 200 "Jihad mobile"

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Plane crash in Kazakhstan claims 38 lives

29 people had been hospitalized

El Al suspends Tel Aviv - Moscow flights

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Russia ready for talks on Ukraine, only if those discuss essential topics — Lavrov

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US disrupts payment of Russian contribution to ICRC budget — Foreign Ministry

This is another example of a harmful impact of unlawful restrictive measures, the ministry said

Dutch citizen remanded in custody in Moscow on charges of assaulting police officer

Harry Johannes van Wurden should be taken into custody for two months, until December 3

Ex-Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh died at age of 92

"He was being treated for age-related medical conditions," the All-India Institute of Medical Studies informed

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An aircraft landed in the Moscow Region, Maria Lvova-Belova said

EAEU leaders approve 17 documents following summit in Leningrad region

These include an agreement on the single customs transit system, a decision on the entry into force of the free trade agreement with Iran, and an order on the functioning of the single services market within the EAEU

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Lukashenko says he discussed gas supplies to Europe with Putin, Russia ready to sell them

The Belarusian leader believes that Germany should restore relations with Russia for the sake of its own economy

WHO chief says unhurt in Israeli air attack on Yemen airport

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that he had arrived in the Yemeni capital to negotiate the release of UN staff and to assess the humanitarian situation in the country

Three communication cables between Estonia, Finland damaged — media

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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

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Russian troops liberate Novy Trud community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine topic through private channels — Lavrov

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Azerbaijan Airlines says its ill-fated jet underwent full examination in October

The aircraft’s crew chief, Igor Kshnyakin, clocked more than 15,000 hours of flight time

Denmark to strengthen control over Greenland after Trump’s words — top defense official

Denmark plans to increase the number of personnel at the Joint Arctic Command in the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk

US-made Abrams tanks in Taiwan won’t help island — China’s defense ministry

The Chinese People's Liberation Army will comprehensively strengthen military training to prevent a separatist plot by supporters of Taiwan independence and interference by outside forces, according to Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang

Lavrov sees ceasefire in Ukraine as road to nowhere, calls for reliable agreements

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that those accords should first and foremost address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis

Russian stock market closes with growth in leading indices

By the of the trading session, the MOEX index rose by 1.23%, while the RTS index rose by 1.63%

Russia shortens temporary stay term for foreigners to 90 days — Foreign Ministry

In some cases, the temporary stay term is being prolonged in accordance with the abovementioned federal law

Russian MFA says West could try to pull off some military 'scheme' in Belarus

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Zelensky as commander-in-chief loses trust of army, population — MP

Aleksandr Dubinsky recalled the unsuccessful financing of Ukraine in the middle of the year

Ukrainian agents attempted to deliver booby-trapped documents to Archangel Project head

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Russian-Iranian partnership agreement to be inked on January 17 — ambassador

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IDF blows up 2-km-long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza Strip

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At least four Syrian law enforcement employees killed in operation near Homs

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Almost 440,000 Russians sign up for military service this year — Medvedev

"The results of work over the year can already be assessed," the politician said

Israeli jets pummel cities of Sanaa, Hodeidah in Yemen — source

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Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Buildup of Russian presence in Arctic region critical amid West’s statements

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Putin says he receives information about frontline situation round the clock

There is always something new at certain sections of the front, the head of state emphasized

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Russia could use Oreshnik again if need be, but the country is seeking to end the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian president said

EU to impose new sanctions on ‘Russian shadow fleet’ over Baltic Sea incident

In addition, the European Union is strengthening protection of the bloc's undersea cables

Azerbaijan Airlines plane tried to land twice at Aktau airport before crash

The Aktau air traffic controller promptly performed all necessary measures for the aircraft’s landing

More than 20 countries show interest in BRICS — Kremlin aide

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

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

No politics behind current absence of Russian ambassador in US — Lavrov

The top diplomat stressed that it was not a demarche

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for December 27 to 99.23 rubles

The official yuan exchange rate was lowered by 13 kopecks to 13.47 rubles

Russia to donate 1 million euro to UN Climate Convention

The document says that the goal of the payment is to ensure the representation of Russian staffers in the convention’s secretariat

Press review: Middle East may host Putin-Trump talks as experts probe Kazakhstan crash

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Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa put out of service by Israeli strikes — source

Damage also came from sweeping fires that were set off by strikes on oil tanks in both ports

Finnish police detain oil tanker on suspicion of damaging communication cables

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Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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