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Middle East conflict

Israel to obliterate Hamas if hostages not released before Trump's inauguration — minister

Israel Katz demanded that the army "clarify any problems that could make it difficult to carry out the plan, including humanitarian and other issues"

TEL AVIV, January 10. /TASS/. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the country’s military to plan for the "total destruction" of the Palestinian radical Hamas movement if it does not release hostages held in the Gaza Strip before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump scheduled for January 20.

"If the hostage deal is not realized by the time President Trump takes office, Hamas must be completely taken out of Gaza," Katz said, quoted by The Times of Israel.

According to him, on the evening of January 9, the minister held a meeting with Israeli army commanders, including Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, at which he instructed the military to present him with a plan for the "complete defeat" of Hamas. Katz demanded that the army "clarify any problems that could make it difficult to carry out the plan, including humanitarian and other issues, and leave it to the [Israeli] political leadership to make the necessary decisions."

"We must not be drawn into a costly war of attrition that will not lead to victory and the complete strategic defeat of Hamas, or to the end of the war in Gaza," the Israeli defense minister said.

Tensions escalated again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel’s territory, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 250 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza with the objective of destroying the military and political structure of Hamas and rescuing all those abducted. Combat operations in the Gaza Strip continue to this day.

Trump vows to appeal court’s sentence to restore trust in US justice system

On January 20, Trump will become the first US president to take office as a sentenced felon

EU civil aviation watchdog toughens safety guidance for flights in Russian airspace

The authority advises against operating within the Russian airspace "west of longitude 60° East, at all flight levels"

DPR head announces restoration of liberated Kurakhovo

According to Denis Pushilin, specialists will assess the scale of the restoration work

Threats to halt power supplies to Ukraine unfeasible — Ukrainian PM

Poland and other adjacent countries are ready to cooperate with Ukraine if needed, Denis Shmygal said

Eurasian Economic Union and EU not compatible — Russian Deputy PM

"It is becoming increasingly evident at present that membership in the EAEU is a privilege and considering economic and social problems the European Union faces, entry into the EU can be compared with buying a ticket to the Titanic," Alexey Overchuk said

Russia’s huge military experience could open opportunities for African nations – analyst

In the past few years, France has withdrawn troops from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger

Ukrainian HIMARS strike hits supermarket in Donetsk

According to the source in the security services, four people were injured

Europe loses to Putin in Ukraine despite billions in aid — president

Milorad Dodik paid special attention to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement about arming Kiev, also noting that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (in office from 2005-2021) also resorted to misleading within the Minsk agreements

Russian Su-35S fighter jets uncover Ukrainian air defense sites in Kursk area

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that "the crews of Su-35S multirole fighter jets practiced air cover in the designated area of sorties by bombers and attack aircraft"

Russian Human Rights Commissioner publishes list of 517 people missing in Kursk Region

Tatiana Moskalkova asked everyone who are aware about the fate of these people to call a hotline or submit an online form on her website

Kremlin keeps mum about how Russian gas getting to Slovakia

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico called reliable gas supplies to the republic at reasonable prices the main result of December talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow

Kurakhovo fortified area as crucial as Avdeyevka, Ugledar — official

Denis Pushilin added that the enemy had used considerable forces in the battles for the city

Russian artillery disrupts enemy rotation near Belogorovka in Lugansk region — expert

The Russian artillery men wiped out part of the enemy group, Andrey Marochko specified

Contact group on Ukraine may halt its activities under Trump — NYT

The group held its inaugural meeting on April 26, 2022, at the Ramstein air base in Germany

Liberation of Kurakhovo to pave way towards Dnepropetrovsk Region — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Ukrainian defenses in the northern part of the Zaporozhye Region were not structured to counter a Russian advance from the east

Key Ukrainian supply routes to Chasov Yar under Russian army's gunfire control — fighter

The Russian serviceman said earlier on Friday that the Ukrainian combat group in Chasov Yar was complaining about a shortage of artillery shells and military personnel

Zelensky says West pledged $2 bln worth of aid to Ukraine at Ramstein meeting

Zelensky noted the importance of the strategy to support Kiev in 2025 that was approved during the event

At least 60,000 Ukrainian troops stay in Kursk Region, Zelensky says

Ukraine's large-scale attack on the Kursk Region began on August 6, 2024

Slovak PM says he and Putin discussed gas supplies to Slovakia — Reuters

According to Robert Fico, the Russian president guaranteed that Moscow would fulfill its obligations to supply gas

Russia’s Malka heavy artillery gun can wipe out enemy armor with one shot — Rostec

"Each projectile scatters a mass of fragments over a considerable radius," the state tech corporation added

Trump seen ‘bound to fail’ if he threatens Russia with more aid to Ukraine — analyst

According to Bandow, America has other interests

EU transfers €3 bln to Ukraine as another tranche of G7 loan — EC

The G7 loan program for Ukraine backed by interests from Russian assets amounts to up to 45 bln euros or up to $50 bln

Top UK diplomat expects Trump to settle Ukraine conflict around Easter

In 2025, Catholics, Protestants and Russian Orthodox celebrate Easter on the same day, April 20

Russian units break through Ukrainian defenses near dominant point in DPR

Military expert Andrey Marochko said that in order to reduce threats, the Russian Armed Forces began delivering intensive combined strikes on Ukrainian positions

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to take office third time on Friday

Russia will be represented at the inauguration ceremony by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin

Russia preparing to use lasers to protect infrastructure against drones

Protection of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities against drone attacks requires the use of different technologies anticipating neutralization and physical destruction of drones, Nikita Danilov said

Trump says meeting with Putin being set up

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the US had not formally requested a meeting yet

Putin to only welcome Trump’s will to seek contact — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the Russian president repeatedly stated his readiness for dialogue as well as the need for this

Japan sanctions 11 individuals, 54 entities in Russia, some companies in 7 other countries

The restrictive measures also apply to 18 companies in China, 1 in UAE, 1 in Kazakhstan, 2 in Kyrgyzstan, 1 in Thailand and 8 in Turkey

US introduces sanctions against Russian oil majors

The sanction list is also expanded to cover entities supporting production and export of liquefied natural gas by Russia, steelmaking, mining and oil industry of Russia, and senior executives of Rosatom state corproration, the official said

Greenland looking forward to dialogue with US on business opportunities — government

The island’s authorities reiterated that Washington is one of its closest partners, and cooperation will continue

Netanyahu warns Houthis against attacking Israel

"We will act with determination and force against any entity that threatens Israel - wherever and whenever necessary," the prime minister stressed

Trump’s territorial claims signal his neo-Fascist drift, Chinese expert warns

According to Wang Wen, the United States has long embraced expansionist policies, securing its present-day territory over the past 200 years through purchases and economic pressure

Transnistria still considers Russia as main gas supplier — foreign minister

For supplies through the TurkStream gas pipeline political decisions are required, Vitaly Ignatyev noted

Russia hammers Ukrainian army, equipment in over 160 areas in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar competing for influence in the new Syria — WSJ

Analysts interviewed by the newspaper stated that, by providing assistance to Damascus, the Arab monarchies aim to minimize the risks of new Islamist movements and the rise of terrorist groups

Press review: Israel-Hamas deal gains pace and Putin orders crisis center for oil spill

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 10th

Almost 180,000 Los Angeles residents told to evacuate amid fires — sheriff

About two dozen looters have been arrested since the disaster broke out, Robert Luna said

EU to defend Denmark if US invades Greenland — media

If Denmark wants to try to stop Trump from taking Greenland, it should seek EU help, but "there is little question as to which country would win in a fight," the newspaper says

Russia sees discord in Western approaches to aid for Kiev — Kremlin

"The United States, under its current leadership, with just ten days remaining in office, intends to do everything possible to prolong the war," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian Ka-52M combat helicopter wipes out Ukrainian army stronghold in Kursk area

The Defense Ministry uploaded video footage showing the destruction of enemy targets

Humanity has fed AI with all its knowledge — Musk

The businessman believes there’s a good chance that artificial intelligence will surpass human capabilities as early as by the end of this year

Russia says its T-80BM tanks destroyed Ukrainian strongpoint, infantry

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, tank crews of the battlegroup West are on the forward edge of the special operation and provide support to Russian motorized rifle and assault units

New York court sentences Trump to unconditional discharge in falsified documents case

The US Constitution does not disqualify individuals convicted of crimes from running for or serving as president

Putin ready to meet with Trump without any preconditions — Kremlin

Earlier, Trump said that he would like to meet with Putin during the first six months of his presidential term and that he was ready for such interaction

US expands sanctions against Russian Energy Ministry leadership, oil companies

Adding to the sanctions list means freezing assets in the US and banning American citizens and companies from doing business with sanctioned persons and entities

Should Trump invade Greenland, it would be shortest war in history — Politico

Under the 1951 pact, the US accepted the legal obligation to protect Greenland from any attack, "given the inability of the Danish armed forces to fight off a potential aggressor without help," according to the newspaper

General Joseph Aoun sworn in as Lebanon's 14th president

The president pledged to develop "a new Lebanese defense doctrine that will protect the country from Israeli aggression"

Ukrainian troops attacking Kamenka-Dneprovskaya with artillery, drones

Information on casualties and damage is being clarified

Zelensky cleared Ukrainian political field enough to secure re-election, experts say

"However, given the ongoing developments at the frontline, his chances are diminishing with each day of combat," Vladimir Zharikhin stressed

Russian units capture fire-retardant factory in DPR

Currently, Russian troops are advancing in the industrial zone on the factory’s southeastern side, having launched an attack on Ukrainian positions from the northwestern flank

Denmark has no chance of protecting Greenland if US decides to take it by force — Politico

Denmark’s armed forces are "neither equipped nor trained to resist a US invasion" in Greenland, the newspaper argued

Evacuation request rejected, Ukrainian POW captured in Kursk Region claims

The soldier added that he is being treated well in captivity, receiving medical assistance

US defense spending to skyrocket if Russia prevails in Ukraine — experts

According to experts of the American Enterprise Institute, "maintaining security in a strategic environment in which Russia is victorious over Ukraine could cost the United States an additional $808 billion in defense spending over five years"

Medvedev doubts Trump’s ability to swiftly resolve Ukraine crisis

The Russian senior official added that "the US economy continues at its own slow pace and even the fight against immigrants is not promising major victories"

Ukraine not ready for talks with Russia — White House

On December 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with TASS that Moscow is open to talks on Ukraine, but any agreements must be structured in a way that prevents them from being violated

Ukrainian army abandons servicemen refusing to lay mines — captive

According to Mikhail Kostyuk, following his draft, he went through virtually no training

Moldovan foreign ministry slams Russian embassy’s statement on Transnistria energy crisis

Earlier this month, gas supplies to Moldova were halted after the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and Chisinau's refusal to settle the problem of fuel debt, which Moscow estimates at $709 mln

Russia acts wisely by not interfering in Syria's transfer of power — Turkish top diplomat

Moscow "did not intervene during the fall of Damascus" and "the revolutionary forces eventually ensured the secure withdrawal of Russian troops and did not attack their bases," Hakan Fidan said

FACTBOX: Putin instructs Cabinet on liquidation of fuel oil spill in Black Sea

The president noted that the relevant authorities are not doing enough to minimize the damage from the emergency

Russia maintains its firm position on Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov reminded that President Vladimir Putin had outlined it in detail in June 2024, when addressing the Russian Foreign Ministry

Hunter Biden's home burns down in California wildfire

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fires in Los Angeles County have engulfed almost 27,000 acres of land

FACTBOX: New US sanctions against Russia

Achimgaz, Gazprom Shelfproekt, and other companies were hit by sanctions

NATO countries to continue shipping tanks to Ukraine

On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced at the Ramstein-format meeting that the participants of the working group approved roadmaps in eight areas of military cooperation with Kiev

Pentagon chief points to Russia’s 'advantages' in Ukraine conflict

Lloyd Austin will chair the 25th meeting of the group of Western countries coordinating weapons supplies to Ukraine

Ex-president of Georgia seeks to perform 'presidential duties' in new office in Tbilisi

Salome Zourabichvili's new office is located on Chovelidze Street in the heart of Tbilisi

Germany to supply Ukraine with almost 50 missiles for IRIS-T air defense systems in 2025

According to Pistorius, Germany will also deploy two Patriot air defense systems and 200 servicemen to Poland in the coming weeks to protect a logistics center handling supplies to Ukraine for an expected six months

Ukraine's top brass says can't spare any men, postpones demobilization

Since 2023, family members of those serving in the army since the beginning of the conflict have been staging protests demanding their demobilization

Frontline situation tense, Ukrainian General Staff acknowledges

Earlier, the Kiev regime reported the forced retreat to the Dnepropetrovsk Region from the Donetsk People’s Republic’s territories controlled by Ukraine

Ukraine's Kursk counteroffensives flounder as losses mount — expert

According to Alexander Mikhailov, Vladimir Zelensky is currently pouring all available resources into Kursk

Team of Trump’s son bribes homeless Greenlanders for campaign purposes — media

Local residents confirmed that Donald Trump Jr.’s PR team had been handing out MAGA hats on the street, inviting people to a free lunch at the hotel

Russia says its Msta-B howitzer destroyed Ukrainian command post in Krasnoarmeisk area

To hit the targets, the servicemen of the artillery crew used a Krasnopol-M2 new-generation precision munition

Kiev sends ex-convicts to hold Chasov Yar — Russian fighter

The fighter said earlier that the Kiev forces stationed in Chasov Yar were complaining about ammunition and troop shortages

Houthis provide military training to over 800,000 people — leader

On February 1, 2024, he reported that at least 600,000 people had received military training during the three weeks of mobilization

Trump looking to conceal NATO defeat in Europe with threats to Canada, Greenland — weekly

"Today, capitalism, after the era of American-style globalization, is undergoing its inevitable failure and decline," columnist Lido Iacomino stressed

Moscow seeks to resolve, not freeze Ukraine conflict — envoy to UK

Andrey Kelin noted that Moscow would need to resolve contradictions with the Ukrainian government in order to restore "security, prosperity, normal cooperation, normal trade, normal human relationship" in Europe

Ukraine crisis exposed flaws in West’s defense industry that are yet to be fixed — Austin

The 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on coordinating weapons supplies to Kiev took place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9

West should remember Donbass in talks about respecting opinion of Greenlanders — Kremlin

"If they claim that public opinion should be taken into account, perhaps we should remind them of the views of those in the four new Russian regions," Dmitry Peskov clarified

Slovak PM threatens Kiev with tough response if gas transit issue remains unresolved

Robert Fico noted that Slovakia could also use its veto power in the EU on Ukraine-related issues

China to send high-ranking official to Trump’s inauguration — report

The envoy is also set to hold talks with Trump

Schoolboy breaks into school with hammer in Kursk

Russia's National Guard (Rosgvardiya) officers arrived four minutes after the guard pressed the alarm button, but the teenager had already managed to escape

Ukraine puts over 500,000 people on wanted list for draft evasion

At the same time, Natalya Kondratova says, 400 criminal cases against recruitment centers’ actions were launched, with most of them being at the stage of investigation or court hearing

Death toll of shooting in Montenegro grows to 13 — report

Thus, the death toll of the shooting in Cetinje has increased to 13, two of the victims being children

Russia eyes discussion of EU accession in Armenia as start of withdrawal from EAEU

"In the meantime, this is the sovereign choice of the Republic of Armenia and she definitely has the right to it," Alexey Overchuk noted

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

Russian air defense forces shot down 689 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and eight US-made ATACMS missiles over the week, the ministry reported

Lithuania's territorial claims against Russia justify Moscow's actions — Kremlin

Earlier, the Lithuanian president referred to Kaliningrad as part of "Little Lithuania"

UN ready to chip in to help fire-ravaged California

According to the California Fire Department, wildfires have engulfed an area of almost 29,000 acres

European NATO members call to preserve Ramstein-format meetings — minister

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that Warsaw is preparing another package of military aid for Kiev

Israeli defenses collapse after Iranian strikes — IRGC spokesman

According to Ali Mohammad Naeini, Western and Israeli media outlets seek to create "a false image of the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling it weak"

Belarus may invite EU, NATO observers to West-2025 drills

Head of the Department of International Military Cooperation of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense Valery Revenko specified that over 13,000 servicemen are expected to participate in the drills

US admits shipments of ATACMS, F-16s, Abrams tanks did not help Ukraine

The official also said that the most part of the promised weapons has already been delivered, while the remaining weapons are currently being delivered to Ukraine

Indonesia managed to join BRICS despite domestic criticism, top diplomat says

Sugiono noted that Indonesia’s "free and active" foreign policy allows the country to establish ties with any nation or group while maintaining independence in pursuing and defending its national interests

Trump’s team yet undecided on Ukraine conflict settlement plan — FT

In the absence of a clear and definite plan, the US President-elect's administration may continue to provide assistance to the Kiev government after his inauguration

Press review: Russia notes Japan's militarization while allies expect Ukrainian assault

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 9th

Free Syrian Army deploys heavy weapons to frontline with Kurds — newspaper

Currently, Turkey is not preparing for a direct military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria, but is not dismissing such an option either

Houthis hit US Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier using missiles, drones

Earlier, it was reported that the US had targeted underground facilities of the Houthis in the Amran Province, located in the northwest of Yemen, along with the movement's positions in the Saada Province

Acquiring Greenland to become 'bad deal' for Trump — Politico

The US’ objectives in Greenland are well met today, Politico pointed out

Shifts towards US, Russian presidents’ contacts to emerge after Trump’s inauguration

"Apparently, there will be some movements in this direction after Trump enters the Oval Cabinet [in the White House]," Dmitry Peskov said

Bankruptcy moratorium for Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator extended until May 9

If the Nord Stream 2 pipeline operator fails to comply with this period, it will be recognized bankrupt without setting a grace period

Kremlin keeping eye on US claims to Canada, Greenland — spokesman

"We are closely following these dramatic developments - thank God, it has not gone beyond statements yet," Dmitry Peskov noted

Expert gives Ukrainian army 10-14 days before they run out of steam in Kursk Region

Ralph Bosshard says that the goal of the Ukrainian offensive operation in the Kursk Region has always been unclear