Middle East conflict

22 Jan, 17:27

UN welcomes release of Galaxy Leader ship’s crew

The Yemen-based Ansar Allah movement announced on January 22 that it had released the crew of the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel, as part of a ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip

UNITED NATIONS, January 22. /TASS/. The release of crew of the Galaxy Leader commercial vessel, seized in the Gulf of Aden in November 2023, is a step in the right direction, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said.

"The release of the Galaxy Leader crew is heartwarming news that puts an end to the arbitrary detention and separation that they and their families endured for more than a year. This is a step in the right direction, and I urge Ansar Allah to continue these positive steps on all fronts, including ending all maritime attacks," the diplomat said in a statement.

"These measures are critical in improving the space for mediation, which in the long-term will facilitate the resumption of the Yemeni political process that millions of Yemenis have been yearning for," he added.

The Yemen-based Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement announced on January 22 that it had released the crew of the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel, through the mediation of Oman based on an agreement with the Palestinian movement Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal for the Gaza Strip. After being released, the crew members were brought to Oman.

The ship, flying the Bahamian flag, is owned by a British company and operated by Japanese company Nippon Yusen. It had 25 crew members on board, who are citizens of Bulgaria, Mexico, Romania, Ukraine, the Philippines.

With the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalating, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement announced that it would conduct strikes on Israeli territory and block pro-Israeli vessels from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Tel Aviv ceases its military operation in the Palestinian enclave. The Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November 2023.

Brazil’s Lula believes his predecessor conspired to topple government, assassinate him

The Brazilian president expressed confidence that police and the general prosecutor’s office had conducted a thorough investigation before bringing the case to court

Yesterday, 16:39

The Atlantic editor-in-chief exaggerates significance of Signal chat — US vice president

JD Vance drew attention to how Jeffrey Goldberg had criticized CIA Director John Ratcliffe for blowing the cover for a CIA agent

Deepening cooperation between Russia, Turkmenistan meets bilateral interests — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin noted "the progressive development of the Russian-Turkmen relationship in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and strategic partnership"

Yesterday, 22:53

Envoy explains why US chose to address Black Sea Initiative first in talks on Ukraine

Keith Kellogg said that was the easy part

Yesterday, 17:54

Russia’s friends are many — Putin

"There are people in the so-called West who do not understand Russia but this does not prevent us from living and growing," the Russian leader said

Yesterday, 00:38

Lavrov describes NATO secretary general as ‘laughable and pathetic’

Russian Foreign Minister noted that Mark Rutte 'does not want even to speak on the subject'

Yesterday, 14:59

Many questions remain regarding use of intact Nord Stream 2 line — Novak

Technically, the pipeline is in working condition, the official stressed

Yesterday, 13:57

Putin submits treaty on Russia's strategic partnership with Iran to Duma for ratification

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty was signed during the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Moscow in January 2025

Yesterday, 13:47

Employee of ZNPP faces 18 years in prison for plotting to kill IAEA experts

According to the investigation, Sergey Potyng joined a terrorist community created by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate in March 2023

Yesterday, 15:34

Major global energy traders would consider returning to Russia — Bloomberg

Those comments were made by participants of the FT Commodities Global Summit being held in Switzerland on March 24-26, the agency said

Two days ago, 21:48

Russia, US discuss Nord Stream pipeline issue — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, 'it will be interesting if the Americans use their influence on Europe and will force it not to reject the Russian gas'

Britain may be behind explosion of Sudzha gas metering station — Russian politician

The destruction of the gas metering station in Sudzha by Ukrainian forces is a provocation designed to undermine the peace initiatives of US President Donald Trump, Sergey Mironov stated

Russia’s new ambassador to US arrives in Washington

Earlier, an aircraft carrying Darchiev landed at Washington’s Dulles International Airport

Yesterday, 19:16

OSCE expresses condolences to relatives of Russian journalists killed in LPR

"On behalf of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, we extend condolences to the relatives of those killed and injured," the statement, received in response to a TASS inquiry sent on March 25, said

3 Mar 2022, 14:40

Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine will not have POW status — Russian military

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov warned that all foreign mercenaries, detained in Ukraine, would be brought to justice on criminal charges

Yesterday, 15:10

US' current lack of icebreakers limits freight capabilities in Arctic — Patrushev

According to him, in these conditions, Russian businesses "need to work"

Yesterday, 13:54

Kiev loses over 70,000 troops since Kursk incursion — Russia’s top brass

The ministry specified that over the past day the Ukrainian army lost more than 230 personnel, a tank, an armored personnel carrier and an armored combat vehicle

Yesterday, 22:09

Deputy PM to lead Russia’s delegation to Boao Forum for Asia, meet with Chinese leadership

The Boao forum, which has been taking place since 2002, brings together about 30 countries of the Asia-Pacific region

Yesterday, 15:08

Russia does not consider joint management of ZNPP with US — deputy PM

On March 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the transfer of control over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to Ukraine or any other country would be impossible

Yesterday, 23:58

Pentagon declines to confirm reports that four US troops died during training in Lithuania

The search for the missing soldiers continues

Yesterday, 09:13

Strategic Yars launchers go on new patrol routes in Bologoye formation

Yars drive a hundred kilometers, build up field positions, organize camouflage and security

Yesterday, 14:16

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Yesterday, 08:49

Channel One says war reporter Prokofyeva dies in Belgorod Region

Anna Prokofyeva was 35 years old

Yesterday, 16:33

Financial infrastructure important for BRICS trade, economies — Russian minister

According to Anton Siluanov, Russia considers various financial innovations on the BRICS floor, including the cross-border payment system that can be based on national currencies

Yesterday, 16:43

Kiev seeks to derail peace agreements — Russian mission to UN

According to Dmitry Polyansky, Russia is fully ready for a military scenario of settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, but prefers to settle it by diplomatic means

Strengthening of partnership in line with Russian, Chinese interests — Russia’s deputy PM

Russia’s delegation at the meeting also included Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Volvach

Yesterday, 07:52

Zelensky admits Ukraine has no money for army

On March 25, the Verkhovna Rada parliament approved a law on a sharp increase in salaries for ministries’ employees, which will be higher than those of the military

Yesterday, 20:45

United States carry out strikes on Houthi airbase in Sanaa — Al Masirah

According to the channel, the al-Dailami airbase was targeted by at least two airstrikes

Yesterday, 17:09

Inflation in Russia reaches at 0.12% on March 18-24

In the previous week inflation was recorded at 0.06%

Yesterday, 13:25

Venice could sink by 2150 — study

According to the researchers' findings, the MOSE barrier system would not be enough to protect the city

Yesterday, 21:23

Russian Ambassador Alexander Darchiev arrives in US — TASS source

In early March, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Alexander Darchiev

Yesterday, 14:19

French colonel predicts collapse of NATO by 2030

Regie Chamagne predicts sweeping changes in the Western political leadership in the coming years

Two days ago, 12:32

Lavrov dismisses EU's Ukraine mission plans as 'dreamers' fantasy

"These dreamers are proving their complete political incompetence with each passing day," the Russian top diplomat said, referring to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

25 Mar 2022, 11:48

Turkey will not join sanctions against Russia — Erdogan

"Firstly, I cannot leave my people to freeze in the winter, and secondly, I cannot completely reboot this industry of ours," Erdogan said

Russia’s Yars missile formations to be taken to field positions

Military units will also practice engineering support and radiological, chemical and biological protection tasks during the maneuvers

Beijing, Moscow set standard for relations between two great powers — Chinese vice premier

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia and US advance Black Sea deal as nuclear divide deepens in Europe

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 26th

Two days ago, 22:12

Zelensky understands that his days are numbered — Lavrov

In Russian Foreign Minister's words, he remains popular only among 'a part of the population that shares radical, ultra-right, revanchist and Banderite views'

Yesterday, 17:24

Russia’s passenger car production rises by 12.8% to 115,000 cars in January-February

Production of passenger vehicles increased by 11.7% compared to January and by 6.8% year-on-year, reaching 60,800 vehicles

Russia’s top diplomat announces plan for Putin to visit India

Sergey Lavrov noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his first foreign visit to Russia upon his re-election last year

Yesterday, 10:53

Chinese expert doubts US role as mediator in peace talks on Ukraine

Meanwhile, profound disagreement on a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine remains, and the most complex talks are yet to come, Sun Qi warned as he referred to territorial disputes and US military assistance to Ukraine

Yesterday, 19:00

UN expresses condolences over death of Russian war correspondent — spokesman

"We have seen journalists pay the ultimate price in this conflict, as they have in others," Stephane Dujarric said

Yesterday, 22:55

US plans to continue strikes on Houthis 'for a long time,' Trump says

The American leader called previous strikes on the positions of the rebels from the Ansar Allah movement "very successful"

Yesterday, 18:43

Journalists must be able to report on Ukraine without fear of attacks — UN spokesman

Meanwhile, the world organization itself has no right to investigate the killings of Russian journalists by Kiev without a proper mandate, Stephane Dujarric pointed out

Yesterday, 17:11

Gold output in Russia increases by 9.1% in February — Rosstat

For the first two months of 2025, total gold production increased by 4.5% year-on-year

Yesterday, 19:15

Departed businesses returning to Russia must not contradict its national interests — PM

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the Russian authorities do not plan to prepare a list of foreign brands that can return to Russia - the companies themselves must initiate their return

Yesterday, 16:37

Europe moving away from idea of sending troops to Ukraine — Reuters

In addition to Kiev's position and Washington's stance, the initiative to send European troops is hampered by fierce opposition from Russia and logistical constraints, the sources said

If US appoints new president of Ukraine, it will ruin the country — Russian legislator

"This would represent a continuation of the same colonial scenario and further accelerate Ukraine's collapse," Viktor Vodolatsky said

Yesterday, 16:28

Medvedev suggests using laser systems for defense against drones

The official emphasized that the enemy remained highly active in using drones to attack various targets, including civilian infrastructure, despite ongoing negotiations

Israeli strike on Gaza kills Hamas spokesperson

According to the TV channel Al Jazeera, the Hamas official was killed in a strike on his tent in Jabalia al-Balad in northern Gaza

Yesterday, 08:44

No deals with Kiev can be carried out without Ukraine’s full denazification — Medvedchuk

The politician said that these neo-Nazi gangs were created as a vanguard against everything related to Russia

Yesterday, 04:09

Russian ambassador Darchiyev to depart to US today — TASS source

He is expected to depart to Washington on March 26

Yesterday, 13:01

Japan-Russia dialogue can only resume when Tokyo drops hostile stance — Foreign Ministry

The current state of Russian-Japanese relations, including prospects for scientific exchanges, was also discussed during the meeting of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and a delegation of Japan’s Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Yesterday, 15:06

US offered Riyadh to monitor ban on strikes against energy facilities — Zelensky’s office

The deputy head added that the final decision on who will conduct the monitoring has not been made yet

Yesterday, 17:23

AU Commission head reaffirms policy of strong partnership with Russia

Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Yevgeny Terekhin conveyed a message of goodwill from the Russian government and congratulated Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on his election

Yesterday, 09:16

Kiev deliberately targets journalists, law norms for protecting them — Russian diplomat

Earlier on Wednesday, Channel One said Prokofyeva, 35, was killed by an enemy mine in the bordering area of Belgorod

Yesterday, 05:08

Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto plans to visit Russia today — TASS source

According to the source, Peter Szijjarto is expected to arrive in Moscow

Yesterday, 11:38

Keys to the homeland: how Putin became president

On the occasion of today’s anniversary, TASS reflected on the circumstances that garnered Putin the support of the Russian people

Washington keeps mum about killings of Russian military correspondents

TASS submitted its request for comment regarding the killing of Russian war reporters or the activity of the Ukrainian military to the White House and the Department of State on Wednesday morning, local time

Two days ago, 06:18

Russian forces push Ukrainians near Sudzha crossing in Kursk region — security official

As Russian forces have advanced, scattered Ukrainian troops have found themselves completely cut off from enemy forces in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Two days ago, 10:10

Rare gold coins stolen from French museum worth almost $656,000 found in Moscow

Russian law enforcement officers received a photo and a detailed description of the stolen exhibits

Yesterday, 15:42

Kiev’s military hits three power facilities in Kherson area since moratorium was imposed

Vladimir Saldo specified that over the past three years, a significant portion of the Kherson Region's energy infrastructure has been damaged due to shelling

Yalta to host diplomatic congress on future world order

According to the organizers, the delegates will address pressing geopolitical challenges "at a time of a shifting balance of power, dialogue and cooperation between the leading world powers"

Yesterday, 16:30

Russian budget deficit expected to be 0.5% of GDP in 2025 — Finance Minister

According to Anton Siluanov, the deficit is planned to be much smaller than in 2024

Yesterday, 03:52

Nuclear weapons previously held by Ukraine belonged to Russia — Trump’s special envoy

Richard Grenell called it 'an uncomfortable fact'

US involved in at least two conflicts in which reporters knowingly killed — news outlet

US journalist Max Blumenthal believes that America is "in complete moral free fall"

Ukrainian combat group hits its own mines upon escape from Sudzha — Russian army engineer

There were both wheeled and tracked vehicles with Ukrainian crews and military personnel blown up on the minefields, he specified

Washington, Kiev may sign minerals deal next week, US Treasury chief says

The signing of the minerals deal was postponed following the February 28 verbal spat between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House

Yesterday, 07:02

EU criticizes diplomacy chief Kallas's hostile attitude towards Russia — media

Another complaint against Kallas is that she is "acting like a prime minister," according to an EU diplomat

Top US diplomat points to ‘agreement in principle’ on Black Sea ceasefire

The Kremlin on Tuesday released a statement following the March 24 expert consultations with Washignton

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

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

Yesterday, 20:39

Current Kiev government fails to represent interests of Ukrainian people — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat also pointed out that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen "categorically ignores" the laws on the extermination of everything Russian passed by the Nazi regime of Vladimir Zelensky

Yesterday, 20:00

Greenland essential to US international security — Trump

"We need Greenland for international safety and security,"US President said

Yesterday, 13:02

Inflation, sanctions, enhancement of life standards: Mishustin’s address to State Duma

"Russia is among the world’s four largest economies in terms of purchasing power parity," the Russian Prime Minister stated

European bureaucracy cannot defeat Russia, Moscow’s envoy says

Politico reported earlier that Kallas was facing criticism from a number of European officials over her belligerent rhetoric against Moscow

7 Feb 2024, 12:04

Western journalists complain about Putin refusing to be interviewed by anyone but Carlson

CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour said that she has "been trying to interview President Putin every day for years"

Russian politician warns Europe against flooding Ukraine with weapons

Sergey Mironov recounted how the Islamic State (IS), Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups banned in Russia "once spiraled out of control" in the West

Yesterday, 16:21

Russia works with China and India on Arctic projects — Foreign Ministry

Director of the Department for European Cooperation at the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladislav Maslennikov noted that Russia was open to constructive engagement in the Arctic, including the use of the Northern Sea Route

Yesterday, 17:12

Russia increases fertilizer output by 7.6% in first two months of 2025 — Rosstat

In February 2025, fertilizer output amounted to 2.4 mln tons

Two days ago, 20:34

Europe engages in ‘freeloading’ in cases with Ukraine, Yemen, NATO — Trump

US president said that 'the European Union has been absolutely terrible to us'

Yesterday, 15:55

The Atlantic publishes full Signal chat where officials discussed strikes on Yemen

According to The Atlantic article, US administration officials, commenting on the situation with the Signal chat room, said that the correspondence did not contain classified information

Yesterday, 13:06

Engine tests for Angara-A5M launch vehicle completed

Successful completion of the tests opens the way to supply engines for flights, Roscosmos said

Russia, US open window of opportunity but need to speed up work — Moscow’s ambassador

The diplomat stressed that “clearing the toxic legacy, including the sanctions rubble, requires even greater efforts”

White House press secretary slams Democrats for trying to sow chaos

According to Karoline Leavitt, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg is "an anti-Trump hater."

Yesterday, 06:49

Russian troops take central part of Lobkovoye settlement in Zaporozhye area

According to the report, the Ukrainian armed formations are deploying reinforcements, trying to impede the Russian army’s advance

Yesterday, 15:07

Ukraine continues attacks on Russian energy facilities — deputy PM

Alexander Novak emphasized that Russia certainly requires additional efforts to restore the facilities that suffered damage from the strikes

Yesterday, 16:41

Russia calls for immediate international reaction to killing of Russian journalists — MFA

"We call for an immediate reaction to the killing of Anna Prokofyeva and other Russian media representatives from relevant international organizations, primarily from the UNESCO Director-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media," Maria Zakharova emphasized

Two days ago, 10:22

NATO’s barbaric bombing of Belgrade must not be forgotten — SVR chief

NATO launched a military operation against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999

Israel ready to consider military solution to issue of Iranian nuclear program — diplomat

US President Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform on March 7 that he had sent a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for talks on Tehran’s nuclear program

Yesterday, 20:01

Russia demands UNESCO, OSCE, UN take measures to stop Ukrainian attacks on press — MFA

"We demand that they take comprehensive measures to put an end to Ukrainian neo-Nazis attacking members of the press, as mandated by their charters," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

1 Mar 2024, 15:43

If Austin talks about risk of NATO-Russia conflict, it means US has a plan for it — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, Europe is currently the main victim of the US policy of "dragging Ukraine into NATO"

Russian deputy PM to meet with Chinese counterpart on sidelines of Boao forum

Alexey Overhuk is scheduled to address the forum on March 28

Yesterday, 21:21

US government to introduce necessary reforms, following Signal data leak — Rubio

According to him, the US administration is thoroughly investigating how a journalist was included in the discussion of the United States’ operations

Yesterday, 12:38

Russian, Indian warships to train engaging weapons

The drills will "strengthen interaction between the fleets and the historically solid friendship between India and Russia," Commander of the Russian group of Pacific fleet warships Captain First Rank Alexey Antsiferov said

Yesterday, 12:03

Russian forces use Geran UAVs to hit Ukraine’s drone launch site in Zaporozhye Region

During the last 24-hour period, Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporozhye Region, it said

Yesterday, 18:17

Russia reduces total gas output by 8% to 118.2 bcm in January-February

Natural gas output during this period totaled 101 bcm, marking an 8.3% year-on-year decline

Yesterday, 19:16

Hungarian Mol interested in oil and gas projects in Russia — Novak

"New projects have not been defined, but in general we are also considering the expansion of cooperation between our countries in the energy sector," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said

Yesterday, 14:07

Israel not going to wait forever for Hamas to agree to Gaza deal — foreign minister

The ministers discussed developments in the region and bilateral relations, with Sa'ar clarifying "the importance of the Israeli victory in the campaign," the Foreign Ministry said

Yesterday, 12:34

Hungary’s foreign minister certain about Russia's commitment to reaching peace in Ukraine

Peter Szijjarto expressed optimism regarding the ongoing discussions between Russia and the United States about Ukraine, emphasizing Hungary's vested interest in their success

Two days ago, 14:42

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 430 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored fighting vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Russian envoy’s informal credential presentation due on March 27 — US State Department

Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Louis Bono will attend "Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev's informal credential presentation in Washington, D.C."