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Middle East conflict

Israel to release 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli hostages

According to the the Palestinian commission on detainees’ affairs, the group includes 121 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 79 people serving long terms in Israeli jails

CAIRO, January 25. /TASS/. Israel will release 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli hostages on January 25 as part of a deal with Hamas, the Palestinian commission on detainees’ affairs said.

According to the commission, the group includes 121 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 79 people serving long terms in Israeli jails.

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Palestine Israel HAMAS Gaza Strip

US administration to examine possibility of cutting defense spending – Trump

The US leader went on to say that trillions of dollars "being absolutely wasted"

Russian forces advancing in almost all special op areas — General Staff

First of all, it concerns the issues of gaining air supremacy and fire superiority over the enemy, Russian General Staff Deputy Chief Colonel General Vasily Trushin said

Moscow will have to respond if Paris continues escalation in area of mass media – diplomat

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Paris’ statements alleging that French journalists are unsafe in Russia reflect "the melancholy typical of the Western mainstream"

Russia blasts French Mirage 2000 jet deliveries to Kiev as new step to conflict escalation

According to the statement, "such actions cannot but evoke legitimate condemnation"

Russia has legal avenues of action should London detain Russian ships — ambassador

Andrey Kelin pointed out that statements on the potential detention of Russian ships come first of all from the British military in the form of "some readiness of the British Navy, a tiny one now, to some sort of concrete actions"

Moscow will have to respond if Paris continues escalation in area of mass media – diplomat

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Paris’ statements alleging that French journalists are unsafe in Russia reflect "the melancholy typical of the Western mainstream"

IN BRIEF: What is known about liberation of Dzerzhinsk in Donetsk People’s Republic

The city, located north of Gorlovka, was an important logistics hub for the Ukrainian armed forces on the way to the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Kharkov Region

Russian forces thwart attempted counter-offensive in Kursk Region — ministry

Ukraine’s losses amounted to over 200 service members and about 50 combat and support vehicles, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Prospects for accepting Russia’s Mir cards in India positive — ambassador to Moscow

According to Vinay Kumar, Indian diplomatic and commercial missions are facilitating negotiations between India and Russia on mutual acceptance of payments from Mir payment systems and Indian RuPay

Trump says he plans to meet with Zelensky in US next week

The US president seemed partial to holding the talks on his home turf

Ukraine transfers forces from Donbass to Kursk Region — security services

According to the security services, the Ukrainian army is trying to select units with the highest combat readiness, leaving recently mobilized and penalized soldiers in Donbass

Ukrainian command in south Donetsk direction leaves Krasnoarmeysk — Duma lawmaker

According to Viktor Vodolatsky, Russia's forces are currently blocking the main roads leading to Krasnoarmeysk, which are used to deliver weapons, food and fuel to Kiev's soldiers

Zelensky’s claims of readiness for talks ring hollow — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, this readiness must be based on something

Russia, Iran to sign agreement on construction of Rasht-Astara section by March — envoy

"Cooperation between Iran and Russia develops successfully in all areas," Kazem Jalali said

Russian UAV team destroys 12 Ukrainian army vehicles in Kursk attack repulsion

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on February 6 that the Ukrainian army had attempted a counteroffensive in the direction of the settlements of Ulanok and Cherkasskaya Konopelka in the Kursk Region

French MFA to revise accreditation for Russian reporters

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine stated that France has always respected the work of Russian journalists, provided they are genuine professionals and their media outlets are not subject to sanctions

CSTO program on Tajik-Afghan border to ensure region’s security — secretary general

Imangali Tasmagambetov expressed his conviction that thanks to joint efforts by the relevant agencies of Tajikistan and the CSTO Secretariat, the program will be fully implemented within five years

Su-35 provide support for air strikes against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Region

One of the fighters detected the enemy’s air defense facilities

Russian statistical agency estimates GDP growth at 4.1% in 2024

The Russian GDP stood at 200 trillion rubles ($2 trillion) in 2024

Putin orders to change structure of economic growth in Russia

The Russian leader stressed that "it is important everywhere, in all regions of our country, to create new plants, new jobs"

Possible relocation of UN headquarters from New York being looked at — Russian diplomat

"Currently, Russia has problems with obtaining visas for members of the Russian delegation to UN event in New York," whereas the United States is obliged to issue such visas without delays and without conditioning visa issuance on any other matters, he explained

Russian court issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian colonel who gave orders to shell Kursk

The attacks involved missiles with cluster submunitions

US duties on energy resources from Canada to be 10% — White House

Tariffs will come into force on February 4, press service said

Russia, Uzbekistan approve program of strategic partnership in military sphere

The documents were signed by Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and his Uzbek counterpart Shukhrat Halmukhamedov

Militants bring containers with toxic chemicals to Syria’s Idlib - Russian military

According to the official, around 15 terrorists sustained chemical burns of skin and respiratory tract as a result

FACTBOX: Russian troops disrupt Ukrainian counterattack in Kursk Region

Ukraine lost over 200 servicemen, eight tanks, five infantry fighting vehicles, an armored personnel carrier and 30 armored fighting vehicles, as well as three engineering demolition vehicles and a bridge-laying vehicle during its failed attack

US administration to examine possibility of cutting defense spending – Trump

The US leader went on to say that trillions of dollars "being absolutely wasted"

International forum We Are Together to be held in Moscow on December 4-8

The forum will be attended by 10,000 volunteers and activists from more than 40 countries

Novgorod-made FPV drone Prince Vandal causes $300 mln damage to NATO

Earlier, the CEO of the research and production center Ushkuynik, Alexey Chadayev, said that the drone for the first time would begin to be manufactured in several regions of Russia

Large package of documents to be prepared for BRICS summit in Kazan — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, Russia plans more than a hundred various BRICS events throughout its presidency

Russian GDP gained 4.1%, above expectations — PM

The nominal size of GDP reached $2 trillion last year, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Russian antitrust regulator proposes banning gasoline exports by producers for a month

According to the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange, the exchange price of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline increased by almost 8% over the week

West seeks to shirk legal norms with special tribunal on Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the West’s allegations against Russia are absurd and the awkward structures built around this topic have no legal standing

Russia, Syria agree to continue consultations on military bases — senior diplomat

Commenting on Russia’s bases in Syria, Mikhail Bogdanov said that nothing has changed

Medvedev hopes US deep state won’t swallow Musk

Earlier, Elon Musk, who leads the US Department of Government Efficiency, said that USAID had been closed down

Tariffs on goods from Canada, China, Mexico to raise prices in US — The New York Times

Fresh produce, much of which is imported from Mexico, is one of the first categories where shoppers might notice an uptick in prices, the paper said

Procurement of Russian reactors to rescue Ukrainian system — Rosatom

One of Ukrainian ministers said that the purchase of Russian reactors from Bulgaria would save the Ukraine’s nuclear power sector, CEO of the Russian state nuclear corporation Alexey Likhachev noted

Russian missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov to enter sea trials this autumn

The cruiser will be transferred it to the Aerospace Forces in 2025, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said

IN BRIEF: What is known about small plane crash near Moscow

A small plane crash-landed near the Myachkovo airfield near Moscow while performing a training flight, the Russian emergencies ministry said

Putin says European elites eventually to be "at Trump’s feet wagging their tails"

Russian President has expressed confidence that his US counterpart Donald Trump will quickly establish order among European elites

Russia’s military output deliveries to India reach $80 bln — Rosoboronexport

Guests to the Russian exposition will also be able to view innovations in the aviation engine segment: for the first time at the Aero India international aerospace and defense show

Israel withdraws from UN Human Rights Council following US — top diplomat

According to Gideon Sa’ar, the UN Human Rights Council is "focused on attacking a democratic country and propagating antisemitism, instead of promoting human rights"

Rosatom CEO, IAEA chief begin meeting in Moscow

The parties are expected to hold a joint press conference following the talks

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

West seeks to strip Transnistria of sovereignty, as it did with Moldova — ex-president

In Igor Dodon's words, Transnistria "is being blockaded"

Cache with shells, ammunition, infantry flamethrowers discovered in LPR

All items were disposed of in accordance with the established procedure

Russia wants to see situation on Korean Peninsula cool down — ambassador to Seoul

Touching on Moscow’s relations with Seoul, Georgy Zinovyev noted that they are going through a tough time

Russia set to up rice production, eyes export resumption

Russia harvested 1.2 mln metric tons of rice in 2024, Oksana Lut noted

Trump announces plans to maintain contacts with North Korea

The US President emphasized that he gets along with Kim Jong Un

Putin re-establishes Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts — decree

The newly established Military Districts have embraced the regions previously assigned to the Western Military District and the Northern Fleet

Russia will lose if it does not create future itself — Putin

The Russian leader emphasized that the primary goal of both the state and scientists was to "work proactively"

OPEC+ meeting discussed recent Trump's statements on oil market — Russian Deputy PM

Alexander Novak noted that OPEC+ ministers at the meeting had stressed the commitment and correctness of the alliance's efforts to balance the market and coordinate actions

FACTBOX: Putin discusses inflation control, economic growth with PM

Russian GDP grew by 4.1% in 2024, above expectations, Mikhail Mishustin reported to Vladimir Putin

Dzerzhinsk liberation to speed up start of battles for Konstantinovka — security sources

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian troops had secured the city of Dzerzhinsk in the DPR

Aeroflot to suspend all international flights from March 8 — airline

Aeroflot will continue in full scope making flights over the route network inside Russia

Vice Admiral Lipilin appointed Russia’s Baltic Fleet commander — source

Before his new appointment, Sergey Lipilin held the post of the Baltic Fleet first deputy commander

Russia's GDP for 2024 exceeded 200 trillion rubles ($2.05 trillion) — statistics service

The physical volume of GDP increased by 4.1% compared to 2023

Trump points to progress in efforts to resolve conflict in Ukraine

The US president made this statement at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton hotel

Ukraine suffers major troop losses west of Krasnoarmeisk — Russian security official

According to the report, the Ukrainian army also was trying to hold a railway station in Udachnoye

Russian manufacturers ‘grow’ jet turbine blades from powder — researcher

According to Mikhail Kovalchuk, Russia is one of five countries in the world to have full-cycle jet engine production

Press review: US boosts pressure on neighbors as BRICS forms agricultural coalition

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 7th

St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo cancels 17 flights amid abnormal atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure in St. Petersburg was abnormally high on February 7, beating the previous record for February, recorded in 2012

Experts forecast moderate gas price growth in 2025, then a decline in 2026-2027

Finam analyst Sergey Kaufman forecasts a moderate increase in Europe's average gas price to $420 per 1,000 cubic meters

Scholz strongly opposes Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza

The German chancellor stressed the necessity of preventing any further escalation in the Middle East and fostering a peaceful coexistence between a future Palestinian state and Israel

Ukrainian army strikes high-voltage substation in Zaporozhye Region — Russian politician

The regional Energy Ministry pointed out that every measure would be taken in order to restore electricity supplies within 24 hours

Russian MFA slams US double standards in context of USAID activities

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted reports indicating that USAID allocated millions of dollars for transgender operations on rodents

Conference on Syria in Paris to be held at ministerial level — French foreign ministry

According to the French diplomat Christophe Lemoine, neither religious nor ethnic groups will be represented at the meeting

Press review: US suspends USAID aid to Central Asia while Hamas visits Moscow again

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 4th

US administration to examine possibility of cutting defense spending – Trump

Trump announced this at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba

Press review: Russia ratifies treaty with Belarus and Arabs oppose Trump's Gaza plan

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 6th

Serbian PM accuses EU officials of meddling in domestic affairs, inciting protests

Anti-government protests organized by students and opposition activists have been rocking the country since November 2024

Kiev would like to provoke war between US, Russia, Zelensky’s office admits

Mikhail Podolyak’s remarks came as a response to the question as to whether there is a scenario where the US president "will go for deploying some forces to Ukraine in order to return those very mineral resources that are being talked about now"

Russia, Morocco discuss ways of strengthening fishing cooperation

The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 7th international fisheries exhibition in Agadir, Morocco

Russian troops liberate four communities in Kharkov region, Donetsk area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 2,020 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 21 enemy tanks in the Kursk area and the Kharkov region over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine increases gas imports from Hungary, Slovakia amid poor biomethane exports to EU

Ukraine exported 67,000 cubic meters of biomethane, which is 208 times less than the daily import

Billions in US aid to Ukraine vanishes into corrupt hands — Medvedev

"The grift continued in Kiev, with billions of dollars stolen, along with the weapons bought with the money, which are now turning up in various parts of the world," the politician noted

Zaporozhye NPP undergoing routine maintenance — staff

According to Yevgenia Yashina, the nuclear power plant’s equipment is maintained in a high degree of preparedness for launch

Dzerzhynsk was one of Ukrainian outposts before Konstantinovka — DPR official

The liberation of Dzerzhinsk poses a threat to the Ukrainian group in the area of Dimitrovka, east of Krasnoarmeysk

Temporary truce or freeze of conflict in Ukraine unacceptable — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia requires "reliable, legally binding agreements and mechanisms that would guarantee the prevention of a resumption of the crisis"

Bank of Russia lowers official dollar rate to 97.81 rubles for February 1-3

The Central Bank said last year that it would fix official dollar and euro rates against the ruble on the basis of reports of banks on results of transactions in the over-the-counter currency market

Kalashnikov to display Lotos gun at IDEX show

The engine has a capacity of 450 HP and the fuel range is at least 500 km

Mortgage portfolio growth rates down to 10.4% in 2024 for Russian banks

The total portfolio of mortgage loans of banks increased by 1.89 trillion rubles ($19.2 bln) and reached 20.1 trillion rubles ($204 bln)

US wants to freeze Russia-Ukraine conflict to use it in future — expert

Chen Yu noted that Washington may wish to maneuver on the Ukrainian issue for a "long-term game with Russia and Europe"

Russia, US not yet discussing Putin-Trump meeting — Kremlin

The Russian leader's press secretary added that the presidents "did not have any initial contacts to discuss whether they should meet or not"

Russian forces fighting in Kursk ‘impressively, competently, courageously’ — Putin

"The Black Sea Fleet marines of the 810th brigade, paratroopers of the 106th division, the 76th division and many other units are also fighting in the same way in this part of the battlefield, and all of them will be appropriately decorated," the president said

Scientists working to get Russia to Mars first — engineer

Winner of a presidential award Natalya Cherkashina said that her research was aimed at developing radiation shielding composites to protect cosmonauts and electronic equipment during long orbital flights

UK Foreign Office revokes Russian diplomat’s accreditation

"Any further action taken by Russia will be considered an escalation and responded to accordingly," the Foreign Office said

Israel receives list of hostages to be released on Saturday

The families of the hostages were informed

Roscosmos head’s resignation has nothing to do with complaints — Kremlin

Dmitry Bakanov, who previously served as Russia’s deputy transport minister, has been appointed as the new chief of Russia’s space agency

Ukraine loses over 26,000 troops in five-month battle for Dzerzhinsk

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, on average, some 200 Ukrainian troops were either killed or wounded every day

Cargo transportation in Russia gained 5.5% in 2024 — statistics

According to statistics, cargo transportation stood at 1.19 bln metric tons for rail transport, 7 bln metric tons for motor transport and 0.5 bln metric tons for air transport

Cosmonauts Platonov, Artemyev to fly aboard US Crew Dragon spaceships to orbital outpost

In coming months, a Crew Dragon spacecraft will also deliver Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to the orbital station, Russia’s State Space Corporation said

Trump signs executive order on sanctions against ICC — White House

The US administration previously accused the ICC of unlawful actions against Washington and its allies

US journalist flips out on Washington for resuming weapons supplies to Ukraine

Jackson Hinkle commented on a publication released by the US Department of State that "US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year"

Trump wants to 'stop the killing' before negotiating Ukraine peace — US president’s envoy

"This is the goal being pursued by the current US administration on the Ukraine track," Keith Kellog explained

Russian stocks down as main trading session starts

The MOEX was down by half a percent at 2,933.44 points, while the RTS was down by 0.5% at 944.78 points

Russian forces free three western neighborhoods of Chasov Yar in Donetsk region — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Russian fighters now have several sectors of motor roads in southern Chasov Yar, including river crossings set up by Ukrainian troops across the Gruzskaya, under control

Resolving Ukraine conflict is 'all hands on deck' for entire Trump team — Kellogg

According to the US special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, last week, Donald Trump gathered his whole team of national security advisers and cabinet members to discuss using "all elements of national power" to end the conflict

Russia interested in supplying its gas to Europe — Kremlin

"We know that Hungary has stated certain conditions for extension of the mentioned sanctions, those conditions related to the position of the Kiev regime," Dmitry Peskov said

Middle East not geopolitical playground, Lavrov tells West

"The West is used to wreaking havoc, creating crises, and then seeing what happens," the Russian top diplomat noted