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Middle East conflict

Houthi leader vows military response if US, Israel attack Gaza Strip

Abdul Malik al-Houthi emphasized that the rebels would resume missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli targets, as well as naval operations

DOHA, February 13. /TASS/. Houthi rebels from the Yemen-based Ansar Allah movement will target facilities belonging to the US and Israel if these countries attack the Gaza Strip, the movement's leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said.

"We will immediately give a military response if the Americans and the Israelis decide to attack the Gaza Strip on Saturday, before or after that day, based on threats from the tyrant [US President Donald] Trump," he said in an address broadcast by the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV channel.

Al-Houthi emphasized that the rebels would resume missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli targets, as well as naval operations, should the US and Israel attempt to implement a plan to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Ansar Allah movement said that it would strike Israeli territory and prevent ships associated with Israel from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave was halted. The Houthis have attracted dozens of civilian ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November 2023. Yemeni rebels suspended strikes on the Jewish state after a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas was introduced in Gaza.

Local clashes with police occur near university in Ankara — TV

A haber TV channel showed that opposition Republican People's Party representatives tried to discuss ways for calming the aggressively-minded protesters with the police

US and Ukraine to sign resource agreement in near future — Trump

US president did not indicate when or where exactly the agreement would be signed

Russian Battlegroup East eliminates 5 Ukrainian drone control centers

During the day, the enemy lost a MaxxPro armored combat vehicle

EU diplomacy chief's statements on helping Kiev show union war-minded — MFA

"It seems that Brussels is still incapable of clearly answering certain questions, including what specific role the EU could play amid the shifting dynamics of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

OPEC receives surplus oil production compensation schedules

Compensations until July 2026 will total 4.203 mln barrels per day

Russia has no plans to attack Germany — MFA on Merz's remarks

"If Berlin makes such claims, it means that Germany may have such plans itself; but in that case, Berlin needs to call things by their proper name," Maria Zakharova stated

UK policy may lead to total destruction of Ukraine — Russian ambassador

In his words, the United Kingdom has chosen to go into confrontation

Houthis claim missile strike on military target in Tel Aviv

Movement's military spokesman Yahya Saria added that ships linked to Israel will also be attacked in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden until it ends its operation in the Gaza Strip

Russia-US relations at recovery stage, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed to the fact that these contacts received a new impetus thanks to the initiatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump

US is able to ensure that Kiev fulfills its agreements with Moscow — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova doubted that Washington would have a reason not to take advantage of these opportunities

Slovakia insists on free will principle for EU military aid to Kiev — PM

Robert Fico noted that the republic will not send a single cent to arm Ukraine

Top Polish general says Europe weighing scenarios for ground operation in Ukraine

In Wieslaw Kukula's words, general staffs of European countries will be involved in the planning

Houthis report new attack on US aircraft carrier in Red Sea

According to Yahya Sarea, "the operation successfully reached its target"

First newly-built Tu-160M to make maiden flight in 4th quarter of 2021

The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of the Tu-160, the Tu-160M, was made in 2015

Trump is confident that Ukrainian conflict will be resolved

Speaking at the White House, the American leader noted that he had previously held telephone conversations with Russian President state Vladimir Putin, as well as with Vladimir Zelensky

Kremlin says Europe becomes 'war party'

"The main signals from Brussels and the European capitals now relate to the plans for militarization of Europe, which is clearly at odds with the mood of the presidents of Russia and the United States to seek ways out for a peaceful settlement process," Dmitry Peskov said

No Foreign Ministry delegates to March 24 talks in Riyadh — spokeswoman

The Russian delegation will be led by senator Grigory Karasin and the adviser to the FSB chief, Sergey Beseda

Israel chose war in Gaza Strip — Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky went on to say that despite a new round of escalation, a "diplomatic solution is not just possible, it remains the only realistic option"

US arms deliveries to Kiev contradict intentions to achieve peace in Ukraine — diplomat

"Anyone who wants peace will naturally support an end to the militarization of the terrorist gang," Maria Zakharova stated

Rosneft reports 14.4% drop in IFRS net profit for 2024

Company’s expenses for paying interest on loans increased by 1.5 times, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said

Putin confused why G7 known as 'big' seven

The GDP growth in the G7 countries for 2024 was just 1.9%, while the BRICS countries saw a growth rate of 4.9%, the Russian leader noted

Paris should tackle terrorism in France before hurling accusations at Russia — diplomat

Russia has remained resolute in its denunciation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of when, where and by whom terrorist acts are committed, Maria Zakharova emphasized

Russia takes Macron's nuclear remarks very seriously — security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, "the very fact that a leader of a nuclear power is rattling weapons is a direct threat to the entire world community"

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport with hypersonic missile

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier that a missile launched from the Yemeni territory had been intercepted before it reached Israel’s airspace

Russian forces strike military train with Ukrainian ammo, armament over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US, Ukraine to sign minerals deal soon — Trump

US president also said he has just signed an executive order to "dramatically increase" production of rare earth minerals

Russian Volga cities of Saratov, Engels come under most massive drone attack — governor

According to Roman Busargin, more than 30 private homes and summer houses in Engels were damaged in the attack

Israel kills Hamas internal security chief in Gaza — IDF

The statement also says that "in an additional strike, the IDF and ISA eliminated Ismail Abd al-Aal"

EU-Ukraine military integration aims to throw wrench in Russia-US dialogue — diplomat

"This is undoubtedly also a provocation to create an aggressive 'noise' that is meant to confuse," Maria Zakharova added

FSB makes public archived evidence exposing Nazi atrocities in Dnepropetrovsk Region

According to the FSB’s public relations center, among the documents there is a special message from the chief of the counterintelligence directorate Smersh of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, addressed to the Military Council of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and dated February 1944

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry becomes first female IOC president

The two-time Olympic champion will take office on June 24

Kiev forces lost 4 UAV control points in 24 hours due to actions of Battlegroup East

According to head of the group's press center, Alexander Gordeyev, during the active operations, units of the Battlegroup East continued to advance into the depths of the enemy's defense

Almost whole Kursk Region has been liberated — Russian commander

Russia’s military advance gave strong results, with almost all settlements taken at once, and the enemy’s personnel destroyed, Akhmat Special Forces Commander Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov added

UN chief ready to mediate Ukraine talks — deputy spokesperson

According to Farhan Haq, Antonio Guterres "made clear to his various interlocutors the willingness of the UN to make available its good offices, if the parties accept"

Death toll in Gaza since March 18 rises to 591, another 1,000 injured — authorities

The officials' statement emphasized that many bodies remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings and rescuers have not yet been able to remove them

Released Russian POWs report widespread torture, secret jails in Ukraine, Kursk — MFA

According to the report, the existence of these facilities is well known at all levels of the Ukrainian government

Summit on Ukraine to be held in Paris on March 27 — Macron

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that leading EU countries, including Germany, France and Poland, as well as non-EU countries Canada and the UK, will hold a new summit in Paris next week to discuss the situation around Ukraine

Zelensky admits Ukraine no longer being invited to NATO

At the same time, the Ukrainian president denied saying that he was ready "to discuss the question of Ukraine’s neutral status"

Over 15,000 Syrian refugees take refuge in northern Lebanon — UN

The Lebanese authorities and civil society organizations are providing assistance, shelter, warm clothes, food and medicine to the displaced

Ukraine's own air defenses shoot down half of Kiev's aircraft declared lost — Rada MP

Maryana Bezuglaya noted that the findings of the investigation into the loss of one of the first F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine last August have yet to be made public

EU protracts conflict in Ukraine at any cost, ignoring calls for peace — European MP

Harald Vilimsky added that "the European Union is treating Hungary as if it does not exist"

China tops box office sales for Russian movies in 2024

In Europe and the US, "the door is open a crack" for the Russian film industry, noted Dmitry Kabanov, industry relations and international b2b events director of the Russian state-owned audiovisual product company Roskino

Senior diplomat briefs BRICS ambassadors in Moscow on advancing Russia-US dialogue

The diplomats pointed out that the meeting participants urged increased efforts to resolve the conflict over Ukraine and expressed readiness to provide appropriate assistance

Poland’s exit from Ottawa Convention shows disregard for int'l obligations — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that "Western countries are ready to abandon their international legal obligations at literally any moment - whenever they feel like it, whenever it suits them"

Russian ambassador plans to depart to US ‘one of these days’ — ministry spokeswoman

Alexander Darchiyev, who headed the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department, was appointed as Russia’s new ambassador to the United States by a presidential decree in early March

Hungary wants to resumes its exports to Russia — PM

The Hungarian Prime Minister spoke to journalists in Brussels after a meeting of the leaders of the parties that formed the Patriots of Europe faction

State Department believes world is just a ‘breath away’ from full ceasefire in Ukraine

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated 'that is what America has helped facilitate'

Tanks of Battlegroup Dnepr destroy strongholds of Kiev forces in Zaporozhye region

According to a tank commander with the call sign Veter, the Battlegroup Dnepr continues to carry out combat missions in the Zaporozhye direction, showing high efficiency and professionalism

Trump signs executive order to initiate elimination of Department of Education

The complete closure of the Department of Education requires the approval of a corresponding bill by Congress

Russian MFA says no hidden meaning in differing statements on Putin-Trump talks

Maria Zakharova emphasized that while there are certain "nuances" in both statements, they do not contradict each other

Oreshnik gives Russia upper hand in confrontation with NATO — US expert

Decker Eveleth said that the Oreshnik is the perfect weapon for attacking dense targets like air bases, where its conventional submunitions can deal significant damage

Putin speaks on imminent Ukrainian defeat in Kursk at Prosecutor Office board meeting

The Russian president noted that the number of complaints received by the Prosecutor's Office increased by 10% in 2024

Almost 600 Palestinians killed in Gaza in past 72 hours — Al Jazeera

The death toll continues to rise as Israeli air attacks and ground assaults intensify

Several EU diplomats criticize top diplomat's plan on Ukraine aid — media

It is noted that the plan will not be approved at the European Council summit set to take place in Brussels on March 20

FACTBOX: What we know about Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Saratov Region

Air defenses downed 132 Ukrainian drones over Ukrainian regions overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Local clashes with police occur near university in Ankara — TV

A haber TV channel showed that opposition Republican People's Party representatives tried to discuss ways for calming the aggressively-minded protesters with the police

Medvedev urges to feel free to follow Trump’s example in protecting domestic brands

Russian companies quickly reacted to the withdrawal of Western brands, taking free niches, well done to them, the politician added

Israel believes Iran won’t be able to defend itself in case of air attack — media

The magazine recalled that Israeli authorities said in April and October 2024 that the country's armed forces destroyed four air defense systems located near key sites in different parts of Iran

Press review: Russia, US discuss ceasefire as the West forms new NATO alliances

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 18th

Lebanon to hand over 700 imprisoned Syrians to Damascus authorities

According to Asharq al Awsat newspaper, this is the first group of 2,000 Syrians held in Lebanese prisons to be deported to their homeland under a bilateral agreement

Trump says United States should build relations with Russia — Breitbart News

On March 18, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine, conditions for preventing escalation, and some international topics by phone

Citizens rally in support of mayor Imamoglu in Ankara, Istanbul

Large groups of young people and students are taking part in the rally

Russia to invite US to meeting of high representatives on security issues — Shoigu

Sergey Shoigu noted that representatives from over 100 countries had already confirmed their participation in the upcoming meeting

UK discusses options for its military presence in Ukraine — prime minister

Keir Starmer argued that Russia could allegedly violate any future agreements, so Western countries should work on security guarantees for Ukraine

Kiev already broke US-proposed ceasefire — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that attacking an energy facility in this context is understandable, 'because everything began with the energy sector in 2022'

Sales of new premium cars in Russia dip twofold in February — statistics

"Avtostat agency experts note that premium cars made up 8.8% of total car sales in Russia last month," the report said

Russia to boost arms exports after special military operation — Security Council

This refers to air defense systems, strike drones and upgraded armored vehicles, Sergey Shoigu said

European Council fails to approve 5-billion-euro plan to supply weapons to Kiev

The final statement of the meeting makes no mention of the 40-billion-euro military aid package, proposed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, or its reduced variant

Battlegroup West destroys 3 Starlink stations, 25 UAV control points

Over the past 24 hours the group's units improved their tactical position, defeated the manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces, a territorial defense brigade, and a national guard brigade

Trump’s course toward cooperation with Russia beginning to 'bear fruit' — US expert

In his words, the phone call between the US and Russian leaders "call marks a substantive first step on what will be a long and winding road to a negotiated peace"

Russian forces push Ukrainians out of Zherebyanki in Zaporozhye region — official

On March 12, the politician told TASS that Russian forces had liberated around 5 square kilometers of land near the rural settlements of Zherebyanka and Kamenskoye in the Zaporozhye Region

US intends to hold Russia-Ukraine ‘proximity’ talks in Riyadh — envoy Kellogg

According to US Special Envoy for Ukraine, 'it, basically, shuttle diplomacy'

By attacking Russian energy facility, Kiev wants to disrupt peace initiatives — diplomat

As Maria Zakharova stressed, it is absolutely clear that it was a deliberate, pre-planned provocative action

Slovakia's prime minister says he may veto EU sanctions against Russia

Robert Fico reportedly made this statement before departing for Brussels, where he will attend a European Council meeting

EU summit participants support White Paper on the EU defense

The meeting participants instructed the European Commission and the EU Council to begin implementing the European Commission's proposals in practice

Kick-sharing services resumes operations in Moscow

E-scooters rental is available for users in mobile apps

Kiev fears Trump may agree to cede Odessa to Russia — media

The US president did not specify which specific regions he was referring to, but the White House has already made it clear that Russia is expected to maintain control over territories "that its troops already command," the newspaper said

Erdogan accuses opposition of playing up Istanbul mayor’s detention for political gain

"The opposition’s attempt to present its internal conflicts or problems with the law as the country’s most pressing problem is the height of hypocrisy," the Turkish President said

Medvedev says return will be challenging for companies that left Russia

"Life has proved that those were true words. We did not chase anyone off, they left themselves, someone under pressure from their governments, someone out of fear, someone in solidarity with the neo-Nazis," the politician said

Since March 12, 544 people have been evacuated from Sudzha District of Kursk Region

"Over the course of the day, more than 200 people contacted the hotline of the main department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Kursk Region, with nearly all inquiries focused on locating relatives," the statement reads

Putin orders mandatory health screenings for migrants in Donbass, Novorossiya

In addition to the HIV-free certificate, foreigners will also need a similar document for infectious diseases that pose a danger to others

Russia developing Caspian flotilla infrastructure — top brass

"At present, work to construct a complex of hydrotechnical facilities, including the northern and southern piers spanning more than 2 kilometers, as well as berths and coastal infrastructure is ongoing in Kaspiysk," the ministry stated

Trump fully supports Israel’s current military operation in Gaza — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that previously Donald Trump threatened Palestine’s radical movement Hamas with tough measures if Israeli hostages are not released

Package attached to car bottom found near Legislative Assembly of Sevastopol

According to the Directorate for the Development of the City's Road Transport Infrastructure, some buses and trolleybuses are altering their routes due to the temporary closure of Lenin Street

Russia-China cooperation in military sphere is developing in all directions — Shoigu

The secretary of the Russian Security Council highlighted that Russia and China conduct joint strategic air patrols in the Asia-Pacific region and regularly hold naval exercises together

Russian forces take control of major Ukrainian stronghold near Kremennaya in LPR — expert

Russian fighters have so far taken a new foothold and are conducting a clearance operation, Andrey Marochko specified

Ukrainian soldiers stunned by Russia’s Operation Pipeline — Russian commander

Operation Pipeline involved a joint assault unit comprising soldiers from the 11th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade, the 30th Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division, the Akhmat special forces unit, and volunteers from the Veterans and Vostok V assault brigades

Rosneft’s hydrocarbons production reach 255.9 mln tons of oil equivalent in 2024

"The pace of the indicator is primarily driven by oil production constraints in accordance with decisions of the Russian government," the company said

Putin congratulates Coventry on her election as IOC president — Kremlin

The Russian leader is confident that Kirsty Coventry's personal athletic experience and interest in the real promotion of noble Olympic ideals will contribute to the success in such a responsible job

Failure of Kiev’s offensive in 2023 was conflict’s turning point — National Interest

"When the Ukrainian armed forces launched their offensive, they fell on Russia's defensive works - the largest and most comprehensive defensive line seen in Europe since the end of World War II," the magazine stated

Ukraine’s military stored foreign munitions in civilian hospital in Kursk Region

According to the report, the hospital itself suffered severely in the battles and its first floor burnt out

Surprisingly EU does not see nuclear umbrella rhetoric as saber rattling — Russian MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that the European Union's External Action Service has "abandoned its diplomatic tools as ineffective and opted for aggressive rhetoric"

Armenia to lose many privileges if it joins EU — Russia’s top security official

Sergey Shoigu recalled that money transfers from Russia into Armenia amount for approximately 15% of the country’s GDP

Orban says other EU states quietly support Hungary's stance against Ukrainian accession

In recent days, the Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly warned that Hungary will not allow Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU, claiming this would cause irreparable damage to the European economy

Kiev sees Trump’s idea of US control of Ukrainian nuke plants as unworkable — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Kiev and Washington "did not seem in sync about what plants were at issue"

Macron's talk of sending 'peacekeepers' to Ukraine shows disconnect from reality — MFA

"We have repeatedly said that introduction of so-called peacekeepers into Ukraine in practice would mean a foreign military intervention that further escalates the conflict," Maria Zakharova stated

Russia-US technical groups may discuss Ukrainian settlement — Kremlin

"[Other aspects] related to the Ukrainian settlement that the parties deem necessary may also be discussed," Dmitry Peskov added

Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu arrives in North Korea

It is planned that Shoigu will meet with the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un and other leaders of the country

Leader of Iran calls on world to unite in opposing new Israeli attacks on Gaza

"The US also shares responsibility for this tragedy," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed

Russia stresses risk of rogue Ukrainian military groups disrupting any agreement with Kiev

They don't listen to Vladimir Zelensky, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik said

Press review: Israel restarts Gaza operation while US mulls lifting sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 20th