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Middle East conflict

Red Cross hands over two Israeli hostages freed in Gaza to servicemen

They are now on their way to the Israeli territory

TEL AVIV, February 22. /TASS/. The staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross has handed over two hostages freed in the Gaza Strip to Israeli servicemen, they are now on their way to the Israeli territory, the army press service said.

"The two returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," the statement said.

A total of six hostages are to be released during the day. Tal Shoham, who was kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, and Avera Mengistu, who has been in Gaza since 2014, were the first to be released, the Kan state broadcaster reported.

Four more hostages are to be handed over to the Israeli side in the coming hours.

Zelensky, pressured by Trump, pretends to be ready for elections — news agency

According to the report, Vladimir Zelensky instructed Verkhovna Rada lawmakers to "develop a draft law on the possibility of holding elections during martial law"

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

Ukrainian attack leaves almost 30,000 customers without power in Zaporozhye Region

Balitsky noted that energy personnel were "working non-stop" to restore supplies as soon as possible, but the weather was complicating repair efforts

Russia welcomes FIDE’s decision to reinstate Russian chess players’ rights — Peskov

"We deeply appreciate this decision made following the vote of the General Assembly," Russian presidential spokesman said

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

West erodes traditional values — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The deliberate erosion of these foundations and the relentless attempts by the neoliberal elite of the West to impose alien approaches on other nations are deeply disturbing," Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, said

Extremist Ukrainian database Mirotvorets doxes chiefs of two Russian sports federations

The sports officials at the issue are President of the Russian Judo Federation Sergey Soloveichik and President of the Russian Skateboarding Federation Ilya Vdovin

Jose Antonio Kast wins Chilean presidential election

According to the Election Commission, Kast secured 58.61% of the vote

Ukrainian forces stretched thin in DPR, Russian commander says

Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

Euroclear ready to lawsuits in Russian courts due to assets blocking

The European Commission and the Belgian government made no comments on such news so far

US-Ukraine talks in Berlin last over five hours — media

According to Novosti Live, Vladimir Zelensky plans to comment on the progress of the negotiations on Monday

12 Cambodians killed, 74 injured in border conflict with Thailand — minister

As of December 14, Neth Pheaktra added, 120,814 families had been forced to flee the Thai aggression and become refugees

Russian air defenses down 290 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones in past day

Also air defenses downed four smart bombs

Russia’s response to EU freeze of Russian assets will follow shortly — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted that the European Union’s policy toward Russia has long been devoid of any sound logic and resembles a theater of the absurd

Russian Defense Ministry to receive new serial Ilyushin Il-112V aircraft from 2023

Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, "there is a one million percent guarantee that it’s impossible"

Zelensky: big business tycoons, diplomats make mistake by leaving Ukraine

The Ukrainian president stressed that his own family remained in Kiev

Nigeria denies reports that supertanker seized by US is Nigerian

NIMASA confirmed that SKIPPER did indeed sail to Nigeria in 2024

NATO specialists in Ukraine triggered special military operation — Kremlin

This posed a direct threat to Russian citizens in Ukraine, as well as broader security risks for Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Death toll in Sydney terrorist attack rises to 15 — minister

Ryan Park added that four of those injured in the shooting had been transferred to the children’s hospital

Sydney beach shooting kills ten, leaves 16 injured

One of the attackers was killed and another two were detained

Press review: NATO divided over Ukraine’s status and US-Venezuela conflict escalates

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 12th

Fico describes Ukraine as ‘black hole’ swallowing billions of euros

According to the Slovak prime minister, the European Union is currently in crisis

Kremlin aide confident Zelensky's talk of elections comes from US pressure

"What a double-dealing," Yury Ushakov said

Ukraine has money to run only until April 2026 — El Pais

Ukraine's budget has been running a record deficit for several years

Russia needs guarantees to prevent Kiev from sabotaging agreements — Kremlin

Washington’s position is certainly very important here, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

West benefits crime by scaling back anti-corruption cooperation — Russian MFA

According to Dmitry Lyubinsky, this approach by Western countries, especially in the field of extradition and legal assistance in criminal cases, "cannot withstand any criticism"

Chile’s new President Kast hints on difficult times for his country

The country's financial situation is bad, Antonio Kast said

Kremlin spokesman critical of NATO chief’s remark about preparations for war

This must be a statement by a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like, noted Dmitry Peskov

Thailand says ceasefire on Cambodia border depends on assessment of security situation

Thailand reiterates that it does not seek conflict and has not initiated violence, but it will not allow Thai civilians or personnel to be placed at risk

Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

US President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administration

China highly praises Putin’s position on Taiwan, diplomat says

Lin Jian also pointed out that recognizing Taiwan as an inalienable part of China is a basic principle for building relations with China

Seizure of Russian assets to backfire on EU — Hungarian PM

It is a direct step toward entering the war, Viktor Orban said

Syrian security forces carry out operation against Islamic State near Palmyra — media

According to Syria TV, the US-led coalition is also carrying out arrests in Palmyra and surrounding areas in response to the shooting

Sri Lanka views uninterrupted Russian oil supplies, says ambassador

The Sri Lanka State Oil Corporation is currently holding negotiations both on LNG and on the modernization of the oil refinery, Shobini Gunasekera said

Over 30 Russian journalists killed since special military op in Ukraine started

"It regards not only journalists, but cameramen, sound-operators, supporting drivers, sometimes bloggers and war correspondents as well," Vladimir Solovyov stated

India may impose retaliatory duties on US over tariffs on car imports — WTO

The safeguard measures will affect $2,895 million worth of relevant goods from India to the United States annually

Top Iranian diplomat to meet with Lavrov, lawmakers during visit to Russia — official

In Belarus, Abbas Araghchi will meet with President Alexander Lukashenko, Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, and other top officials

Explosions damage energy infrastructure in Ukrainian city of Odessa — authorities

Transport and industrial facilities were also damaged

US-Ukraine talks on crisis settlement in Berlin were 'confidential' — German daily

According to the report, the negotiations were conducted very secretly with journalists having no access at all to information about the particular level of the talks between the officials

Saudi Arabia's crown prince may buy FC Barcelona for €10 bln

According to El Chiringuito journalist Francois Gallardo, club members participating in the club’s presidential election could block the sale

Russian air defenses down at least 15 Ukrainian UAVs over Moscow Region — mayor

"Emergency response units are operating at the wreckage sites," Sergey Sobyanin said

Zelensky, pressured by Trump, pretends to be ready for elections — news agency

According to the report, Vladimir Zelensky instructed Verkhovna Rada lawmakers to "develop a draft law on the possibility of holding elections during martial law"

Analyst expects EU to cease to exist as global political entity by 2023

The idea of "a united Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok" will ultimately give way to the reality of a divided, militarized, and economically weak continent

US hindering Venezuela to sell its oil, supply it to Cuba — Cuban foreign ministry

This step is part of escalation staged by the United States to bar Venezuela from realizing its legitimate right to the free use of and trade in its natural resources, the Cuban foreign ministry emphasized

Russia focuses on US instead of Europe in terms of Ukraine peace process — Kremlin

The Europeans are playing their own game, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Russia starts using Force reconnaissance drone, resistant to electronic warfare

The device is equipped with thermal imaging equipment and can work around the clock

Belgium demands EU countries halt investment agreements with Russia — media

Belgium is demanding independent and autonomous guarantees from EU countries in return for its support for a floated loan to Ukraine using immobilized Russian assets

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

Ukraine loses about 1,450 troops in special military operation zone in past day

The enemy lost over 240 troops in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Trump vows retaliation over attack on US-Syrian patrol

The US President said that "in Syria, there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it"

FIDE votes to lift restrictions on Russian players

The Assembly has not yet made a final decision

Elvis Presley on list of sponsors of migrants arriving in US — newspaper

The US Government Accountability Office found that the program's implementation was flawed and that checks on applicants and their sponsors were not rigorous enough

US uses lighting bombs after attack by ISIS militants on patrol in Palmyra — TV

"American planes dropped lighting bombs in the sky over the city," Syria TV reported

MFA calls EU authorities 'thimbleriggers' after indefinite freezing of Russian assets

According to the European Commission's plan, the indefinite asset freeze is the first stage in the expropriation of Russian assets

Ukrainian forces facing huge losses in Kharkov Region — Russian security officer

Ukrainian commanders are chaotically deploying brigade forces to various parts of the frontline in the Kharkov Region in an attempt to stop Battlegroup North from advancing

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

Medvedev rejects accusations of Russia’s ‘disproportionate use of force’

There were several explosions in Kiev this night

FIDE to consult with IOC on lifting sanctions against Russians

Sixty-one participants voted in favor of lifting all restrictions on Russian chess players, while 51 opposed the measure

Turkey's position on Gaza settlement remains unchanged - Erdogan

The Turkish government has repeatedly emphasized the need to resolve the Palestinian crisis through a two-state solution

Russian delegation arrives in Washington for G20 sherpa meeting — envoy

The first meetings will take place on December 15-16, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev said

Severstal delists from London Stock Exchange since August 22 — company

Earlier, it was reported that termination of listing and the GDR program of Severstal were caused by a number of sanction restrictions against the company

Russia to strongly object to changes to Ukraine peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov pointed out that Moscow had not seen the proposals yet

Man who stopped Sydney attacker turns out to be local fruit shop owner

Ahmed Al Ahmed’s cousin told 7News that he was injured during the struggle and taken to hospital, where he is awaiting surgery

Police detain likely suspect of shooting at Brown University

No information has been released about the detainee’s identity or the motive behind the incident

Terrorism cannot be justified, Russian diplomat says, commenting on Sydney shooting

A shooting attack on innocent people during a religious celebration is a great tragedy, said Maria Zakharova

Lukoil International owning foreign assets of Russian oil producer to be sold to Gunvor

The sale of Lukoil International GmbH is due to restrictive measures imposed by some countries against the company and its subsidiaries, the oil major explained

Russian senator calls Merz's words recognition of major geopolitical shift

"This is a serious recognition of a major geopolitical shift, which not everyone believes in yet, but which has been looming for a long time," Alexey Pushkov noted

Explosions reported in Ukraine’s Odessa Region

Air raid warnings are currently in effect for the Odessa, Nikolayev, and Sumy regions

Rob Reiner, his wife found dead in their Los Angeles home — TV

The People magazine stated that the American actor and his wife were killed by their son, Nick

Kremlin discusses duration of Putin-Macron conversation

Dmitry Peskov said that there was a detailed exchange of opinions

Ukraine launches major drone attack on Rostov Region overnight — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, there were no casualties

North Korean combat engineers clear mines on over 40,000 hectares in Russia’s Kursk Region

This is invaluable help in the work, without which our borderline territory cannot be rebuilt, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, one injured in Rostov Region

Residential buildings and two cars sustained damage

Sixty-eight ionizing radiation sources lost in Ukraine — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the loss of control over ionizing radiation sources was qualified as a radiation accident

Lukashenko pardons more than 100 citizens of various countries

Among them are citizens of Australia, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, Ukraine, and Japan

Australian police arrest two more people over Sydney terrorist attack

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police detained two men at a residence belonging to one of the attackers

Normalization in BiH requires immediate closure of high representative office — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister said that "It was obvious 20 years ago"

Explosion reported in Ukraine’s northern city of Sumy

An air raid warning is currently in effect for the Sumy Region

Trump admits looming difficulties for Republicans at midterm elections

US President also said that he had brought multibillion-dollar investments for the United States, though it is unclear when the money would start working

Japan to suspend support of new solar parks — newspaper

According to sources in the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the decision was made over concerns about environmental damage and the negative attitude of the local population

Zelensky maneuvering when he announces referendum on territories — Ukraine’s former PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that Vladimir Zelensky has never consulted the people of Ukraine

Sales of Russian IT solutions almost double in three years — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin said that the share of IT in Russia’s aggregate GDP gained more than one third in three years, having reached 2.4%

Ukrainian soldiers frozen to death at Liman positions in Kharkov Region — defense source

Battlegroup North fighters found the frozen bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who had died from hyperthermia at two out of six positions they seized

Thailand ready for cooperation to settle conflict with Cambodia

The Thai Armed Forces Joint Press Center stressed that Thai actions in the conflict with Cambodia are "within the framework of self-defense under international law, guided by the principles of necessity, proportionality, and distinction, and in strict compliance with the Rules of Engagement, with operations directed solely at military targets"

Authorities of Sri Lanka ask Russia for additional aid amid Ditva cyclone — ambassador

According to Shobini Gunasekera, the scale of destruction in the country is unprecedented and there is enormous work ahead to be done in order to provide assistance, reconstruction, and resettlement

US, Ukraine achieve 'a lot of progress' at talks in Berlin, says US special envoy Witkoff

"Representatives held in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more," Steve Witkoff said

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Kiev loses 1,355 troops along engagement line in past day

Evacuation underway after blast struck village in Vladimir Region

According to the report, all emergency response forces are engaged

Russia opposes political interference in anti-corruption cooperation — MFA

Speaking about the agenda of the current forum, Dmitry Lyubinsky emphasized that Moscow intends to uphold "the principles of equality and consideration of the interests of all countries"

Russia hands over another 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen to Ukraine — source

Kiev has not handed over a single body to the Russian side

Explosion reported in Kiev-controlled city of Zaporozhye

An air raid warning is currently in effect for the city

Putin, Erdogan discuss highly sensitive issues in Ashgabat — Kremlin

The meeting in Turkmenistan lasted for about one and a half hours

Sydney beach shooting death toll rises to 12 — authorities

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon designated the attack as a "terrorist incident"

Lifting US sanctions on Belarusian potash to affect fertilizer market, Minsk believes

According to member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Alexander Shpakovsky, the results of the Belarusian-American talks meet the expectations of official Minsk

'Paranoid' Hegseth removes Driscoll from Ukraine talks — media

According to the newspaper, Hegseth saw Driscoll as exceeding his authority during the Ukraine talks

NATO needs to prepare for global naval challenge from Russia, analysts say

The report adds that scenarios for a crisis "often focus on an escalation in what is a single strategic direction stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Kara Sea"

EU, Britain have no moral right to participate in Ukraine talks — opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, "the EU, which claims to be a bastion of free speech, remained silent as opposition media outlets were shut down, churches were seized from believers, and the rights of the Russian-speaking population were systematically violated"

Zelensky started to promote war after coming to power on promises of peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Minsk Agreements were in fact a staged plan that had been signed by all parties, including Poroshenko

Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon leave three dead — health ministry

Drones attacked cars near the village of Jwaya in the border district of Tyre and on the highway between the towns of Safed and Baraashit, the statement said