8 Mar, 01:28

Over 130 civilians killed in clashes in two Syrian provinces — TV

According to the broadcaster, most of those killed were members of the Alawite community

BEIRUT, March 8. /TASS/. At least 134 people, including 13 women and five children, were killed in clashes in the Syrian provinces of Latakia and Tartus on Friday, the Kurdish TV channel Rudaw reported.

According to the broadcaster, most of those killed were members of the Alawite community.

A total of 229 people have been killed since Thursday in a fierce exchange of fire between the forces of Syria’s transitional government and the armed supporters of the country’s former President Bashar Assad.

Latakia’s Department of Internal Affairs said earlier that 50 security officers had been killed in an operation to suppress an armed rebellion in the country’s northwest. The authorities have extended the curfew that was announced in populated localities on Thursday for another 24 hours.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said on Friday that control had been restored over coastal areas; fighting continues in some areas, including Qardaha, the hometown of the Assad family.

The clashes are the biggest challenge that the transitional government in Damascus has faced since the change of power in December 2024.

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Middle East conflict

Four die, 15 wounded after Israel’ strike on tent camp in Gaza — TV

On March 18, Israel resumed hostilities in the Gaza Strip and delivered a series of strikes on Hamas targets, thus cutting short the ceasefire that had been in place in the enclave since January 2025

Ukrainian army launches over 40 drones at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

Four civilians, including three children, were injured

Houthis claim strikes on two US aircraft carrier groups

"Missile forces and drone units launched two cruise missiles and two drones at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its associated ships in the northern part of the Red Sea," the movement said

All countries will lose if global trade back to law of jungle — China's Commerce Ministry

Beijing is strongly against any country concluding deals to the detriment of China's interests, "if this happens, the PRC will never put up with it and will firmly take retaliatory measures," the ministry stressed

Kremlin aide Patrushev says Russia faces enhanced maritime threats from West

He warned that Western measures will be met with an "adequate and proportionate response" from Russia

Yesterday, 17:29

Israeli military detain several Israelis trying to illegally cross into Gaza Strip

The civilians were transferred to the Israel Police for further questioning, the Israel Defense Forces said

Yesterday, 16:36

Zelensky’s office official confirms Ukraine’s participation in London talks next week

"I will not disclose who will be on the team," Sergey Leshchenko said

Easter ceasefire was initiated by Putin, Kremlin spokesman says

The Russian president declared a cessation of hostilities at a Saturday meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

Press review: Easter truce may shift Ukraine conflict as Iran, US report nuclear progress

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Putin calls Pope's passing during Easter period 'special sign'

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Earth trembles at Russia’s tallest active volcano

Continued activity may affect low-flying aircraft

US remains committed to a full ceasefire in Ukraine — State Department

According to the State Department, "it is a long past time" to stop the conflict

Yesterday, 19:21

Ukraine used US-made HIMARS systems to violate Easter truce — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, this was quite expected from the Ukrainian side

Sultan of Oman departs for Moscow to hold talks with Putin — media

The head of state is accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Shihab bin Tariq Al Said and Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi

Press review: UN ready to join Black Sea deal while Russia lifts Taliban ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 18th

Israel unlikely to strike Iran without Trump’s endorsement — media

Meanwhile, the US president himself is currently focused on pursuing diplomatic solutions to address Iran's nuclear program

Putin explains strike on Sumy congress center by Ukrainian military award ceremony

The Russian president exemplified that in restaurants, the Ukrainian military personnel "hold some gatherings, meetings, conferences"

Russian troops continue special military operation after truce expires

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 20 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy artillery gun in its area of responsibility over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported

Yesterday, 11:19

Kiev demonstrates inability to cease fire even for 30 hours — Russian envoy

Ukraine has repeatedly broken ceasefire agreements reached within the Minsk and Normandy format, Miroshnik added

Yesterday, 00:09

Aircraft with Russian servicemen returned from captivity landed in Moscow

The prisoners’ swap with Ukraine was implemented on April 19

US vice president arrives in India

During the visit, JD Vance will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Kiev foolishly squanders chances given it by Russia, int'l community — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said that the Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that Kiev is incompetent

FSB detains Crimean resident for passing data on military facilities to SBU

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Ex-Ukrainian PM slams Kiev's idea to extend ceasefire as demagogy

Nikolay Azarov recalled that the Kiev regime, which came to power as a result of the 2014 coup, lacked commitment

West incapable of competing in trade on legal grounds — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Yesterday, 12:49

South Korea supplies cars worth $72 mln to Russia in March

Russia was the 12th-biggest trade partner of South Korean exporters of cars

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 17th

Witkoff may travel to Russia again

The US President special envoy is likely to visit Russia in case of coincidence in positions of Washington, Europe and Kiev at the meeting in London this week

Nothing to add to Defense Ministry’s report of Kiev’s ceasefire violations — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia would share the information with all relevant parties

Russian Economy Ministry lowers forecast for 2025 Brent price from $81.7 to $68 per barrel

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26 Nov 2024, 23:16

Kiev troops attempted to kill British mercenary who surrendered to Russians — officer

In his words, they fired conventional 120mm mortar rounds, silent munitions and at least one FPV drone with a fragmentation charge

Yesterday, 19:06

Israeli chief of General Staff visits Israel-controlled areas in Syria

Eyal Zamir vowed that Israel will retain its military presence there, the IDF said

Seasonal peak of Arctic ice area has shrunk to all-time low — JAXA

According to the scientists' findings, the maximum ice area peaked this season on March 20 and amounted to 13.79 million square kilometers

FACTBOX: Vatican enters sede vacante period, as pontiff passes

Sede Vacante is a period that spans from the death or resignation of the Pope to the election of his successor

Yesterday, 23:15

Russia’s Economy Ministry downgrades forecast for average annual dollar rate for 2025

The Ministry has downgraded its forecast for the average annual US dollar exchange rate for 2025 from 96.5 to 94.3 rubles per dollar

IN BRIEF: What is known about end of Easter truce, Ukrainian violations

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that after the truce expired, Russian troops resumed their special military operation

Two days ago, 10:17

One settlement left until full liberation of Kursk Region from Ukrainian troops — sources

The Defense Ministry said that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated Oleshnya

Yesterday, 23:04

US airstrikes on Yemeni capital Sanaa kill 12 — Houthi Health Ministry

According to the report, 30 more were wounded

Putin ratifies agreement on strategic partnership with Iran

The agreement sets out the legal framework for further development of cooperation between Moscow and Tehran for the long-term perspective

Moscow welcomes US statements on Ukraine’s impossibility to join NATO — Kremlin

Bloomberg news agency reported earlier that Washington presented its allies in Paris with proposals for a Ukrainian settlement and they included a refusal to discuss Kiev’s NATO membership and the easing of sanctions against Russia

Yesterday, 13:20

Incomprehensible how EU openly willing to resume Nazi ideology — Lavrov

The European Union’s intention to establish a coalition on sending troops to Ukraine demonstrates a superiority intention, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

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Yesterday, 22:07

Trump says hopes for Russia-US deal to be made in coming week

"Both will then start to do big business with the United States of America," US leader said

Yesterday, 00:50

Kiev had no choice regarding Easter truce — Russian lawmaker

Alexey Pushkov assumed that Vladimir Zelensky had urgent telephone talks with Prime Minister of the Unied Kingdom Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, during which the decision to consent to the truce was made

Kiev vows to mirror Russia’s truce moves, but its reflection warped — Russian lawmaker

Leonid Slutsky stressed that the Ukrainian regime has repeatedly displayed its inability to comply with agreements

Yesterday, 17:53

Trump uses Easter address to slam his political opponents

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Yesterday, 13:37

Russian groups of forces in area of special military operation strictly observe ceasefire

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Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the negotiation on Ukraine if the parties sabotaged it

Two days ago, 08:39

Vulin not included in Serbia’s new cabinet because of Western pressure on Vucic — source

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Two days ago, 10:19

Russian forces liberate Oleshnya in Kursk Region — top brass

The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk Region have exceeded 75,000 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Pope Francis dies on anniversary of Rome's birth

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Russian Orthodox Church praises Pope Francis for his role in building communication

The Holy See said earlier on Monday that Pope Francis has died at the age of 88

Trump says many world leaders asking him to reduce tariffs

They "must right the wrongs," US president said

Yesterday, 17:31

No orders to extend Easter truce issued by Putin — Kremlin spokesman

The ceasefire is in force for 30 hours, from 6:00 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21

Combat operations restart in special military operation area after Easter truce — Putin

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Pope Francis passes away

He has died at the age of 88

Yesterday, 22:09

Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine announced by Moscow expires

As Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on April 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not ordered to extend it

West trains drone engagement in Ukraine for future wars

The engagement of tanks and armored vehicles is likely to move to the background in future

US national shot dead during plane hijacking attempt in Belize

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Peru operates Russian-made airplanes, helicopters, armor, antitank complexes and air defense means

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Russian forces advance in South Donetsk area, DPR leader says

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Two days ago, 11:49

Holy Fire descends in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire symbolizes the light of Christ's resurrection

Putin says Ukrainian soldiers make restaurants military targets by holding parties there

This issue needs to be addressed, perhaps, through bilateral talks, according to the president

Russian troops strictly observed ceasefire during Easter truce — top brass

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Nikolay Azarov has repeatedly stated that Ukraine is being led by a Nazi regime, under which there is no freedom of speech, and the opposition and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church are being persecuted

Kiev was 'prompted' to accept Russia's Easter ceasefire proposal — Putin

The Russian president noted that initially Ukraine issued a statement dismissing the proposal "as a game with people’s lives"

Two days ago, 13:31

Russian forces hit test site of Ukrainian Sapsan missile defense system — top brass

Russian servicemen have liberated the Shevchenko settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Defense Ministry said

US proposes making territory around Zaporozhye nuke plant neutral — WSJ

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Yesterday, 08:14

Ukrainian armed forces attack Donetsk during ceasefire — operative services

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Over 11,000 US agency staff gained access to confidential files — newspaper

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Russia has no intention to get into naval arms race — presidential aide

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Putin pays tribute to Pope Francis, praises efforts to build interfaith dialogue

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China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb

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Yesterday, 13:59

No peace is possible without disarmament — Pope Francis

The 88-year-olf pontiff called for peace in the Holy Land and across the entire Middle East, for extending prayers for Christian communities in Lebanon and Syria, and called for peace in Ukraine

Kiev needs to draft 18-year-olds despite demographic issues, expert says

Alexander Gladun pointed out that in the current demographic situation, Ukraine must increase its birth rate

Yesterday, 18:09

Another violation of Easter truce by Ukrainian troops reported from Gorlovka

The DPR government said that Ukrainian troops fired four rounds from 155mm artillery systems

6 Oct 2024, 03:18

Russian soldiers eliminated Ukrainian militants who shot civilians in Kursk region

During one of these clashes, fighter eliminated two Ukrainian soldiers in hand-to-hand combat

FACTBOX: Pope Francis' biography

The 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88

Two days ago, 10:32

Putin instructs to consider buyback mechanism for departed brands by May 15

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Two days ago, 13:24

Kiev will not become part of NATO, it’s out of the question — Trump’s special envoy

US President Donald Trump suggested earlier that the Ukrainian conflict may have been triggered by Kiev’s ambitions to join the alliance

Pope Francis likely died from stroke, brain hemorrhage — newspaper

According to the report, the pontiff’s death was not due to respiratory failure

Ukrainian official says Kiev did not agree to recognize Crimea as part of Russia

Sergey Leshchenko pointed to the lack of official statements from any of the negotiators

Zelensky loses London's support, hits out at Beijing — Medvedchuk

"If even London is tired of this political clown, that shows he is losing the last pillars of his support," the politician noted

Yesterday, 06:07

Easter Sunday celebrated by Orthodox Christians

This year Orthodox Easter coincides with the holy day for Catholics

Yesterday, 20:26

Ukraine running out of gas reserves, will need to import up to 6 bln cubic meters by fall

Storage facilities are filled only to 2.22%, "the lowest level over the entire record of their operation," Sergey Makogon, former CEO of Ukraine’s GTS Operator, said

Nazis whom Zelensky made welcome in power to sacrifice him whenever possible — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk emphasized that Zelensky had long ago become a pawn in both foreign and domestic politics

Putin treated Pope Francis with great respect — Kremlin

Putin and Francis were personally acquainted

EU cannot support Ukraine in military conflict without US — Kneissl

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Trump not coming to Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Kremlin

Earlier, Peskov said that more than 20 heads of state and government are expected at the parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory

Durov says Telegram never disclosed single byte of private messages in its 12-year history

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Former Italian PM says Russia’s wish not to have enemies at its doorstep understandable

Giuseppe Conte also believes that the EU has never intended to promote dialogue on settling the conflict

Yesterday, 13:24

Ukrainian army loses up to 155 troops in Kursk Region before Easter truce starts

Over the period of fighting in the Kursk frontline area, the Ukrainian army has lost more than 75,000 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ukraine seeks to stage counterattack in Krasnoarmeysk direction — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that the heaviest fighting was currently taking place near the village of Novoye near Krasny Liman

Yesterday, 04:19

Russian LNG deliveries to China plunge 18.7% in Q1 2025 — customs

Imports lost 24% in value terms to $800.61 mln, the Main Customs Administration of China said