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Death toll from apartment building explosion in Syria’s Latakia rises to four — TV

Earlier reports said three people were killed and 12 others sustained wounds

BEIRUT, March 15. /TASS/. At least four people were killed and 14 others were injured as a powerful blast rocked a four-story apartment building in southern Latakia, Syria TV reported, citing the Arab republic’s Health Ministry.

Earlier reports said three people were killed and 12 others sustained wounds.

Rescuers from the local department of the Syrian Civil Defense Forces said the explosion near the residential building in the Raml neighborhood might have been caused by unexploded ordnance of a large caliber.

Latakia Governor Mohammad Othman said both the death toll and the number of those injured may rise. "Rescue work is ongoing. Several people, including a child, have been rescued from the debris of the collapsed building," he said.

On March 6-10, the interim government’s security forces held an operation against gunmen linked to the former Syrian leader, Bashar Assad, in the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, Hama and Homs. More than 1,500 people were killed in clashes.

Houthis report delivering strikes on USS Harry Truman

US aircraft carrier was attacked in the northern part of the Red Sea

Kremlin spokesman describes US envoy Witkoff’s visit to Russia as shuttle diplomacy

According to Dmitry Peskov, "it is about mediation efforts that the United States is making"

Ukrainian troops fleeing positions near Bogatyr in Donetsk region — defense source

Battles have begun at approaches to that community, the defense source added

EU must stop funding wars in the world — MEP

Harald Wilimsky urged the EU to adhere to its core principles

Putin-Witkoff talks see progress made — Putin’s envoy

The meeting between the Russian president and the US special envoy lasted three hours

Trump holds brief meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky in Vatican — media

The funeral of Pope Francis has brought together 160 delegations, including more than 60 heads of state and governments and the EU leaders

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

Syrians from Latakia, Tartus take shelter from violence at Russian base — Moscow’s envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Russia urges the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs "to pay special attention to the humanitarian situation in these regions"

Russia needs to develop domestic production of rare earth metals — top security official

Sergey Shoigu underscored the importance of creating backup production facilities, given the threats that emerged during the special military operation

Third round of indirect talks between US, Iran concludes in Oman — Iranian state TV

According to the Omani Foreign Ministry, the talks between the US and Iran will continue next week with another high-level meeting slated for May 3

Russian Foreign Ministry cites Kiev's link to killed Russian general

"If the investigation confirms that Ukraine is behind this, it will again demonstrate to the international community the barbaric and treacherous nature of the Kiev regime," Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Russian army putting serious pressure on Ukrainian troops new Loknya in Sumy region

Overall Russian troops "have slightly advanced" in this section of the frontline, Marochko added

Sending peacekeepers to historical Russian lands may lead to WWIII, Shoigu warns

According to Sergey Shoigu, rather, the notion of `peacekeepers’ conceals the pursuit of control over Ukraine and its mineral resources

Special flight from US arrives at Vnukovo Airport

There are no regular flights between the two countries

Russia receives no requests from India, Pakistan to help resolve conflict — Kremlin

Earlier, India almost halved its embassy staff in Islamabad, declared the military advisors of the Pakistani diplomatic mission in India personae non gratae, and closed the key Attari checkpoint on the border with Pakistan

Russia delivers batch of wheat to Syria first time under new power — source

The Pola Marina vessel supplied 6,600 tons of wheat to the Syrian port of Latakia on Sunday, April 20

Battlegroup Dnepr destroys up to 90 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

Roman Kodryan said that Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted damage on groups of a mechanized brigade and two coastal defense brigades of the Ukrainian army near Zaporozhye, Pavlovka, Novodanilovka, Ponyatovka, and Antonovka

Putin-Witkoff meeting ends after lasting three hours

The previous encounter took place in St. Petersburg on April 11 and lasted for more than four hours

Ukraine loses over 76,500 troops during incursion in Kursk area

Overall, during military actions in the Kursk area, the Ukrainian armed forces have also lost 412 tanks, 341 infantry fighting vehicles, 64 multiple launch rocket systems, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Russian defense chief inspects Battlegroup Kursk — Defense Ministry

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost over 75,000 troops and more than 400 tanks since fighting began in the Kursk Region

Crimea to remain Russian — Trump

According to the US president, "everybody understands" that Crimea has long been part of Russia

Russia’s Battlegroup North eliminates over 60 troops in Belgorod area

Yaroslav Yakimkin said that in the Belgorod area, units of Battlegroup North inflicted damage on groups of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army near settlements of Yablonovka, Yunakovka, and Petrushevka of the Sumy region

Death toll in blast in Iranian port climbs to eight, over 750 injured

"The rescue and law enforcement agencies are on site and we hope that the situation will be under complete control in a matter of hours," Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said

Ukrainian army’s rout in Kursk Region brings defeat of neo-Nazi regime closer — Putin

The Kiev regime’s venture has failed completely and the enemy has suffered huge losses, the Russian President said

Russian troops liberate six communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,320 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy tanks and seven multiple rocket launchers in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Israel’s actions in Syria undermine regional security — top Syrian diplomat

"We have repeatedly stressed that Syria will be no threat to any country, including Israel," Asaad Hassan al-Shibani emphasized

NATO has several options on table regarding Zelensky's fate — foreign intel chief

In February, the SVR press bureau reported that "NATO headquarters is preparing a large-scale operation to discredit Zelensky"

Some French EP members want to come to Moscow on Victory Day — Lavrov

"This mere fact demonstrates that there are principally different views on our common history, on our present and, I am sure, on our shared future," the top Russian diplomat noted

Friday’s blast outside Moscow once again shows Kiev’s true colors — Kremlin spokesman

"This once makes it clear that regardless of peace talks, we need to remain vigilant and be aware of the nature of this regime," Dmitry Peskov added

Putin-Witkoff meeting takes place on Elbe Day, recalling WWII alliance

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov stressed that the 1945 event "is a symbol of the two countries’ combat alliance in the fight against Nazism"

Russia ready to strike deal on Ukraine, but some details yet to be agreed — Lavrov

"We are busy with this exact process," the minister said

Russia ready for talks with Kiev without any preconditions, Putin says

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that earlier, "Putin repeatedly stated this"

Death toll in blast in Iranian port climbs

"The number of fatalities in the blast has climbed to five," Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a local disaster management official, said

Ukraine loses up to 305 troops in responsibility area of Battlegroup South in 24 hours

The enemy also lost eight armored combat vehicles, including HMMWV, nine cars, six field branch artillery weapons, including three Western-produced, with two electronic warfare stations and six ammunition depots destroyed, Tretyakov added

Russian foreign intelligence chief says that Moldovan leader is indeed 'playing with fire'

Sergey Naryshkin commented on the situation with Gagauzia's head Evghenia Gutsul and other politicians

Russia scales up domestic production in response to reduced trade with Europe — IMF

The Russian economy is expected to see "a quite sharp slowdown this year from last year's growth," Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund Alfred Kammer said

US negotiating with Iran at highest levels, Tehran wants to make deal — Trump

According to the US president, he is 'much rather have a deal than the other alternative that would be good for humanity'

Ukrainian Security Service seizes Asian-flagged cargo ship, arrests crew

The service claims that the vessel was allegedly loaded with wheat in the port of Sevastopol in late 2024

India looking at cutting Pakistan off from Indus water — minister

Chandrakant Raghunath Patil said that India plans to demineralize rivers to stop the stream and direct it to another waterway

Battlegroup West destroys Starlink satellite station, 40 UAV control centers in 24 hours

The artillery units also destroyed four artillery weapons, including two Western-made, and ten mortar squads, Bigma added

Trump says Washington 'ripped off' by allies

The US leader cited the European Union as an example, stressing that the union's relations with the United States are unfair, because Washington is losing about $300 billion from trade imbalances

FACTBOX: Senior Russian military officer killed in explosion near Moscow

The person is Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian Investigative Committee said

Russia’s Battlegroup East destroys up to 175 Ukrainian troops, T-64 tank in 24 hours

The group inflicted damage on troops and equipment of groups of a mechanized and a jaeger brigades of Ukraine’s assault regime near Bogatyr, Volnoye Pole, Otradnoye, Malinovka, Zelyonoye Pole, Alekseyevka, Yablokovo, and Zelyony Kut, Gordeyev added

Trump administration lays out roadmap to streamline tariff talks with 18 countries — WSJ

US officials expects agreements on reciprocal tariffs to be reached by July 8

Lavrov hears 'whispers' from French about mending ties

The Russian foreign minister criticized what he described as a "false and crude primitive explanation" of the Ukraine conflict being promoted in French society

Russian army conducting attacks in five directions at once in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS that there is 'major combat clashes are underway'

Russian forces wipe out deployment site of elite Ukrainian UAV unit

The strike destroyed a large number of the Ukrainian army’s personnel together with special equipment and explosives, the defense source said

Russia’s military chief reports on complete liberation of Kursk Region

The Kiev regime lost more than 76,000 troops in its incursion in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region, Valery Gerasimov said

Europe, Ukraine push back against some US peace settlement terms — Reuters

According to the agency, primary disagreements between the US’ suggestions on the one hand and Europe and Ukraine’s proposals on the other, "are over the sequencing for resolving questions over territory, the lifting of sanctions on Russia, security guarantees and the size of Ukraine's military"

Ukraine masses up troops, vehicles in village close to Russia’s Belgorod Region — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, Ukraine is also busy assembling various military equipment

Trump says meeting with Zelensky in Rome 'possible'

Before leaving for Italy to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the US president said that he would "meet with a lot of the foreign leaders"

Share of foreign investment in Russian OFZ bonds up to 4% in March 2025

The par value of OFZ bonds owned by nonresidents as of the beginning of April 2025 totaled $11.6 bln

Europe incapable of deploying military contingent in Ukraine, says French military expert

According to retired French colonel Peer de Jong, France and the UK, which are the main advocates of this idea, do not have any resources in support of such ambitious plans

Putin, Trump won’t issue joint Elbe Meeting statement — Kremlin

The Kremlin said earlier on Friday it is symbolic that the latest meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff happened on the day of the 80th anniversary of the Elbe meeting

High-level talks between US, Iran slated for May 3 — Omani foreign minister

"US Iran talks today identified a shared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments," Badr Albusaidi said

Russia being polite, never discusses details of talks in public as Zelensky does — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, Moscow is making and considering serious proposals on settlement of the Ukrainian conflict

Trump to meet with Meloni, Starmer, Zelensky in Rome — media

Trump’s stay in the Italian capital is limited by 15 hours

Flight from US that arrived in Moscow on Friday morning leaves Russian airspace

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin received US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin

Britain may resort to provocations against Russia in any country — intel chief

Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin said earlier in an interview with TASS that the latest publications in Western newspapers indicated that Great Britain was conducting undeclared hostile actions against Russia

New Russia-US arms race already in progress — Academy of Sciences

Fyodor Voytolovsky, Director of the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized that Russia remains either the second or an equal first in terms of nuclear capabilities

Drone attack repelled in Russia's Rostov Region — interim governor

According to Yury Slyusar, no one was hurt

Opposition in Georgia to use resignation of ruling party’s leader — expert

"Given the intense confrontation among political forces in Georgia, tensions are likely to escalate," Andrey Bystritsky noted

Kiev may resort to terror attacks with use of biopathogens — Shoigu

According to the official, "the Ukrainian special services are actively seeking those supporting pro-Ukrainian nationalist and neo-Nazi groups"

Ukrainian army loses up to 405 troops in responsibility area of Battlegroup Center

Alexander Savchuk said that battlegroup Center continues carrying out military tasks in the area of the special military operation

Trumps says work on peace deal between Russia, Ukraine proceeding smoothly

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff

Movie icon Oliver Stone, ex-CIA officer to take part in Russian educational marathon

The marathon, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany, will be held on April 28-30

Putin doesn’t currently plan to reach out to leaders of India and Pakistan — Kremlin

Earlier, India reduced the staff of its embassy in Islamabad by almost a half, declared military advisors of the Pakistani embassy in India personae non gratae, and shut down the key Attari checkpoint on the border with Pakistan

Kiev’s forces left without logistics in Gornal in Kursk Region — Akhmat commander

The Ukrainian military is close to relinquishing its positions in Gornal, the Akhmat commander said

Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $19.32 per metric ton from April 25

The duty on corn will be $9.65 per metric ton, the Ministry of Agriculture said

Russia reserves right to use nuclear arms in event of Western aggression — Shoigu

According to the official, Russia is "carefully monitoring Europe’s military preparations"

Large-scale glitch hits Ukraine’s banking system — media

Users across Ukraine are complaining that they cannot pay with bank cards in stores, on transport and in the taxi service

Kiev says received no US warnings of withdrawal from peace process

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Paris that US President Donald Trump may abandon efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine if no progress is made soon

Funeral ceremony begins in St. Peter’s Square to pay last respects to Pope Francis

The funeral of the first Latin American pope is being attended by over 160 delegations, including more than 60 heads of state and governments and also leaders of the European Union, according to the data of the Holy See’s press office

Monument to Big Three Allied leaders installed in Crimea

The huge statue is the work of the famous Georgian-born sculptor Zurab Tsereteli

Trump is the only leader ready to address root causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

According to Russian foreign minister, US leader said "it was a huge mistake to pull Ukraine into NATO, and this was a mistake by the Biden administration, and he wants to rectify this"

Pollster says 13% of Ukrainians plan to leave country within six months

Ukrainians usually choose to move to Germany or Poland

Trump comments on killing of senior Russian army officer

Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff and the Russian Defense Ministry’s negotiator, was killed in a car explosion on Friday morning

Kiev lost much territory, would struggle to get it back — Trump

"They lost a lot of territory," US President said

Trump says Witkoff had good meeting

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier that President Vladimir Putin had received Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin

Putin to decide makeup of delegation to be sent to Pope’s funeral — Lavrov

"This is a decision for the president, and I am sure that you will be informed about it very soon," the Russian foreign minister said

Trump points to progress in talks with Russia, Ukraine amid 'fragile' situation

The US president stressed that it would be "a big honor" for him to broker an agreement between Moscow and Kiev

Press review: White House irritated with Zelensky’s behavior as India-Pakistan ties worsen

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 25th

US again blocked restart of WTO Appellate Body’s work

The US advanced arguments that there is a need for a fundamental reform for the system of settling disputes in the organizations

US special flight from Moscow arrives in Oman — airport

The aircraft en route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport on the morning of April 25

Ukraine submits peace terms to US, ready to trade land for security guarantees — newspaper

According to the report, the Ukrainian plan consists of five points, the first of which concerns renouncing its claims to Crimea and the regions that became part of Russia after the start of the special military operation

Iran confirms acquisition of Russian Mi-28, Su-35, Yak-130 aircraft

The agency said the aircraft were already in Iran and accepted into service

Former US official doubts that Zelensky will take chance for peace in Ukraine

Colin Powell said that Vladimir Zelensky should "call elections for a date certain in the not too distant future, and become the savior of what remains of an independent and neutral country in the heart of a new Europe ready to build with Russia a new security architecture for Eurasia"

Breakdown in relations with Berlin not Moscow's doing — Russian ambassador

Sergey Nechayev stressed that Moscow "did not deliberately burn any bridges in the Russian-German dialogue"

Trump says most points on Ukraine deal agreed to

According to the US president, sides need to meet "at very high levels"

FSB detains suspect in murder of Russian general Moskalik

Agent of Ukrainian special services Ignat Kuzin born in 1983 with a Ukrainian residence permit was detained

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots over past day

Russian air defense forces destroyed 236 Ukrainian UAVs and eight JDAM smart bombs over the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Turkey, Russia finalized consultations on Middle East in Istanbul — source

During the meetings at the deputy foreign minister level, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov represented their respective countries

French general predicts Russia will be through with special military op by Christmas

The French military expert confidently stated that Russia will continue its operations not only until it fully liberates the four federal regions but may even advance as far as Odessa

Russia has not yet received results of Nord Stream blasts probe from Germany — ambassador

Sergey Nechaev recalled that Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz explicitly stated that the incident was a terrorist act and emphasized that the perpetrators and organizers of this heinous event must be identified and brought to justice

High-ranking Russian Orthodox church delegation expected to attend Pope’s funeral — church

The Vatican said the pope died earlier on Monday

Trump says serious about idea to make Canada, Greenland part of US

Asked whether Donald Trump wants to be remembered as a president who expanded American territory, he replied, "Wouldn’t mind"

Zelensky seeks to deceive Trump, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova also stressed that Zelensky 'is now also eliminating his own fellow citizens who live in the rest of Ukraine'

Russia makes $5 mln contribution to UN WFP to supply food to Syria — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya also said that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is finishing work with the Syrian authorities to agree on "how to implement the $8 mln Russia-funded project aimed at restoring the country’s agriculture sector"

Direct impact of US tariffs on Russia is minimal — Central Bank chief

According to Elvira Nabiullina, Russian exports to the US are insignificant

Reopening of Nord Stream pipeline depends on Germany’s political will — Russian ambassador

According to Sergey Nechayev, the German coastal town of Lubmin had everything in place to start getting gas

Key rate as 'prescription drug' to fight inflation — Central Bank

TASS has collected key statements of the Central Bank chief