Middle East conflict

18 Mar, 09:54Updated at: 11:14

Hamas claims one hostage killed, two injured in Israel’s attack on Gaza

The Palestinian movement has not yet made any official statement on the matter

CAIRO, March 18. /TASS/. The Palestinian movement Hamas claims that one hostage held by the radicals was killed and two others were injured in the overnight Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, the Maan news agency reported.

"Early on Tuesday, one of the Israeli hostages was killed and two others were injured" due to the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the news outlet wrote, citing sources.

Hamas has not yet made any official statement on the matter.

On January 15, Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held in the enclave. The agreement, consisting of three phases, came in force on January 19. The first phase expired on March 1. In total, during the first six weeks of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages alive and returned the bodies of 8 dead hostages in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. According to the latest data, 59 people previously captured by the radicals remain in Gaza. Twenty two of them are still alive and 35 are dead, and there is no reliable information about the fate of two more hostages.

On March 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported extensive strikes on terrorist targets belonging to the Hamas Palestinian movement in the Gaza Strip, and Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on X, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office that Israel had resumed military operations in Gaza after Hamas rejected the US proposal to extend the ceasefire.

According to the latest figures released by the Al Arabiya TV channel, the number of people killed in the Israeli attacks on Gaza has reached 356, and 1,000 others have been injured. About half of the killed people were victims of an airstrike on the administrative center of Gaza, the TV channel specified.

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

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

Two days ago, 15:09

Russian economy to become 'safe haven' — Putin

According to the head of state, the Russian business has learned how to work in the environment of sanctions, and entrepreneurs adapted to them

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

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

Yesterday, 16:39

Telegram’s active users above one billion monthly — Durov

"On average, each user opens Telegram 21 times daily and spends 41 minutes on the app every day," the messenger founder said

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry becomes first female IOC president

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

Yesterday, 10:04

Kiev attacks energy site in southern Russia after infrastructure ceasefire — top brass

It is reported that the Kiev regime launched a deliberate attack by three fixed-wing UAVs on an energy infrastructure facility located at the Kavkazskaya station (the Krasnodar Region)

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

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"

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

Two days ago, 10:00

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

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

Houthis report new attack on US aircraft carrier in Red Sea

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

Putin says armed conflict in Ukraine forced on Russia

"The entire law enforcement sector and its key link, the Interior Ministry, should certainly build all their activities based on these threats, which undoubtedly arise in today's situation," the Russian president said

Two days ago, 13:40

Ukrainian army withdraws in area in DPR — army general

Sergey Nayev earlier served as commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces

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"

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

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

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

Yesterday, 19:59

Moscow protests temporary lockdown of its embassy in Moldova

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed to an incident that took place earlier on Wednesday, when Moldovan police locked down the Russian embassy in Chisinau for several hours citing an alleged bomb threat

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'

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

5 Mar 2024, 15:32

Russian diplomat says Nuland steps down due to failure of US anti-Russian policies

Maria Zakharova was commenting after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Nuland will leave her post in coming weeks

Yesterday, 01:22

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

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

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

Yesterday, 17:17

Freezing conflict in Ukraine unacceptable — Russian delegation in Vienna

Acting head of the Russian delegation Yulia Zhdanova highlighted that, on March 18, during high-level contacts between Russia and the United States, the Russian side outlined key points regarding the US initiative to introduce a 30-day ceasefire

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

Yesterday, 13:39

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

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

Nationalists-controlled Ukrainian army dangerous for stability in Europe — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov further emphasized, "If nationalists are in charge of a strong Ukrainian army, what kind of stability can we expect in Europe? What sort of predictability is possible in such a scenario?"

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

Yesterday, 17:53

'Peacekeeping' in Ukraine to spell involvement in conflict — Russian delegation in Vienna

Acting head of the Russian delegation Yulia Zhdanova emphasized that the concept of achieving "peace through strength," which encourages the Kiev regime to escalate attacks against civilians, is utterly unacceptable

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

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

Yesterday, 14:08

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV storage sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 465 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Foreign mercenaries target retreating Ukrainian troops, POW says

According to Nazar Valechenko, he had initially paid five thousand dollars to stay in the rear and guard a factory in the Poltava Region, which was later destroyed by Russian troops

26 Mar 2020, 03:55

At the helm: 20 years ago, Putin was elected as Russia’s president for first time

Keeping a broad range of issues under strict control has become Putin’s way of life

27 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late

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

Two days ago, 07:45

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

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"

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"

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

Yesterday, 14:49

Zelensky attempts to ridicule Trump by continuing attacks against Russia — State Duma MP

Mikhail Sheremet noted that Kiev should follow the example of the US and take care of its immediate future today, given its loss of positions and setbacks on the frontline

Two days ago, 03:59

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

Putin, Vucic agree to further strengthen Russia-Serbia relations

"The parties reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Russian-Serbian strategic partnership, rooted in the spiritual, cultural, and historical ties between their peoples," the statement reads

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

Yesterday, 11:40

IN BRIEF: What is known about Ukrainian drone strike on oil facility in southern Russia

A crashing drone caused the decompression of an oil tank at the facility and ignited a fire

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

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

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

Coordination of new Putin-Trump talk took several days — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the preparation time, in general, "depends on the decisions of the heads of state"

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"

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

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

Nearly 300 mercenaries from Europe surrender as DRC’s Goma falls to rebels

It is reported that Congolese servicemen abandoned their positions in the city of Goma and the adjacent territories, shedding their military uniforms as they fled

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

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

Rosneft produced 87.5 bln cubic meters of gas in 2024

"As of the end of 2024, Rosneft maintained the status of the largest independent gas producer in Russia," the company said

Yesterday, 17:24

Fire area at oil depot in Krasnodar Region increased to 4,250 sq m

According to the report, professionals continue fire extinguishing at three facilities in the oil depot

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

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

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

Two days ago, 17:19

Austrian media outlet calls Putin-Trump phone call 'most important in the world'

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Vladimir Putin’s call with Donald Trump has ended

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

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

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

Kiev can't be trusted to honor agreements — MP

Konstantin Zatulin expressed confidence that any ceasefire regime, especially in its early stages, would be accompanied by provocations, assuming such a ceasefire was ever seriously considered

US ready to take over Ukrainian nuclear plants to end conflict — energy secretary

Earlier, Washington said after US President Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Zelensky that the United States could help Ukraine in the issue of operating its nuclear power plants

Russia, US to discuss reinstating Black Sea Initiative — Kremlin spokesman

US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff earlier announced plans to hold consultations in the Saudi city of Jeddah following talks between the US and Russian leaders

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

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

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"

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

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

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

Yesterday, 09:20

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

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

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

Russian Battlegroup East eliminates 5 Ukrainian drone control centers

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

More than 100 square kilometers liberated in Kursk Region

Russian units retook Agronom, Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Dmitryukov, Zazulevka, Ivashkovsky, Kolmakov, Kubatkin, Martynovka, Mikhailovka, Pravda and Yuzhny settlements

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

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"

Yesterday, 03:59

Previous US administration deceived and destroyed Ukraine — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukraine was an "emerging democracy" plagued with "corruption, graft and nationalism"

US President Trump says plans to speak with Russia’s Putin on March 18

"A lot of work's been done over the weekend," the US president said

Yesterday, 14:12

IN BRIEF: What is known about prisoner exchange between Russia, Ukraine

The exchange was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump

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

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

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"

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

Yesterday, 18:14

Trump briefed on Kiev military’s terrorist crimes against Russians — delegation in Vienna

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump confirmed during a telephone conversation on Tuesday their intention to continue efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and to further consider the American leader's proposals

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

24 Feb 2024, 09:00

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

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

Ukraine launches over 80 drones at eight districts in Belgorod Region in past day

Two civilians were injured

Citizens rally in support of mayor Imamoglu in Ankara, Istanbul

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

Readiness to Russia–Mongolia–China transport corridor is high

"The parties are gathering cargo traffic information," head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov said

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"

27 Mar 2024, 03:00

Keels for two Borey-AM nuclear subs to be laid at Sevmash shipyard this year — source

Both Northern and Pacific fleet are expected to have six Borey-class nuclear cruisers in service during this decade, including those that are under construction at this point, the source said

Kick-sharing services resumes operations in Moscow

E-scooters rental is available for users in mobile apps

Trump says his phone calls with Putin, Zelensky were 'very good'

The Russian and US leaders held a telephone conversation on Tuesday to discuss a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, conditions for preventing escalation, and some international topics

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

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