Middle East conflict

18 Mar, 19:00

IDF confirms elimination of Hamas government head in strikes on Gaza

"The strikes were conducted to damage Hamas' governmental and military capabilities, and to remove threats to the State of Israel and its citizens," the Israel Defense Forces reported

TEL AVIV, March 18. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed the death of Hamas government head Essam al-Da'alis in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

"Over the past day (Tuesday), the IDF struck dozens of terror targets and terrorists throughout the Gaza Strip, including mid-level and senior-ranking terrorists in Hamas' Political Bureau. The strikes were conducted to damage Hamas' governmental and military capabilities, and to remove threats to the State of Israel and its citizens," it said.

According to the IDF, among those eliminated was Essam al-Da'alis, head of the Hamas government and "the most senior figure of authority in the Gaza Strip." "Essam al-Da'alis replaced Rawhi Mushtaha in this position after he was eliminated in July 2024. In his role, al-Da'alis was responsible for the functioning of Hamas' terror regime in the Gaza Strip and oversaw the integration of all of Hamas’ branches in Gaza and their use for terrorist purposes," the IDF said.

It also said that that other senior Hamas officials were eliminated during these striles. Among them are Mahmoud Marzouk Ahmed Abu-Watfa, who served as minister of internal affairs, Bahajat Hassan Mohammed Abu-Sultan, Hamas' internal security forces chief, and Ahmed Amar Abdullah Alhata, Hamas' minister of justice.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on March 18 that a series of strikes had been delivered on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office explained the move by Hamas' rejections of proposals advanced after talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff. According to Netanyahu’s office, the objective of the attacks on the Gaza Strip is to have all the hostages released.

Radicals have placed responsibility for the renewed hostilities on Israel and the United States, saying that Hamas "has been sticking to the ceasefire agreement till the last moment.".

Middle East conflict

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"

Yesterday, 18:53

US, Ukraine agree to move forward toward expanding ceasefire — White House

"They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Yesterday, 19:49

Trump gives Iran two months to strike new nuclear deal — media

According to Axios, it is still unclear whether the deadline starts counting from the moment the Iranian authorities received the letter in early March or from the moment when negotiations on the nuclear deal may begin

27 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

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

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"

Yesterday, 20:56

Hamas says Israel passed Gaza ceasefire proposals through mediators

The radicals' spokesman Abdul Rahman Shadid did not elaborate on what exactly the Israeli proposals included

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

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, 16:31

Russian, US expert teams to discuss Ukraine in Riyadh in coming days — envoy

According to Mike Waltz, the sides are "to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia"

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

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"

Yesterday, 17:36

Zelensky agrees to give up strikes on energy infrastructure — media

According to the report, the Ukrainian president announced the decision during phone conversation with the US leader on Wednesday

Yesterday, 12:44

European Commission unveils EU’s militarization strategy with plan to arm Ukraine

According to the commission’s statement, it is "an ambitious defense package providing financial levers to EU member states"

Hundreds of wounded Russian soldiers underwent rehabilitation in North Korea

North Korean Ambassador to Russia Shin Hong Chol stressed in turn that the most important current task is "to further expand practical measures to implement the agreements that were reached during the North Korean-Russia summit"

Yesterday, 20:39

US now more interested in Ukraine settlement than NHL, KHL games — White House

The Kremlin press service reported earlier that Trump, in a telephone conversation, supported Putin's initiative to arrange hockey matches in the United States and Russia

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

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

Yesterday, 20:37

New Russia-US talks on Ukraine won’t be held at ministerial level — diplomat

US State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce did not say whether such contacts are possible in a trilateral format, involving not only Russia and the United States, but also Ukraine

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

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry becomes first female IOC president

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

Trump says Biden gave money to Ukraine like he was 'just a dope'

According to the US president, Europe allocated $100 billion in aid to Ukraine

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

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

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

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, 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"

Seoul reports incursion of Russian aircraft into its air defense identification zone

The South Korean Defense Ministry called in Russian military attache Nikolay Marchenko to protest the incident

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

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"

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

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)

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

Yesterday, 08:14

Ukraine unlikely to implement any agreements reached by Putin, Trump — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the Ukrainian authorities only nominally agree with the US, while continuing to promote the ideas that Ukraine finds "fundamental"

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, 15:13

US national security advisor Waltz says held phone call with Russian counterpart

Mike Waltz said that he had not discussed Western military assistance to Ukraine

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

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

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

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

Yesterday, 20:58

US tried to eliminate Houthi senior official in Sanaa — media

Al Arabiya channel did not specify whether the strike successfully eliminated him

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"

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

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

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

Houthis report new attack on US aircraft carrier in Red Sea

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

EU summit to mull €5 bln in military aid to Ukraine, €40 bln off table — diplomacy chief

Kaja Kallas cited "worries with budget deficits" across the eurozone

Yesterday, 11:19

Ukraine’s strikes against Russian power installation are sabotage of agreements — Kremlin

"Information has already been widely available about the command of the Russian President, the command of the supreme commander-in-chief of Russia [about termination of strikes against Ukrainian power facilities for the period of 30 days] at the moment of launching these attacks," Dmitry Peskov stressed

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

Yesterday, 10:59

By destroying its UAVs ready to attack, Russia shows compliance with agreements — Kremlin

"The drones were lining up in combat formation," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

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

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

Russia to speak separately with brands that quit leaving loopholes — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council opined that those companies would most probably want to get back

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

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

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

Hungarian minister says Ukraine should be `a buffer zone' between EU, Russia — FT

According to Janos Boka, Ukraine would be more useful in that role without integration in Europe’s defense structures

Enhanced security measures implemented at Kursk nuclear facility, in host town — official

According to Igor Korpunkov, the previous security measures included the establishment of checkpoints along the roads leading into and out of the town

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

Yesterday, 10:17

Trump says Putin was 'very solid', 'strong' in their recent phone call

Putin and Trump held a phone call on March 18, discussing the idea of a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, ways to prevent a further escalation of tensions and a number of international issues

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

Yesterday, 08:59

Zelensky becomes destroyer for Ukraine — Medvedchuk

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Vladimir Zelensky has already earned billions from the mass deaths of Ukrainians

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

Yesterday, 18:28

Trump, Zelensky discuss possibility of transferring Ukrainian nuclear power plants to US

Donald Trump said that "the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise"

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

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

Western brands "testing waters" without returning so far — Medvedev

Russia did not chase any of the Western companies off, they left themselves, the politician said

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

Zelensky says meeting with Russia no major problem for Ukraine

Zelensky was quick to add that Ukrainian officials would "derive no pleasure" from meeting with Russian representatives

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

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

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

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

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

Two days ago, 16:39

NATO can no longer 'wage war of attrition' with Russia — expert

"The primary reason for this is that Russia continues to outpace the US and NATO in terms of weapons production and military capabilities," Chung Jae-hung said

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

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

Yesterday, 16:07

Trump tells Zelensky about results of his conversation with Putin

The telephone call "lasted approximately one hour"

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"

Hungary to object Ukraine’s accelerated accession to EU — PM

Hungary has consistently warned that Ukraine's immediate entry into the EU would cause severe harm to the European economy

Yesterday, 15:54

India, Russia to conduct Indra Navy joint military exercises

Conducting the maneuvers "will serve the purpose of strengthening the friendship between Russia’s Navy and the Navy of the Republic of India," the Russian Embassy emphasized

Russian Battlegroup East eliminates 5 Ukrainian drone control centers

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

Poland has no reason to place anti-personnel mines on Russia-Belarus border — envoy

According to Boris Gryzlov, the question of how this will help Poland improve its security is more rhetorical than practical

Yesterday, 11:07

Witkoff, Trump's son, son-in-law, and Carlson engage with Ukrainian opposition — Politico

The sources said, some in the Trump world are "delusional in thinking they can anoint someone in Ukraine to be their partner and to electorally succeed in the short-to-medium term whenever elections take place"

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

Twenty-six EU countries announce readiness to toughen anti-Russian sanctions

"The European Union will continue to provide Ukraine with regular and predictable financial support," the European Council said

Kremlin urges patience ahead of next Russia-US talks

The next Russia-US negotiations are scheduled to take place in the coming days

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

Yesterday, 18:25

Confiscation of Russian assets not a simple issue, UK prime minister says

The Times said earlier that about $30 bln of assets of the Central Bank of Russia were frozen in the United Kingdom

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

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

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

Yesterday, 19:23

Ukraine, US to meet in Saudi Arabia, discuss steps for peace in coming days — Zelensky

"In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees," Vladimir Zelensky added

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

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

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

Kick-sharing services resumes operations in Moscow

E-scooters rental is available for users in mobile apps

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

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 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

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

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

Western sanctions on Russia may hinder Ukraine peace process, Hungary warns

Earlier, a high-ranking EU official told reporters in Brussels that differences remain between Hungary and the other members of the bloc as to the wording of a concluding document on Ukraine being drafted for the EU’s next summit on March 20-21