Middle East conflict

5 Apr, 18:29Updated at: 18:40

Hamas releases video showing two men said to be Israeli hostages

The men in the video did not introduce himself but the Israeli news website Ynet insists that one of them is Maxim Kharkin, a native of Donbass

CAIRO, April 5. /TASS/. The Palestinian movement Hamas has released a video showing two men who the radicals claim are Israeli hostages.

The video was published by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.

The men in the video did not introduce himself but the Israeli news website Ynet insists that one of them is Maxim Kharkin, a native of Donbass, and the other one is Israeli citizen Bar Kupershtein.

The men in the video complained about suffering minor injuries in an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip. They also said they could run out of food and water soon.

Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the l-Qassam Brigades, said on Friday that Hamas kept half of the living Israeli hostages in dangerous combat zones.

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to release the hostages held in Gaza and declare a ceasefire in the enclave. The three-phase deal took effect on January 19. During its first phase, which ended on March 1, the parties were supposed to agree on the implementation of the second phase of the deal but they failed to do so.

On March 18, the Israeli military resumed military operations in Gaza, carrying out intensive strikes on the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the move was due to Hamas’s rejection of proposals put forward by mediators and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. According to the Israeli authorities, the goal of the operation is to ensure the release of all hostages held in Gaza. Hamas, in turn, blamed Israel and the US for the resumption of military activities.

According to the latest data from Israel, the radicals still hold 59 hostages in the Gaza Strip. One of the hostages is Maxim Kharkin, a native of Donbass whose close relatives are Russian nationals.

Tags

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

Russian forces advance in South Donetsk area, DPR leader says

The Russian troops have advanced towards the settlements of Bogatyr, Otradnaya and Komar in the Velikaya Novosyolka area

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

EU seeks to tweak methane emission rules to increase US LNG imports — agency

A European Commission spokesperson declined to comment on whether it was exploring possible flexibilities in the methane law that could benefit US LNG exporters

Pentagon chief shared details of strikes on Yemen in Signal private chat — NYT

According to the publication, on March 15, Hegseth posted the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornet fighters, which struck positions of Yemeni Houthis from the Ansar Allah rebel movement

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

The Russian president announced a ceasefire on the eve of Easter at a meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

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, 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

Earth trembles at Russia’s tallest active volcano

Continued activity may affect low-flying aircraft

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

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

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

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

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

The president noted that Pope Francis was beloved globally as a faithful servant of Christian teachings, adding that he was a wise religious leader and statesman, a consistent defender of humanitarian values and justice

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

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

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

US national shot dead during plane hijacking attempt in Belize

The pilots managed to land the aircraft at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport

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

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

US proposes making territory around Zaporozhye nuke plant neutral — WSJ

The publication does not indicate which territories around the ZNPP Washington proposes to designate as neutral and in what format the United States could exercise control over these territories and the plant

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

The forecast expectations for the price of Russian Urals crude oil in 2025 are $56 per barrel

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, 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, 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

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

The documents reveal that employees inadvertently shared a Google Drive folder containing sensitive files with the entire General Services Administration staff

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

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

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

Russia to resolve Ukraine conflict quickly if EU, US 'wash hands of it' — Medvedev

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, 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

EU cannot support Ukraine in military conflict without US — Kneissl

According to the former Austrian foreign minister, "France is now very upset that Germany and Poland are buying weapons from the United States, and not from France"

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

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

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

Kiev failed to honor even 30-hour truce — senior Russian senator

During the Easter days, the Kiev regime actually underwent a test for its ability to think and honor accords, Grigory Karasin added

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

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

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

China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb

When activated by conventional explosives, the magnesium hydride underwent rapid thermal decomposition, releasing hydrogen gas that ignited into a sustained inferno, the researchers said in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance

No lasting peace possible in Ukraine without regime change, former PM says

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

Yesterday, 13:37

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

The Ukrainian army attacked the positions of Russian forces 444 times after the Easter truce was declared, as well as carried out 900 drone attacks, the Defense Ministry reported

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

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 21st

Russia to discuss joint arms projects with Peru

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

FACTBOX: Pope Francis' biography

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

Trump says many world leaders asking him to reduce tariffs

They "must right the wrongs," US president said

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"

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"

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

Russia ready to talk directly to Ukraine about civilian infrastructure strikes — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underscored that "earlier the president repeatedly voiced his readiness for negotiations with the Ukrainian side"

Two days ago, 10:32

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

Companies that left the Russian market after February 22, 2022 will be subject to this measure

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

The Russian president stressed that "the Pope did much good not only for his flock, but for the world as a whole"

Russian-made SJ-100 jet preparing for maiden flight — company executive

A prototype of the passenger jet with imported systems and domestically-produced PD-8 engines successfully completed its first test flight in March 2025

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

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

EU Commission president urges big tech giants to comply with EU’s digital laws

According to Ursula von der Leyen, the EU is ready to enforce its full digital rulebook

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

Golden Dome missile defense shield won’t protect US from Russia or China, analyst says

Thomas Countryman noted that the system "could be overwhelmed by the much cheaper option of simply building a lot more missiles"

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

The messenger's co-founder said that Telegram would only disclose the IP addresses and phone numbers of criminal suspects, if provided with a valid court order

Netanyahu may lead Israel into crisis, former Israeli intel chief warns

According to Ami Ayalon, the Israeli prime minister’s most dangerous actions include a move to reform the country’s judicial system, which provides the government with more control over it

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

Russian troops strictly observed ceasefire during Easter truce — top brass

Despite the declared Easter truce, Ukrainian armed formations kept delivering artillery fire and strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles on the positions of Russian troops and civilian facilities in the border areas of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk Regions and the Republic of Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said

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

Two days ago, 08:39

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

"Aleksandar Vulin has been removed from the government because of pressure from Brussels," the source pointed out

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

Rearmament initiative could fragment Europe, ex-Italian PM warns

Giuseppe Conte believes that the European public is being misled by promises of more security and efforts to arm every country, even though the military approach pursued until recently has not succeeded

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Yesterday, 17:53

Trump uses Easter address to slam his political opponents

"With great love, sincerity, and affection", the US President wished happy Easter to all, "including the Radical Left Lunatics" who are seeking to bring dangerous criminals, such as members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) Salvadorian gang, back to the United States

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

Four civilians, including three children, were injured

Yesterday, 00:09

Aircraft with Russian servicemen returned from captivity landed in Moscow

The prisoners’ swap with Ukraine was implemented on April 19

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

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

Putin treated Pope Francis with great respect — Kremlin

Putin and Francis were personally acquainted

Kiev used Easter truce to advance military goals, says DPR advisor

Igor Kimakovsky emphasized that yet another breakdown of the ceasefire had demonstrated Kiev's complete lack of commitment and inability to control its own army

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

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

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

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

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

Improvements in the state of global economic relations are not expected in the near future because the West has historically engaged in trade and sanction wars, Maria Zakharova noted

Pope Francis likely died from stroke, brain hemorrhage — newspaper

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

Yesterday, 08:14

Ukrainian armed forces attack Donetsk during ceasefire — operative services

The Ukrainian army has also attacked Gorlovka, with four artillery shells fired at the town, according to the administration of the Donetsk People Republic’s head and government reported

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

Pope Francis dies on anniversary of Rome's birth

Although this holiday is not an official day off, the city’s authorities typically organize various events, ceremonies, costume parades and shows

US vice president arrives in India

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

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

The FSB Investigative Department for the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol has opened a criminal case against the detainee under Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code

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

Pope Francis passes away

He has died at the age of 88

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

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

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

Nikolay Patrushev drew attention to the "increased competition" between the United States and China in the naval sphere

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

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, 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