Middle East conflict

7 Apr, 13:51

Israel Defense Forces reports eliminating Hezbollah artillery commander

According to the statement, Mohammed Adnan Mansour headed a Hezbollah artillery unit in the Taybeh area in southern Lebanon

TEL AVIV, April 7. /TASS/. The Israeli military has delivered a precision strike on the south of Lebanon to eliminate Hezbollah's artillery commander Mohammed Adnan Mansour, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) press service said.

According to the statement, Mansour headed a Hezbollah artillery unit in the Taybeh area in southern Lebanon.

"Throughout the war, Mohammed directed and carried out numerous projectile attacks toward the Upper Galilee area," the IDF said. "The IDF will operate in order to remove any threat to the civilians of the State of Israel.".

White House dismisses allegations against Pentagon chief as fake news

According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, US President Donald Trump said that 'he stands strongly behind the Secretary of Defense'

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

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

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"

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

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

Leaders of Russia, South Africa discuss trade-economic cooperation — Kremlin

The parties agreed to continue their communications

Ukraine seeks to fix vocational school draft deferment loophole with new bill

The bill also addresses draft-eligible men 25 years or older who left Ukraine to study abroad or who went to universities or colleges not immediately after finishing secondary school after February 24, 2022

Russia’s oceanographic vessel Admiral Vladimirsky pays visit to Venezuela

The Admiral Vladimirsky left Kronshtadt on March 13

23 children die, 167 receive injuries in Ukraine’s attacks on Belgorod Region in 3.5 years

Region’s governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that the enemy shells 'cities and villages from all types of weapons, drops munitions from drones, causing suffering to civilians'

14 Dec 2021, 18:59

Russian Accounts Chamber selected as auditor for UN agency

Earlier, it obtained the right to audit UNIDO in 2022-2023

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 80.76 rubles for April 22

The official euro rate was increased by 1.45 rubles to 93.6714 rubles

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

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

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

IN BRIEF: Putin signs off on bills to protect Russians from foreign influence

Foreign agent status will also be given for supporting similar decisions by foreign governments

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"

Russia, US, China to divide spheres of influence under new world order — Argentine leader

According to Javier Milei, Europe is currently incapable of claiming global leadership

UNRWA condemns collective punishment of Palestinians

According to the WAFA news agency, more than 90,000 displaced persons are accommodated in 115 UNRWA shelters across the Gaza Strip

Russia’s envoy praises negotiations between Iran, US on Tehran's nuclear program

Araghchi and Witkoff's next meeting will take place on April 26, in the wake of technical-level consultations on April 23

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

Earth trembles at Russia’s tallest active volcano

Continued activity may affect low-flying aircraft

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

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

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

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

Pope Francis died of stroke that caused coma, cardiac arrest — statement

It also said that the pontiff suffered from type 2 diabetes

Russia started strengthening marine potential before US actions — official

The situation will evolve "more likely the other way around," the presidential aide said when answering the question whether Russia endeavors to catch up with the US, considering extensive plans of the US administration

25 Mar 2022, 12:50

Pantsir systems demonstrated effectiveness in Ukraine — Rostec

The systems have been used for protection from missiles, planes and reconnaissance and attack drones

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"

Don't get too high or too low about talks with US, Russian diplomat says

According to the diplomat, this pragmatic approach is seen in other areas. For instance, when the Russian president says that those companies that have withdrawn from Russia would be able to return, but "on certain conditions"

China is top marine economic power now — Russian presidential aide

The struggle for the World Ocean lasted for several centuries and a small quiet period was only after 1991, when the socialist block disintegrated, Nikolay Patrushev said

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

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

Russia must repay moral debt to residents of Donbass, Novorossiya — Putin

The president noted that restoration of Donbass and Novorossiya is a complex but gradually advancing process

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"

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

Rostec subsidiary bank signs agreement with Cuban banks on settlements in rubles

The document was signed on the sidelines of the 22nd meeting of the intergovernmental Russian-Cuban commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation in Havana

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

Ratification of comprehensive partnership agreement with Iran to be fast — expert

Andrey Bystritsky, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club, said that 'there are no obstacles to its ratification'

Trump confirms his coming to Pope Francis’ funeral

Pope Francis will be buried some time between Friday and Sunday of this week, or on the fourth to sixth day after the pope’s death

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

Kiev’s proposal to extend Easter truce looks cynical to Russian expert

Political scientist Vladimir Karasev noted that drone, artillery and HIMARS attacks had been launched by Ukrainian forces against Russian positions almost on every front over the duration of the latest ceasefire

Russian stock indices rising on Monday — market data

The MOEX Russia is expected to be within 2,825-2,950 points on Tuesday, BCS Investment World said

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

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

Russian subcommittee supports extension of raw rice export ban until end of December 2025

The relevant draft decree will be put forward to the government for consideration in the near time, the Secretariat added

PREVIEW: Putin to hold talks with visiting Omani Sultan Al Said

The Kremlin has announced that the two sides will focus on key areas of cooperation in the economic, financial, and cultural spheres as well as pressing international and regional issues.

Pope Francis' dialogue with Russian leader always was trust-based — ex-Russian ambassador

According to Alexander Avdeyev, Vladimir Putin "met with the Pope three times and paid visits to the Vatican"

21 Nov 2024, 20:12

IN BRIEF: What Putin said about Russia’s new missile, and Moscow’s response to the West

Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

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

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

Russia prioritizes trade, economic ties with Kazakhstan — PM

The governments of the two countries are working on clear execution of decisions taken by heads of Russia and Kazakhstan, Mikhail Mishustin added

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

Pope Francis to be buried late this week

The spokesman also recalled that the pontiff had expressed the wish to be buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome with a public viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica

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

FACTBOX: Pope Francis' biography

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

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"

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

Russia to discuss joint arms projects with Peru

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

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

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"

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

The Vatican said the pope died earlier on Monday

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

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

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

Nearly two million Palestinians in dire need of humanitarian assistance — government

The public health system is ruined, bakeries are not working

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

Russia-US negotiations progress towards lifting American sanctions — expert

Jeffrey Sachs added that he saw no pressing risks for Russia at the moment regarding US President Donald Trump's policy on customs duties

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

Head of Administrative and Budget Office Vought may replace Musk in DOGE — Bloomberg

Vought is a long-time supporter of US President Donald Trump. He was named ABU director on January 2, 2019, during Trump’s first presidential term

Trump may come to Vatican for Pope's funeral — newspaper

The funeral of the pontiff, who passed away on April 21 at 88, may take place in the Church of Our Lady of the Great (Santa Maria Maggiore)

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

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

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

5 Dec 2019, 14:00

Russia sees no sense in modernizing Vienna Document amid containment policy — Lavrov

The top diplomat commended the OSCE's thorough work on a project for advancing energy cooperation and digital innovations

US national shot dead during plane hijacking attempt in Belize

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

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

16 Aug 2024, 16:57

Bridge across Seim River destroyed in Russia’s Kursk Region — official

According to the report, overland evacuation from a part of the Glushkovsky District is now cut off

Israeli fighter jet accidentally drops munition onto Israeli border community

According to the IDF, no one was hurt

Prime ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan discuss plans to increase trade turnover

According to the report, the bilateral trade turnover increased by almost 3% over the last year and reached $27.8 bln

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

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

Russia will not abandon its other partners for sake of dialogue with US — diplomat

"The United States, we welcome you. But you are not the only one. And we will see what becomes of the dialogue with you," he added

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

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

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

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

Global economy and trade currently going through serious trials — RSPP head

During the forum, experts from Eurasian countries discussed the transformation of the financial sector under the influence of digital technologies

First Swedish AWACS aircraft arrives in Ukraine, test flight completed — UNIAN

Sweden promised to supply Kiev with two Saab 340 AEW&C (ACS-890) aircraft

Sultan of Oman arrives in Moscow

The visit is timed to the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries

Late Pope Francis expressed positive attitude toward Russia, says Putin

The Russian leader noted that he had personal audiences with the pontiff on multiple occasions

13 Mar 2022, 08:00

Russian armed forces destroyed 3,687 Ukrainian military facilities — Defense Ministry

According to Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov, 99 aircraft, 128 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1,194 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 121 multiple rocket launchers, 443 field artillery pieces and mortars, 991 units of special military vehicles were destroyed

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

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, 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

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

9 Feb 2023, 14:43

Pink Floyd founder Waters confesses now he has more respect for Putin — Daily Telegraph

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

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, 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

Pope Francis passes away

He has died at the age of 88

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

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

Baikonur Site 1 may be included in UNESCO World Heritage List — Roscosmos

The Baikonur cosmodrome marks the 70th anniversary of its establishment in 2025