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Hamas ready to release up to 9 hostages in exchange for 60-day ceasefire — TV

According to the television channel, a Hamas spokesman said that the movement would agree to release from seven to nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and release of 300 Palestinian prisoners

NEW YORK, May 18. /TASS/. Hamas is ready to release up to nine refugees who are still held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a two-month ceasefire, CNN reported.

According to the television channel, a Hamas spokesman said that the movement would agree to release from seven to nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and release of 300 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Saturday that a Hamas delegation returned to the negotiating table in Doha to continue discussing a Gaza hostage release deal after Israel had launched phase one of Operation Gideon’s Chariots in the Palestinian enclave.

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. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office explained the move by Hamas' rejections of proposals advanced after talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff. It claimed that the goal of the operation was to release all of the Israeli hostages. Hamas placed responsibility for this latest spiral of escalation in Gaza on Israel and the United States.

Middle East conflict

Grossi made IAEA tool for unleashing war against Iran — MFA

Esmaeil Baghaei contended that the IAEA has failed to produce concrete evidence that Iran is actively seeking to develop nuclear weapons

Russia did not start hostilities in Ukraine, it is trying to end them — Putin

It was the Ukrainian government which began a war against its own territory following a state coup in Kiev, Russian President said

Russian army to liberate last 20 sq. km of Lugansk region — LPR head

According to military reports, the Russian army can free this territory within the shortest time possible

Iran may attack US ships if US intervenes in conflict — TV

"Any direct US intervention in the conflict will result in an unprecedented threat to enemy ships," the official said

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran

Leaders of Russia, China agree to give orders to exchange data on Iran — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping concurred on the importance of close coordination in the coming days

Data storage on Russian servers to be condition for foreign companies return

"The competition should be, a certain import share should be present," Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov noted

North Korean construction workers may help with restoration of Russian borderline areas

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, major organizational work would be required in order to attract foreigner experts to restore the Russian territories

Iran launches combined strike on Israel using strategic missiles, drones — IRGC

According to the report, during the attack, a precision strike was launched at a command and reconnaissance center of the Israeli regime’s army, located near a hospital

Finance minister says Russian economy cooling down

Anton Siluanov added that summer always comes after the cold

Taurus missiles won’t stop Russia’s advance in special op zone — Putin

Russian President noted that taking into account the fact that the Ukrainian armed forces are only 47% staffed, the presence of Taurus missiles "makes absolutely no sense"

Iran will continuously attack any targets in Israel — Iranian top brass

According to the report, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdulrahim Mousavi visited one of the bases of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force on the evening of June 18

Court of The Hague rejects Ukrainian company's claim to seize Gazprom assets

The Hague court also ordered Zhniva to reimburse legal costs

Another group of Russian soldiers returned in prisoner swap with Ukraine

In exchange, a group of Ukrainian POWs was handed over to Kiev

Trump says approved continuation of Israel's operation against Iran to Netanyahu

The US president said that the next week is going to be very big

Russia offered Iran air defense projects, Tehran showed little interest — Putin

The countries' strategic partnership agreement does not contain any articles related to defense, Russian President said

Putin and Xi Jinping highlight growth in Russia-China economic cooperation

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said that last year, trade turnover once again reached a record high, approaching $245 bln

Trump says Iran was few weeks away from obtaining nuclear weapon

US leader said he believes Iran would use a nuclear weapon

Putin appreciates Trump's willingness to help resolve Russia-Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that such support is very significant

US intervention to entail terrible turn in conflict around Iran — Kremlin

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the United States was preparing for a potential strike on Iran in the coming days, though there was uncertainty about whether plans might change

Iran launches Sejil medium-range missile in combat conditions for first time — news agency

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran launched three such missiles into Israeli territory

Zelensky's hard-luck trip, Middle East: Putin talks global developments with Xi

The conversation between the two leaders was devoted "primarily to discussing the aggravated situation in the Middle East"

Europe loses some $1.14 trillion by cutting Russian natural gas supplies — RDIF chief

Special Representative of Russian President for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev added that at the same time the US losses from imposed sanctions against Russia exceeded $300 billion

Press review: Washington mulls Iran strike as Russia and US plan 15 joint ventures by 2025

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 19th

Russian troops liberate Novonikolayevka community in Donetsk region over past day

Kiev loses 1,365 troops in all frontline areas over past day

Moscow will not allow Ukraine to have troops that threaten Russia — Putin

Russian President reiterated that demilitarization was among the objectives of the Russian special military operation

Ukraine operation confirms advantages of Russian weapons over western ones

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov still noted that the latest weapons are useless without properly trained personnel

Russian army 'actively advancing' near DPR border with Dnipropetrovsk Region — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that, in general, the Russian army is actively fighting and is making progress on the front line from the south-west of Krasnoarmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and up to the Zaporozhye region

News agencies from US, UK, France participate in meeting with Putin

Among the participants are James Jordan, news director for Europe and Africa at US’ The Associated Press; Simon Robinson, executive editor at UK’s Reuters; and Karim Talbi, editor-in-chief at Agence France-Presse

Press review: SPIEF 2025 may yield $95.5 bln in contracts as Trump leaves G7 summit early

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 18th

Russia ready to broaden energy cooperation with Vietnam — Putin

"We have lots of good projects", the Russian President said

Area of Iran’s Arak heavy water plant comes under Israeli attack — Mehr

According to the news agency, there are no risks of radioactive contamination

US keeps the door open for diplomacy with Iran — Trump

US leader said the Iranians "want to come to the White House"

Telegram co-founder Durov says his brother working on ‘real AI’

He said thet his brother's future AI will differ from current large language models and will be able to "understand the world"

Putin says open to speaking with Merz if German chancellor wants to call him

Russia is always open to contacts with Europe, Russian President said

Decision to strike Iran may lead Trump to political tragedy — expert

"Trump's decision will hinge on a careful assessment of the maximum effectiveness of available weapons and the strategic capability to achieve the desired objectives," Roostum Vansu said

Kremlin can see Europe in 'a frenzy of hostility' as its dialogue with US taking shape

Dmitry Peskov warned that such actions may incur huge economic costs on Europe itself

Trump says he is still undecided on whether to strike Iran

"I like to make a final decision one second before it’s due," the president said

World War III would destroy civilization, must be prevented — senior Russian diplomat

Alexander Pankin also expressed skepticism about UN reform efforts

Putin says Trump’s business background is his advantage

He can calculate what this or that measure with regard to Russia may entail, how much it will cost to taxpayers, how much it will cost to the US economy, Russian President said

Russia constantly upgrades its Armed Forces and defensive capabilities — Putin

Certain threats are definitely on the agenda, Russian President said

DPR, LPR had the right to secede from Ukraine regardless of Kiev’s opinion — Putin

There is a relevant decision by the UN International Court of Justice, which ruled that there has been a precedent set by Kosovo, Russian President noted

Trump’s remarks on China joining G7 reflect ignorance, desperation — expert

According to Wang Wen, the majority of the Chinese view the Group of Seven as a closed circle of Western imperialist countries and the main source of an unequal political, economic and financial global system

Russia, China to hold joint military drills in 2025 — Vladimir Putin

The Russian president stressed that this is extremely important for ensuring stability in global affairs

Putin says not even discussing possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination

Russian President said at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies organized by TASS, when asked what Russia's reaction would be if Israel were to assassinate the ayatollah

Trump says not too late to negotiate with Iran

According to the US president, the Iranians are in contact with the Americans

Trump says he ran out of patience on Iran, wishes luck to Khamenei

The US president again essentially demanded that Iran capitulate

Israeli, US air defenses have no answer for some of Iran's missiles — US expert

Daniel Davis said that the US should not join Israel’s military operation against Iran

Ukrainian conflict must have long-term solution — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that he took part in the Minsk talks, where "they sought principles for a peaceful settlement and talked for 17 hours straight"

Russia intends to withdraw from agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the German leadership is deliberately ideologically manipulating the German population in the anti-Russian direction, openly provoking the exacerbation of the military-political situation

Russia will achieve goals on Ukraine militarily if peace effort fails — Putin

The Russian President stated this at a meeting organized by TASS with the heads of leading world news agencies

Russia handed over 6,000 bodies of servicemen to Ukraine — Putin

These are sad and tragic figures, but, at the same time, it’s a humanitarian subject and a positive outcome of the negotiations in Istanbul, Russian President said

Israel running low on Arrow missile interceptors amid conflict with Iran — WSJ

According to the report, the United States has been augmenting the Jewish state’s anti-missile and air defenses for months

Russia is in contact with Israel, US on situation in Iran — Putin

Putin said at a meeting with heads of leading international news agencies, organized by TASS

Doomsday plane arrives at air base near Washington DC

With aerial refueling, Nightwatch can remain airborne for a week

Putin calls Russia undisputed leader in heavy lift helicopters, says even UN uses them

According to him, military-technical cooperation between Russia and China is also developing rapidly, ensuring stability in global affairs, Russian president said

Air defenses destroy 81 Ukrainian UAVs over 11 Russian regions overnight

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said there were no injuries or damage after 19 fixed-wing UAVs were destroyed over the bordering Russian region

Russia’s Angara-A5 carrier rocket with satellites blasts off from Plesetsk spaceport

Angara is a family of Russian launch vehicles ranging from light-to heavy-lift classes

Putin calls targeted attacks on war correspondents a crime

It is also a huge tragedy if a person is wounded, injured or passes away, Russian President said

FACTBOX: Russian pizza magnate Samvel Karapetyan detained in Armenia

The raid was triggered by Samvel Karapetyan’s response to remarks made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with regard to representatives of the Armenian Church

Russia asked Kiev government to implement Minsk Accords, they refused — Putin

And then the special military operation began, the Russian leader said

Russian intel chief says situation between Iran, Israel critical

According to Sergey Naryshkin, Russia is in contact with members of certain intelligence services of Iran and Israel

Kiev stops large-scale counterattacks amid Russian advance — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian Defense Ministry’s latest bulletins illustrate Russian military successes in the regions of Sumy, Kharkov, and south of Donetsk

Zelensky cancels press conference and leaves Canada after failed meeting with Trump

Donald Trump left the G7 talks on June 17, ahead of schedule

Iran won’t let conflict develop according to Israeli, US plans — ambassador to Tajikistan

Alireza Haghighian said that the fake Israeli regime made a huge mistake by launching an aggressive attack on Iran

Iran urges neighboring countries not to let Israel carry out strikes from their territory

This is particularly important given our relations of friendship and good neighborliness, Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, the commander of Iran's border guards, said

Putin starts meeting with heads of world's leading news agencies at SPIEF sidelines

TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman is moderating the conversation

Russia enjoys strategic advantage in its special military op in Ukraine — Putin

Troops are advancing along the entire line of contact, Russian President said

Israel needs US-exclusive mega-bomb to destroy nuclear facility in Fordow — NYP

Costing over $500 million per missile to develop, the 5-ton "bunker buster" bomb can only be carried by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which the Israeli air force lacks

Russia receives no military assistance requests from Iran — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia’s support for Iran is evident

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

According to the Iranian official, the attack came as a surprise for the Israel

Military conflict in Ukraine could spread to Europe — Kherson governor

Vladimir Saldo added that continued military supplies to Ukraine are more probable than direct involvement of European troops in the conflict

Iran strikes Israel’s cyber command headquarters — IRNA

According to the news agency, thousands of servicemen responsible for intelligence data processing and cyber operations were stationed there

Iran has no other choice but to protect its territorial integrity — foreign ministry

"International law prohibits forcing a country to make decisions through pressure and threats," Esmail Baqaei stressed

Iran takes full control of Israel’s airspace — agency

The IRGC called on the residents of Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood to evacuate, the Mehr news agency reported

Putin sees no rational explanation for Germany’s decision to stop buying Russian gas

Volkswagen, Porsche and other German brands are literally "dying," Russian President said

Russian economy on brink of recession — economic development minister

Maxim Reshetnikov noted that figures point to slowdown

Russia retains trusting ties with Iran, Israel — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the Russian head of state thinks that a resolution is possible even amid the most complex conflict between Iran and Israel

West seeks to offset defeat in Ukraine by fueling other conflicts, says analyst

The fate of Ukraine after the conflict is already a foregone conclusion, Pierre-Emmanuel Thomann believes

If Ukrainian president illegitimate, entire government structure illegitimate — Putin

All top brass is appointed by presidents, Russian President said

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

State coup is primary source of the Kiev regime’s power — Putin

The Russian president noted that the country was trying to mediate between the Kyiv government and the territories that were once southeastern Ukraine, or Donbass

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine turns Kherson into ghost town, population reduced sixfold — governor

"Normally, around 340,000 people lived there, but now, according to the most optimistic estimates, only about 40,000 civilians remain," Vladimir Saldo said

US to suffer colossal damage if enters military conflict with Iran — Khamenei

The press service noted that this was the country’s supreme leader’s reaction to "ridiculous remarks" by US President Donald Trump who earlier demanded Tehran’s "unconditional surrender"

Top Chinese diplomat says world cannot stand by as Middle East 'plunges into the abyss'

"The most important thing at this point is to stop the firing, stop the hostilities," Wang Yi stated

West to cut arms flow to Kiev amid Iran-Israel conflict — Russian official

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky urged to take advantage of the situation

President Putin points to consolidation of Iranian society around country’s leadership

Well is almost always and everywhere this way, Russian President said

Trump says has no desire of drawing US into another prolonged war in Middle East

At the same time, the US president acknowledged that "some people" are unhappy with the assistance that America is providing to Israel in conducting an operation against Iran

Iranian missile strikes on Israel completely cripple Tel Aviv — news agency

It is noted that the missile strikes resulted in power outages and disrupted fuel supplies

Iran strikes Rafael weapons factory, sources say

No further details have been disclosed regarding the extent of the damage or the factory’s specific location

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Israel vows security of Russian specialists at Bushehr NPP in Iran — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said this in an interview on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Israeli planes make 600 midair refuelings during operation in Iran — IDF

"Aerial refueling is a crucial component of the Israeli Air Force's operations in Iran, enabling the continued maintenance of aerial superiority in the region," the IDF added

Russia tolerated Donbass situation for eight years trying to negotiate — Putin

Instead of launching negotiations the army was enforced, Russian President said

Trump says he, Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine on June 17

The US president said that Vladimir Putin actually offered to help mediate talks with Iran

Russia warns US against interfering in military actions against Iran — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that it would be an extremely dangerous step with unpredictable negative consequences

Downed F-35, US fleet withdrawal, secret Chinese flights: news on Israel-Iran conflict

On Wednesday morning, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Iranian facilities used in the production of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Russia to continue with Bushehr NPP project in Iran, says Putin

The construction of a nuclear power plant near the city of Bushehr in southern Iran was launched in 1975

Readiness to move forward essential for Russia, US — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that conversations between the two presidents are the top of an iceberg

Europeans stopped contacts with Russia, they should resume them — Putin

A year and a half or two years ago, conversations with former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders were regular, Russian President said