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Middle East conflict

'Enemies' attack Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, Esfahan — agency

Despite the strikes, the organization affirmed that Iran’s pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy would not be halted

TEHRAN, June 22. /TASS/. Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan were targeted in early morning strikes by what the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) described as "enemies."

"These attacks on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites were carried out by Iran's enemies in a brutal act that violates international law, particularly the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," the AEOI said in a statement, as reported by ISNA.

Despite the strikes, the organization affirmed that Iran’s pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy would not be halted.

Middle East conflict

Israel attacks military targets in northwestern Syria — TV

No further details were provided

Liberation of Novokhatskoye paves way for further Russian advance

According to the report, the Russian Defense Ministry Service members of 36th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of Battlegroup East carried out a successful offensive operation

Europe’s aggressive stance borders on irrationality — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that the Europeans are displaying a completely aggressive militarist stance, declaring their intention to spend enormous funds to purchase weapons, to further provoke the continuation of war

Israel strikes Syrian city of Qatana

Consequences of the airstrike have not been reported yet

Bahrain does not intend to send missiles for Patriot complexes to Ukraine — crown prince

Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said that Bahrain has an operational requirement inside the Kingdom to keep the missiles there for the present time

NATO remains a key threat to Russia’s security — Shoigu

The Russian Security Council secretary drew attention to the fact that "according to official data alone, the size of the alliance’s military personnel equals over 4 million troops and the bloc has over 50,000 tanks and armored fighting vehicles"

West seeking to shatter CIS to create problems on Russian borders — Russian MP

According to Viktor Volodatsky, the West continues spending billions to destabilize the CIS countries, as they did in Ukraine

US fine with Sviridenko’s appointment as PM as she signed minerals deal — former PM

Nikolay Azarov pointed out that Yuliya Sviridenko "has never worked a single day at a specific business or industrial enterprise"

Slovakia, Malta block anti-Russian sanctions package — Reuters

Slovakia is going to block sanctions until its concerns are eliminated concerning the carve-out for it from the plan of the European Commission to fully ban Russian gas purchases since 2027

Hague Group bans transfer of weapons to Israel

The countries agreed to "commence an urgent review of all public contracts, in order to prevent public institutions and public funds, where applicable, from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory"

Syria’s interim government pulls fighters from southern town of Sweida — report

According to the source, Israeli attacks are slowing the pullout

Russia interested in developing ties with Armenia in all areas — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Moscow and Yerevan are still united by very close bilateral relations

Shoigu sees Council of Europe’s anti-Russian tribunal as legally void

The Russian Security Council secretary said the Council of Europe is not authorized to establish criminal tribunals and define acts of aggression

Bank of Russia may lower key rate to 18% annually in July — lawmaker

On June 6, the Bank of Russia lowered the key rate by 100 basis points to 20% annually, after a prolonged period of maintaining it at 21%

Armenian PM confirms Yerevan received US proposal on managing transport corridor with Baku

Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of the Russian side managing the transport corridor

Russian troops about to encircle Kupyansk, Kiev forces in dire situation — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that the mood of Ukrainian armed formations and mobilized soldiers is low

Karl Marx village liberation means success of Russian army in south Donetsk area — expert

The military expert added that the Russian army is also successful in advancing in several directions at once at Komar — north and west of the locality

Russia’s Medvedev responds to Trump by saying 'one really bad thing' would be WWIII

Donald Trump said earlier on Tuesday that if it weren’t for him "really bad things would have already happened to Russia"

Battlegroup East eliminates 18 Ukrainian drone control centers

Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian field artillery system

Russia seeks clarity on Trump’s 50-day Ukraine deadline — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed to earlier deadlines of 24 hours and of 100 days

US appeals to Israel to stop attacks on Syria — Axios

Earlier, Israel launched several airstrikes on Damascus

Woman dies in drone attack on residential house in Belgorod Region

According to the region’s governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the house caught on fire after the detonation of the device

Titanic efforts being made to derail Russia-US dialogue — RDIF CEO

Kirill Dmitriev said the Western media "should act more responsibly and actually check its sources"

Ukraine pulling best infantry, drone units to Krasnoarmeisk — expert

According to Igor KImakovsky, units of Russia’s Battlegroup Center are pushing Ukrainian troops west of the city near the village of Udachnoye

Zelensky submits Sviridenko’s nomination as prime minister to Ukraine’s parliament

The State Power Committee will consider July 17

Colombian president calls for refusing from global partnership with NATO

According to Gustavo Petro, his country should join "another military alliance" because it cannot side "with the armies that are dropping bombs on children"

Syria demands UN force Israel to withdraw troops from its soil

The letter points out that "Syria reaffirms its legitimate right to maintain its unity and territorial integrity and does not accept attempts to interfere in its internal affairs."

Zelensky says 'ready for action' if Kiev gets longer-range weapons

Vladimir Zelensky also downplayed the possibility of Kiev using this force, saying that Russia should know "about its existence"

Annual inflation slowing down to 9.34% from July 8 to 14 — Economy Ministry

According to the review, inflation totaled 0.02% over the week from July 8 to 14, 2025

Russian energy minister to visit China for talks, forum

Sergey Tsivilyov also said that he is going to visit several Chinese fuel and energy companies

Putin to respond to Trump’s remarks if he deems it necessary — Kremlin

On July 14, the US president made a previously announced statement on the Ukraine issue

EC tells Georgia to reverse controversial laws or risk losing visa-free regime with EU

"The Commission will assess the implementation of the recommendations in the context of the next report on the visa suspension mechanism," Beate Gminder, head of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, said in a letter

Trump says Ukraine shouldn’t strike Moscow

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that the US president did not encourage Vladimir Zelensky to carry out further strikes deeper inside Russia

Russia does not care about Trump’s 'theatrical ultimatum,' says Medvedev

This is Moscow’s first official reaction to the statements Trump made yesterday

Zelensky nominates Denis Shmygal to serve as defense minister

On Wednesday, the Rada dismissed Denis Shmygal from the post of prime minister, triggering the resignation of the entire government

Russian diplomat calls on Israel to stop violence, lift blockade of Gaza Strip

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya stressed that force methods of resolving the problem of hostages held in Gaza have proved to be ineffective

Hungary demands that EU sanction three Ukrainian military officials — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto did not disclose the names or positions of those people but stressed that "those guilty should be punished"

Kiev believes Trump's communication style misleading — media

Vadim Skibitsky, Deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, complained on Tuesday about the lack of accuracy in Trump’s announcement of a transfer of 17 Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Kiev

Syrian Druze ask Kurds for humanitarian corridors, Kurdish commander says

The SDF commander is confident that "the Druze issue can only be resolved through diplomatic and political means"

Artificial US structures in South Caucasus not to work, Russian role safe — expert

Stanislav Pritchin explained that the precedents of external control of transport corridors are extremely rare and it is difficult to imagine that Azerbaijan would agree to depend on an infrastructure that is not entirely friendly to Azerbaijan

Hungary opposes allocating €100 billion from EU budget to Ukraine — Orban

According to the Hungarian PM, the European Commission’s budget initiative "surprised everyone" in the EU

Russian stock market closed with growing indices

The MOEX Russia Index gained 0.73% to 2,777.16 points, while the RTS Index edged up by 0.7% to 1,122.22 points

IN BRIEF: What we know about Israeli strikes on Syria

According to the media reports, the drone strike targeted the Syrian army’s military equipment; no accurate date is available on damage and casualties among troops

EU pushback on US arms purchases could signal NATO rift — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that there is now fierce competition for pan-European defense budgets, in which Paris is trying to maintain its partially independent position, taking into account the real capabilities of its own military-industrial complex

US stage-managing Belarusian unrest, says Russian foreign intelligence chief

The director of Russia’s foreign intelligence service SVR stated that Washington had provided about $20 million for staging anti-government demonstrations in Belarus

Russian troops liberate Novokhatskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,255 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

France insists on tough response to US tariffs against EU — news agency

According to the report, the proposal tabled by France has already been backed by several EU member-nations but the others are against it and some more did not make any statements on the topic yet

Russia and Nigeria discuss energy sector cooperation

Special attention was given to cooperation within the frameworks of OPEC+ and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum

Armenian PM says country more likely to exit CSTO than restore membership

Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan had frozen participation in the work of the CSTO, as it allegedly created threats to the sovereignty of the republic

China’s GOVY to start large-scale rollout of flying taxis since 2027 — founder

Su Qingpeng said the two-seat flying taxi resembling a small helicopter will make flights at an altitude from 100 to 300 meters

Houthis carry out missile strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport — spokesman

According to Yahya Saria, the rebels also launched four drones at Israel, with two of them targeting a military facility in the Negev Desert

Paris, allies discuss sending troops to Ukraine, French politician says

When speaking about how French citizens would react to such a decision, Bruno Fuchs noted that French President Emmanuel Macron didn't need to worry about what the voting public thinks

NATO to increase military spending at expense of social programs — Shoigu

The secretary of Russia’s Security Council did not rule out that to minimize public backlash, the EU would use illegally frozen, stolen Russian state funds

Russian forces capture foreign mercenaries in DPR, scout says

According to the scout with the callsign Husky, the foreigners were stationed in a building that Russian forces seized in about five minutes

Russia is developing advanced hypersonic weapons — ministry

Russia expects a serious breakthrough in the field of laser and electromagnetic weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry says

Press review: Trump’s military plans in focus as Russian experts dismiss tariff threat

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 16th

Press review: Trump lashes out at Moscow as Zelensky reshuffles cabinet and extends law

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 15th

Former Austrian minister doesn’t expect quick de-escalation between Israel, Syria

According to Karin Kneissl, "The Damascus based army bombed by Israel today is only one among 60 armed groups scattered across Syria"

EU's economic suicide continues — RDIF CEO Dmitriev

The European Commission has included a 100 billion euro expenditure item to support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia in the draft

Israel attacks military targets in northwestern Syria — TV

No further details were provided

No survivors in helicopter crash in Russia’s Khabarovsk region — Emergencies Ministry

"Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers jointly with investigators are analyzing fragments of the aircraft and looking for flight recorders at the site of the crash to establish the cause behind it," the ministry said.

Le Pen says will run in parliamentary elections, despite court ban

Early elections to the National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, will be called if President Emmanuel Macron exercises his constitutional right to dissolve the lower house

EU fails to agree on anti-Russian sanctions again — Kallas

The discussion at the level of ambassadors will "continue tomorrow," Vice President of the European Commission noted

Three people killed, 34 injured in Israeli strikes on Damascus — Syrian Health Ministry

Earlier, Israel launched several airstrikes on Damascus

Kremlin urges broader support in pushing Ukraine to resume talks

Dmitry Peskov said that mediatory efforts mostly from the United States are key here

China unlikely to abandon Russian oil over Trump tariffs — experts

Director of Research at the Institute for Energy and Finance Alexey Belogoryev likewise does not expect any immediate impact on the market from the potential tariffs

Remnants of sanity in Europe, nuclear doctrine provisions: new comments from Kremlin

All provisions of Russia's nuclear doctrine, including the responsibility of nuclear powers to "encourage" non-nuclear states, remain unchanged

Weekly inflation in Russia slowing down to 0.02% — statistics

Consumer prices ticked up by 0.81% from the start of July and by 4.61% year to date

Von der Leyen's standing as EU chief 'shaken' — MEP

According to Zsuzsanna Borvendeg, it was clear in advance that the vote of no confidence would not pass, but the fact that the matter was even put to a vote was a signal in itself

Ukrainians post military recruitment center addresses on social media — source

The source added that "such publication demonstrate real attitudes in Ukraine toward mobilization and the ongoing conflict"

Israel’s goal in Syria limited to maintaining status quo in southern Syria — minister

Saar mentioned that violence in Syria previously targeted the Kurds, Christians, Alawites and Druze.

Kremlin warns of harsh impact on Europeans’ wallets from EU policy

On Monday, Donald Trump announced that the US will sell modern weapons to NATO member states to be delivered to Ukraine

Ukrainian lawmakers vote to allow people over 60 years old to serve

The bill enables those who have turned 60 but "are still willing and physically fit to remain in the army" to sign up for military service

Russia gradually restoring relations with IOC — Putin

The Russian president noted that Moscow still has a lot of problems with the Olympic Committee

Russia to consider construction of access roads to borders with China, North Korea — Putin

"This will significantly increase our transit capabilities," the Russian leader stressed

Zelensky's staff decisions provide way out for corrupt officials — Rada lawmaker

Artyom Dmitruk cited the example of Rustem Umerov, who, after resigning as defense minister, is reportedly being considered for the post of ambassador to the United States

Kiev cannot manufacture intermediate, shorter-range missiles — Ukraine’s ex-PM

"They may be able to assemble them, but I doubt this too because these are quite sophisticated products," Nikolay Azarov said

Prospects for resuming Russia-Europe dialogue exist — top Russian security official

Sergey Shoigu pointed to the growing number of Europeans who doubt Brussels’s strategy of uncompromising confrontation with Russia

Israel resumes strikes on southern Syria — media

According to the report, the strikes targeted the Deraa province, which borders Suwayda, where armed clashes have been ongoing since July 13

Syrian Health Ministry says ‘dozens of bodies’ discovered at hospital in Suwayda

Syrian Health Minister Musaab al-Ali told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that a convoy of 15 ambulances was unable to enter the province of Suwayda, impeded by Israeli aircraft

Three minors injured in Voronezh after drone fragments hit residential house

According to governor Alexander Gusev, two teenage boys, born in 2009 and 2013, were taken to hospitals

Russian forces drop leaflets on Ukrainian positions calling for surrender

The ministry said once the shell explodes, leaflets fly across the space of more than one square kilometer

NATO strike on Transnistria would derail talks, lawmaker warns

Andrey Safonov cited media reports about the deployment of military advisers from Romania and France to Moldova

German Defense Ministry denies reports Patriot systems already flowing to Kiev

"Specific terms, including which systems will be provided, are still under consideration," Mitko Mueller said

'Inappropriate' pressure on Trump and sanction war: Lavrov’s remarks

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the anti-Russian sanctions war will backfire on those who started it

Trump says Epstein files all big 'hoax' thought up by Dems

Donald Trump and his team members repeatedly vowed to declassify the Epstein files during last year’s election campaign

EU plans to militarize itself at Russia's expense — top security official

"The intention to militarize the European space is obvious," Sergey Shoigu said

Opposition lawmaker reveals criterion for candidates to Ukrainian government

According to Artyom Dmitruk, transparent procedures and constitutional principles are all long gone

Russia’s UN envoy slams Israeli strikes on Syria as unacceptable

On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it struck the Syrian General Staff compound in Damascus

Ukrainian drone attack on Russian city of Belgorod kills one civilian, leave five injured

According to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the two injured women and three men have been taken to the hospital with shrapnel injuries

Ukraine builds defense line near Kupyansk but can’t hold off Russian forces — officials

According to the latest reports, forward units of the Russian Armed Forces are already one or two kilometers from the outskirts of Kupyansk, which is confirmed by reports from local residents

Kremlin reminds nuclear powers of their responsibility for inciting non-nuclear states

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia’s nuclear doctrine remains in effect

Coal mining declined by about 1% YTD in Russia — Energy Minister

Coal mining in the Kuzbass region declined by about 54 mln metric tons since 2018, Sergey Tsivilyov noted

Critical infrastructure sites damaged in two regions in Ukraine’s north

Objects were damaged in the settlements of Khotiyevka and Glukhov

UNSC could hold urgent meeting on Syria on July 17 — source

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the bombing of the Syrian capital, linking it to the escalating situation in southern Syria, where the Israeli-backed Druze people have been engaged in fighting since July 13

Ukraine turns into 'toxic' secondary issue for NATO, top Russian security official says

Sergey Shoigu specified that since 2022, NATO members had allocated over $234 bln in aid to the Zelensky regime, with the US providing more than half of that money

Putin congratulates Nicaraguan co-presidents on Sandinista Revolution anniversary

Nicaragua is Russia’s reliable ally in Latin America, the Russian leader noted

Ukraine’s economy shrunk by at least twofold — former Ukrainian PM

According to Nikolay Azarov, the national budget amounts to roughly $60 bln, but the bulk of this figure consists of subsidies

Putin opens M-12 East highway section

The highway crosses territories of Bashkortostan, the Perm Region, and the Sverdlovsk Region

American who backed Moscow in Donbass writes book about his experience

From 2022 to 2024, Daniel Richard Martindale was on a territory controlled by the Kiev regime where, risking his life, he was gathering information for Russia

Russia ranks third by share of EU gas imports in May

In total, the EU purchased Russian gas worth 1.1 bln euro in May 2025