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Middle East conflict

Israel says to send new forces to border with Syria

The IDF "will continue to act defensively and offensively to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens," the statement says

TEL AVIV, July 16. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it will send additional units to the border with Syria.

"In accordance with the assessment of the situation, it was decided to build up the forces of the Israel Defense Forces on the Syrian border," it said in a statement.

The statement noted that the Israeli military "regularly assesses the situation," after which, "in accordance with these assessments, the necessary composition of forces is determined to carry out operational tasks in various areas." The IDF "will continue to act defensively and offensively to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens," it said.

Middle East conflict

Israeli says hits southern Lebanon

It was a responce to "repeated violations by Hezbollah of the ceasefire agreement", military said

Dmitriev calls on EU 'not to provoke Daddy,' recall soldiers from Greenland

Russia’s president special Representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries said that the EU should return the soldiers sent to Greenland

Russia to do everything to safeguard Kaliningrad amid EU statements — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stessed that Kaliningrad is an integral part of Russia

Trump's Greenland grab offers EU path to ally with Russia — entrepreneur

According to Kim Dotcom, in this case US President Donald Trump would become a pariah and the US plan "to profit from the fall of the EU" would fail

Kiev, Odessa, Kharkov hardest-hit by power supply outages in Ukraine

Reports of emergency power outages have been coming from Kiev and several Ukrainian regions since morning

Europe withdraws over 36 bcm of gas from storage facilities since start of heating season

The total rate of withdrawal from storage facilities since the beginning of the month has lost record pace and is currently the third-highest for January

Newest AK-12 assault rifle developed based on combat experience analysis — Kalashnikov CEO

Alan Lushnikov added that the modernization had been preceded by extensive work

Putin receives US invitation to join Board of Peace on Gaza — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is currently studying all the details of this proposal

Russia may upgrade advanced Su-57 aircraft to 6th-generation fighter jet

Russia’s cutting-edge Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation aircraft has the upgrade potential to become a sixth-generation fighter jet

Belarus invited to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

According to Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman Ruslan Varankov, the president responded positively to the invitation

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

Turkey to support Syria’s counter-terrorism effort, help protect its unity — Erdogan

The Turkish leader noted that the Syrian military’s operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition "is deserving of respect"

Orban's ruling party says to keep Russia ties if voted back into power in Hungary

According to Balazs Orban, it is absolutely clear what Moscow, Beijing, and Washington can expect from Hungary if its current government remains in power: "predictability, sovereign decisions and cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit"

Gazprom, Hungary's MOL agree on terms of NIS deal — Serbian Energy Ministry

According to Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic, partners from the United Arab Emirates are expected to participate in the deal

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

Death toll from train crash in Spain up to 41 — media

It is not yet known what caused the accident

Russian troops liberate Novaya Poltavka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russian forces struck a Ukrainian aircraft repair workshop, a military airfield and deployment sites of Ukraine’s armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 138 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

Israel to give ‘unprecedented’ response if attacked — military

"The lessons of Operation ‘Rising Lion’ have been implemented", Chief of the General Staff of the IDF Eyal Zamir said

Time in special military operation works in Russia’s favor — Medvedchuk

Ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform - for Life party noted that "there are ongoing contacts with the US, and Europe is already looking for ways to resume engagement with Russia"

Iconic fashion designer Valentino dies at age of 93 — media

Valentino Garavani was known for dressing celebs for more than 50 years

INTERVIEW: Denmark maniacally charged with confrontation with Moscow — Russian ambassador

Last year, the Danish government allowed the construction of Ukrainian plant FirePoint, which produces solid rocket fuel

Turkey rejects reports about release of Islamic State militants in Syria

It also urged to "ignore similar unfounded claims" in the future

Non-oil and gas revenues of Russian budget up 12.6% in 2025

An increase in receipts of turnover-based revenues, including VAT, amounted to 7.1% year on year

Putin’s Direct Line demonstrated that 2025 was successful for Russia — Focus

According to Focus, Russia, despite a tough sanctions regime, successfully exports its products and secures its defense budget

Trump seeks to maintain warm relations with Putin — FT

According to the report, the US leader's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the Gaza Board of Peace illustrates that

PREVIEW: Lavrov to hold press conference on results of Russian diplomacy in 2025

Representatives of the Russian and foreign press will be able to ask questions

Madagascar seeks to join BRICS as partner country — president

Italian organization members face prosecution for recruiting Europeans into Kiev’s army

According to the official statement, the investigation targets representatives of Associazione Stur, which operates both in Italy and Ukraine

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Gazprom Neft confirms signing letter of intent with MOL to sell stake in Serbia's NIS

The Hungarian holding noted that the deal could be closed by March 31, but will require approval from the US OFAC and Serbian authorities

Russian forces push Ukrainian army away from Dnieper river shore near Kherson — commander

The Ukrainian army is trying to hold its positions at the edge of the right bank of the Dnieper River and is secretly shelling the left bank of the Kherson Region while avoiding any active armed clashes

Denmark fails to eliminate 'Russian threat' to Greenland, Trump claims

According to the US president, now it is time, and it will be done

Russian Finance Ministry ready to offer yuan-denominated bonds if market has desire

The Russian Finance Ministry completed earlier the debut offering of OFZ bonds denominated in yuan totaling about $3 bln

Ukraine loses 20 troops in Russian Grad strike near Konstantinovka

Russia’s Battlegroup South also destroyed three vehicles

FACTBOX: What we know about Gaza Board of Peace

As of now, invitations have reportedly been received by heads of state and government of nearly 60 countries

Putin discusses Russia’s role in multipolar world with Russian Security Council members

A report was delivered by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Europe turns to Russia talks after realizing it’s being sidelined — Medvedchuk

Medvedchuk stressed that the principle behind the Ukrainian conflict is not a secret to anyone

Gazprom records second intensive gas withdrawal from Ukrainian USG this week

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, as of January 17, Ukrainian UGS facilities were 22.32% full

Restoration of Ukraine's power grid to take 3-4 years — Energy Industry Research Center

A state of emergency is currently in effect in Ukraine’s energy sector

Russian troops liberate Novopavlovka, move closer to Druzhkovka

According to Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, it creates a number of tactical advantages

EU, UK hold ‘no cards’ on Greenland — Russian presidential envoy

Donald Trump announced earlier that Washington would begin to impose import tariffs of 10% on the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, France, and Sweden, which will remain in place until the parties reach agreement on the full transfer of Greenland to the US

IMF expects global inflation to decline to 3.8% this year

The inflation projections are largely unchanged as compared to the ones made by the IMF in October 2025

IMF forecasts global economy to grow by 3.3% in 2026

The steady performance on the surface results from the balancing of divergent forces

US needs Greenland for effective use of Golden Dome missile defense system — Trump

The US leader noted that "highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it"

US must immediately release Maduro, return him to Venezuela — Vice President

Delcy Rodriguez said that in a speech broadcast on the Telesur television channel

American says ‘Chosen Company’ mercenaries executed Russian POWs

Benjamin Reed said that the war crimes of Chosen Company were recorded by military medic Caspar Grosse, among others

Israel decides not to open Rafah checkpoint on Gaza-Egypt border — media

Commenting on this decision, a high-ranking Israeli official told Ynet that the initial deal between Israel and the United States did not mention that Turkish and Qatari representatives would be included on the Board of Peace that is designed to administer the enclave

Kremlin agrees that Trump will go down in history if he annexes Greenland

According to Dmitry Peskov, by resolving the issue of Greenland's accession, the US leader will go down not only in US history, but in world history as well

Western Europe prepares for war with Russia — Orban

In confirmation of this, the Hungarian prime minister said that recent meetings of the EU leaders "have turned into military councils" where the issue of "how to defeat Russia" is discussed

Czech Republic says cannot pay $1 billion for membership in Board of Peace for Gaza

Czech taxpayers do not have such money for these purposes," Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said

EU may influence Trump on Greenland by threatening to remove US bases — The Economist

According to the magazine, it will be extremely difficult for Washington to project its military power into Africa and the Middle East without access to European military bases

Netanyahu rules out Turkish, Qatari military presence in Gaza

In this regard, Netanyahu tasked his Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to discuss the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 400 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

OpenAI to present its first device in 2026 — Axios

Chief Global Affairs Officer of the company Chris Lehane gave no details what the device would be

Train crash in Spain claims 40 lives — media

According the ABC newspaper, 31 people are still missing

Trump’s plans on Greenland may deal irreparable damage to US-Europe ties — WP

According to the article, US president's "bid to buy or seize Greenland" and "to unleash a trade war" with Europe has "sparked the greatest transatlantic crisis in generations"

Trump plans to sign Board of Peace charter in Davos — Bloomberg

In line with the charter, Donald Trump will become the institution’s first chairman, and will personally decide on inviting new members

FACTBOX: What is known about undercover British intelligence officer exposed in Moscow

Russia’s Federal Security Service stated that the British intelligence officer working undercover at the embassy is being expelled from the country

Germany might raise rent for US military bases over tariffs — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s sources in Berlin, Germany is not considering the closure of US military bases on its territory

Russia may resume electricity exports to China at Beijing’s request — Energy Ministry

According to the statement, a key priority for Russia remains the accelerated provision of electricity to the dynamically developing economy of the Far East

Moldova to quit CIS after denouncing its key agreements — top diplomat

According to Mihai Popsoi, the government will complete the denunciation process by mid-February

Railway operator CEO excludes human factor as cause of rail incident in Spain

"If an operator makes a wrong decision, the system corrects it on its own," Alvaro Fernandez Heredia noted

Russia stands ready to restore relations with all European countries — Putin

Russia has always been committed to such diplomatic approaches, the Russian leader said

Merz calls Russia 'European country,' hopes to achieve balance in relations

The Chancellor said his comment was not because he was in the east of Germany

Many merchant ships refuse to call at Odessa seaports — Ukrainian grain association

According to the UGA, the situation has deteriorated notably in recent days

Macron to opt out of Trump’s Board of Peace over UN fears — Bloomberg

According to the report, the French leader believes that the new organization’s charter goes beyond the Gaza Strip issue

Russia falls to 36th place in latest FIFA rankings

According to the FIFA World Ranking, the Top-3 football nations are Spain, Argentina and France

Construction of first reactor of Akkuyu plant almost completed

Akkuyu is the first nuclear power plant in Turkey

London’s threats to stop Russian ships amount to return to piracy — ambassador

Andrey Kelin noted that Western countries have long relied on double standards in attempts to "spite Russia," but their disregard of international law has now reached "unprecedented levels"

Russian stock indices in the green as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The yuan rate fell 2 kopecks to 11.14 rubles

Putin takes traditional icy plunge to mark Orthodox Epiphany — Kremlin

"Epiphany is a great holiday for the President, as for all Orthodox believers who work in the Kremlin," Dmitry Peskov stressed

NORAD says its planes to arrive in Greenland soon

"This activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark", North American Joint Aerospace Defense Command noted

Severe geomagnetic storms strikes Earth

The sun exploded with a powerful X1.9 flare on the evening of January 18, launching a huge blob of solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection, towards the Earth

No immediate plans for Putin’s call with Venezuela’s authorized president — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia maintains constant contact with Delcy Rodriguez via diplomatic channels

'Black holes' of the Russian Navy

For the first time TASS publishes photos of Project 636.3 Varshavyanka submarines taken from a quadrocopter during sea trials in the Baltic Sea

Ukrainian army suffering heavy losses at Orekhov in Zaporozhye Region — governor

According to Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian Armed Forces continue offensive in the area of four settlements in the Zaporozhye Region

Syrian army establishes control over city with prison for Islamic State militants

The SDF said earlier that it had lost control over the al-Shaddadi prison after clashes with Damascus-affiliated groups that attacked the facility

Exhibition featuring Russian frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov opens in Doha

A presentation showcasing warships from Kuwait, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and France was held at Hamad Port

Federal budget deficit totaled $72.3 bln in 2025 — Finance Ministry

Revenues of the federal budget edged up by 1.6% to 37.28 trillion rubles ($479.5 bln) in 2025

About 60 countries invited to join Gaza Board of Peace — WSJ

According to the report, the majority of those invited responded in a "cautious" manner due to potential geopolitical risks

Over 2,000 people protest in Zurich against Trump's participation in Davos Forum

The demonstrators lit firecrackers and smoke bombs, one of them set fire to the US flag

Billionaire Carlos Slim agrees to acquire Lukoil's Mexico assets

The deal is valued at $270 million, and Grupo Carso will also repay $330 million in debt

Moldovan PM says would vote for unifying with Romania

Numerous political parties in Moldova have for decades been advancing the idea of unification with Romania

Trump to get nowhere with Greenland through pressure — Danish foreign minister

"We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don't trade people," Lars Loekke Rasmussen said

No one will help Ukraine after conflict except Russia, Belarus — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader urged Ukrainians to recognize that the issue is not merely about territorial gains

US dollar share in global reserves drop to its lowest in twenty years

The analysts noted that gold now accounts for more global FX reserves than Euro, Yen and Pound combined

Medvedev says opening round win at 2026 Australian Open 'was not easy'

In the next round, the Russian will play another unseeded player, Frenchman Quentin Halys

Putin to hold international contacts during upcoming week

A meeting with members of the government is also scheduled

Press review: Europe, US on brink of trade war as Russia ready to respond to UK plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, January 19th

MOL signs binding agreement with Gazprom Neft to acquire 56.15% in Serbian NIS

The parties expect to close the deal by March 31

Russian businessman says it would be cheaper for EU to pay Russia for Greenland's security

Oleg Deripaska urged European nations to reconsider their options for allocating funds, proposing that a resolution to the Ukraine conflict could be achieved at a fraction of the cost - around 150 billion euros

Russia, Belarus to clean Druzhba pipeline without assistance from Poland

The spokesman for Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that Russian oil supplies will resume "no later than mid-June"

Denmark sending large contingent of troops to western Greenland — TV

Chief of the Danish Army Command Peter H. Boysen is also expected to arrive in Greenland

Denmark chooses to skip World Economic Forum in Davos

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting will be held on January 19-23

Ukraine loses around 1,210 troops across all directions of special military operation

Russian forces also carried out strikes on facilities assembling unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as on energy and transport sites operating in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Hungarian Foreign Ministry will support MOL in buying NIS shares from Gazprom

The integrated, coordinated work of the Slovak, Hungarian, and Serbian oil markets could provide Central Europe with an unprecedented level of energy security, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted

Press review: Trump pressures Denmark as US business signals Arctic ties with Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 16th

Trump intends to build his own system of international relations — Belarusian MP

"Belarus has always been faithful to the principles of such diplomacy", Vadim Gigin said

Kallas calls on US not to be distracted by Greenland from Ukrainian crisis

According to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, China and Russia are the ones who benefit from Donald Trump’s announcement on introduction of duties on imports of goods from eight European countries

Russian forces are 30 km from Slavyansk — DPR head

According to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, fierce fighting continues near the settlements of Grishino and Beletskoye

Colombian mercenary advises against joining Ukrainian army

According to Russia’s security agencies, at least 750 Colombian mercenaries fighting for Ukraine have been killed since the start of the special military operation