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Middle East conflict

Updated at:

Israeli aircraft strikes Damascus — TV

The TV channel reported that there were casualties, but their number is still unknown

CAIRO, July 16. /TASS/. An Israeli fighter has attacked the Syrian capital triggering an explosion, Sham TV channel reported.

Government-owned Syria TV channel showed the bombing of a building of the General Staff of the Syrian Armed Forces in downtown Damascus. The TV channel reported that there were casualties, but their number is still unknown.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least two people were injured by an explosion from an Israeli UAV strike in the center of Damascus, where the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Arab Republic is located.

The TV channel also claims that Israeli planes attacked the Presidential Palace in the Syrian capital. The government has not yet commented on this information.

According to preliminary data from the Syrian Health Ministry, nine people were injured in Damascus by various Israeli strikes.

Middle East conflict

Israeli jets carry out at least six raids on northern, southern Lebanon — TV

Local authorities have not yet reported any casualties or injuries resulting from the airstrikes

Su-57 fighter jet successfully evades enemy radars and electronic warfare — Chemezov

Rostec CEO noted that the corporation received feedback on all equipment deployed in the zone of the special military operation

West does not believe Ukraine can win without external assistance — United Russia official

Andrey Klimov believes that even with ongoing Western assistance, Ukraine will not achieve its military objectives

First meeting of working group on elections to be held in Ukraine

First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, head of the "Servant of the People" party, Alexander Korniyenko announced it

Arms supplies to Taiwan to bring US no closer to its goals — Chinese embassy

Such moves will not reverse the inevitable failure of Taiwan independence, spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated

Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

According to the sources, the measure is based on the principle of reciprocity

Mobilization in Ukraine, NATO near Kaliningrad: Foreign Ministry statements

TASS has compiled the key statements by the official representative of the Foreign Ministry

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

Russian official calls envoys Witkoff, Dmitriev public diplomacy figures

According to Andrey Klimov, it is impossible to cover everything through classical diplomacy alone

Russia has plan in place in case frozen assets are seized — Novak

It will be implemented if such cases arise, the Russian deputy prime minister added

Trump receives box of red caviar from Russia's Far East

The caviar reportedly made such a "strong impression" on Steve Witkoff that he was given an entire box to deliver to President Trump

No prerequisites for HIV vaccine in near future — Russian academic

Gennady Onishchenko added that despite the absence of a vaccine, HIV-infected patients today, thanks to treatment, can maintain a decent quality of life and give birth to healthy children

Russian stock indices show mixed dynamics as Thursday's main trading session closes

The yuan-to-ruble rate fell 10 kopecks to 11.03 rubles

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

French politician sides with Telegram founder, accuses Macron of creating 'digital gulag'

Florian Philippot also called for France to leave the European Union as soon as possible in order to protect freedom of speech

Russian troops liberate Svyato-Pokrovskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 215 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and six armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian MFA claps back at West over Kaliningrad comments

Maria Zakharova said that a certain stupidity and audacity shine through in these statements

French rush to resell Christmas gifts floods online marketplaces

According to Ouest-France, eBay had already recorded 500,000 listings by the morning of December 25 and expects the total number of posts to rise by 400%

British police to request data from FBI on possible crimes by former Prince Andrew

The former duke stepped down from his royal duties in 2019 after denying allegations of sexually assaulting a teenage Virginia Giuffre

Kiev striking infrastructure in Krasny Liman with towed artillery used by NATO — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev dispatched its artillery unit equipped with M777 155mm howitzers near the locality of Mayaki in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Gas supplies to China to exceed contractual volumes by almost 800 mcm in 2025 — Gazprom

CEO Alexey Miller expressed confidence that Gazprom will annually supply China with volumes in excess of its contractual obligations

Russia approves treaty with Myanmar on protection of citizens in international justice

It was signed in St. Petersburg on May 20, 2025

Russian Post suspends overland delivery to Baltic States

Delivery by air to these countries continues

Red Cross receives 182,000 appeals about missing persons in Ukrainian conflict

According to spokeswoman Galina Balzamova, the actual number of families unaware of their relatives’ fate is higher, as not everyone contacts the ICRC directly

Russia’s gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan up by 20% in 2025 — Gazprom

According to CEO Alexey Miller, Gazprom will continue to increase gas volumes supplied to these countries

Russian strategic bombers fly over neutral waters of Barents, Norwegian seas

Su-33 fighter jets of the Russian Navy escorted the long-range bombers

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

Two Aist-2T satellites scheduled for launch on December 28 — Roscosmos

Unlike their predecessor, the new satellites are equipped with orbital correction propulsion systems, have a longer service life, and transmit data faster

Russia has developed new unmanned watercraft — Ushkuynik Center

According to Alexey Chadayev, CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center, Ushkuynik’s residents have also developed new unmanned aerial vehicles

Almost all Ukrainian brigade deserts — Russia’s security forces

The source said there are quite a lot of units in the Ukrainian army that did not meet expectations of the command

German customs involved in legal arbitrariness against Russians — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, Germany has de facto been turned into a territory of lawlessness for people of a certain nationality, in this case, citizens of Russia

Sweden better apologize for detaining Russia's Adler vessel — Foreign Ministry

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Swedish customs and law enforcement agencies, including security services, continued their so-called inspection

Ukrainian soldiers ignore pressure to celebrate Catholic Christmas — military expert

According to Adnrey Marochko, the majority of Ukrainian servicemen continue to consider rescheduling of the Christian holiday an act of blasphemy

Russian army destroys Ukraine's underground bunkers in Zaporozhye Region

Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky stressed that the seizure of Gulyaipole would pave the way for the liberation of the entire Zaporozhye Region

Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

As Bloomberg noted, the ruble’s rise has been influenced by reduced demand for foreign currency in Russia.

Launch of Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from Plesetsk proceeded normally — Russian top brass

Spacecraft was inserted into the target orbit at the calculated time and taken over for control by the ground assets of the Aerospace forces

AZAL plane presumably damaged by warhead elements — Kazakh authorities

The commission concluded its examination of the GPS cassettes recovered from avionics modules No. 1 and No. 3

US ready to facilitate peace talks between Cambodia, Thailand — Rubio

US Secretary of State spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to "express concern about the ongoing violence between Cambodia and Thailand"

US forces conduct strike against IS militants in Nigeria — Trump

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude to the Nigerian authorities, stating that he was "grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation"

Ukraine has no money to hold elections — Zelensky's office

According to Mikhail Podolyak, Ukraine’s budget has other priority expenditures, including militarization

Iranian special forces officer eliminated in Lebanon — IDF

Spokesman Avichay Adraee said Hussein al-Jawhari had led operations against Israel in Syria and Lebanon in recent years

Gazprom to supply Russian consumers with 386 bcm of gas in 2025 — CEO

It will be close to a record, the company’s CEO Alexey Miller said

Putin expects next decade to bring unprecedented breakthrough in technology

The Russian leader drew attention of regional and federal officials, and businessmen across all industries to the fact that actually the time of breakthrough was "already here for us"

DPRK announces death of senior official Kim Chang Son

The KCNA stated that he long occupied important party and state positions

Ukrainian army pulls forces toward key cities in Donbass — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky noted that the Ukrainian military was building fortifications and preparing a line of defense in these areas

Lavrov discusses preparations for CSTO summit in Moscow in November — Foreign Ministry

The meeting was attended by representatives of the presidential administration, federal executive authorities and organizations involved in this work

Russia ready to discuss form of document on absence of plans to attack NATO — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia remains open for serious talks

Zelensky says he spoke with Witkoff and Kushner by telephone

Vladimir Zelensky did not disclose the content of the conversation

KVN drones destroy Ukrainian equipment worth two German armies — Ushkuynik

According to CEO Alexey Chadayev, after the invasion of the Kursk Region, the Ukrainian armed forces "were unable to carry out a single successful attack with the mass use of mechanized military equipment"

Macron tries to turn EU into 'digital gulag' — Durov

The sanctioned architect of the EU’s censorship law is a close ally and appointee of Emmanuel Macron, Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov said

NYPD offers $10,000 reward for help in catching Grinch

The post on social media was designed as a real wanted poster, featuring a sketch of the Grinch and a phone number to contact the police

Parallel imports down to $2 bln monthly in 2025 — ministry

According to the statement, such dynamics reflects in particular the successful adaptation of the economy to the sanction pressure, growth of domestic production

Venezuela grateful to Russia for support in defending its sovereignty — foreign minister

Yvan Gil Pinto highly appreciated Russia’ "steadfast support" in preserving a zone of peace in the Caribbean

Russian forces destroy company of Ukrainian soldiers by FAB bomb in Dnepropetrovsk area

The Ukrainian military is trying to evacuate the wounded and dead personnel from the site of the strike and work is underway to clear the debris

Zelensky says agreed to meet with Trump

"Much may be decided before the New Year," Vladimir Zelensky added

EU twists law of sea by pushing Russian 'shadow fleet' narrative — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that another EU's declaration shows no sign of a serious analysis of the law of the sea or its applications in specific circumstances

Two militant bases dismantled in CAR, plans to disrupt presidential elections thwarted

One base housing about 30 militants was uncovered 50 km south of the Auk settlement, they retreated into Chad

Refusal to take path of peace is Ukraine’s tragedy — German general

Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

Politician says impossible to conduct legitimate referendum in Ukraine

In Viktor Medvedchuk's view, conducting a referendum is another crazy idea floated by Vladimir Zelensky who "has invented a new excuse to whitewash himself"

Kiev to conduct de facto general mobilization in 2026, Russian MFA explains

"There are reports that Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have been tasked with tightening the screws as much as possible and handing out about two million draft notices as early as at the beginning of 2026," Maria Zakharova said

EU needs to understand Kiev never to repay its loans — Russian Foreign Ministry

"Any sane person understands that no reparations in the form that Zelensky talks about, calling it reparations, some kind of ‘duty’ of Russia, nothing like that will happen," Maria Zakharova stated

At least 77 Ukrainian UAVs downed overnight over Russian regions — defense ministry

34 were intercepted over the territory of the Volgograd Region

Russian presidential administration ready to make public Putin-Barroso conversation

In a telephone conversation with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso, Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly said that Russian troops would be able to "take Kiev in two weeks" if necessary

Russian diplomat refutes Bloomberg article on Russia's intentions to amend Ukraine plan

"This media outlet does not have any reliable sources close to the Kremlin," Maria Zakharova said

AI breakthrough, personnel training, low unemployment: Putin’s statements

According to the head of state, the next 10 to 15 years will bring an unprecedented technological breakthrough in world history

Fire area in Temryuk port reach 4,000 sq m

Two tanks with oil products are on fire

Germany seeks €500 mln fund to address social isolation

Andre Berghegger, head of the Association of German Towns and Municipalities, argued that community meeting spaces should remain open as much as possible, "without long breaks, holidays, sick days or early closures"

Knyaz Vandal drone is used by Russian troops as ambush drone — Ushkuynik

According to Alexey Chadayev, the drone has been significantly upgraded since its introduction in August 2024

Kiev has no resources to feed 800,000-strong army mentioned by Zelensky — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that it remains unclear what the first point of Zelensky’s plan, intended to affirm Ukraine’s sovereignty, actually means

Silver price hits record high

By 1:14 a.m. GMT, the value of silver accelerated its growth to $75.235 per troy ounce

Polish officials not allowed to enter Russian consulate’s former building

Poland’s last operating Russian Consulate General located in the city of Gdansk closed down earlier this week

Russia rescued Ukrainians abandoned by Kiev in Sumy Region — human rights commissioner

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

Court sentences Left Front coordinator to six years in prison for justifying terrorism

The reason was a Telegram post in support of the members of a Marxist circle from Ufa who are accused of terrorism

Zelensky office representatives visit DPR's Kramatorsk early this week — military expert

Available data and indirect evidence suggest that the visit was most likely connected to the process of the so-called peaceful settlement and the resolution of technical issues at the local level, Andrey Marochko said

Cancer-stricken Serbian sues NATO for use of depleted uranium in 1999 attack on Yugoslavia

His lawyer Srdan Aleksic disclosed that the Serbian officer’s grievance is fully identical to the 500 lawsuits, filed by Italian soldiers who were deployed in Kosovo in 1999

Moscow understands grounds for Azerbaijani leader's absence from CIS summit — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier congratulated the Azerbaijani president on his birthday during a phone call

Germany to have to return to compulsory military draft — paper

Head of the Bundestag defense committee Thomas Rowekamp said that 20,000-30,000 servicemen leave the active army every year

Over 1,300 restaurants, hotels in UAE will begin using Russian software

The collaboration is expected to generate approximately $1.2 million in annual revenue

Russian senator says Hunter Biden's NYP interview proves Dems tied to Ukraine corruption

When Hunter Biden says that Ukraine is a viper’s den of corruption, he is describing a system to which he was a party through his father’s position, Alexander Voloshin noted

Foreign brands vacate 81% more retail space in Russia in 2025 than they occupied

According to analysts, 60 new international brands have entered the Russian market since the beginning of 2023

Liberation of Kosovtsevo brings area of over 23 sq km under control — security forces

Guardsmen of the 37th Brigade of the 36th Army of the Battlegroup East advanced 4 km inland and 6 km along the front on the western bank of the Gaichur River

No Hong Kong flu in Russia — academic

Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Education Gennady Onishchenko noted that H3N2 flu changed since 1973

FBI trained Ukrainian anti-corruption detectives, ex-SBU employee says

Vasily Prozorov stressed that, in essence, NABU is a US project

Uraldronzavod supplies first batch of Berdysh heavy combat drones to special op zone

During field testing, the drones have proven their reliability, Vladimir Tkachuk said

Ukraine’s ex-premier describes Zelensky’s plan as attempt to stall talks

According to Nikolay Azarov, the plan does not resolve a number of important issues

Russian embassy warns of danger of Ukrainization of Italian politics

The embassy expressed its full solidarity with the Italians who became victims of the Ukrainian Nazis and the irresponsible Italian politicians who condoned them

Kiev steps up attacks on Russia using NATO arms — military expert

Andrey Marochko suggested that Kiev had intensified the number of strikes against Russia using NATO-supplied weapons due to increased ammunition deliveries from alliance countries

Moscow calls detention of Russia’s Adler vessel by Sweden 'farce majeure'

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Sweden should apologize for the incident

Beijing opposes US maritime blockade of Venezuela

According to He Yongqian, Beijing believes that a US blockade "could not only disrupt the normal functioning of international energy markets, but also pose additional security risks"

Switzerland should respect Russia and do business with it — Swiss businessman

Tito Tettamanti said the West made a mistake by intervening too much in Ukraine's affairs to weaken Russia

Bundeswehr should take part in peacekeeping in Ukraine under European flag — EU politician

The head of the conservative European People’s Party Manfred Weber asserted that US President Donald Trump will not "ensure a peaceful settlement exclusively with US troops"

Foreign intelligence services monitoring Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus — KGB

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko earlier stated that a maximum of 10 Russian-made Oreshnik systems would be deployed in the republic

Bundestag believes German army has opportunity to ensure peace in Ukraine

head of the Bundestag defense committee Thomas Rowekamp said that the German army "has capabilities that it can use, including in Ukraine"

Humanitarian aid convoy from Dagestan comes under attack in border area

"Magomednabi Gadzhiyev, head of the Shamilsky District from where the convoy departed, and two members of the Self-Defense public organization, were killed," Sergey Melikov, leader of the North Caucasus region, said

US DHS places 27 Ukrainians on list of ‘worst of the worst’ detained foreigners

It is more than from any other former USSR country, convicted of robbery, fraud, armed assault, drug trafficking and sex crimes

Trump threatens Democrats with 'last Christmas' in light of Epstein case

The US leader also noted that Democrats will "have a lot of explaining to do" when their involvement in US financier scandal becomes known

Zelensky works for MI6, Russian official believes

According to Andrey Klimov, in the first months of the special military operation, there was a real chance to end the conflict through political and diplomatic means

Casualties among Knyaz Vandal drone operators minimal — Ushkuynik

The head of Ushkuynik named the factors that contribute to this phenomenon

Tajikistan reports fatalities from border clash with Afghan terrorists

"This was the third armed attack, terrorist act and border infiltration from Afghanistan into Tajikistan in the past month, resulting in civilian and military fatalities," the Committee said

China ready to strengthen international arms control system — embassy in US

Spokesperson Liu Pengyu emphasized that China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development

Ukraine extends ban on Russian goods imports for year

The prohibited products include meat, fish, coffee, tea, chocolate and other confectionery, baby food, animal feed, alcohol and cigarettes