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Middle East conflict

Israel strikes Syrian city of Qatana

Consequences of the airstrike have not been reported yet

CAIRO, July 16. /TASS/. Israeli jets shelled the Syrian town of Qatana sitting 20 kilometers southwest of the capital Damascus, the SANA news agency reported.

Consequences of the airstrike have not been reported yet.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel carried out several airstrikes on Damascus. The first of them targeted the area of the capital that is home to the General Staff of the Syrian Armed Forces, and the subsequent ones hit the General Staff itself and, news reports said, the presidential palace. According to the latest data from the Syrian Health Ministry, at least 3 people were killed in the shelling and 34 others were injured.

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.

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

US delivers strike on Iraq killing Kata’ib Hezbollah commander

CENTCOM forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on U.S. service members

Russia demands US ensure humane treatment of Russians onboard Marinera vessel

The Pentagon said earlier that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera had been detained in the North Atlantic

Minneapolis protestor shot dead by US immigration control officer — AP

Describing the incident as "an act of domestic terrorism," the US Department of Homeland Security said the woman was trying to run over ICE officers with her vehicle, and the officers acted in self-defense

Austria’s ex-top diplomat slams US’ seizure of Marinera tanker as violation of int’l law

"The principle of innocent passage of merchant ships is key to all maritime shipping," Karin Kneissl said

Russia not to accept 'truce-and-see' approach on Ukraine, says Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that in Istanbul in 2022 Russia and Ukraine "initialed the settlement principles proposed by the Ukrainian delegation"

Russian Foreign Ministry protests against US statements on unauthorized rallies

Moscow will address the activities of US Internet giants in relation to the spreading of fake news about unsanctioned rallies in Russia, the spokeswoman pledged

Macron voices his plans to hold conversation with Putin as soon as possible

Marcon was answering a question from the channel's journalist, who recalled the French president’s recent statement that it would be useful to talk with Putin and inquired about any progress in this regard

Washington seeks to have Caracas halt oil supplies to ‘US adversaries’

The US side also expects Rodriguez to eventually facilitate free elections and step aside

Trump pledges to press for construction of modern defense plants in US

The president added that he would not permit dividends or stock buybacks for defense companies until such time as these problems slow production and servicing of US weapons and military equipment are rectified

Paris declaration on Ukraine brings world closer to third world war — Ukrainian politician

This declaration, in his words, "means that there will be no peace and the conflict will never end"

US is not at war with Venezuela, Trump says

Donald Trump also added that the White House believes new elections will not be held in Venezuela during the next thirty days

Kaliningrad Region is well protected from US air attacks — top brass

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Pentagon had reasons to be concerned that the delivery of the Russian-made S-400 systems to Turkey might tarnish the image of the F-35 stealth aircraft

Only Russian-made icebreakers to work on Northern Sea Route — minister

The Northern Sea Route is a shipping route in the Russian Arctic that runs along Russia's northern shores of the Arctic Ocean seas

Military neutrality remains Serbia's constant choice — ex-defense chief

Therefore, military neutrality remains Serbia's constant political choice. For this to change, a lot must change, he noted

Turkish party leader calls for forming alliance with Russia, Iran, China against US

Last October, Perincek already proposed the idea of creating an international alliance against the United States, describing this move as a historic need

Europe’s anti-Russian politicians doomed, they don’t trust their strategies — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that the key task of domestic diplomacy today is to support the efforts of fighters in the special military operation

Russia’s Pacific Fleet warships to hold drills with Vietnam’s navy

Russia’s naval group comprises the large anti-submarine warfare ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov and the medium sea tanker Pechenga

Russia to provide decoded data from Ukrainian drone to US — Defense Ministry

According to the ministry, Russian intelligence officers examining the navigation system of one of the Ukrainian drones shot down during the attack managed to extract the file containing flight plan data

ICC ruling on Putin to cause disastrous consequences for international law — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev said ICC judges shouldn’t have raised their hand against a major nuclear power

Russian Aerospace forces, Chinese Air Force conduct joint air patrol

The joint flight of Russian and Chinese aircraft lasted over five hours

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

Money from sale of Venezuelan oil to be used for benefits of its people — Rubio

"We have a lot of leverage to move on the stabilization front," US Secretary of State said

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"

Denmark may terminate defense agreement with Washington if US leaves NATO

Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that the treaty "may well be terminated by means other than denunciation or mutual agreement" if "very special circumstances" arise

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

Trump invited to deliver State of the Union address on February 24

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities

Russia’s Su-35S jets disable US F-16s, French Mirages in Ukraine operation — Rostec chief

Sergey Chemezov said the Su-35S engages targets at distances of hundreds of kilometers

British troops to take part in ‘deterrence operations’ in Ukraine — PM

According to the prime minister, a "legal instrument’ will be needed to send troops to Ukraine

US demands from Venezuela to severe economic ties with Iran, Cuba, China, Russia — TV

According to the US-based television broadcaster, Washington put forward several demands to the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez

Russian diplomat calls EU's remarks about Armenia joining NATO ‘grand fantasy’

"Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and we proceed from reality," Alexander Grushko stated

At least five civilians killed, over 30 wounded in attack on Syria’s Aleppo — TV

According to the report, SDF units attacked a group of servicemen who escorted civilians evacuating from the Kurdish districts of Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud in the northern part of Aleppo city

"Coalition of the Willing" won’t send troops to Ukraine, French politician says

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

US European Command confirms detention of Russian Marinera tanker

The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court

Bern sees no justification for US attack on Venezuela from point of view of int'l law

"Nicolas Maduro also violates international law. In particular, it is a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty, as well as a violation of Maduro's personal immunity," the Swiss foreign ministry said

White House yet undecided on whether it will seek elections in Venezuela this year

"It's too premature and too early to dictate a timetable for elections in Venezuela," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Zaporozhye NPP could supply Donbass, Novorossiya, Crimea, Caucasus

All six units, in theory, should be sufficient to cover the consumption needs of the new regions and Crimea

EU doesn’t recognize legitimacy of Venezuelan interim president — European Commission

The authorities in Venezuela derived their mandate from an electoral process that failed to respect the will of the people for democratic change

Kremlin hits out at Biden’s insults against Putin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was surprised that Biden, who was an enthusiastic proponent of bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, voiced such assertions against Putin

Aggression condemnation, fallout: global reaction to US operation in Venezuela

In the statements of the leaders and foreign ministries of several countries, Washington's action is characterized as aggression and an attempt to change power in the country

FACTBOX: Cases of abductions of heads of state

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by fighters of the elite Delta force unit of the US army оn January 3, 2026

US demands Venezuela expel advisors from Russia, China and Iran — NYT

Earlier, Rubio stated that Venezuela can no longer serve as a strategic base for opponents of the US

Putin tells Macron Russia is ready to continue dialogue with Kiev — Kremlin

Russian President tells his French counterpart that the EU countries ignore war crimes committed by the Ukrainian forces

Trump congratulates Zelensky on victory in Ukrainian presidential election

Zelensky is leading in the runoff stage of the election with 73.01% of the vote

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

US conducts operation to seize Russian oil tanker Marinera — Reuters

It also said that US troops were also involved in the operation

Production rate of US defense companies too slow — Trump

Ameican leader said that US defense contractors "are currently issuing massive Dividends to their Shareholders and massive Stock Buybacks, at the expense and detriment of investing in Plants and Equipment"

China slams US demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil as bullying

Mao Ning emphasized that such actions seriously violate international law and the rights of the Venezuelan people

Russia supports reform at UN Security Council — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow welcomes adjusting this body to the reality of fast-changing times

Russia-China trade turnover to exceed $220 bln by year-end — ambassador

Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov emphasized that the development of economic cooperation is taking place under what he described as "unprecedented pressure" from the West

US has no plans to turn Venezuela into its colony — senator Graham

Lindsey Graham said the US will not own it "forever"

Pentagon chief links Russian tanker detention to embargo on Venezuelan oil

Earlier in the day, EUCOM confirmed the detention of the Russian Marinera oil tanker in the Atlantic

Russian diplomat slams US statement on ‘cracking’ Kaliningrad defense as irresponsible

Every step in the Persian Gulf should be legally justified, says Russian diplomat

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed

Netanyahu tells ministers he has US support for another operation in Lebanon — radio

According to Kan, Israeli prime minister told the country’s government members that US President Donald Trump had greenlighted such an operation that would be geared to disarm Hezbollah units

US energy secretary denies plans to steal Venezuelan oil

"We are just controlling the marketing and the flow of funds in Venezuela so those funds can be used to better the conditions of the Venezuelan people and reduce the risks to the American people," Chris Wright said

Russia’s Pacific Fleet to take part in two major international drills in coming months

The drills include a bilateral Russian-Chinese naval exercise, Sea Cooperation-2018, the Russian-Indian Indra Navy-2018 exercise

Ukraine loses nearly 1,280 servicemen along engagement line over past day

In the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North, Ukraine’s losses amounted to up to 160 servicemen and 17 vehicles

Syrian authorities impose curfew in Kurdish areas of Aleppo

The authorities have opened humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians

Russia bans entry to 28 Canadian supporters of neo-Nazism, MFA announces

This was done in response to unlawful anti-Russian entry restrictions earlier announced by Ottawa

Iran must agree to nuclear deal before too late — Trump

The US President stated that he had already warned Iran of consequences in case it refuses to conclude an agreement on its nuclear dossier

President Putin congratulates Russians with Orthodox Christmas holiday

This year, Russian President Putin attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Moscow Region

US to continue seizing sanctioned, stateless tankers — Pentagon chief

"Stateless or sanctioned because the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of sanctioned or stateless vessels continues," Pete Hegseth said

Russia ready to evacuate people from Israel, Palestine at any moment — Putin

The President called on all Russian nationals who wish to leave Israel and Palestine promptly to contact the Russian embassy

Russia prepares response to potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that the UK, the European Commission’s leadership, and the majority of NATO and EU member states took "a completely destructive position" on the Ukraine issue

Pro-government forces in Yemen take control of key districts in Aden — TV

At the same time, key facilities and checkpoints in Aden remain under the control of the Al-Amalika Brigades, the channel's sources said

Trump’s confident about taking Greenland due to Europe's weakness — Sky News reporter

Deborah Haynes stressed that European countries, including the UK, are heavily dependent on the US for defense

Hungary rejects Coalition of the Willing’s decisions on Ukraine — top diplomat

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, this is in line with the current EU leaders’ policy toward unleashing an armed conflict with Moscow

Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th

US counts on amnestying of Venezuelan opposition forces — Rubio

Washington does not want Venezuela "descending into chaos," Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted

INTERVIEW: CAR seeks to open UAV operator training center jointly with Russia — president

Earlier, Touadera noted that drones or even establishing their production are necessary to protect CAR from existing threats

Putin believes unfair if someone else manages his social media accounts — spokesman

The Russian president does not plan to sign up for a social media account, according to his press secretary

Trump may designate Ukraine as 'disposable' in wake of attack on Venezuela — US blogger

The White House "now treats control over the Western Hemisphere as a core strategic priority - not merely as foreign policy, but as regime preservation," Jozef Schutzman said

Moscow hasn’t ordered evacuation of diplomats from Israel – Russian ambassador

Anatoly Viktorov noted that the embassy is monitoring the development of the situation

US in close contacts with Venezuela’s interim authorities — White House

"We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Trump says hardly possible that Kiev attacked Russian president's residence

According to the US President, "there is something that happened fairly nearby," but it had nothing to do with the attack on the Russian leader's official residence

Total blackout reported in Dnepropetrovsk — TV

Electricity and water supplies, central heating, mobile communications and internet services are currently not available to its residents

Trust in NATO, US sharply declines in Ukraine over past year

Survey conducted by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology

Sophia tanker with Venezuelan oil doesn’t belong to any country — White House

"This vessel was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Polish PM fears ‘something has changed’ in EU-US relations

The updated US National Security Strategy expresses concern that Europe will be unrecognizable and on the verge of destruction as a civilization in 20 years

Seven US troops wounded in Venezuela military operation — TV

According to Fox News, five service members already have returned to duty and two are still recovering from the operation

Russian border guards leave Yerevan's Zvartnots airport after 32 years of service

Head of the Armenian branch of the Russian Federal Security Service’s Border Service Roman Golubitsky said that the border guards had honorably done the duty they were tasked with

Europe to face collapse if it stops rearming — Polish PM

Donald Tusk’s remarks followed the recent US strike on Venezuela, as well as statements by US President Donald Trump about Washington’s territorial claims on Greenland, which is part of Denmark

Russian forces hit Patriot SAM launcher, missile reload trailer transporter

Russian forces have liberated Pobeda and took more advantageous positions in the Donetsk area

Trumps says Russia, China would have no fear of NATO without US

According to the US leader, under his pressure, NATO countries have agreed to increase their defense spending up to 5% of the GDP, although "everyone said that couldn’t be done"

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

Sixteen children added to Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons Mirotvorets

They were included in the database over an alleged attempt to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and "a deliberate violation of the state border"

Germany ready to deploy forces on NATO territory adjacent to Ukraine after ceasefire

Friedrich Merz added that the decision on Germany's contribution to providing security guarantees for Ukraine would be made by the German government and the Bundestag

INTERVIEW: CAR president calls Putin a great leader

In January 2025, Touadera, along with a delegation of several ministers, paid a visit to Russia, where he held talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin

West deliberately wages war against Russia, using Ukraine as a cover — ex-defense chief

According to Vulin, the West fully controls what is happening, and the opinion of the Ukrainians themselves does not interest anyone

INTERVIEW: CAR president calls work of Russian instructors successful and fruitful

The work is going successfully and fruitfully

Hungary rejects Coalition of the Willing’s decisions on Ukraine — top diplomat

According to the top Hungarian diplomat, this is in line with the current EU leaders’ policy toward unleashing an armed conflict with Moscow

‘Cheap bit of fake news’: MP blasts Bild’s article on Russian plan to invade Ukraine

According to the lawmaker "this cheap fake news item is being seriously presented by a seemingly reputable newspaper that decided to follow suit of US media outlets"

UK assists US in seizing Marinera tanker — defense ministry

According to the ministry, the assistance was provided "in full compliance with international law"

Parliament to vote on sending British troops to Ukraine — Starmer

British Prime Minister would put that matter to the House for a vote

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed