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Middle East conflict

Israel says several months needed to fully capture Gaza City

Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the military has no time limits

TEL AVIV, September 16. /TASS/. The complete capture of Gaza City will take the Israeli military several months, and several more months to cleanse it, said official representative of the Israel Defense Forces, Brigadier General Effie Defrin.

"We understand that it will take several months to capture the entire city, and it will take several more months to cleanse the entire terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City," he said at a briefing.

Defrin said the military has no time limits.

"We will act as long as it is necessary to bring the abducted back home and destroy the Hamas regime in Gaza," he said.

The Israeli army earlier on Tuesday launched a large-scale ground offensive on the Gaza City to establish full control over it and defeat the remaining armed Hamas groups.

On the eve of the offensive, the Axios portal reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump is not going to hinder Israel and will allow it to make its own decisions regarding the conflict. According to the portal's sources, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington supports the ground operation, but expects it to be carried out quickly and completed as soon as possible.

Ukrainian city of Odessa reports partial power cuts

According to the DTEK energy company, an accident occurred in the morning at another company’s energy facility

Deadline for sale of Exxon stake in Sakhalin-1 extended until January 2027 — decree

The deadline has been extended several times since the creation of the new project operator

US LNG exports hit an all-time high in October

In the reporting period, LNG exports were up 11.4% month-on-month and 33.7% up year-on-year

Gloomy mood in European Commission’s headquarters — Politico

According to the newspaper, after months of discussions, EU leaders "delivered a harsh reality check, with the executive’s ambitions dashed by political and national red lines"

West 'understands nothing about Russians,' Rostec says in response to Reuters report

The Russian defense industry is currently focused on solving state problems, not on generating more profit

Honduras election authority says Trump-backed candidate won presidential election

Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah received 40.27% of the vote

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

Ukrainian media outlet releases Kiev’s 20-point peace plan

Ukraine presented this plan to the American side at recent talks in the United States

Hungarian PM gives hot take on biggest threat of war facing Europe

"The military tensions Europe is seeing now stem from the decline of Western Europe and the European Union," Viktor Orban said

After WWII CIA, MI6 replaced Abwehr as Bandera's handlers — historian

According to Alexander Cheremin, "it appears that the Anglo-Saxons became the direct successors of the German secret services that had originally established this anti-Soviet foundation"

Kiev troops shell DPR twice in past day, civilian killed

One civilian was reported to have been killed and two wounded

Russian troops liberate Zarechnoye in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

KVN becomes Russia’s main fiber-optic drone — manufacturer

CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center Alexey Chadayev said that the drone has become the most popular and widely used in its niche

EU got involved in conflict in Ukraine to rev up economy — Orban

The prime minister believes the decision is wrong

Trump's Golden Fleet is doomed due to lack of proper US air defense system — expert

"Presently, the US Navy’s onboard air and missile defenses are incapable of reliably intercepting hypersonic threats, including sophisticated missiles like Russia’s Tsirkon and comparable Chinese systems," Alexander Stepanov noted

Medvedev suggests encouraging separatism in West as countermeasure

"Separatism is a gamble that can be played by two," the politician noted

Gold production in Russia rises 5.6% in November — Rosstat

Over January-November, gold production rose by 5.7% compared with the same period of 2024

EU goods imports into Russia exceed exports — Eurostat

Exports of Russian goods to the EU amounted to 21.7 bln euro, while imports of goods from the EU into Russia totaled 22.2 bln euro

At least 141 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian territory overnight — defense ministry

62 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

Ukraine unable to keep 800,000-strong army — German general

Harald Kujat noted that the 800,000-strong Ukrainian army, as required by the Europeans, would constitute a significant increase from the pre-conflict number

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

Japanese lawmaker, stalwart Moscow supporter Suzuki plans to visit Russia soon — agency

Muneo Suzuki is expected to meet with Russian officials during the visit

Dutch B4Ukraine, tracking Russian oil exports registered undesirable — Prosecutor’s office

According to the statement, programs and projects are being implemented in the Russian direction to discredit the leadership of the Russian Federation

European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

The Hungarian PM noted that "EU decision-makers are constantly forced to backtrack"

US military reports Santa Claus flying over Russia

For 70 years, NORAD has been "tracking" the journey of Santa Claus on the night before Christmas

Tourism to Moscow booms in 2025, to set new all-time record for visits — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin emphasized that the tourist economy is growing year after year

Kiev loses about 20 battalions in fighting near Vilcha — expert

Vitaly Kiselev added that, despite heavy losses and massive, combined attacks by the Russian army, the Ukrainian army brigades have "a very large number of soldiers that go AWOL"

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

FSB thwarts hostage-taking, prisoner escape from penal colony in Kurgan Region

A prisoner concealed a shiv in his punishment cell, where he was placed for violating prison rules

Ukraine lost 1-2 GW of power grid capacity as a result of December 23 explosions

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported earlier that Russian troops struck Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities and energy facilities with Kinzhal missiles on the morning of December 23

Belarusian KGB sniffs out foreign spy ring eavesdropping on pilots — report

The network was assisted by several individuals residing in Belarus

US sanctions against former European officials cast doubt on EU sovereignty — Kallas

The chief of the European diplomacy said that Europe will continue to defend its values of freedom of expression

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

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

West needs Zelensky's peace plan to pump resources out of Ukraine — expert

The clause on creating special funds to attract $800 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction was introduced "because money can be made on creating these funds," Alexander Dudchak said

Russia developing scenarios for using net guns against drones

These scenarios will form the basis for the methodology that will be taught to Russian military personnel at training centers

Air defenses down 15 drones en route to Moscow since beginning of day

Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that emergency services are working at the site of the crash

Air defenses destroy 29 more Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within three-hour period

10 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Putin-Trump call can be arranged quickly if needed — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that everything slows down during Christmas time

Hamas informs Turkey about Israel's violations of Gaza agreement

Head of the group Khalil al-Hayy also drew attention to the "deteriorating humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip

Kiev deploying most combat-fit UAV units, assault groups to Gulyaipole — defense source

Russia’s Battlegroup East forces continue steadily advancing in Gulyaipole, a source in Russian defense circles said

US Department of Justice gets more documents as part of Epstein case files

Their release may take a few more weeks

Emergence of BRICS payment system quite possible — ambassador to Moscow

The diplomat called this topic one of the most important on the BRICS agenda

EU is militarizing Moldova despite its neutrality — Transnistrian Foreign Minister

Vitaly Ignatiev said that the European Peace Fund is providing weapons and military equipment

IN BRIEF: Putin's key statements on economy at cabinet meeting

The president said that Russia and its economy are in a good place, "despite numerous challenges"

US can gain control of Greenland without 'firing a shot' — EP member

Anders Vistisen also noted that Denmark "cannot defend Greenland alone"

US to maintain naval blockade of Venezuela for at least two months — Reuters

The White House has ordered American forces in the region to focus almost exclusively "on the quarantine of Venezuelan oil"

Italian expert says Zelensky's new peace plan step in wrong direction

Ukraine has submitted the 20-point peace plan, which, according to Kiev, should consolidate the country's security, attract international assistance and establish long-term guarantees from NATO and the EU

Chinese military stepping up its potential makes US more ‘vulnerable’ — Pentagon

According to the Pentagon, China continues to increase its nuclear potential and plans to acquire over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030

Le Parisien newspaper names Russia's Safonov player of the month for PSG

This month, Safonov appeared in four matches, allowing no goals in two of them

Putin’s state of the nation address to take place 'in due time' — spokesman

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that the address will be delivered "when the president sees fit, first of all in terms of contents"

Russia cuts total gas production by 3.3% in first 11 months to 600 bcm — Rosstat

Natural gas production in January-November amounted to 507 bln cubic meters, down 3% year-on-year

French president, NATO chief discuss Ukraine-related efforts by Coalition of Willing

The previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing took place on December 11

Taking Gulyaipole to expand bridgehead along Gaichur River — Russian defense source

According to the report, the enemy's resistance is complicated by harsh weather conditions

Europe has 'epiphany' on Ukraine negotiations — opposition figure

Viktor Medvedchuk said that Europe had previously acted as a "bridge between Russia and the United States," but today's attempts by Europeans to build a wall between Moscow and Washington "are a joke"

Passenger car output in Russia down 12.6% in first 11 months to 591,000 — Rosstat

In November, passenger car output fell by 34.1% year-on-year but increased by 8.2% compared with this October

Peace in Europe unattainable without review of West's anti-Russian policy — Medvedev

"It is crucial to recognize that the root cause of the conflict in Ukraine stems from the aggressive ‘Eastern policy’ pursued by Anglo-Saxon nations along with NATO and the European Union," the politician stated

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.

About 417,000 Russians have signed military service contracts — Medvedev

Additionally, more than 36,000 have voluntarily joined units dispatched to the zone of the special military operation, the politician stated

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary refrains from comments on MP’s visit to Russia

Muneo Suzuki, a member of the Japanese parliament’s upper chamber from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, departed to Russia on a visit earlier in the day

EU loan will not lead to improvement in Ukrainian military’s situation — Guardian

The Guardian draws attention to the low level of recruitment into the Ukrainian armed forces

Spacecraft with artificial gravity patented in Russia

"The space system with artificial gravity includes an axial module with static and rotating parts, connected with the help of a hermetically sealed flexible junction, as well as habitable modules, rotation equipment and power sources," according to the patent

Two oil storage tanks catch fire in Temryuk after drone attack

The total area of the fire is 2,000 square meters

FACTBOX: How Catholics celebrate Christmas

The first records of Christmas being celebrated as an independent holiday date back to the 4th century

Some 20,000 Muscovites voluntarily sign contracts for military service annually — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin said that Moscow is one of the largest centers for the recruitment of military personnel for the special military operation

UN experts call on US Congress to intervene to stop aggression against Venezuela

In their view, the blockade of oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela violates "fundamental rules of international law"

Palladium prices on NYMEX fall by more than 10%

At the same time, platinum futures with delivery in January 2026 were down 1.73%

Putin meets with businessmen in Kremlin — spokesman

The Russian government’s officials in charge of economy and social affairs, presidential administration officials, and Russian Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina attended the meeting

Social unity around grand goals is key to Russia's achievements, Putin says

The Russian president highlighted the readiness of millions to unite around shared, noble goals

Russian stock market closes with major indices down

The yuan exchange rate rose by 3 kopecks to 11.14 rubles

Zelensky's new peace plan not to work for Russia, says expert

The expert focused on the political points of the plan and on the security guarantees demanded by Kiev

EU had chance to prevent Russia conflict in 2022 — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that Europe could have sent a peace mission to Moscow and Kiev instead of declaring their conflict its own war

Volume of household funds in Russian banks edges down by 0.04% in November — regulator

There was a small shift from ruble current accounts to term deposits

Negotiations on Ukraine should be kept secret, Kremlin believes

Dmitry Peskov refrained from giving further comments

US believes sides approaching settlement on Ukraine — NATO envoy

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized that there are still matters that need to be resolved in a way that both sides can agree

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

US has mostly resolved security issues with Ukrainians — NATO envoy

"It’s going to come down to, ultimately, the territory, and how that territory is divided up," Matthew Whitaker said

World Aquatics names Russia’s Maltsev as Male Artistic Swimmer of the year

Alexander Maltsev is a four-time world champion and six-time European champion in artistic swimming and a pioneer of men's artistic swimming in Russia

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"

Thief conks jewel courier on head in Paris, steals sapphire priced at 150,000 euro

The injured courier was hospitalized

Putin warned Bush that admitting Ukraine to NATO will lead to Russia-US confrontation

The Russian leader stressed that this would create a threat of NATO moving its military bases and various arms systems to the exact proximity to the Russian border

Moscow becomes major center producing UAVs for Russian army — Sobyanin

Moscow's mayor added that another important aspect is extensive support for the air defense forces which provide protection not only to the capital but also, to a significant extent, to other regions of Russia

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

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

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

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

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

MP from Japan’s ruling party, Muneo Suzuki, departs to Russia on visit

He is expected to meet with a number of Russian officials

Silver overtakes Apple in market capitalization

Gold ranks first with a market capitalization of $31.393 trillion, followed by Nvidia in second place at $4.606 trillion

Plotter of terrorist attack on oil pipeline neutralized in Tyumen Region — FSB

According to the FSB’s Public Relations Center, the suspect, a Russian citizen originally from Vinnitsa in Ukraine, resisted arrest and was subsequently neutralized during the operation

Putin warned Bush that NATO membership would split Ukraine — declassified documents

During their meeting in Sochi in April 2008, Bush asked the Russian leader why Russia opposes to Ukraine’s NATO membership

West accuses Russia of Bucha killings just as it did with Holodomor — Medvedev

According to the politician, the groundwork laid by predecessors in creating false ideologies is now actively exploited by the "regime of the bloody Kiev comedian"

Several points of Zelensky’s so-called plan unworkable, expert says

Alexander Dudchak doubts that Kiev is really ready to carry out an "all-for-all" prisoner swap according to the plan

Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

The company did not specify the exact nature of the damage or where it occurred

Putin sends New Year greetings to Kim Jong Un

The Russian leader stressed that the "past one year was of special significance in the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang"

Almost all DPR supporters return from Ukraine after violence, torture — ombudsman

"Before the start of the special military operation on, as part of the work of the humanitarian subgroup of the Contact Group in Minsk, we managed to bring 879 DPR supporters home from Ukraine," DPR Commissioner for Human Rights Darya Morozova said

Belgium shocked by US sanctions against five EU citizens — foreign minister

Maxime Prevot said that EU digital legislation is not directed against the United States, but serves to ensure that EU citizens have the same security and dignity in the digital space that they enjoy in their public lives in Europe

Moldovan border guards cut off channel for transfer of draft dodgers from Ukraine

The police said the suspects charged each evader $10,000

FIS extends int’l neutral-status participation list by five more Russian skiers

The athletes at the issue are free-style skiers Daria Melchakova, Lana Prusakova, Polina Ryabova, Natalia Sherina and alpine skier Yekaterina Tkachenko

Conflict in Ukraine can be resolved within 90 days — US envoy to NATO

Matthew Whittaker noted that the forthcoming winter may be very difficult for Ukraine

Kalashnikov Concern dispatches AK-15K assault rifles in Multicam colors to customer

The newest shortened AK-15K assault rifle was first unveiled at the IDEX 2025 International Defense Exhibition & Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2025

Electricity generation in Russia down 1.5% in first 11 months to 1.079 trillion kWh

In November this year, electricity generation decreased by 2.5% compared with November 2024 to 105 blnkWh

Air defense systems destroy 132 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian Regions in 7 hours — top brass

The drones were destroyed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. GMT