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Middle East conflict

Qatar hosts Hamas officials at Washington’s request — US envoy

Tom Barrack said he believed US President Donald Trump has a plan on Gaza, wanting to put an end to the strife befalling the embattled region

CAIRO, September 22. /TASS/. Qatar has received Hamas officials at the request of the United States, just as it earlier hosted a delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban movement, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Tom Barrack shared.

Sky News Arabia reported earlier, citing Barrack, that at America’s request, Qatar had received Hamas and the Taliban.

Commenting on the situation around the Gaza Strip, the US envoy said he believed US President Donald Trump has a plan on Gaza, wanting to put an end to the strife befalling the embattled region.

However, Barrack doubted a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel will be a success as he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not care about either borders or red lines as he is ready to go to any lengths to quell perceived threats to Israel.

On September 9, Israel attacked Hamas negotiators in Doha. The radical Palestinian movement said the airstrike had killed six people, including the son of head of Hamas’s Gaza office Khalil al-Hayya and a Qatari security officer.

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

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

Russian stock market closes with major indices down

The yuan exchange rate rose by 3 kopecks to 11.14 rubles

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

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

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

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

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"

Anti-Venezuela actions to be template for US actions against other states — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that US policy represents "an unambiguous signal to all countries in the region seeking to pursue a sovereign course and independently determine their economic, political, and cultural systems"

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"

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

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

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

European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

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

Russian forces now occupy both banks of Seversky Donets River — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that significant success has been achieved in this area in a very short time

Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

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

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

Death toll in Mexican Navy plane crash in Texas rises to five

One crew member has not yet been found

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"

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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"

EU is militarizing Moldova despite its neutrality — Transnistrian Foreign Minister

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

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.

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

Europe's biggest nightmare is Ukraine deal on Russia's terms — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

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

10 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

IN BRIEF: Fire at enterprise in Tula Region, 172 UAVs, aftermath of overnight attack

In particular, 110 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Bryansk Region

Anglo-Saxon nations tap into Soviet-era tactics to 'decolonize' Russia anew — Medvedev

The senior Russian official recalled a briefing in the US Congress on the "decolonization of Russia" in June 2022, as well as the financial and media support provided by the Anglo-Saxons to the terrorist organization "Free Nations of Post-Russia Forum"

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

Italy becomes first NATO country to receive Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system

The contract is worth $86 million and includes an option to deliver up to three additional systems

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

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

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

FACTBOX: Two traffic police officers killed in explosion in southern Moscow

The suspect is also dead

Russia to formulate its position following Miami meeting, to soon continue talks — Kremlin

Negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement took place in Miami on December 20 and 21

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

The prime minister believes the decision is wrong

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

The network was assisted by several individuals residing in Belarus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palladium prices on NYMEX fall by more than 10%

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

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

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

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

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

Alrosa CEO predicts lowest global diamond production in next few years

Pavel Marinychev noted that a number of companies around the world are cutting their production to regulate supply and demand, "the global diamond balance"

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

Negotiations on Ukraine should be kept secret, Kremlin believes

Dmitry Peskov refrained from giving further comments

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

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"

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

Corruption in Biden's team at root of Ukrainian conflict — Dmitriev

"Warmongers are warmongers for one reason: they profit from war," the envoy stated

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"

Emergence of BRICS payment system quite possible — ambassador to Moscow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FACTBOX: How Catholics celebrate Christmas

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

BRICS has developed criteria for admitting new members — ambassador to Moscow

A candidate country must have good relations with its neighbors and be opposed to unilateral sanctions, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos noted

Israel denies Palestinian vice president entry to Bethlehem

No reason was given as to why Hussein al-Sheikh was denied entry to Bethlehem

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

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

The injured courier was hospitalized

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

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

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

Putin presents state awards to outstanding Russians in Kremlin

Among the award recipients are renowned musicians and artists, as well as representatives of science and education

Russian-made Snickers bars on sale in London despite sanctions

Employees at one of the stores said they did not know where the bars were made

Dmitriev jokes European Commission chief would be banned from entering US

Kirill Dmitriev commented on a post by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the State Department's intention to take steps to bar leading figures of the global censorship-industrial complex from entering the country

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

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

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

Medvedev suggests encouraging separatism in West as countermeasure

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

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

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that everything slows down during Christmas time

Medvedev curious about reasons for unexpectedly conciliatory statements from EU

The Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council noted that Boris Pistorius stated he doesn't believe a war between NATO and Russia is imminent, while Alexander Stubb acknowledged that Moscow has no interest in attacking member countries of the alliance

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

Press review: Trump seeks to pressure Moscow as EU desperate to find funds for Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 18th

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

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

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

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"

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

Russia no enemy of Europe — State Duma speaker

Russia has helped Europe grow by supplying affordable energy, making its economy more competitive, Vyacheslav Volodin added