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Middle East conflict

Over 2,000 Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons as part of Gaza deal — Hamas

According to the movement's representative, at least 400 trucks with humanitarian aid for the people of the Gaza Strip will enter the enclave daily in the first five days after the conclusion of the agreement

CAIRO, October 9. /TASS/. About 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 people serving life sentences, will be freed from Israeli prisons under an agreement reached between the radical Hamas movement and Israel, a representative of the movement's leadership said.

"Under the first stage of the deal, a group of 20 hostages will be released. In return, the occupying [Israeli] authorities will free over 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences," the representative said, as cited by the Maan news agency affiliated with Hamas. He added that the group also includes "1,700 individuals imprisoned following the outbreak of the war in Gaza" in October 2023.

The Hamas representative also said that at least 400 trucks with humanitarian aid for the people of the Gaza Strip will enter the enclave daily in the first five days after the conclusion of the agreement. Later the number of vehicles delivering humanitarian aid to the enclave will be increased.

Also, in the first stage of the agreement, "displaced persons from the southern part of the Gaza Strip to the city of Gaza and the northern areas of the enclave" will begin to be returned. A representative of the movement's leadership added that "negotiations on the implementation of the second stage of the plan proposed by [US President Donald] Trump will begin immediately after the implementation of the first stage."

On Wednesday, Trump said that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the first stage of the peace plan at talks in Egypt. According to him, this stage involves the release of all hostages "soon" and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed line inside the Gaza Strip. According to Trump, the first steps have been taken towards a lasting, reliable and eternal peace.

On September 29, the White House released Trump's "comprehensive plan" aimed at resolving the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The 20 point-document provides, in particular, for the introduction of temporary external control in the Palestinian enclave and the deployment of an international stabilization force there. Israel agreed with the plan, while Hamas said it was ready to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and hand over the bodies of the dead.

US interference in Iran’s affairs may destabilize entire region — security official

US President Donald Trump wrote earlier on January 2 on his Truth Social media platform that "If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue"

NATO’s activity at borders of Russia, Belarus fraught with direct military clash — envoy

This situation persists because many in Europe exploit the false factor of the Russian threat to consolidate the NATO/EU ranks around the continued military support for Ukraine, Head of the Russian delegation at talks in Vienna on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova said

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

Netherlands set course for militarization in 2025 — Russian Ambassador

The case in point is not only the sharp rise in defense spending but also the systemic integration of the country with strategic and operational planning of NATO, Russian Ambassador to the kingdom Vladimir Tarabrin said

Ukraine’s elite drone unit could be behind terror attack on Kherson Region — governor

According to operational reconnaissance data, the Kiev regime deployed Birds of Madyar militants to the right bank of the Kherson Region, Vladimir Saldo said

Canada's support for Ukraine example of strategic helplessness — Russian ambassador

"Ottawa is a hostage to its own political decisions," Oleg Stepanov said

Five children taken to hospital following Ukrainian attack on Kherson Region

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation based on Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko announced

34 drones downed when approaching Moscow at New Year night, January 1

This was reported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

Russia-EU relations may change under new European Commission — diplomat

"I don’t think that the Russia-EU dialogue is lost forever," Vladislav Maslennikov said

Over 500,000 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded in action in 2025

Besides, Russian forces destroyed 19 Ukrainian warplanes, over 50 missile systems, more than 67,000 drones, and over 6,500 tanks and other armored combat vehicles in 2025

Death toll in Ukraine’s attack on Khorly in Kherson Region rises to 27 people

Thirty-one people, among them five minors were taken to medical institutions with injuries of various severity, Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said

Battlegroup South downed eight Ukrainian drones over day — spokesman

Battlegroup Spokesman Vadim Astafyev added that 26 dugouts and shelters of the Ukrainian army were also destroyed

Bulgaria should support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine — president

Rumen Radev noted that 2025 brought the first hopes for ending the conflict

Ukrainian army launches over 80 drones at Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

A drone strike on a car near the Krasivo farming community in the Borisovsky District left a man injured; he was taken to the hospital in serious condition

Over 8,300 Aeroflot passengers celebrated New Year in flight

On the night of December 31 to January 1, Aeroflot operated 42 festive flights

Ukraine’s 201 UAVs shot down over Russian regions in 7 hours

51 of them were neutralized over the territory of the Belgorod Region

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Trump says US ready to come to rescue of ‘peaceful protesters’ in Iran

"We are locked and loaded and ready to go," the US president said

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian army carries out drone strike on civilians in Kherson Region

According to preliminary reports, over 24 people, including a child, were killed, and another 29 people, among them five kids, suffered injuries

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

Trump sees diminishing leverage for Kiev as settlement stalls — expert

According to Peter Kuznick, the US leader "even restrained his usual penchant for saying how 'perfect' meetings are and how much was achieved"

Attempts continue to expand Ukraine conflict to entire Europe — newspaper

Selvi believes that the forces supporting Ukraine are plotting to set Turkey and Russia against each other

Zelensky wouldn't dare to attack Putin's residence without direct order — ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that the target had been chosen deliberately

Putin's New Year's address lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds

It became one of the shortest New Year's addresses of the president

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

TASS has prepared this factbox on the project dubbed The New Year’s Capital of Russia

Cyprus takes over six-month presidency of EU Council from Denmark

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides noted that his country was assuming the EU Council presidency “against the backdrop of acute geopolitical upheaval and unpredictability”

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York city mayor

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

Europe’s LNG imports hit record 142 bln cubic meters in 2025

In December, LNG imports also hit a record 12.7 billion cubic meters

Turkey continues to be top supplier of tangerines to Russian market

Top suppliers of tangerines to Russia also include South Africa, China, Egypt, and Morocco

British, EU intelligence behind attack on Kherson Region — Akhmat commandoes' chief says

Lieutenant-General Apty Alaudinov noted that Ukraine is reporting to US President Donald Trump its readiness to sign a peace agreement, while simultaneously taking actions that provoke the Russian side to retaliate

Ukraine loses 32 dugouts and 10 drones during day from actions of battlegroup South

Russian forces also destroyed two enemy UAV control points

Kiev spends Western funds on civilian killings, Russian diplomat says

Earlier, Kherson Region Governor said that a drone attack on a cafe and a hotel had killed 24 people and left another 50 injured

Drone attack on cafe, hotel in Kherson Region kills at least 24 people

The governor pointed out that the attack had come right about midnight

Zelensky, in impotent rage, decided to take it out on civilians — Russian MFA

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case over a terrorist act

FIB Executive to study IOC recommendations on Russians’ access to tournaments

Although the FIB Congress agenda was finalized and published prior to the IOC's communication, Adamfi confirmed that the Executive Board will deliberate on this issue at its next meeting

Putin hears report on Ukrainian strike on Khorly — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, "the regional governor briefed the head of state on the investigative actions and also announced that as the investigative team's work progresses and the bodies of the dead are being identified, and information and names will be published on the regional administration's website"

First list of those killed by Kiev’s drone strike on seaside cafe published

Identification of all other victims will be possible only after a special genetic examination

Kim Jong Un wishes Happy New Year to soldiers serving in Russia

The North Korean leader called on the KPA soldiers to remain brave

Russian diplomat slams Kiev’s attack on civilians in Kherson Region as act of terrorism

The countries for whom international humanitarian law still has a meaning should make a proper legal and political assessment of this inhumane act

Russia calls upon OHCHR to publicly condemn Kiev’s terrorist attack

Russian Permanent to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva Gennady Gatilov emphasized that "concealing this tragedy would be tantamount to open complicity and participation"

FACTBOX: Kremlin’s New Year magic begins with century-old fir

On December 23, Russia’s main New Year tree was set up in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, fully decorated and ready for the holidays

Dmitriev calls Europeans 'poor' after von der Leyen’s promise

"President of the European Commission promises to work even harder on Western civilization’s suicide in 2026," Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

US interference in Iran’s affairs may destabilize entire region — security official

US President Donald Trump wrote earlier on January 2 on his Truth Social media platform that "If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue"

Kiev did not make suspect in Trump assassination mercenary, deeming him 'off' — newspaper

According to the sources, Ryan Wesley Routh tried to join the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, but was rejected

Israel intends to disarm Hamas in 2026 — Chief of General Staff

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir emphasized that 2026 will be a crucial year for shaping security realities for the state of Israel

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

Ryazan has taken on the title of the New Year’s capital for the second time during the project’s existence

Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian attacks on Kupyansk direction — top brass

Russian forces also struck energy facilities used for Ukraine's military-industrial complex

Lukashenko says Slovakia’s PM to visit Belarus

According to the press service of the head of Belarus, Lukashenko noted that he would be glad to see Fico on Belarusian soil to discuss strategic issues of interstate cooperation

Putin orders to expand security belt on border with Ukraine in 2026

"This is a very important task," the Russian president said

Africa to become world leader in economic growth in 2026 — IMF

Despite the influx of foreign investment, some countries, such as the Central African Republic, will remain among the least electrified on the planet

Kiss traffic jams goodbye: Siberian mathematicians solve rush-hour gridlock mystery

Siberian researchers have put together a mathematical model of the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk’s transport network and used it to analyze the city’s traffic

More than twenty survivors in Crans-Montana fire had severe burns — TV

The case in point is "very severe injuries" requiring treatment over a long period, Medical Director at the Morges Hospital Wassim Raffoul added

US to analyze intel about attack on Putin’s residence — UN envoy

AccoSuch Kiev’s actions would be "reckless or not helpful," Matthew Whittaker said

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's New Year's address to Russian people

TASS has compiled the head of state's key statements from his New Year’s address

Russian government extends parallel import mechanism through 2026

The list of goods permitted for parallel import will be reduced in categories where Russian manufacturers or companies from friendly countries have largely replaced firms from unfriendly countries, namely in cosmetics, electronics, and light industry, the ministry said

Head of Russian delegation in Vienna talks about obscenity of Europeans at OSCE site

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova also noted that "there is a total degradation of the negotiating culture among the Europeans"

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

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

Hotel, cafe in Khorly were attacked by large UAVs capable of carrying 15 kg of explosives

According to security officials, the drones must have carried 10-15 kilograms of TNT

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

The custom of decorating Christmas trees dates back to biblical myths

Earth to be illuminated by year’s largest Sun on January 3

The difference between the Sun's diameters in January and July will be most noticeable when professional photographs are placed side by side, astronomers noted

Every third Russian decorates their New Year’s tree with Soviet toys – poll

Experts also found that 75% of respondents confirmed that their families still preserve tree decorations from previous generations

Ukraine is playing Russian roulette by attacking Putin's residence — magazine

Valeurs Actuelles notes the complete lack of response from Kiev's European allies

Fire destroys 150-year-old church building in Amsterdam

There is a danger of the building collapsing

National defense system guarantees territorial integrity — Maduro

President Nicolas Maduro stressed that the authorities of Venezuela have all the required resources and mechanisms to protect the country’s sovereignty

Venezuela ready to discuss fight against drug trade, investments with the US — Maduro

Nicolas Maduro pointed out that US allegations against Caracas regarding insufficient struggle against production of drugs are groundless

Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian assault groups in Sumy Region

The enemy tried to counterattack near the settlement of Grabovskoye

About 40 people killed in explosion at Swiss ski resort

According to the paper, at least 100 people have suffered injuries

Trump criticizes George Clooney's acquisition of French citizenship

The US leader pointed out that France is "in the midst of a major crime problem because of its absolutely horrendous handling of immigration"

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Fourteen drones destroyed in Tula Region — governor

Nobody was injured, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said

Trump promises to strive for peace on earth in 2026

The US President didn't answer questions about the CIA's role in the attack on Venezuela or whether American troops would put boots on the ground in Ukraine

Kiev prepared for attack on cafe in Khorly in advance — expert

Military expert Vitaly Kiselev condemned the attack, describing it as "not just a terrorist act but a tragic reflection of the 21st century’s brutal realities"

Ukraine under Zelensky has no right to exist as a state — Medvedchuk

The leader of the Other Ukraine movement Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that "the Ukrainian people should determine their future"

Russia downs 168 Ukrainian UAVs over regions overnight — Defense Ministry

61 of them were destroyed over the territory of the Bryansk Region

TASS publishes footage from scene of Ukrainian attack on hotel, cafe in Khorly

Footage from the tragedy’s aftermath has been released by the agency, depicting the extent of the destruction

Six children listed on Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons on New Year’s Eve

This is not the first time that children’s personal data has been published on the Mirotvorets website

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

At least 12 such incidents were recorded during the year, including two involving big passenger jets

Russian gas exports to Europe via TurkStream pipeline reach record levels in 2025

The previous peak of 1.68 billion cubic meters was recorded in October 2025

Dmitriev asks whether Western media cover tragedy in Kherson Region

Kirill Dmitriev wrote this on the X, making a repost of a blogger that wrote about the terrorist attack in Khorly

US kills five people as it attacks drug traffickers' ships anew — The Pentagon

According to the US Southern Command, intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were involved in drug smuggling

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Russian troops liberate nine communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russian forces delivered one massive and six combined strikes by precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles on Ukrainian military-industrial and energy sites over the past week in response to Kiev’s attacks on civilian facilities, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Photos, videos point to firework sparkers as cause of fire in Crans-Montana

According to the newspaper, photos and videos show several people hold large champagne bottles over their heads, with firework sparkers attached to them, sparks reached ceiling at a certain point of time and sound-proof acoustic panels caught fire

Ukraine to face inevitable retaliation for attack on Kherson Region — Medvedev

In his view, Banderites must be eliminated wherever they are, be it Ukraine or Europe

Actual death toll in Gaza is ten times as high as officially reported — UN

According to special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, if this figure is verified, some 380,000 of them are children under five

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

Russia to maintain continuity in key areas of cooperation within CSTO — Lavrov

"Given geopolitical tensions, we set ourselves the goals of further consolidating CSTO member states, strengthening allied ties, and deepening coordination on key international issues," the minister noted

FACTBOX: New Year holidays in Russia

According to a government decree, the New Year holidays in 2025–2026 will last 12 days — from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026

Russian Su-34 bomber strikes Ukrainian manpower, equipment by glide bombs

After receiving a confirmation from reconnaissance about the target destruction, the crew safely returned to its airfield of departure, the Russian Defense Ministry said

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

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2025

In 2025, a great many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away

Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukraine’s Su-27 fighter jet

In addition, Russian air defenses downed a smart bomb and 250 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

The ones 'doubting' victims in Ukrainian drone attack in Khorly have no conscience

"If there are doubts, these are only in respect of clean habits of the doubters," Official Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said

Ukraine lost about twenty fighter jets in 2025

Kiev also lost at least eight Su-27 and ten MiG-29 airplanes over the last year

EU refuses to believe Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

As EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas asserted, this is "a deliberate distraction" and its aim is to "derail real progress towards peace"

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Air defenses intercept 64 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight

Twenty of them were destroyed in the Samara Region

Over 100,000 consumers left without power in Ukraine’s western Volyn Region

Air raid sirens went off in the region last night; local media outlets reported explosions in the town of Lutsk

Putin believes rumors of his 'palace' were used in scheme to brainwash Russians

Putin says the palace he allegedly owns doesn’t belong to him or his relatives

Battlegroup West destroyed 46 heavy quadcopters — spokesman

Battlegroup servicemen also destroyed twelve unmanned surface vehicles

US may agree on normalizing relations with Russia in 2026 without EU participation — Orban

Orban believes that while the West previously managed to demonstrate unity, "that is now over"