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Rafah crossing to remain closed until further notice — Netanyahu

The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo said earlier on Saturday that the Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and the Palestinian Gaza Strip would reopen on October 20

TEL AVIV, October 18. /TASS/. The Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will remain closed "until further notice," with the issue of its reopening to be considered after Hamas implements the terms of the agreement on the return of the remains of deceased hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu said the Rafah crossing will not be opened until further notice. Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages’ remains and implementing the agreed-upon framework," Netanyahu's office said.

The Palestinian Embassy in Cairo said earlier on Saturday that the Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and the Palestinian Gaza Strip would reopen on October 20.

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

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

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

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

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

Russian Post suspends overland delivery to Baltic States

Delivery by air to these countries continues

Roscosmos plans to launch 52 satellites from Vostochny spaceport

Two of these satellites will be able to create digital terrain models and monitor emergency situations

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

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

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

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"

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

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

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

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

Fire area in Temryuk port reach 4,000 sq m

Two tanks with oil products are on fire

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

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%

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

Russia says supports de-escalation around Venezuela, pins hopes on Trump's pragmatism

Maria Zakharova reiterated Moscow's support for "the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country"

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

Russian MFA spokeswoman says her briefings in 2025 add up to 5 days

Maria Zakharova added that the ministry’s calculations were inspired by a TASS report that counted the number of briefings and their duration

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

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

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

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

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

Niger bans issuing visas to US citizens — agency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MOL, NIS ask US to suspend sanctions against Serbian company — Serbian Energy Ministry

Minister Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic stressed that the Serbian government is committed to creating conditions that will allow NIS to continue operating "regardless of how long it takes to complete the transaction" between MOL and the company's Russian shareholders

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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"

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 MFA claps back at West over Kaliningrad comments

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

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

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

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

34 were intercepted over the territory of the Volgograd Region

Maximal interest rate on ruble deposits down to 15.38% in early November

The rate was at the level of 15.63% early this month and 15.62% from November 20 to 30

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

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

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

No Hong Kong flu in Russia — academic

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

Russian fish, seafood exports to China up 10% in January-November to $3 bln

Russian fish and seafood exports to China in January-November 2025 decreased year-on-year by 6% in weight

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

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

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 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

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"

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

Casualties among Knyaz Vandal drone operators minimal — Ushkuynik

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

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

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"

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

Zelensky says he spoke with Witkoff and Kushner by telephone

Vladimir Zelensky did not disclose the content of the conversation

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

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

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

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

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"

DPRK announces death of senior official Kim Chang Son

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

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

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

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

Mobilization in Ukraine, NATO near Kaliningrad: Foreign Ministry statements

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

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for December 26 to 77.88 rubles

The official euro exchange rate was lowered by 58 kopecks to 91.8902 rubles

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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"

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

Rosatom sees signs of US readiness to cooperate with Zaporozhye NPP in future — CEO

Alexey Likhachev recalled, this will only be possible after "peace comes and we reach a consensus on resolving all the tasks of the special military operation"

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

Silver price hits record high

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

Talks with US on Ukraine produce slow but steady progress — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that negotiations between Washington and Moscow are accompanied by "extremely harmful and even malicious attempts by a group of countries, primarily Western European ones, to torpedo and derail all diplomatic progress"

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

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

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

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

Russian football officials plan attending 2026 UEFA, FIFA Congress sessions — RFU

The 2026 UEFA Congress is set to take place in Brussels on February 12 and the 2026 FIFA Congress is slated to be held on April 30 in Canada’s Vancouver

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

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

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"

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

EU, UK hurt most by Washington’s Russia policy turn — expert

According to Andrey Sushentsov, the US was the first to realize that it’s impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia