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Middle East conflict

Court in Israel cancels hearings on Netanyahu’s case over his busy schedule

Earlier in the day, Israel attacked dozens of Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire

TEL AVIV, October 19. /TASS/. The Jerusalem District Court has cancelled hearings on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption case scheduled for the next few days, The Times of Israel reported.

According to the newspaper, Netanyahu’s lawyers asked the court to cancel the hearings on October 20 and 21 due to "urgent diplomatic meetings" the prime minister needs to attend. They provided further details in a confidential note and the judges agreed to cancel his testimony.

The Kan radio station reported earlier in the day that US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Israel on October 20 in a bid to try to save the Gaza ceasefire agreement amid the current escalation, the Kan radio station said.

Earlier in the day, Israel attacked dozens of Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire.

On November 21, 2019, Israel’s attorney general said that he had decided to charge Netanyahu with bribe-taking, fraud and public trust abuse in three cases. The charges were referred to the District Court of Jerusalem on January 28, 2020. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied all the charges against him.

Trump-Zelensky meeting unlikely to achieve breakthrough in Kiev's favor — German expert

Neumann believes that the meeting could be deemed successful if Zelensky manages to communicate to Trump the extent to which Ukraine is willing to make concessions

Zelensky works for MI6, Russian official believes

According to Andrey Klimov, in the first months of the special military operation, there was a real chance to end the conflict through political and diplomatic means

US urges Yemen conflict sides to show restraint — Department of State

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed US support to diplomatic efforts of its partners in the region - the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia

Silver price hits record high

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

Russia plans to upgrade nuclear triad through 2036 — Kremlin

The state arms program is a long-term planning document that stipulates developing, producing and maintaining the combat readiness of armaments, military and special equipment

Zelensky to call referendum for Trump’s plan if he is not satisfied — Axios

Vladimir Zelensky plans to agree on a framework agreement with the US leader to end the conflict

Risk of nuclear conflict not eliminated, Russia ready to negotiate — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that contacts with the US now intensified, "there is a businesslike, substantive conversation, but great efforts are needed to move further away from this edge"

Russian cars production estimated at 750,000 in 2025 — First Deputy PM

According to the Russian national statistical agency Rosstat, production of cars in Russia lost 12.6% to 591,000 units in January - November 2025

Trump receives box of red caviar from Russia's Far East

The caviar reportedly made such a "strong impression" on Steve Witkoff that he was given an entire box to deliver to President Trump

Liberation of Kosovtsevo brings area of over 23 sq km under control — security forces

Guardsmen of the 37th Brigade of the 36th Army of the Battlegroup East advanced 4 km inland and 6 km along the front on the western bank of the Gaichur River

Rutte pushes back against idea that EU can only rely on itself for defense

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recalled decisions made at the NATO summit in The Hague this summer, where alliance members agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035

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

European leaders, Zelensky, Trump to hold phone call on December 27 — Reuters

According to his information, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will also take part in the discussion

Over 200,000 personnel desert from Ukrainian army in 2025

Kiev currently characterizes the strength of its armed forces at about 800,000

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"

Gazprom highlights challenges with gas supplies in the Baltics

The company noted that at the start of the withdrawal season, the Incukalns UGS was filled to just 61%

Russian forces destroy company of Ukrainian soldiers by FAB bomb in Dnepropetrovsk area

The Ukrainian military is trying to evacuate the wounded and dead personnel from the site of the strike and work is underway to clear the debris

Talks with US on Ukraine result-oriented, Moscow not backing down from its position — MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the understanding that has developed in Anchorage is being implemented through contacts

NATO countries really preparing for war, not bluffing — top Belarusian defense official

According to Viktor Khrenin, this is evidenced by infrastructure being built in countries neighboring Belarus, the numerous drills and training sessions being conducted, and the modernization of seaports and airfields for the delivery of weapons

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 to isolate large Ukrainian logistics center after liberating Kosovtsevo

As a result of active combat operations, conditions have been created for blocking a large enemy logistics center and up to a platoon of manpower of the Ukrainian army’s 110th separate mechanized brigade and 33rd separate assault regiment

US says more progress reached on Ukraine in two weeks than in year — news outlet

Axios' source said that Washington is ready to submit a document to the US Senate for ratification that will outline security guarantees for Ukraine similar to NATO Article 5

Belarus designates combat patrol areas for Oreshnik missiles — senior military official

According to Pavel Muraveiko, work to coordinate combat crews’ actions is currently underway

Nigerian TV says US strike aimed at IS hits area that hasn't seen terrorists in decade

There is currently no confirmed information regarding casualties among either civilians or militants

Ukrainian army pulls forces toward key cities in Donbass — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky noted that the Ukrainian military was building fortifications and preparing a line of defense in these areas

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

Russia would like to see friendly Ukraine, senior diplomat says

Sergey Ryabkov did not rule out that Ukraine can be a sovereign state post the conflict

Air defenses destroy 111 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions in 3 hours

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that during this period, 73 drones were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

Google plans to move obsolete servers out of Russia — RBC

The case in point are the servers used as part of the Google Global Cache system that expedites the content delivery for users

Russia-US agree to maintain dialogue on Ukraine after Dmitriev’s trip to Miami — Kremlin

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

West uses sanctions to cling to fading dominance — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that unilateral coercive measures represent a serious obstacle to establishing a just and equitable multipolar world order

US currently has no plans to recognize Somaliland — Trump

The move includes establishing full-fledged diplomatic relations, sending ambassadors and opening embassies

'Coalition of the willing' to discuss Ukrainian settlement in January — newspaper

These discussions are to take place after the meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump

Russia, US close to settling Ukraine conflict, final push needed — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that it "depends on the other side's political will, especially since Kiev and its sponsors, particularly in the EU, who are not interested in an agreement, have redoubled their efforts to torpedo it"

Politico awards anti-prizes to Sarkozy, Trump, von der Leyen for 2025

In addition to them, the Titanic award "for grand ideas that fail" went to the Italian bridge project intended to connect Sicily to the mainland

Mobilization in Ukraine, NATO near Kaliningrad: Foreign Ministry statements

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

End of war in Ukraine to have positive impact on Moldova — former president

Igor Dodon highlighted recent warnings from Western officials, noting that Moldova has faced increasing scrutiny

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

Russia open to contacts, but Europe is not interested in that — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, political contacts between the sides are maintained but this in not done publicly

Kiev’s settlement plan differs from one Russia, US working on — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said it is necessary to conduct an in-depth analysis of the results of the meetings in Florida

Trump sees good chance for resolving Ukrainian conflict

According to the New York Post, the US leader is optimistic about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement during his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Zelensky on Sunday

Russia harvested 139.4 mln tons of grain in 2025

Grain threshing gained 10.7% year on year

Russia develops Yunost-82 unmanned sub able to circumnavigate the globe

According to expert Dmitry Kuzyakin, the boat’s speed is equal to the speed of the ocean currents

Senior Russian diplomat rejects deadlines for resolving Ukraine conflict as inappropriate

No artificial deadlines will help here, Sergey Ryabkov said

The Cure’s member Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

The musician "passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas," the British band said

Europe clings to Ukraine, unwilling to acknowledge loss of global dominance — Swiss MP

Guy Mettan argues that Europeans have failed to recognize that they have lost their soft power worldwide

Russian GDP up 1% in 11M 2025 — Economy Ministry

In November, the GDP was 0.1% above the last-year level after 1.6% in October, the ministry said

Israeli artillery shells eastern areas in Syria’s al-Quneitra — agency

No information about casualties among civilians was immediately available

South Korea asks UN chief to visit North Korea — agency

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with the UN chief in New York on December 18 to discuss cooperation between South Korea and the United Nations, as well as regional problems

Deployment of Oreshnik was response to West’s aggressive moves — Belarus' defense minister

Only time will reveal how this will influence the broader situation, Viktor Khrenin added

West does not believe Ukraine can win without external assistance — United Russia official

Andrey Klimov believes that even with ongoing Western assistance, Ukraine will not achieve its military objectives

West's policy on Ukraine rules out peaceful coexistence with Russia — German expert

Werner Patzelt emphasized that regardless of the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia "will not cease to be part of European geography and geopolitics"

Trump says Zelensky’s peace plan means nothing without his approval — Politico

"So we’ll see what he’s got," the US leader said

Due to raids in Ukrainian parliament, less than 30 deputies present during session

NABU earlier reported exposing deputies who systematically received unlawful benefits for voting

Submerged car retrieved from river in Russia’s Yakutia, child’s body found inside

According to the Yakutia Health Ministry, five victims were hospitalized with frostbite following the incident

Defense industry operating steadily, supplying everything necessary to army — Putin

At the same time, weapons are being supplied "both to the units involved in the special military operation and to the armed forces as a whole," the Russian president added

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

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

Trump says he expects to speak with Putin soon

The US leader also said he expects to hold a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky this weekend

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

Those who expect to defeat Russia in open conflict deeply mistaken — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, politicians who make such statements are either forgetting or deliberately pretending not to notice that it is nothing but an attempt to defeat a nuclear power

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

Eight Tu-214 aircraft may be produced in 2026, 12 in 2027, industry minister says

Anton Alikhanov emphasized that current efforts and ongoing work provide confidence in meeting the 20-aircraft annual production goal by the end of 2027

Sales on main Russian e-commerce platforms up 30% — First Deputy PM

The trade segment in Russia is constantly evolving on account of robotization and digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence, Denis Manturov said

Zelensky says US has proposed 15-year settlement agreements

In his words, there are some "technical things" that need to be further discussed

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

Last of world-famous Dionne quintuplets dies at age 91 — New York Times

According to its information, Dion passed away on December 26 in a hospital

Russian man wins over $400,000 in lottery after guessing every number wrong

The family plans to use the prize to buy an apartment

France looks to reinforce Kiev’s army with four PMCs — Russian administration in Kharkov

Recruitment offices for the four PMCs will be established in nine French cities

Ukrainian government may declassify data on uranium reserves

"At this point, only the information on uranium and uranium ore reserves remains classified," the head of Ukraine’s National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine, Ksenia Orinchak, said

Kupyansk under control of Battlegroup West — Russian defense ministry

TASS has compiled the main information about the situation in the special military operation zone over the past 24 hours

Moscow-Tokyo relations crucial for global security — Japanese MP

Muneo Suzuki also noted that ties between Japan and Russia are important for the national interests of both nations

IN BRIEF: Russia’s key foreign policy results of 2025 summarized in statements from MFA

Unfriendly nations had to acknowledge that it is impossible to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia

Russia’s public catering turnover up 8.7% YOY in 11M 2025 — statistics

The turnover had an uptick by 8.2% in annual terms to 377.2 bln rubles ($4.8 bln) this November, Russian Federal State Statistics Service reported

Kiev steps up attacks on Russia using NATO arms — military expert

Andrey Marochko suggested that Kiev had intensified the number of strikes against Russia using NATO-supplied weapons due to increased ammunition deliveries from alliance countries

Putin discusses AI development with Russian Security Council members

The Russian leader pays serious attention to the topic of artificial intelligence

Authorities discussing establishment of Islamic bank in Russia — lawmaker

Anatoly Aksakov said that he expects this work to be completed next year

Japanese MP, who visits Moscow, notes Russia’s might

"A year and four months have passed since I last visit Moscow, but, looking at the [New Year] illumination all over the city it’s hard to believe that there is war nearby," Muneo Suzuki said

Special op experience, work of defense industry sector: Putin's statements

The president noted that the Russian defense-industrial complex is operating steadily, providing the armed forces with the necessary equipment

Belarus will judge US security policy by concrete actions — defense ministry official

"Actions speak louder than words," Pavel Muraveiko

CSU leader in Bundestag says it is premature to discuss sending German military to Ukraine

"We should not put the cart before the horse," Alexander Hoffmann noted

African Union condemns Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

"The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the African Union’s unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia," Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said

DPRK leader sends New Year greetings to Russian president — KCNA

"On behalf of the government of the DPRK and the Korean people, I extend the warmest and sincerest greeting of best wishes to you and, through you, to the government of the Russian Federation and the fraternal Russian people on the occasion of the New Year 2026," Kim Jong Un said

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

US combat drones attack Nigeria’s Sokoto State — TV

According to the Punch newspaper, a missile strike targeted the village of Offa in Kwara State some 500 kilometers from Sokoto

Russian detained in Donetsk for inciting murder of military personnel, strikes on Moscow

It has been established that she proactively established contact with representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Telegram and, on their assignment, carried out photography of Russian military equipment

Zelensky's address demonstrates intent to prolong conflict — Duma member

As Leonid Ivlev stressed, the rhetoric from the Kiev regime does not advance peace negotiations

Putin notes multiple growth in production of weapons in demand in special operation zone

"The production of armored vehicles has increased by 2.2 times, of light armored vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers) by 3.7 times, and military aircraft by 4.6 times," the Russian president said

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center forces kept destroying the surrounded Ukrainian combat group in Dimitrov and mopping up the settlements of Rodinskoye and Grishino in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week

Russia supplies another batch of Su-30SM2 fighters to Belarus — Defense Ministry

Deputy Commander of the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Chief of Aviation Colonel Alexander Belyaev said these aircraft will soon undergo technical inspection at the air base

EU loan to Kiev won’t hinder Russia's strengthening of its position — senior diplomat

EU countries decided to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros in 2026-2027

Customs transfer $73.3 bln to Russian budget

The target is 97% delivered for the time being, the press service of the customs authority said

All car plants left by foreigners to be launched by summer 2026 — First Deputy PM

Authorities expect that the volume of the Russian car market will grow to 2.5 mln by 2030, Denis Manturov added

Tu-214 to be produced step by step after all modifications are completed by 2026

Earlier on Saturday, the updated Tu-214 received approval for a major redesign of its standard configuration

Energy System of East sets absolute power consumption record

Power consumption totaled 8,295 MW

Russia will be able to offer domestically developed aircraft systems to the global market

"We have elevated these complex avionics to a competitive, global standard, enabling us to offer them to international customers," Alikhanov explained

Somaliland says ready to boost ties with Israel after recognition of independence

"Somaliland welcomes and appreciates Israel’s historic and principled decision to recognize its sovereignty and independence," the self-proclaimed republic said in a statement

West has been using fakes for centuries to justify attacks on Russia — Swiss MP

Guy Mettan explained that the earliest fabricated document accusing Russia of seeking to conquer the West and establish European hegemony was the so-called last will and testament of Peter the Great

Trump-Zelensky meeting unlikely to achieve breakthrough in Kiev's favor — German expert

Neumann believes that the meeting could be deemed successful if Zelensky manages to communicate to Trump the extent to which Ukraine is willing to make concessions

Putin thanks Russian emergencies ministry personnel working in special operation zone

"Under fire, you restore critical infrastructure, deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians, and clear areas of explosive hazards," the president said

Thailand, Cambodia ready to return to reached agreements for conflict resolution

Thailand and Cambodia also agreed to request the joint border committee to resume survey and demarcation works as soon as possible in accordance with the existing agreements between the two countries to achieve lasting peace along the border

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies announce exposure of criminal group in parliament

The agencies promised to disclose details later