{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Republika Srpska leader calls Bosnia and Herzegovina 'failed, broken country'

According to Milorad Dodik, the Dayton Accords have been used "as a platform for making BiH stronger while undermining Republika Srpska"

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a failed country and an unsustainable project that should have never been created, Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik opined in an interview with Rossiya-24 television.

"The biggest flaw of the Dayton Accords is that the agreement preserved Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, as we can say today, is a failed and broken country that is not sustainable, despite calls from various levels. <...> It is an unsustainable project that should not exist," Dodik argued.

According to him, the Dayton Accords have been used "as a platform for making BiH stronger while undermining Republika Srpska." "We [Republika Srpska] cannot coexist as part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. That’s illusory. So, those who support Bosnia and Herzegovina actually support an illusion," he continued.

Dodik also urged Serbs to "disown" BiH. "We, the Serbs, are in the process of waging a national liberation struggle here. While the struggle has been political, we are still being kept subservient and being humiliated. So, the Serbs must disavow Bosnia and Herzegovina," the Republika Srpska leader explained.

According to the constitution adopted under the General Framework Agreement for Peace (the Dayton Agreement), Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two entities: the Muslim-Croatian Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (about 51% of the territory) and Republika Srpska (about 49%), as well as the Brcko District. Three main peoples are proportionally represented in the public administration system: Bosniaks (Slavs who converted to Islam), Serbs (Orthodox) and Croats (Catholics).

Iran to continue development of peaceful nuclear program — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali stressed that Iran’s nuclear strategic doctrine is "based on religious principles, moral considerations, and national security calculations"

FACTBOX: Russia’s diplomatic relations with other countries

Now Russia has diplomatic relations with 191 states

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

Hungary considers Ukraine's 20-point 'peace plan' unrealistic — Orban’s office

Gulyas warned that Budapest would not take part in implementing plans agreed upon by Kiev and Brussels under these conditions

Heavy losses, declining recruitment, and lower draft age: Ukraine's mobilization crisis

According to official information, about 100,000 Ukrainian servicemen have deserted their military units and fled, the Russian Defense Ministry said

US senator says Trump supports new anti-Russian sanctions

Lindsey Graham believes that the bill, if adopted, will give the US president "tremendous leverage" against Russian trade partners like China, India and Brazil to incentivize them to stop buying Russian oil

Deployment of multinational forces for Ukraine impossible without Russia’s consent — Merz

Germany is ready to contribute to efforts to maintain a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, German Chancellor noted

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed

Trump says he does not need international law

Donald Trump stated that the only thing that can stop him is his own morality

Tashkent ready to work on increasing trade turnover between EAEU countries

It was stressed that this process will be facilitated by the adoption of an agreement on the elimination of technical barriers in the mutual recognition of certificates

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Iran to continue development of peaceful nuclear program — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali stressed that Iran’s nuclear strategic doctrine is "based on religious principles, moral considerations, and national security calculations"

Gold prices plunging on Comex — market data

Prices continued their dip later on to $2,847.1 per ounce (-1.69%)

Paris declaration on Ukraine brings world closer to third world war — Ukrainian politician

This declaration, in his words, "means that there will be no peace and the conflict will never end"

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Graivoronsky district head in moderately severe condition — governor

Dmitry Pankov went to the village of Golovchino to assess the damage from a drone strike on a commercial property

EU considering possible response to Trump's threats against Greenland — Kallas

Denmark has always been a good ally of the United States, while US President Donald Trump's statements do not contribute to stability in the world

US to continue seizing sanctioned, stateless tankers — Pentagon chief

"Stateless or sanctioned because the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of sanctioned or stateless vessels continues," Pete Hegseth said

Western units, military facilities in Ukraine to become legitimate targets — Russian MFA

Warnings to this effect have been repeatedly made at the highest level and remain relevant," Maria Zakharova noted

World going through ‘tectonic changes’, says Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev emphasized that the Primakov Readings are taking place in Moscow at a crucial time, noting "a direct opposition" to the readings, attempts to see them fail to take place

Netanyahu tells ministers he has US support for another operation in Lebanon — radio

According to Kan, Israeli prime minister told the country’s government members that US President Donald Trump had greenlighted such an operation that would be geared to disarm Hezbollah units

MFA calls on Macron to apologize to French people for lying about Ukraine settlement

Maria Zakharova recalled that the ex-French president and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel "confessed, not under torture or pressure, that they were not going to fulfill the Minsk accords for all seven years, because they had a different plan"

China slams US demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil as bullying

Mao Ning emphasized that such actions seriously violate international law and the rights of the Venezuelan people

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Russian diplomat slams any operations with Russian assets as theft

Sergey Nechayev warned against committing a crime that has no precedent in world history that will inevitably entail negative legal and reputational consequences for the European Union

Total blackout reported in Dnepropetrovsk — TV

Electricity and water supplies, central heating, mobile communications and internet services are currently not available to its residents

Rosneft produces 134 mln tons of liquid hydrocarbons, 58 bcm of gas in 9M

"The indicator performance is primarily driven by the production cap in compliance with the decisions of the Russian Government," the report said

Lukashenko says there was collusion, betrayal in situation with Maduro's capture

The Belarusian leader also called for caution amid the events in the Bolivarian Republic

Russian diplomat slams US statement on ‘cracking’ Kaliningrad defense as irresponsible

Every step in the Persian Gulf should be legally justified, says Russian diplomat

Ukraine loses nearly 1,280 servicemen along engagement line over past day

In the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North, Ukraine’s losses amounted to up to 160 servicemen and 17 vehicles

Minneapolis protestor shot dead by US immigration control officer — AP

Describing the incident as "an act of domestic terrorism," the US Department of Homeland Security said the woman was trying to run over ICE officers with her vehicle, and the officers acted in self-defense

ICE officer shot woman dead in self-defense — Trump

In his opinion, such incidents are happening is because radical left activists are resisting and targeting US law enforcement officers on a daily basis

Putin orders to impose import-export ban on certain products for 2022

The government will have to define the list of states to be covered by these decisions within two weeks

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

US demands Venezuela expel advisors from Russia, China and Iran — NYT

Earlier, Rubio stated that Venezuela can no longer serve as a strategic base for opponents of the US

"Coalition of the Willing" won’t send troops to Ukraine, French politician says

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed

Reducing threat of invasion, military support, new weapons: Belousov’s statements

According to the Russian defense minister, the threat of an incursion into the Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk regions has been reduced with the creation of a buffer zone in the Ukrainian border regions

President Putin congratulates Russians with Orthodox Christmas holiday

This year, Russian President Putin attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Moscow Region

Kremlin hits out at Biden’s insults against Putin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was surprised that Biden, who was an enthusiastic proponent of bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, voiced such assertions against Putin

Two people killed, six injured in Salt Lake City shooting — TV

Police have not yet arrested the suspect

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

US no longer constitutional, Americans have no say in politics — expert

According to Sachs, Washington’s actions represent "a particularly egregious case"

Venezuela never turned to Russia for military aid — Lavrov

Russia is ready to fully act within the framework of the obligations that were mutually stipulated in the agreement with Venezuela, the Russian foreign minister noted

Trump invited to deliver State of the Union address on February 24

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities

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 says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

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

Operation in Venezuela shows that US is turning from republic into empire — Carlson

This means that "the power will vest in the executive and not the legislative branch, Congress will inevitably wither, the journalist predicted

US demands from Venezuela to severe economic ties with Iran, Cuba, China, Russia — TV

According to the US-based television broadcaster, Washington put forward several demands to the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez

US actions in Venezuela nullified West’s criticism of Russia’s special op — Carlson

The journalist recalled that the collective West has described Russia’s decision as an unprovoked and unjustified

Tucker Carlson says Russia "essential" country for US

"There is no argument for continuing a proxy war, which is what it is, United States versus Russia," the journalist stressed

Switzerland freezes assets of Venezuela’s Maduro and his inner circle

The measure is said to ensure that "any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation", the Swiss government said

Chinese embassy denies FT reports about China’s role in cyberattack on US Congress

"China opposes and fights all forms of hacking in accordance with the law," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stressed

West deliberately wages war against Russia, using Ukraine as a cover — ex-defense chief

According to Vulin, the West fully controls what is happening, and the opinion of the Ukrainians themselves does not interest anyone

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

First day of 2026 was coldest in Russia’s Siberia

The temperature reached minus 53.1 degrees Celsius at the Iema weather station in the Sakha Region

Neither Europe, nor US forces will oppose Trump’s policy toward Venezuela — expert

"We resemble Europe in 1936 more than we do the post-War West," Michael Brenner, former Director of the International Relations & Global Studies Program at the University of Texas said

Trump emissary asks Musk to give Iran temporary free access to Starlink

"I’ll chip in a donation and I think others would, too," said Grenell

EC leaves action against Russian tankers to discretion of EU countries

The EC shares the common goal of imposing sanctions against the shadow fleet and combating evasion

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

Russian pipeline operator to invest in development, tech upgrade program

In 2024, investments under the program totaled 324 bln rubles ($4.1 bln)

Russia’s economy avoided recession and achieved lower inflation in 2025 — expert

According to him, the exit from overheating has been accompanied by a slowdown in investment activity and an uneven situation in industry

Major fire breaks out at industrial facility in Moscow

"At present, the area of the fire is 4,000 square meters," a rescue official said

Netblocks records drop in Internet connection in Iran amid protests

Iranian officials have not announced any planned restrictions

'Security guarantees' document by West, Kiev aims at militarization — MFA

The key provision of the document is "the deployment of certain ‘multinational forces’ on Ukrainian territory", noted Maria Zakharova

EU preparing for possible direct confrontation with Trump — newspaper

European governments now understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are "desperately looking for a plan to stop him"

Ukraine loses 1,180 servicemen in all special op areas over past day

Also Russian air defense forces shot down 142 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past day

Russia demands US ensure humane treatment of Russians onboard Marinera vessel

The Pentagon said earlier that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera had been detained in the North Atlantic

Russia, China consider putting nuclear power reactor on Moon in 2033-2035 — Roscosmos

According to CEO Yury Borisov, such a mission will have to be automated, with the necessary technological solutions almost ready for it

Traders Vitol, Trafigura in talks with US to sell Venezuelan oil — Reuters

Representatives of those European companies will participate in a meeting at the White House scheduled for January 9, according to sources

Europe’s anti-Russian politicians doomed, they don’t trust their strategies — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that the key task of domestic diplomacy today is to support the efforts of fighters in the special military operation

Gazprom sets 5th record in a month for daily gas supplies to China via Power of Siberia

The company noted that this is the eighth record since the pipeline reached its maximum contractual level on December 1, 2024

Production of e-vehicles in Russia to soar in 2023 — First Deputy PM

This year it is planned to increase the production of electric vehicles by 9 times, which is up to about 18,000 units per year, Andrey Belousov said

FACTBOX: What is known about meeting on special op with Putin

Russian President instructed to continue fulfilling special operation’s objectives in accordance with the General Staff’s plans

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’s decision on loan to Ukraine deals major blow to Zelensky, allies — newspaper

From a technical standpoint, this is a relief, but politically it is a defeat for Zelensky and his European allies, who promised to make Moscow pay, but in reality, settled for a compromise

Utair aircraft flying from Dubai to Moscow lands at Al Maktoum Airport — Flightradar24

The passengers and crew on board the flight are safe

Kalashnikov plant in Venezuela to start production in 2019

Venezuelan specialists are expected to launch the full-fledged licensed production of the AK-103 assault rifle and the plant is planned to manufacture about 25,000 assault rifles annually

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Russia wipes out group of foreign mercenaries in Kharkov Region

According to the source, IDs found at the scene confirmed the identities of the three men

INTERVIEW: ZNPP calls on Kiev to avoid provoking third nuclear accident in 100 years

According to Chernichuk, the Ukranian attacks pose a serious threat to nuclear safety

Russia ready to evacuate people from Israel, Palestine at any moment — Putin

The President called on all Russian nationals who wish to leave Israel and Palestine promptly to contact the Russian embassy

Basketballer Kasatkin detained in France exchanged for French national Vinatier — FSB

Vinatier has been pardoned by Russian President’s decree, according to the Federal Security Service

Former US marine calls seizure of Russian ship in Atlantic ‘theft’ and ‘piracy’

"When the US Navy seizes oil tankers on the high seas, including one tied to Russia, and reroutes their cargo under the banner of ‘law enforcement,’ that isn’t diplomacy or peacekeeping," John Mark Dougan said

IMF records slowdown in global economic growth, but not recession — Managing Director

Kristalina Georgieva presented a chart recording the gradual depreciation of the dollar against the euro, as well as a curve of growth in the yield of US Treasury securities amid increased uncertainty

EU should disclose size of its shares in defense companies — RDIF chief

"European warmongers suddenly want to deploy troops left and right", Kirill Dmitriev wrote on the X social network as he commented on a report by the European Politico edition

Gasification rate in Russia approaching 75%, will continue to grow — Putin

The head of state added that Russia reliably exports gas and increases domestic consumption

Russia calls on IOC to ditch its anti-Russian course — Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Andrey Nastasyin reiterated that sports was a universal value and the right to participate in sports competitions was an inalienable human right

Trump feared operation in Venezuela could turn into 'Carter's disaster' — media

The American leader noted that this operation “destroyed the entire Carter administration"

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

Switzerland expands list of anti-Russia sanctions

Three banks have been added to the transaction ban due to their use of the Russian alternative to the SWIFT system (SPFS), and 13 Russian financial institutions will be subject to the ban on providing specialized financial messaging services for payment transactions (SWIFT system) with effect from March 17

Russian stock indices decline as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

By the end of the day, the MOEX index fell 0.43% to 2,745.26 points

Putin may meet with BRICS representatives on security — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the meeting would take place within the framework of Russia's BRICS chairmanship

White House yet undecided on whether it will seek elections in Venezuela this year

"It's too premature and too early to dictate a timetable for elections in Venezuela," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

Pro-government forces in Yemen take control of key districts in Aden — TV

At the same time, key facilities and checkpoints in Aden remain under the control of the Al-Amalika Brigades, the channel's sources said

Russia-China Years of Education to be held in 2026-2027 — Putin

Today, more than 51,000 Chinese students are studying in Russia, while 21,000 Russian students are studying in China, the Russian leader emphasized

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

Turkish party leader calls for forming alliance with Russia, Iran, China against US

Last October, Perincek already proposed the idea of creating an international alliance against the United States, describing this move as a historic need

Senate approves further work to ban Trump from using US military forces against Venezuela

Fifty-two senators voted in support of the document, and 47 voted against