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US military strikes vessel in eastern Pacific, killing one — Pentagon

The attack was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on December 22

NEW YORK, December 23. /TASS/. US forces have delivered a strike on a low-profile vessel, allegedly trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, US Southern Command reported.

"Intelligence confirmed the low-profile vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," the Command wrote in a post on X, saying that one person was killed in the strike.

The attack was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on December 22.

Fitch upgrades Ukraine’s rating to ‘CCC’

One of the factors behind the positive rating action was an agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on an interest-free loan amounting to 90 bln euro

Russia’s advanced weapons show its resolve to protect itself — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and top brass have repeatedly said that the efforts to polish the national nuclear deterrence potential allow to say that the country's security is guaranteed

Vance indicates breakthrough in Ukraine talks between Russia, United States

The US vice president said that America would continue to make diplomatic efforts towards a Ukraine resolution

No free elections in Ukraine until Russians returned their rights — opposition politician

"Zelensky has every lever at his disposal to curb and distort the will of the people and impose his conditions on the country in his personal concentration camp," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Lavrov calls Kallas’ words about EU aid to Armenia 'confession'

The Russian foreign minister recalled, as an example, that in the case with Moldova, there was "blatant EU interference in the parliamentary elections"

Trump administration to recall 48 heads of diplomatic missions — NYP

At the same time, the Trump administration has not yet appointed the heads of diplomatic missions in its key partner countries

Putin offers condolences to Rahmon over death of Tajik boy at school in Moscow Region

The Russian president added that crimes against children are particularly grave and stressed that the investigation would be thorough

Putin names increasing generation, digitalization as priorities for Russia’s energy sector

The Russian leader has congratulated energy industry workers and veterans on their professional holiday and the 105th anniversary of the approval of the State Plan for the country’s electrification

Macron betrays Merz on expropriation of frozen Russian assets — FT

"He knows that there will be a price to pay for that", also said a senior EU diplomat

London recklessly provokes US into confrontation with Russia — UK journalist

Frank Wright said "it's not realistic for the Europeans or the British to win a war against Russia"

New US approach to talks with Russia opens opportunities for partnership — legislator

Mikhail Sheremet noted that the United States appears to have adopted a more consistent and predictable stance

Former US President Obama forced Ukrainian authorities to give up Crimea — Trump

The US leader called the peninsula "massive and beautiful"

Battlegroup West destroys 33 UAV control points of Kiev forces in past 24 hours

Six Ukrainian Armed Forces field ammunition depots were discovered and destroyed

Russia going to develop international military cooperation — Putin

The collective security system of the Union States requires improvement, the Russian president stressed

Poland to build training range for joint maneuvers with Lithuania in Suwalki Gap

"There are no other examples of such facilities in Europe," Lithuanian Vice-minister of National Defense Bronius Bieliauskas said

Ukrainian soldiers deserting due to being underpaid — outlet

A serviceman suggested that AWOL could become an even more widespread phenomenon in the Ukrainian army in the coming months

Moscow, Caracas reiterate brotherly ties, strategic cooperation — top Venezuelan diplomat

"During the phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, we again reiterated our brotherly relations, mutual respect, and strategic partnership between us," Yvan Gil Pinto said

US National Intelligence confident Russia not planning to control entire Ukraine

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called such information about Russia's plans "a lie and propaganda"

Two civilians die after Kurds shell Aleppo — TV

According to the repot, the shelling attack targeted Aleppo’s northern Al-Jamiliya neighborhood

Street artist Banksy paints new mural near Russian embassy in London

The work shows two children in winter clothes, lying on their backs and looking at the stars

US policy moving in right direction, but Ukraine questions remain — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov added that the Trump administration "has seriously reviewed the course" taken by his predecessor Joe Biden’s team, discarding several "profoundly anti-Russian elements in Washington’s policies"

Top Turkish diplomat says phase two of Gaza deal may begin in early 2026

The transfer of power to the Palestinians is at the top of the agenda now, noted Hakan Fidan

Remilitarization programs launched in Europe under pretext of alleged threat from Russia

"The pre-war psychosis is maliciously fueled by calls ‘to prepare for a large-scale war, similar to the one in which the grandfathers fought’," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated

Slovakia to vote nay on EU's Ukraine financing plan — PM

Robert Fico and other members of the Slovak government have repeatedly stated that the country insists on an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations while refusing to finance the continuation of the conflict

Europe pressures Kiev to stem departure of youth to other countries — newspaper

El Pais also characterizes Ukraine’s demographic situation as catastrophic

Security of Kaliningrad Region to be guaranteed by Russia’s full might — senior diplomat

"The Kaliningrad Region is an inalienable part of Russia," Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

Russian troops expanding buffer zone near Seversk in DPR — Pushilin

According to the DPR head, the evacuation of civilians from the city is underway

Pashinyan thanks Putin for facilitating peace process with Azerbaijan

The Armenian Prime Minister expressed confidence that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already been achieved, as trains from Russia now travel to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory

IN BRIEF: Kiev officials plan to flee, diplomats unlikely to return, Russia’s SVR reveals

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, Ukrainian diplomats serving overseas are aware that there are no options to put an end to the Ukraine crisis on Vladimir Zelensky’s terms

Russia-Armenia trade turnover totals $4.5 bln in first nine months of 2025

The Russian president said earlier at an informal CIS summit that trade turnover between CIS member countries amounted to around $90 bln in the first 10 months of 2025

Russia says fakes about contacts with S. Korea aim to sow distrust between it, North Korea

These information fakes have no basis in fact, noted Maria Zakharova

Kiev, EU try to steer Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine off track — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov went on to say that the dialogue with the United States on Ukraine will continue

Expanding partnership within CIS meets interests of member countries — Putin

The Russian leader said that the Commonwealth will continue to address the challenges of socioeconomic development, strengthening stability, and shared security

Trump says talks with Russia and Ukraine to resolve conflict are going along okay

"Everyone's tired of that war," the president added

Democrats to move to impeach Trump if they win Congress in 2026

Speaker of the House of Representatives, member of the Republican Party Mike Johnson pointed out that the Democratic Party intends to "dismantle" the foundations of the country

Hainan records increase in tourist arrivals since introduction of special customs regime

The introduction of a "zero-tariff and low-tax" policy should give a boost to the island’s consumer and business attractiveness, Geng Songtao, an industry expert, says

VEB.RF’s net profit rises by 16.3% in 9 months to $985 mln

At the same time, VEB.RF’s capital adequacy ratio for the nine months of 2025 stood at 14.9%

Special unit of Ukrainian International Legion neutralized — security forces

The Ukrainian command continues to use elite special forces as assault troops

Rosatom hopes to reach agreements on nuclear fuel cooperation with Argentina in 2025

"In particular, we are in talks on a number of projects related to cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle," Ivan Dybov, head of the Rosatom America Latina center, said

Top Russian diplomat voices support to Venezuela over developments in Caribbean

The Russian side "reaffirmed its extensive support and solidarity with the people and the government of Venezuela"

Uganda invites Russia to joint coffee processing projects — MFA

Globally, Uganda rank seventh, producing approximately 7 million 60-kg bags annually, John Leonard Mugerwa said

White Sea mystery: how Karelian scientists search for mazes to find ancient sculptures

In 1966, the Karelian State Museum of Local History expedition led by local historian Ivan Mullo went to the Kuzova Archipelago and found numerous stones stacked on top of each other in most diverse and weird combinations

Georgian president calls EU decision to allocate €90 billion to Ukraine bluff

"Ukraine has simply been sold out," Mikhail Kavelashvili said

Russia, Kazakhstan have no contentious issues in any sphere — Putin

The president stated that Russian-Kazakh relations are progressing positively across all areas with virtually no problematic issues

Baltic countries obsessed with idea of provoking Russia, Belarus — senior diplomat

Moscow and Minsk must not yield to these provocations, Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Senior Russian general killed in bomb blast in Moscow — Investigative Committee

"According to an investigation, on the morning of December 22, an explosive device planted under a car was activated on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow," Svetlana Petrenko said

Assassination of General Sarvarov in Moscow is terrible tragedy — Kremlin

The security services will conduct an investigation, Dmitry Peskov said

US military strikes vessel in eastern Pacific, killing one — Pentagon

The attack was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on December 22

Trump says US needs Greenland for national security, not for minerals

"We have more oil than any other country in the world," the president added

Venezuela reiterates its commitment to peace, but will defend its sovereignty — Maduro

The president recalled that the US military had staged 28 attacks on civilian ships in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, "executing 104 people extrajudicially" and stressed that Venezuela had done nothing that could justify the United States’ military pressure

Russian-Azerbaijani relations continue to develop — Kremlin spokesman

Azerbaijan continues to take part in all formats of the Commonwealth of Independent States, noted Dmitry Peskov

FACTBOX: What we know about terror attack on senior Russian general in Moscow

A parked car exploded at 12, Yasenevaya Street at around 7:00 a.m. Moscow time

Ukraine launches over thousand strikes on Aleshkinsky district in Kherson Region over week

The authorities added that Ukrainian militants shelled the Aleshki Central District Hospital

Putin’s envoy didn't brief Kremlin on Miami talks over phone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitriev will report to President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival in Moscow, noted Dmitry Peskov

Press review: Kiev's Western support weakens as experts weigh in on Putin’s Q&A statements

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 22nd

Russia sends home Ukrainians wishing to reunite with families — right commissioner

Tatyana Moskalkova noted that Russia had great difficulties in transporting the 15 Ukrainian nationals who were to reunite with their families because Ukrainian Nazis keep shelling the Kherson Region and we were unable to evacuate their own fellow citizens

Kiev acknowledges that it will probably lose Donetsk — JD Vance

The US Vice President suggested that territorial concessions "could be 12 months from now, it could be longer than that," stating that "territorial concession is a significant hold-up in the negotiations"

Ural Airlines plane makes emergency landing in Ashgabat

At present, the company is preparing a backup plane that will fly the passengers to Yekaterinburg

Russia-Armenia relations are developing well, Putin says

The Russian president said "the teams worked hard on all sides, prepared good documents, everything has been signed, and everything is moving forward"

Battlegroup South destroys a robotic system, 20 bunkers of Kiev forces

Five Ukrainian drones were shot down

British singer Chris Rea dies at age 74

Chris Rea was known for hits like The Road to Hell, Looking For The Summer, On The Beach, Auberge, The Blue Cafe, and was popular in the soft and blues-rock genres, peaking in the late 1980s

Pashinyan sees nuances in Trump route implementation tied to Russia relations

The Armenian Prime Minister said that Yerevan is engaged in constructive bilateral negotiations with the United States

Merz, Starmer, Macron lobby for West European military industry' gains — Duma member

Leonid Ivlev argued that they stand to gain from the prolongation of the Ukraine conflict

Death toll among young people poisoned with unknown drug keeps rising in Urals

Trump approves a plan to build two new Battleships for the US Navy

The president specified that the United States could build 20-25 such ships

Defense Ministry stops buying Kalashnikov AK-47 submachine guns

The weapon does not meet the Ministry’s needs, General Staff Chief Gen. Nikolai Makarov said

Roblox case shows path for global companies to operate in Russia — expert

According to Valentin Petukhov, it is no surprise that Roblox was blocked, given that the game contains a large amount of user-generated content that is difficult to moderate

Up to ten Oreshnik systems to be deployed in Belarus — president

Alexander Lukashenko said an Oreshnik system has entered combat duty in the republic and denied media reports that it was deployed in Slutsk

Bank of Russia sells yuan worth $184 mln with settlements on December 19

The Central Bank sold yuan on the domestic market in the amount of 14.7 bln rubles with settlements on December 18, 2025

Ukraine talks progress, territorial issues: statements by US vice president

JD Vance noted progress on the Ukraine front during the negotiations with Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami

Russian troops liberate Vilcha community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russian troops struck energy and port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia to define its response to West’s intermediate-range missile deployment — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia had to scrap its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-based short-and medium-range missiles

Tanker seized by US near Venezuela towed to Texas port — TV

The report says the vessel has been anchored approximately 50 miles from the port city of Galveston

Russia should consolidate global nuclear power leadership — Kurchatov Institute chief

According to Mikhail Kovalchuk, the institute is again pioneering in many areas, ensuring Russia's technological sovereignty

Ukraine deal close, but most difficult issues remain unresolved — Finnish leader

According to media reports, Alexander Stubb has maintained close contact with US President Donald Trump

Russia-US dialogue seeing slow progress — senior Russian diplomat

It is accompanied by extremely harmful, malicious attempts by an influential group of states to torpedo these efforts, to derail the relevant diplomatic process, Sergey Ryabkov said

Drone strikes damage moorings, vessels in Russia’s southern Krasnodar Region

There were no casualties

West’s speculation about Russian attack on NATO 'cheap provocation' — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov called this an "obvious game" by the West

Russia has no plans to attack EU, NATO countries — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Moscow "is even ready to legally enshrine this with regard to a potential solution to the current crisis based on the principle of equal and indivisible security"

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

Two US mercenaries eliminated in Ukraine — Newsweek

According to reports from the accounts of the families of the deceased, Jones and Zacherl were serving with international forces under the command of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency

Game developer behind Call of Duty and Battlefield killed in US car crash — NBC

Vince Zampella was 55 years old

Russian stock market closes with mixed performance of key indices

The yuan declined by 17 kopecks to 11.12 rubles

NATO seeking to invent pretexts to intervene in Ukraine — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky recalled that Russia has repeatedly warned against deploying NATO military contingents to Ukraine

Air defense systems destroy 29 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions overnight

In particular, 14 UAVs were intercepted over the Rostov region

Ukrainian journalists say took pictures of Mindich in Israel

The details are promised to be released later

Ukrainian parliament speaker moves to begin legislative process on holding elections

According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, the biggest thing will be to create conditions for the military to vote at the front and their right to be elected

Europe lacks money to sponsor Kiev, needs to look for compromise — French MP

According to Thierry Mariani, today, little depends on Europe as far as the Ukrainian settlement is concerned

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

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

US nuclear-powered submarine enters South Korean port

This is the first visit by a nuclear-powered submarine under President Lee Jae-myung

Putin’s envoy to brief president on his Miami talks upon arrival — Kremlin

Kirill Dmitriev is on his way to Moscow from the United States following two days of talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict

Russian general killed in Moscow listed in Ukraine’s unwanted persons database since 2022

Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko earlier reported that Fanil Sarvarov was killed in an explosion in southern Moscow on Monday morning

Nearly 60% of Poles do not consider relations with Ukraine a partnership

President Karol Nawrocki has repeatedly criticized the authorities in Kiev for their lack of gratitude towards Poles for the assistance provided to Ukraine

Relations with US, nuclear arms, Russia's security: Ryabkov's statements

The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia still has serious questions for the United States over Ukraine

Merz finds himself in isolation in Europe due to position on Russian assets — newspaper

German Chancellor attempted till the last "to praise advantages of the de facto expropriation of Russian assets, downplaying risks at the same time," the newspaper said

Outgoing year has chance to become warmest on record in Moscow — meteorologist

Mikhail Leus still noted that two cold spells are forecasted in the remaining ten days, which may bring down the final figure

Kremlin spokesman has no idea of what Vance meant by ‘breakthrough’ on Ukraine

According to Dmitry Peskov, it is hardly possible to try to solve such a complex problem in the public domain

Russia wants lasting peace for Ukraine, not temporary ceasefire — Russian senior diplomat

Addressing the prospects of the negotiation process on a Ukrainian settlement, Sergey Ryabkov refrained from speculating on "any potential linkages to electoral calendars in various countries"

Russia’s public debt among lowest in developed countries — PM Mishustin

According to Mikhail Mishustin, this makes it possible to continue implementing national projects, pursue efforts to achieve technological development goals

Christmas in Europe to be peaceful, but military threat remains — Hungarian leader

Preparations for a war with Russia "are still under way in Europe behind closed doors," Viktor Orban said

Ukraine army attacks key ZNPP substation in Energodar with drones, artillery

Mayor Maxim Pukhov emphasized that the risk of further strikes remains high