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Middle East conflict

Saudi Arabia carries out strikes on airport in Yemeni city of Seiyun — TV

Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Salah Al-Aqel confirmed the attacks

DUBAI, January 2. /TASS/. Saudi Arabia’s air force has carried out a series of strikes on the airport in the city of Seiyun in Yemen’s eastern Hadhramaut Governorate, the AIC TV channel, linked to separatists from the Southern Transitional Council (STC), reported.

According to the broadcaster, the Saudi air force conducted at least three strikes on the airport. Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Salah Al-Aqel confirmed the attacks to Sky News Arabia.

Earlier on Friday, Hadhramaut Governor Salem Al-Khanbashi announced the start of an operation to transfer the STC-controlled military camps to government forces.

The situation in Yemen escalated after separatists from the Southern Transitional Council, backed by the United Arab Emirates, took control over the Hadhramaut and Al Mahrah governorates. According to STC leader Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, next-stage plans include establishing institutions of a future state in southern Yemen. On December 27, Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, requested military assistance from the Saudi-led coalition. Overnight to Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on two ships sailing from the United Arab Emirates to the Yemeni port of Mukalla without official authorization.

Later, al-Alimi signed a decree terminating a joint defense agreement with the UAE, and demanded that Emirate forces be withdrawn from the country in 24 hours. The Saudi Foreign Ministry, in turn, accused the UAE of supporting the riot in eastern Yemen, slamming this as a threat to Saudi Arabia’s national security.

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Yemen Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian intel chief appointed as head of Zelensky’s office

Meanwhile, Foreign Intelligence Service Chief Oleg Ivashchenko has been relieved from his post and appointed in Kirill Budanov’s stead

UN chief concerned about rising toll on civilians in Ukraine conflict — spokesperson

According to the spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief "reiterates the importance of a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions"

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes off Mexico’s coast

Twelve people suffered injuries

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

About 40 people killed in explosion at Swiss ski resort

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

Fire destroys 150-year-old church building in Amsterdam

There is a danger of the building collapsing

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

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

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

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

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

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

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

UN body calls for prompt investigation into attack on civilians in Kherson Region

"We are alarmed by reports of an attack on New Year’s Eve in Khorly, Kherson region, resulting in civilian casualties, including children, which raises questions about compliance with international humanitarian law," the OHCHR said

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"

Over 8,300 Aeroflot passengers celebrated New Year in flight

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

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

Death toll from Ukraine’s drone attack on village of Khorly in Kherson Region rises to 28

More than 100 people were in the cafe at the time of the attack, Governor Vladimir Saldo said

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

Air defenses intercept 64 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight

Twenty of them were destroyed in the Samara Region

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was reported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin

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

Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian assault groups in Sumy Region

The enemy tried to counterattack near the settlement of Grabovskoye

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

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

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

Fourteen drones destroyed in Tula Region — governor

Nobody was injured, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said

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

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

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"

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"

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

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

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

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"

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”

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

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

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

Number of people hospitalized to Crimea after Kiev’s attack on Kherson Region rises to 14

Two patients are in severe condition, Crimea’s Health Ministry reported

Ukrainian intel chief says he accepts Zelensky’s offer to lead his office

Dmitry Litvin, Vladimir Zelensky’s communications adviser, said earlier that formal procedures regarding Kirill Budanov’s appointment had already begun

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

The custom of decorating Christmas trees dates back to biblical myths

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York city mayor

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bulgaria should support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine — president

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