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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Middle East conflict

Rafah border crossing to open in both directions on February 2

Rafah’s opening in both directions is envisaged by the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal

CAIRO, January 30. /TASS/. The Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will resume operation in both directions on Monday, February 2, head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) Ali Shaath said.

"The Rafah border crossing will resume operation in both directions on Monday, February 2," he wrote on his Facebook page (Facebook is banned in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist). According to Shaath, operations at the checkpoint will be preliminarily launched on Sunday, February 1.

Rafah’s opening in both directions is envisaged by the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The border crossing has stayed closed for nearly a year, with all Gaza-bound humanitarian cargoes from Egypt being re-directed to checkpoints on the border with Israel.

US Justice Department announces release of all documents from Epstein case file

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche pointed out that the US Department of Justice is publishing "more than three million pages, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images in total"

US experts say Russia has no claims to Greenland — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that President Vladimir Putin has recently shared his take on the situation with Greenland ahead of a meeting of Russia’s Security Council

Ukraine assistance, Iran situation: Russian, UAE presidents talk current affairs

According to Vladimir Putin, the Russian-Emirati economic partnership is intensively developing on all tracks, and there are a number of significant initiatives in the energy sector

Zelensky must comply with agreements reached by leaders of Russia, US — top lawmaker

Vyacheslav Volodin noted that Vladimir Zelensky's unwillingness to reach a compromise on Donbass and the use of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant confirms his inadequacy

Beijing emphasizes protection of Chinese, other nations’ interests in Venezuela — embassy

China will continue deepening practical cooperation with countries in the region, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington Liu Pengyu said

Guterres’ 'bizarre statement' and costly Russophobia: MFA spokeswoman’s statements

Maria Zakharova also said that Moldova’s Russophobia is pushing the country "to nowhere" and costs it too high

Protasevich says Belarusian opposition plans to seize power in 2030

According to Roman Protasevich, the planning horizon is clearly outlined in papers and internal reports

Israel to target Iran’s military capabilities in potential attack — top Turkish diplomat

Commenting on Israel’s potential desire to change Iran’s government, Hakan Fidan noted that "they would like to do that but I don’t know if they can do it"

Ukraine is Western pawn for creating direct threats to Russia — Lavrov

The foreign minister added that Moscow regards this conflict as a major confrontation between Russia and the West

IN BRIEF: What we know about current escalation around Iran

Donald Trump is looking at different military options against Iran, ground operations among them, but prefers to find a diplomatic solution to the situation

Kremlin aide refutes Rubio's claim that territorial issue only item left in Ukraine deal

Yury Ushakov noted that there are still many open issues in negotiations on Ukraine, but the territorial issue is now the main one

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

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,300 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 22 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Trump asks Putin to refrain from striking Kiev until February 1 — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov did not clarify whether Russia had responded to Trump’s proposal to halt the strikes

Training of Russia’s Battlegroup East fighters based on interchangeability — instructor

According to the instructor, despite versatility, combat training is still divided by specialty

Russia to showcase new aircraft, air defense systems at Airshow China 2026

The Airshow China 2026 international aerospace exhibition will take place in November

EU is party to Ukraine conflict, cannot monitor ceasefire — senior Russian diplomat

Alexander Grushko also mentioned the disastrous experience the European Union has accumulated in recent years and its subversive role

UN ignores violations of international law in Novorossiya — Russian senator

Igor Kastyukevich stressed that if the UN Secretary General believes that the principles of self-determination of peoples do not apply to Crimea and Donbass, then "work at the UN does not apply to him"

Iran better prepared for possible aggression than in summer of 2025 — Russian envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the situation is alarming

Russian troops liberate Belaya Beryoza community in Sumy Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,150 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Europe grows critical of von der Leyen — senior Russian diplomat

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department of European affairs Vladislav Maslennikov noted that this trend can be seen as evidence that European societies are increasingly looking for nationally oriented politicians

Europe completely at a loss, does not know where to turn — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya said that Europe became a victim of its own conceptual framework, based on rules it once promoted

Kremlin surprised by response to publishing list of foreigners denied entry to Russia

The EU mission in Moscow received a list of 89 EU politicians, diplomats and military officials barred from entering Russia

Hungary intends to bypass EU ban on gas supplies from Russia — Orban

The Hungarian government claimed earlier that it would challenge the decision made by the Council of the EU to ban Russian gas supplies in court

Iranian military commander calls Iraq's measures to strengthen common border unprecedented

Ahmad Ali Goudarzi emphasized that these measures make a significant contribution to improving the security of the border between the two countries

Europe rejects Zelensky's claims about delay in delivery of Patriot missiles — news agency

The European officials did not provide any details

Diplomat calls Western panic over risk of nuclear accidents in Ukraine 'far-fetched'

"Due to power outages at nuclear power plants under Kiev's control, it was necessary to reduce output capacity periodically," Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said

Trump considering raids, special forces ops inside Iran — media

Among the riskiest scenarios under consideration is the covert deployment of US special forces to destroy or disable Iranian nuclear sites that were not hit during the US strikes in June 2025

Syria no longer bent on prosecuting Assad — Lavrov

The Foreign minister stressed that Russia's partners are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding President al-Assad and his family’s arrival in the Russian Federation in December 2024

Kiev responds to all peace initiatives with shelling, terrorist attacks — Russian diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik noted that the intensity of attacks and the number of civilian casualties from Ukrainian strikes "have grown exponentially and are directly related to the intensification of the peacekeeping process"

UN chief claims principle of self-determination does not apply to Crimea, Donbass

Antonio Guterres said that the Office of Legal Affairs came to this conclusion after a very careful study

EU to replace Russian oil price cap by complete ban of marine transportation — Bloomberg

The news agency said the proposal was backed by EU countries, which adopt sanction packages under the principle of unanimity

Many countries, including UAE, willingly buy Pantsir system from Russia — Rostec

According to Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov, Pantsir is the most popular air defense system at present

Russian envoy discusses Kiev’s hunt for medics, intensified attacks and manipulation at UN

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large on Kiev’s War Crimes Rodion Miroshnik said that at least 293 children suffered from Ukrainian attacks in 2025

Explosion reported at Turkish oil refinery — media

The facility belongs to the Tupras company

EU loses autonomy on all key issues, senior Russian official says

Maxim Oreshkin said that the European Union de facto entered the orbit of the United States of America

Canadian PM calls on US to respect its sovereignty

Mark Carney assured that US President Donald Trump has never raised the issue of the separation of Alberta, a province bordering the United States, in their conversations

Zelensky not ready for compromises on Donbass, Zaporozhye NPP

Vladimir Zelensky earlier stated that even the United States had failed to reach an agreement on the two main issues of conflict resolution

US lifts some sanctions on Venezuelan oil industry

This particularly applies to operations involving the state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, a general license published by the US Treasury Department says

US cites Cuba’s ties with Russia, China as grounds for measures against oil supplies

Under the executive order signed by Donald Trump, the United States formally declares a national emergency over what it describes as a threat posed by Cuba

Kremlin interested whether Zelensky's desire not to surrender ZNPP means plan to attack it

Dmitry Peskov noted that the ZNPP has been under Russia’s control for several years already

Russia has no plans to remove EU ambassador to Moscow post — senior diplomat

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department of European affairs stressed that Moscow would shape the future framework for engagement with the EU based on Russia’s national interest

Work to write Eurasian charter to begin soon — senior Russian diplomat

A group of like-minded countries is currently being formed to begin substantive work on the text of the charter, Vladislav Maslennikov pointed out

Russia to test Yastreb 1.0 intelligent electronic warfare system against drones

Igor Potapov, spokesperson of the developer, NPP Design Bureau, emphasized that the system makes it possible to significantly accelerate scanning of the 100 MHz to 6 GHz band

Press review: Russia ready to aid Syria as Trump tariffs fall short on US national debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 29th

Not only Ukraine, but also entire Western world losing to Russia — Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom, founder of the file-sharing network Megaupload, said that Russia should not waste time normalizing relations with Western countries

US breaks international law by demanding oil concessions from Venezuela — Chinese embassy

Liu Pengyu pointed out that "Venezuela is a sovereign state and has full permanent sovereignty over all its natural resources and economic activities"

US demands reports on Venezuelan oil exports to other countries

According to the general license released by the US Treasury Department, the reports must include the parties involved in each transaction, the dates, the price of the oil, and its final destination

Lavrov has big questions for UN secretary-general over his position on Ukraine

The Russian foreign minster also noted an "interesting aspect" in the position of the UN Secretary General on Greenland, which, in particular, was outlined by his official representative, the head of the world organization, Stephane Dujarric

Cuba strongly condemns US ‘oil blockade’ measures — foreign minister

Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla emphasized that these measures "violate all principles of free trade"

US envoy to NATO says Ukrainian settlement 'close as ever'

Matthew Whitaker also added that "security guarantees that a peace deal would bring to Ukraine are done for all intents and purposes"

NATO brings confrontation to previously peaceful Arctic — Russian diplomat

"Under these circumstances, there is no point in talking about any dialogue with NATO," Vladislav Maslennikov emphasized

UN has no moral right to participate in Ukraine talks — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya added that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "clearly playing on one side"

Frontline situation speaks for itself — Kremlin

Russian forces are going on a successful offensive in Donbass as they clear one locality after another of Ukrainian formations over there

Trump to announce his Fed chief nominee on Friday

Donald Trump did not name the nominee

Azov fighters act on instructions to kill Russian troops rather than capturing them — POW

Daniel Zharkov earlier confessed to killing a Russian soldier

Trump intends to continue talks with Iran, urges to drop development of nuclear weapons

The US leader also intends to convince Tehran to stop using disproportionate force against participants in the unrest

Russia’s nuclear triad to gain new hypersonic component — expert

Alexander Stepanov cited projects such as the GELA hypersonic drone, capable of reaching speeds of up to 11,000 km/h, a new unmanned aerial vehicle capable of reaching Mach 7 and launching payloads into orbit, and the Champion long-range hypersonic drone bomber

Trump warns Britain, Canada against closer ties with China

The US leader believes that it is especially dangerous for Ottawa "to get into business" with Beijing and it shouldn't look at China as the answer to its problems

Russian envoy to OSCE says respectful contacts established with unfriendly countries

According to Dmitry Polyansky, the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council went quite calmly, without extreme emotions or attacks

Many European countries consider US threat to EU — Szijjarto

Peter Szijjarto noted that EU foreign ministers openly spoke about this at a meeting in Brussels

Attack on Iran would put all US military bases in region at risk — representative to IRGC

The armed forces are ready for combat, Abdollah Haji Sadeghi said

FACTBOX: Trump declares state of emergency in US over alleged threat from Cuba

Under US law, this grants the president authority to impose duties on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba

Press review: Russia, UAE hold Kremlin talks and NATO plans defense bank by 2027

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 30th

'Warnings' from West regarding vessel movements unacceptable — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the desire of European officials to blame others for all their troubles is generally understandable

West prepared battle in Ukraine in advance, planning Kiev’s accession to NATO — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled that Ukraine’s declaration of independence "clearly proclaimed a policy of non-participation in military blocs, neutrality and renunciation of nuclear weapons"

POW says he feared Ukrainian drones the most as he surrendered to Russian forces

The Ukrainian serviceman commended the humane attitude to him from the Russian military as he also advised his fellow soldiers to lay down arms or defect to the Russian side

Venezuelan-level betrayal should not be expected in Cuba — Russia's UN envoy

Russia’s Permanent Representative at the UN Vasily Nebenzya noted that recent US statements on Cuba largely remained "just rhetoric for now"

Action legend Seagal lists mansion outside Moscow for sale

According to the statement, the residence includes a two-story mansion, a two-car garage, a guest house, a bathhouse, and a barbeque gazebo, all situated on a forested plot of 1,500 square meters

Truce sought by Zelensky unacceptable to Russia — Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that all previous periods of diplomatic efforts during the special military operation resulted in each ceasefire being immediately exploited to pump new weapons into Ukraine

Zelensky rejects invitation to Moscow

Vladimir Zelensky said that it was impossible for him to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow

In 2015, Ukrainian militants moved bodies of Donbass residents to LPR woods

According to the former SBU agent, the bodies of deceased Donbass battalion militants were also brought to the same site

Grinch tanker detained by French Navy has no connection with Russia — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow considers any infringement on freedom of navigation unacceptable

Zelensky asked for meeting with Putin, not the other way around — Kremlin

Earlier, the Kremlin confirmed that Zelensky had an open invitation to Moscow for talks with Putin, and that Russia would ensure his safety if he came

Guterres' position on Donbass undermines UN foundations — deputy

Leader of the LDPR Party Leonid Slutsky called the UN Secretary General's selective approach an extremely dangerous precedent

Ukraine, Europe should support Trump’s peace plan — Russian special envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine did not receive a batch of air defense missiles because Europe did not pay for them

Ukraine wants security guarantees before signing peace deal — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, security guarantees are the most important thing people can count on in this difficult situation

Russian scientist copes with mathematical problem unsolved for 190 years

This breakthrough radically changes the understanding of one of the oldest areas of mathematics, crucial to fundamental physics and economics

FSB thwarts Ukrainian plot to kill Russian serviceman in St. Petersburg

A Makarov pistol with ammunition and a silencer was seized from the attacker

Wall Street Journal outlines three scenarios for Ukraine conflict

One of the options is that Ukraine’s "military eventually becomes exhausted" due to a lack of troops and Russia’s superiority in drone technology

US refusal to extend New START will not be disaster for Russia — MFA

Alexander Grushko noted that Russia has its own program in place

'Everyone understands everything' in Abu Dhabi talks — Russian military intel chief

"Everybody said that it was constructive," Igor Kostyukov said

Russia will ensure rights of gas exporters if EU violates agreements — MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Russia has long been successfully redirecting gas supplies toward new centers of global economic growth, primarily in Asia

UK forces Russian anchored cargo ship out of its waters — Department for Transport

A Department for Transport spokesman noted that the vessel entered the UK waters to undertake essential safety repairs

No place in future security architecture for an anti-Russian OSCE — senior diplomat

According to Vladislav Maslennikov, the organization is facing the deepest crisis provoked by the shortsighted policy course pursued by Western countries

Guterres’ statement on Crimea, Donbass indicate UN crisis — Zaporozhye Region politician

Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev also emphasized that the referendums in Crimea, Donbass, and Novorossiya represent unprecedented expressions of popular will

FACTBOX: Key points from EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday

According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, EU Foreign Ministers have for the first time openly advocated for further war in Ukraine, confirming they are not ready for peace

Russia condemns UN’s conclusion on inapplicability of self-determination right to Donbass

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman commented on the statement by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Kiev ignored moratorium on attacks on energy facilities in 2025 — Russian diplomat

"Kiev also persistently escalated its attacks on civilian energy facilities throughout the year," Rodion Miroshnik noted

UN chief’s position on Donbass proves need for organization’s reform — lawmaker

According to Sergey Mironov, the United Nations needs to get rid of double standards

Azerbaijan never to allow its territory to be used for strikes on Iran — MFA

Azerbaijanian Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stressed that Baku’s position is principled and unwavering

Guterres' claim that Donbass does not have right to self-determination is wrong — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow has its own well-reasoned position, which is well known to all

'Broad clash' between Russia, West, questions to UN: Lavrov's statements

The Russian Foreign Minister gave an interview to Turkish media

EU, NATO countries preparing for 'inevitable' confrontation with Russia — senior diplomat

"Russia is now viewed as a long-term threat," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stressed

Trump says he asked Putin to halt strikes on Kiev for one week due to extreme cold

According to Donald Trump, the Russian president "agreed to do that"

Moscow's January 2026 snowiest in two centuries, scientists say

The intense snowfall was driven by deep and expansive cyclones with sharp weather fronts passing over the Moscow Region

Trump signs order allowing US to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba

The exact rate of the tariffs has not yet been specified

Venezuela’s authorized president holds phone call with Trump, Rubio

Delcy Rodriguez said the talks addressed a number of key issues, including the lifting of restrictions on commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace

Russian diplomat questions data on Ukraine conflict compiled by UN agencies

According to Rodion Miroshnik, those agencies rely on quite a strange playbook to collect the data based solely on reports from one side of the conflict

Russia to stay at OSCE `for a while,’ senior diplomat says

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department of European affairs Vladislav Maslennikov described the OSCE as a "component of the Euro-Atlantic security concept that has discredited itself"

FACTBOX: What is known about winning bid to acquire Domodedovo Airport

Perspektiva LLC, a subsidiary of the Sheremetyevo Airport, has won the auction

Core demands, security guarantees: Lavrov's statements on talks on Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Minister said that Moscow does not have information about the security guarantees the United States and Ukraine could have agreed on