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Middle East conflict

Defense minister says Israeli military to stay in Gaza forever

Israel will not allow "threats of annihilation" in the future, Defense Minister Israel Katz says

TEL AVIV, February 19. /TASS/. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops will remain in the Gaza Strip forever.

"The IDF will remain in the Gaza security zone forever," he was quoted as saying by the Ynet news portal.

Addressing the officers' course graduation ceremony at Officer Training Base 1, he mentioned Israel’s strikes on Yemen and Iran, delivered last year.

"We will not allow threats of annihilation against Israel in the future either - and we will act against any threat, near and far," he said. "The policy today is one of initiative, decisiveness, removal of threats and defense of Israeli borders and communities from enemy territory."

Iran's nuclear program

Netanyahu warns Iran of response it ‘cannot even imagine’ if it attacks Israel

Israel demands that Iran destroy the uranium enrichment infrastructure, cut the missile program, stop helping the allies, the official says

Explosion reported in southern Ukrainian city of Odessa

The city is witnessing a partial blackout, a local media outlet says

Trump expects clarity on possible US-Iran nuclear deal within ten days

According to the US president, the sides "may have to take it a step further"

Russian diplomat dismisses claims that US brought Russia, Ukraine to negotiating table

The terminology itself is hardly appropriate from a diplomatic point of view, Maria Zakharova said

US lacks air defenses in Middle East for Iran operation — NBC

According to sources, the Pentagon is building up its military presence in the region by sending additional ships, air defense systems and submarines there

US fails to issue visas to Belarusian delegation for Board of Peace meeting

Minsk has completed all the necessary procedures, according to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry

Poland not seeking to possess nuclear weapons — defense minister

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz says that the country will develop the nuclear sector still

Trump yet to make final call regarding strike against Iran — CNN

A meeting on this topic involving high-ranking officials was reportedly held at the White House on February 18

Sweden assisting Ukraine on information warfare front — Swedish TV

"In the spring of 2022, we gave consultations to Ukrainian government agencies and helped them communicate with their population [facing] the threat of war. Another important goal was to develop resistance to external [psychological] influence in those who could be exposed to it," Mikael Tofvesson said

Medvedev says Russia not doing enough in microelectronics

The senior official stressed the need for Russia to fully provide for itself in certain, particularly important, strategic sectors

Board of Peace first meeting: What is known about organization at this point

The Board of Peace is currently focused on settling the conflict in the Gaza Strip

Deliveries of Upyr-18 drone to Russian military to increase substantially

According to CEO of Uraldronzavod Plant Vladimir Tkachuk, the company’s other innovation is being considered by the enemy as a "strike by an unknown type of UAV"

UK opens embassy office in Lvov — Foreign Office

London noted that the UK is one of the few countries in the world that will have a diplomatic office in Lvov

Four people hurt in oil well fire in Samara Region

The fire was extinguished on an area of 20 square meters

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

Liberating Krinichnoye, Russian troops penetrate Ukraine’s defenses — expert

Andrey Marochko believes that, given the operational and tactical situation in this area, Russian forces will continue denting the enemy defenses at Krinichnoye

Russia to test Internet provider drone similar to Starlink — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the drone will operate at an altitude of 15 to 24 kilometers

Russian army stocked with 70% modern weapons — official

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said that continuous modernization of models and the development of advanced weapons is under way

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Gulf countries allocate $7 billion to rebuild Gaza — Trump

The Board of Peace was created on January 22, when 19 countries signed its charter. It was established as part of a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip

TASS obtains exclusive list of 368 political prisoners held in Ukraine

The list includes 274 public figures, 47 political prisoners, 32 clergymen, and 15 journalists

Ukraine loses over 520,000 troops in 2025 — Russian General Staff

Sergey Rudskoy says total loss of Ukrainian servicemen is estimated at more than 1,5 million

‘The Mask’ actor Peter Greene died from gunshot wound — medical examiner

On December 13, the 60-year-old actor was found dead in his New York apartment

Trump believes Hamas to make good on promise to lay down arms voluntarily

The US leader said the sides "are committed to achieving a Gaza that is properly governed throughout the whole area"

Three victims found dead at building collapse site in Russia’s Leningrad Region — governor

Investigative actions are ongoing, Alexander Drozdenko reported

US gathers largest air force group in region since Iraq invasion — media

This buildup would allow Washington to conduct military operations against Iran for several weeks, the newspaper said

Trump extends anti-Russian sanctions related to Ukraine for one year

"The actions and policies addressed in these Executive Orders continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," the US leader said

Share of cashless payments in Russia reaches 88% in 2025

Earlier, Director of the National Payment System Department of the Bank of Russia Alla Bakina noted that the share of cashless payments in Russia will continue to grow and is expected to exceed 90% by 2030

Russia’s gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan up by 20% in 2025 — Gazprom

According to CEO Alexey Miller, Gazprom will continue to increase gas volumes supplied to these countries

Russian, Chinese, Iranian envoys meet with IAEA chief, urge diplomatic solution for Iran

The joint statements call for a solution to "all existing problems"

US forces move to Middle East, preparations for strike: escalation around Iran

According to sources, the Pentagon is increasing its military presence in the region by sending additional ships, air defense systems and submarines

Wall Street Journal again calls for reporter Gershkovich’s release

The WSJ rejected all accusations against its reporter and demanded his immediate release

Iranian-flagged container ship detained in Denmark — TV

The vessel is currently anchored east of Albaek in the northernmost part of Jutland

Netanyahu warns Iran of response it ‘cannot even imagine’ if it attacks Israel

Israel demands that Iran destroy the uranium enrichment infrastructure, cut the missile program, stop helping the allies, the official says

Trump says gets on well with Putin

The US president complained that he had underestimated the complexity of resolving the crisis in Ukraine

Trilateral negotiations on Ukraine hard, but continue — Russian deputy foreign minister

Mikhail Galuzin admitted that he would like "to reserve his personal impressions for some other occasion"

Former South Korean president sentenced to life in prison on insurrection charges

The court also issued a sentence in the 2024 insurrection case to South Korea’s former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun

Casualties in Bryansk Region, fire at oil depot: Ukraine’s overnight drone strike

Two civilians were injured as a result of a massive attack by a fixed-wing jet drone on the Bryansk Region, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said

Special military op’s goal is to ensure peace for decades to come — Medvedev

The special military operation continues and it will undoubtedly be seen through to the end, the politician emphasized

New US sanctions will have smaller effect than those already imposed — Bank of Russia

The proposals have not yet been adopted by the US Congress, the Russian official reminded

Trade turnover between Russia, Ethiopia double in 6M 2025 — Russian ambassador

Evgeniy Terekhin Ethiopia is famous worldwide as the field and producer of uniquely high-quality coffee, as well as the supplier of flowers, oilseeds, and legumes

Russia delivers Terminator combat vehicles to African country — military cooperation chief

The Terminator is a multi-purpose heavily armored and armed tracked fire support fighting vehicle that features advanced fire control instruments and high maneuverability

Russian Transport Ministry take support measures for ports of Gulf of Finland

A diesel-powered icebreaker already arrived in the Gulf of Finland, Andrey Nikitin noted

Squadron of Russia’s newest Su-30SM fighters formed in Crimea

Later this year, the Black Sea Fleet will receive several more aircraft of this type

Russia’s Filippov wins silver at 2026 Winter Olympics in Ski Mountaineering

Nikita Filippov is the first out of 13 athletes representing Russia under a neutral status at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to win an Olympic medal

Defense minister says Israeli military to stay in Gaza forever

Israel will not allow "threats of annihilation" in the future, Defense Minister Israel Katz says

Russia’s international reserves gain $8.6 bln in one week to $806 bln — Central Bank

As of February 6, the country’s reserves totaled $797.5 bln

US sanctions against Nord Stream 2 challenge attractiveness of investing in EU, says OMV

As the company's CEO stated, sanctions are a political issue, which requires a political response that should be given by politicians, not companies

West using post-Soviet space against Russia: deputy foreign minister’s statements

Mikhail Galuzin noted in a conversation with journalists that trilateral negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement are continuing, although they are difficult

Ukrainian official declares he found over $653,000 in his grandmother's garage

Alexander Subbotenko characterized the practice of keeping savings in US dollars as a "family custom"

Europe in decline, other kind of war: statements by Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready to engage with reasonable and pragmatic counterparts

Der Spiegel claims perpetrators of Nord Stream blasts acted without US approval

The magazine further claims that the saboteurs received private funding from Ukraine

Progress MS-27 cargo spacecraft to leave for ISS in June — Roscosmos

The Progress MS spacecraft is used to deliver various cargoes to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbit

Russia's drone expertise can and should be used in civilian sector — Medvedev

The senior official noted that that until recently, Russia "was not a leader" in terms of developing unmanned aircraft systems

Dmitriev denies Russia offered the US $12 trillion worth projects

According to the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the lifting of sanctions will be eventually dictated by Washington's interests

EU losing its last safety net in form of UGS reserves in political arena — expert

Nikolay Gaponenko is convinced that the current situation is not a disaster, but rather a normal one, signaling a rapid rate of reserve depletion and allowing for conclusions about the emerging key risks

Russia sees no point in involving EU in negotiations on Ukraine — Kremlin

It can hardly be of any help, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia to feature advanced Supercam S350 recon UAV at arms show in Belarus

The company will demonstrate four modifications of Supercam UAVs at the MILEX arms show that will run in Minsk on May 21-24

Senior Russian, Cuban defense officials discuss military-technical cooperation

Further steps have been outlined for cooperation between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Cuban side

Russia should not lose achievements it obtained under sanctions — Medvedev

According to Dmitry Medvedev, this ultimately develops competencies that will be in demand in the country in the future

Ukrainian soldiers blow up ferry in Dnepropetrovsk Region to skip combat — defense source

According to the source, it were soldiers of the Ukrainian army’s 67th brigade

Russia pleased dialogue on Ukraine gains momentum

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stressed that Russia always welcomed the priority of political and diplomatic methods of resolving conflicts

Estonian special services detain leader of Koos group, Russian national — report

They are accused of conducting anti-constitutional activities

Russia returns to electronic engineering pool — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov added that Russia should master the new lithography machine for 130 nanometers

EU ministerial meeting in Luxemburg is unlikely to lift anti-Russian sanctions

"Ukraine or sanctions against Russia are not part of the agenda", Russian representative to EU says

Upgraded Khrizantema-M antitank missile accelerates to hypersonic speed — Rostec

According to the holding company representative, this missile is being used in the special military operation zone in Ukraine

Trump says Iran deal won't come easy, but talks going well

The US president reiterated that Washington will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and claimed that Tehran is still entertaining the idea

Russia ready to increase agricultural exports to Madagascar

Trading in mineral fertilizers is also a promising area of cooperation

Trump announces plans for symbiotic relationship between Board of Peace, UN

The US president said that Washington was planning to provide financial support to the global organization and help modernize its infrastructure

Sanctions harm US in the long run, says Russian Direct Investment Fund chief

The bill in question was presented on Wednesday by a group of US lawmakers

European Commission should defend EU interests, not Ukraine’s — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto says that the authority must also make Croatians understand the obligation to fully import Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 350 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian defense minister holds talks with visiting Madagascar counterpart

Andrey Belousov said that a lot of work had been done

Total length of Russian roads reach 1.58 mln km — Transport Ministry

Regional roads stand at 502,500 km and federal roads equal 65,500 km

At least 5,000 police to provide security in Gaza — head of Committee for Administration

Ali Shaath said the priorities include four categories

Interpol ends prosecution of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Concord company

Interpol ended this prosecution starting from August 28

Russia's GDP growth in 2025 was 1% — Putin

The Russian leader also said that the country is maintaining a solid pace of real wage growth

BBC disinformation and results of Geneva talks: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman’s statements

Maria Zakharova noted that the Russian delegation at the Geneva talks had clear instructions to adhere to the understandings reached at the Alaska summit

Board of Peace to focus not only on Gaza, but other hotspots as well — Trump

The US president added that the Board of Peace would work with the UN

Ukrainian neo-Nazism threatens global community — Grushko

Alexander Grushko emphasized that Russia "consistently combats terrorism and manifestations of Nazism and opposes any revision of the outcomes of World War II"

Israeli planes attack Hezbollah bases in mountainous areas near Syrian border — TV

Eyewitnesses reported powerful explosions in the vicinity of the village of Al-Nabi Shayth

Geneva results, venue for next round, no sense in Europe’s participation: Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has already been briefed by the negotiating team on the results of the Geneva talks

International forces in Gaza to include troops from Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan

Egypt and Jordan have committed to train police

Duma security committee chief: Internet penetrates boundaries, violates sovereignty

MP Irina Yarovaya: "Internet initially violates the terms ‘border’ and ‘sovereignty’; today’s telecommunication services make it possible to interfere with our independent national interests"

Extraordinary snowfall in Moscow to affect airport operations

Flight cancellations are not ruled out, the Ministry of Transport said

Russia’s Sberbank files new lawsuits vs heavily-indebted Mechel

Sberbank filed lawsuits against the Korshunov Ore Dressing Plant, the Mechel Mining Management Company, Mechel Mining, the Southern Kuzbass Coal Company and the Bratsk Ferroalloy Plant

Ukraine to resume oil pumping to Slovakia on Saturday

Slovakia expected that deliveries would resume this Friday

UK will not let US use its bases for strike on Iran — newspaper

According to the sources, the UK authorities are to ban the use of the facilities due to a concern that a US strike would constitute "a breach of the international law."

Putin has trusting relations with Saudi Arabia's leadership — Lavrov

The top duplomat noted that there have been "different" periods in relations between the two countries

Bushehr nuclear plant remains priority for Rosatom — CEO

Rosatom has developed security plans for the Bushehr plant in view of escalation in the region, Alexey Likhachev added

FACTBOX: King’s brother, former Prince Andrew, arrested in UK

The former prince was arrested on his 66th birthday

West ships old weapons to Ukraine that get ground down by Russian forces — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya also underscored that Ukraine has turned into a "true proving grounds for weapons, where new types of weapons are being tested, modified and improved at the cost of lives of Russians and Ukrainians"

Kallas tenure not 'golden age' of European diplomacy, Kremlin believes

Dmitry Peskov commented on the "list of demands" to Moscow compiled by Kallas that requires reduction of the army and payments from Russia

Medvedev praised import substitution in Russian defense industry

The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council noted that this often happens because there is no other choice

Europe wants to extend fighting in Ukraine as long as possible — Russian MFA

"At present, no real constructive contribution from the Europeans is visible, because their position makes it impossible," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated

Board of Peace necessary, because other organizations fail to keep global peace — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister said that new initiatives are needed to bring forward the issue of peace globally

Many issues to address Ukrainian crisis mulled in Geneva — Russian deputy foreign minister

The talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine were held in Geneva on February 17-18

Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia pledge to allocate over $4 bln to support Gaza Strip

On January 22, representatives of 19 countries signed the charter establishing the Board of Peace for Gaza in a ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos

Russia to demand legal codification of NATO’s non-expansion eastward — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Moscow will also demand the revocation of the decisions of the 2008 Bucharest Summit

IMF takes not of moderate contraction of US dollar share in international reserves

The IMF also pointed to the dollar depreciation against other currency from peak values of 2024

Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

Maria Zakharova said it was "absurd" to say Russia nurtured any aggressive plans about Ukraine

Conflict in Ukraine to end when one of the sides is 'exhausted' — Merz

According to the German chancellor, resuming normal relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin is "practically impossible"