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Middle East conflict

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon nears 2,300 — health ministry

According to the ministry, the death toll may go up as search and rescue operations continue

BEIRUT, April 17. /TASS/. At least 98 people died and 359 were injured after Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on Thursday, before the 10-day ceasefire came into force, the country’s health ministry said.

"The overall death toll since the outbreak of the ongoing armed escalation on March 2 has climbed to 2,294, with 7,544 people being injured," it said in a statement posted on its X page.

According to the ministry, the death toll may go up as search and rescue operations continue.

In addition, the ministry said that 100 medical workers have been killed and 233 have been wounded in the hostilities.

Iran's nuclear program

Trump says Iran agrees to indefinite moratorium on nuclear program — media

Iran has not yet commented on the statement by the US leader

European companies manufacturing drones for Ukrainian army: Defense Ministry report

The Russian Defense Ministry views the decisions by several European countries to supply drones to Ukraine as a deliberate move leading to an escalation of the military-political situation and a "creeping transformation" of those countries into Ukraine’s strategic support base

US delays arms supplies to EU amid operation in Iran — Reuters

According to sources cited by the news agency, several EU countries, including Baltic and Scandinavian states, were affected

Russia’s T-90M tank destroys Ukrainian strongholds in Zaporozhye Region

After completing the combat mission, the tank crew quickly withdrew and left the firing position

Iran welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon — ministry spokesman

Esmail Baghaei thanked Pakistan for help in reaching the deal

No legal basis for imposing fees in Strait of Hormuz — head of UN maritime agency

According to Arsenio Dominguez, the world "only pays attention to maritime transport when it is affected, and this causes economic damage to people"

Kremlin says Europe getting increasingly involved in Ukraine conflict

Dmitry Peskov said he has nothing to add to the statement about Europe increasing the production of drones to send to Ukraine for attacks on Russia

Russian Security Council warns negotiations could mask planning for Iran strike

The Pentagon continues to increase US troop numbers in the region, the Russian Security Council said

Mexican ambassador summoned to Russian MFA over detention of Russian woman — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry is keeping a close eye on this matter in close coordination with State Duma Deputy Chairwoman Anna Kuznetsova and presidential children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova

Press review: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire may fail and US reinstates oil sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 17th

Russian MP calls on EU to heed Russia’s warnings about arms supplies to Kiev

Leonid Slutsky pointed out that Europe was not only arming the Kiev regime but also actively building up its own military potential in preparation for a conflict with Russia

UK’s move to send record drones to Kiev may prolong sufferings in Ukraine — Russian envoy

Andrey Kelin added that Britain had been reluctant to discuss broader European security issues

UN secretary-general welcomes Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire, calls for compliance

The official commended the role of the United States in facilitating the ceasefire

US, its allies turning space into springboard for aggression — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that it was a "destructive course"

Press review: Pakistan advances US-Iran ceasefire as Russia joins Hormuz talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 16th

Russia expects a victory of common sense in London — ambassador

Andrey Kelin lamented that London does not want to engage in a dialogue at all

Trump says Iran ready to hand over uranium from facilities attacked last year

According to the president, the US and Iran "have a lot of agreement"

Process equipment on fire in Tuapse port after drone attack

The crisis response center reported that forces engaged in firefighting comprise 157 people and 49 vehicles

Russian gas crucial for preserving Europe’s industry — envoy

Kirill Dmitriev made the comment in response to a post by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who said that Slovakia is filing a lawsuit with the Court of Justice of the European Union over the ban on imports of Russian gas

Stranded whale in Germany shows movement for first time since March 31 — media

Volunteers continued efforts on Friday to prepare the whale for a possible lifting onto a floating platform and towing to open waters

US aggression against Iran continues series of 'unipolar wars' — senior legislator

Alexey Pushkov said that Iran did not pose any threat to the West

US’ violation of obligations prevents establishment of peace — Iranian parliament speaker

Bagher Ghalibaf expressed gratitude to Pakistan for the support and mediation efforts to resolve the conflict

Policeman killed, three wounded: what we know about shooting in Orenburg Region

An active search is underway to find and arrest of the attacker

West will find ways to raise 5-6 billion euros per month for Kiev — ex-prime minister

Nikolay Azarov emphasized that Kiev is already receiving enormous financial support

Pentagon plans to deploy nuclear reactors to power bases in Pacific Ocean

In May 2025, the US president signed a decree ordering the launch of the first such reactor at a military facility no later than September 30, 2028

US still views Russia as adversary — Pentagon

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll gave an assesment during a hearing before the House Committee on Appropriations

Russian troops align front ahead of Ozernoye offensive in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian troops are completing the consolidation of units in the Ozernoye-Krivaya Luka-Kaleniki sector

Lavrov to meet with CIS foreign ministers in Moscow

The minister will hold a separate meeting with his Central Asian counterparts

Iran-US ceasefire agreements must be fully respected — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova empasized that Lebanon was also part of the deal

US gained nothing from war with Iran, suffered huge losses — Chinese economist

He Weiwen noted that Washington had failed to achieve its goal of changing the government in Tehran

Iran does not accept temporary ceasefires with US — deputy foreign minister

Saeed Khatibzadeh added that ongoing contacts through intermediaries "are being implemented precisely for this purpose"

Tehran says US seeking to strip Iran of its defense capabilities ahead of new war

Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said Washington aims at advancing the project of destruction and fragmentation of the Islamic republic

US president assumes that Iranian conflict may not be settled

Donald Trump separately said oil prices stood at $89 or $90, while previously forecasts were $250-$300 per barrel

Fishing vessel with Russian crew arrested in Namibia — Russian Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Namibia stressed that it is proactively interacting with government authorities for the soonest possible resolution of the occurred problem

Air defenses down 95 Ukrainian drones over past 24 hours — governor

There were no fatalities resulting from the Ukrainian attacks

Iran capable of sinking all US naval ships in Persian Gulf, official says

Mohsen Rezaei said there are currently reasons to maintain the ceasefire and hold talks simultaneously

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

The Russian troops gained control of the settlement of Volchanskiye Khutora in the Kharkov Region and Zybino in the Kharkov Region

Terrorism, spying on Russian army: more agents of Ukrainian special services detained

Officers of the Federal Security Service have detained a 52-year-old resident of the Zaporozhye Region on suspicion of high treason for transferring data to the Ukrainian side about the deployment locations and movement of the Russian Armed Forces

Oil revenues in April, May to differ from Q1 figures — Russian finance minister

Anton Siluanov noted that extra oil and gas revenues will make it possible to compensate the shortfall in the industry income suffered in the first quarter

Trump expects conflict with Iran to end 'pretty soon'

The US president said the operation was going "swimmingly"

Germany becomes main sponsor of Ukrainian militarization — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Germany is Vladimir Zelensky’s main partner in sending Ukrainians to their deaths

Russian troops hammer Ukrainian army’s fuel and energy infrastructure in massive strike

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Kremlin says 'nothing to add' to statement on drones for Kiev from Russia’s top brass

In its statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said that European countries are increasing the production of drones "amid rising losses and worsening manpower shortages in the Ukrainian armed forces"

UAC delivers batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Russian Aerospace Forces

The state tech corporation Rostec said that the Su-35S fighter is designed to achieve air superiority and engage ground infrastructure targets at significant distances from the base airfield

Russia’s Belogor heavy-duty robot deployed for mine clearing in Donbass

The robotic system detonates up to 90% of the mines, depending on their depth

Kiev did not demonstrate a will for peace during the Easter truce — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that Zelensky never gave the order to cease fire, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces violated the silence regime more than 6,000 times

Russia to assess Hungary’s new government by its deeds, ready for dialogue — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that "Russia respects the results of the will of the Hungarian people, as well as any other people who act independently on the basis of their own laws"

Kiev ban on all Russian, cyberattack allegations: Foreign Ministry’s statements

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova points out that the Kiev regime is purposefully turning Ukraine "into a military tool against Russia"

Number of drones downed near St. Petersburg reaches 12

Previous reports said seven drones were downed in the area overnight

Spain purchased record large gas volume from Russia — newspaper

According to Enagas energy company, Spain purchased the equivalent of 9,807 GWh of LNG from Russia

Medvedev asserts no one will ‘let Trump take all the oil everywhere’

On March 30, the US leader said, speaking about Iran, that his "preference would be to take the oil"

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroys three Ukrainian mortars, EW station over past 24 hours

"Combined arms units of Battlegroup North, including unmanned system crews, eliminated up to 145 servicemen, 12 motor vehicles, an Anklav electronic warfare station, three mortars, three ATVs, and a buggy of the Ukrainian armed forces in one day," Vasily Mezhevykh said

Russian command in Transnistria declared persona non grata — media

The agency and other local media report that they have not received official confirmation

US president may make further concessions to secure deal with Iran — newspaper

According to the report, Donald Trump’s statement on a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon indicates that "he badly wants" to end the conflict with Iran

Number of people wishing to join Bundeswehr spikes by 20% compared to 2025

About 22,700 people applied for military service in the first quarter of 2026

Arrest lifted: Deyna tanker leaves French territorial waters

There are no Russian citizens among the Deyna tanker's crew

IDF strikes rocket launchers in Lebanon that were used to attack Israel

The army press service also said that search and rescue forces were operating at sites in northern Israel where strikes had been reported

Yolka UAV is highly effective interceptor — Russian serviceman

The Defense Ministry recalled the operating principle of the latest Russian interceptor drone, emphasizing that it carries no warhead and that it destroys targets with kinetic energy in a direct collision

Nord Stream sabotage hearings begin in London

The operator Nord Stream company argues that it is entitled to an indemnity of 580 million euros from the insurer Lloyd’s of London

FACTBOX: What we know about search for police shooter in Russia’s Orenburg Region

The man who opened fire on police officers in the Orenburg Region may be hiding in a mountainous area

Australia puts off hearing of espionage case against Russian-born couple to May — mission

According to the diplomats, the court is expected to issue an official indictment of the Russians

Washington pressuring Europe to join conflict with Iran — newspaper

El Mundo reported that significant tension surrounds the US-Israeli military operation in the Islamic Republic

EC sees 'no evidence' of strikes against Russia from EU airspace — spokeswoman

EC Spokeswoman Anitta Hipper stated that Sergey Shoigu’s remarks amounted to "misinformation" aimed at creating conditions for escalation and regional instability

UK wants Strait of Hormuz to be reopened without any preconditions — premier

Keir Starmer says it is important to support mine clearance operations in the area to ensure "a return to global stability and security"

Russian diplomat unleashes criticism of 'judicial wrangling' on ICJ

Western countries have been interfering in judicial procedures on a large scale, Maria Zakharova maintained

EU countries risk war with Russia by housing sites producing UAVs for Ukraine — envoy

According to Dmitry Polyansky, Europe has shifted to a strategy of establishing ‘Ukrainian’ companies that manufacture drones and their components in EU member states in order to prevent its Ukrainian partners from losing, or at least from losing quickly

Moldova declares Russian command in Transnistria persona non grata

If the Russian officers try to leave Transnistria for Moldova, he added, they will be deported back to Russia without the right of return

Estonia to receive proportionate response to all unfriendly actions against Russia — MFA

During a briefing, Maria Zakharova spoke about "another wave of Russophobia" in the Baltic country

US Congress narrowly rejects resolution on war with Iran

The document failed by one vote

Top brass discloses addresses of firms in Europe producing UAVs for strikes on Russia

The branches of Ukrainian companies producing drones for strikes on Russia are located in cities of eight European countries, including London, Munich, Prague and Riga

Russia says internal contradictions in NATO obvious and overwhelming

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added that the contradictions "have gone over the top"

Ukraine not ready to become EU member, lawmaker admits

Alexey Kucherenko said that if Ukraine was granted membership, it would have to "adjust its tariffs in accordance with the average market tariffs" in the EU

Diplomatic forum in Antalya to bring together delegates from 150 countries

The Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Iran opens Strait of Hormuz to merchant ships as truce in Lebanon announced

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the passage of ships through the strait will be carried out according to the route agreed with Iran

Standard demining methods in Donbass are obsolete — Emercom-Demining CEO

The humanitarian demining team’s field engineers use the comprehensive approach, Bogdan Pilipchuk said

US irreparably tarnished image with defeat in Iran — Russian MP

Iran can defeat the United States in the sense that it will not allow the US to achieve the goals it has set for itself in the war, Alexey Pushkov noted

US, Iran may sign agreement soon — Reuters

According to the source, the two sides have made progress in backdoor diplomacy and an upcoming meeting between them could result in the signing of an agreement

Fire at warehouse in Leningrad Region, 62 drones: aftermath of Ukrainian attack on Russia

TASS has compiled the main information about the consequences

Lavrov says no specific initiatives so far toward resolving Ukraine conflict

The foreign minister stressed that Russian armed forces had been accomplishing objectives set by the supreme commander-in-chief as part of the special military operation

EU intends to prolong Ukraine conflict until 2030 — Belgian defense chief

Russia will not attack Europe, Frederik Vansina noted

Eight UFO, nuclear physics researchers die or go missing in US over past three years

The last person on the list is former US Air Force retired Major General William McCasland, who went missing on February 27, 2026

EU, Ukraine waging 'dirty war' on Russia with terrorist attacks — Brazilian expert

"Unable to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, the authorities in Kiev and the Eurocrats are resorting to terrorist attacks," Joao Pitillo said

Moscow International Film Festival opens at Rossiya theater

The jury for the main competition is chaired by Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage

Trump professes 'diktat of crude force' in Iran case — senior legislator

Alexey Pushkov said this aggressive stance is justified in a cynically superficial manner

Port infrastructure damaged in Izmail in southern Ukraine

According to the Ukrainian Community and Territorial Development Ministry, industrial buildings within the port area and railway infrastructure facilities have been damaged

One civilian wounded in Kiev’s shelling of DPR in past day

Eight shelling attacks by Ukrainian armed groups were registered

Europe’s role in Ukraine conflict, Iran's enriched uranium — Kremlin briefing

Dmitry Peskov said the direct involvement of European countries in the conflict in Ukraine is growing, and all the details were mentioned in a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry

Shoigu reminds Baltic states of Russia’s right to self-defense over Ukrainian UAV attacks

The Russian Security Council secretary emphasized that significant damage is caused to civilian infrastructure

IN BRIEF: What we know about Iran’s decision to open Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s ban on the passaged through the Strait of Hormuz is still in force for warships from any country, the Iranian state television said, citing a military source

About ten planes unable to land at Pulkovo due to restrictions

The flights are from Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Ufa, Barnaul, Urgench, and Yekaterinburg

Czech Foreign Ministry calls in Russian envoy over alleged threats to two firms — agency

Comments to the list by Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev also raised concern, according to the Czech media

EU’s strategy towards Russia flawed, dysfunctional — Slovak prime minister

According to Robert Fico, the European Union "still does not believe in the necessity" of peace initiatives

Lebanese army confirms ceasefire violations by Israel

The armed forces warned residents of the country’s southern regions against returning to their homes

Israel, Lebanon agree to cease fire — Trump

The ceasefire will enter into force at 9 p.m. GMT

Kiev regime keeps getting rid of witnesses of Bucha staging — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova called all the stories about the alleged killings of civilians in Bucha by the Russian military in April 2022 "nonsense"

Satellites for Russian defense ministry launched from Plesetsk

The launch proceeded normally

Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region leave 1 killed, 11 others injured — governor

The Ukrainian armed forces used almost 170 drones and about 50 munitions

EU cannot weaken Russia and has nothing to offer for peace — Slovak Prime Minister

According to Robert Fico, European countries believe that through supporting Ukraine they will weaken Russia

Regular rotation of IAEA inspectors takes place at Zaporozhye nuke plant

The rotation of IAEA experts took place normally

IDF to remain in its positions in Lebanon after ceasefire takes effect — Netanyahu

The Israeli PM announced that, at the request of US President Donald Trump, the ceasefire "would begin at midnight"

Russia goes from drone zero to drone hero — Medvedev

Speaking at a meeting with the expert council on the preparation of the party’s national program, the politician noted that drones had become one of the most pressing issues these days