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Middle East conflict

Lebanon reports 3,912 killed since escalation began — Health Ministry

The ministry also said Israeli artillery used phosphorus munitions during shelling of the hills of Ali al-Taher, Jabal al-Rafi'a, and the Iqlim al-Tuffah area

BEIRUT, June 18. /TASS/. Israeli Air Force carried out a series of strikes on the city of Nabatieh and nearby areas in southern Lebanon, killing 28 people over the past day, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.

"Total number of people killed since the escalation began on March 2 has reached 3,912, while 11,873 have been injured," the ministry said in a statement on X.

The ministry also said Israeli artillery used phosphorus munitions during shelling of the hills of Ali al-Taher, Jabal al-Rafi'a, and the Iqlim al-Tuffah area, where units of the Shiite movement Hezbollah are active. Fires broke out in several locations, and casualties among civilians were reported, with figures still being verified.

US expects ceasefire between Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah — Trump

The United States is committed to peace, the US president said

Pakistani PM confirms entering into force of US-Iran memorandum

The memorandum has been endorsed by Shehbaz Sharif as the mediator

Flight disruptions at Moscow airports affect about 8,000 tourists

Problems faced by tourists are being addressed on an individual basis

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Drone hits apartment building in Zhukovsky outside Moscow

According to Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov, drone debris fell at several locations in Lubertsy outside Moscow, damaging a fitness center and an industrial facility

Trump tells Israel to use 'softer touch' in Lebanon, suggests Syria could target Hezbollah

The US leader also claimed that al-Sharaa is ready to conduct military operations against Hezbollah

Russia welcomes agreement to end US-Iran conflict — Foreign Ministry

Russia also commend the dedicated and effective efforts of Pakistani and Qatari mediators in facilitating negotiations and working toward a peaceful resolution, the Russian Foreign Ministry added

Ukrainian attack on bus carrying children was deliberate — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said this is absolutely typical of the Kiev regime

Drone strike kills civilian in Russia’s southern Rostov Region

The strike also damaged a locomotive and caused two commercial facilities to catch fire

Trump fed up with Netanyahu’s demands for new airstrikes — newspaper

The media outlet recalled that in a recent conversation, the US leader called Netanyahu "crazy" and hinted that without US support, he could end up in prison

Russia’s Sevmash Shipyard lays down Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered submarine Murmansk

The Russian shipbuilders launched the construction of the ninth multipurpose nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine of the upgraded Yasen-M Project

Russia must continue informing world about Kiev's atrocities — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov suggested that European capitals would once again ignore the tragedy caused by the Kiev regime's actions

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Russian-Turkish relations on the rise — Putin

According to the Russian president, the contacts between both countries have long stopped being purely formal

US seeks to widen Abraham agreements participants through deal with Iran — Trump

US President Donald Trump noted that Washington would especially like to see Saudi Arabia join

Iran, US to hold talks on June 19 in Switzerland — news agency

The US and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries will meet at Burgenstock

Trump questions decision to sideline Russia from G8

The US president repeatedly criticized this association being reduced to "seven"

NATO needs to be a 'two-way street', US troops in Europe: statements by Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth said that NATO has been a "paper tiger" for far too long, but this must change

Minsk expects response from Kiev regarding attack on bus carrying children — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader emphasized that Minsk would determine the truth

Italian PM proposes appointing single envoy for talks with Moscow — media

Giorgia Meloni argued that the negotiator should come from a “medium-sized” European country rather than one of the bloc’s largest member states

Air defenses shoot down another five drones flying toward Moscow

The Defense Ministry’s air defenses continue to repel enemy drone attacks on Moscow

One of Ukrainian brigades near Zaporozhye lost combat capability — military sources say

Russian officials indicate that Ukrainian forces are scrambling to compensate for their losses by rapidly deploying new recruits

Kiev's actions do not facilitate contacts between Putin and Zelensky — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov responded to a question whether Russia remains committed to negotiations, given all of Kiev's actions, including the attack on the bus carrying children and the attacks on Moscow

Ukraine deploys special forces, equipment to Moldovan border — Russian security official

Moldova remains a region where the Kiev regime may provoke hostilities, Moldova remains a region where the Kiev regime may provoke hostilities

Russian security official calls for proactively exposing color revolution threats

Sergey Shoigu pointed out that ensuring sovereignty and internal stability in Russia and its friendly countries requires systematic monitoring of the dynamics of such challenges and a timely development of responses

Kalashnikov proposes creating unified CSTO drone competence center

Leonid Rokeakh, Director for Exports of Drones and Loitering Munitions, noted that the initiative is aimed at creating a reliable and effective supply channel for the armed forces of CSTO member states

Trump signs US-Iran memorandum, White House confirms

A photo of the signed document was sent to the Iranians and the mediator countries

Trump mulls licenced production of US missiles in Europe — agency

According to the news agency, the US has burned through its stocks during the Iran conflict and it will take time to boost production

Ukrainian army carries out 18 attacks on DPR in past day, leaves four civilians injured

The Ukrainian attacks damaged ten infrastructure facilities and several motor vehicles

Russian troops liberate Kutuzovka community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,370 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

England kicks off World Cup with victory over Croatia

In their next matches, England will face Ghana, while Croatia will take on Panama

Putin welcomes heads of delegations at Russia-ASEAN summit reception

The event officially marked the opening of the anniversary summit

Lukashenko delivers remarks on drawing Belarus into conflict, kids targeted near Bryansk

Minsk has firmly established that the drone which struck the bus carrying Belarusian children in the Bryansk Region was of Ukrainian origin

US won’t participate in $300 billion Iran reconstruction fund — TV

According to the report, there's going to be a $300 billion fund where Gulf neighbors will invest in rebuilding Iran

Russian troops liberate Rai-Aleksandrovka community in Donetsk region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,360 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Ukrainian brigade command begs to be allowed to step down due to casualties in Zaporozhye

According to the Russian security officials, 15 servicemen from the brigade were killed by aerial strikes in a single sector alone

Russia comes under one of largest Ukrainian drone attack overnight, calculations show

According to the calculations, 555 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down and intercepted

Trump thanks Putin, Xi for Russian, Chinese attitude to US war with Iran

According to the US president, everything could have been made "much more difficult", but it was neutral

Russia-ASEAN summit adopts Kazan Declaration

The declaration reaffirms the shared approaches of Russia and ASEAN on international issues and areas for further cooperation

Press review: EU pushes Trump on Russia policy as Moscow warns on Greenland militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 18th

IN BRIEF: What we know about consequences of Ukrainian attack on bus carrying children

According to the latest information, a woman chaperone for the team died

Persian Gulf countries running out of interceptor missiles - Bloomberg

Iran has fired almost 1,200 ballistic missiles and 4,000 Shahed drones at the Gulf states since the start of the war

Russia could revise notification procedure for EU diplomats’ entry — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, the Russian side firmly adheres to the opinion that it’s crucial to maintain diplomatic channels of communication

What is known about largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region in two years

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, air defenses downed more than 190 drones since the start of the day

US fighter jet downed over Iran likely conducted strikes on ground targets — media

According to CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean, the pilots of the downed fighter had sidearms

US effectively lifts blockade of Iran's seaports — Vance

The US vice president said that CENTCOM allowed a dozen ships to go through the naval blockade

Vessel comes under attack off Yemeni coast — UKMTO

Vessels in the area were advised to transit with caution

Ukraine is provoking Belarus, trying to draw it into conflict — Officers of Russia

According to the statement, the Kiev regime is acting immorally within the conflict and is completely unbound by human notions of good and evil, which is why it is targeting children

Russia expects US delegation to visit country soon — Dmitriev

There is no specific dates yet

Trump believes both Moscow, Kiev want peace in Ukraine

The US leader expressed confidence that the conflict in Ukraine will ultimately be resolved

Russia-ASEAN forum forms foundation of close cooperation — Roscongress

Representatives from 17 countries took part in the business forum program

Attempted Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow becomes largest in two years

According to the mayor’s latest information, air defenses shot down 180 drones over the past eight hours

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Russia’s cutting-edge system 'blinds' Starlink satellites by 'parasitic' signals — expert

Starlink satellites are located just 500 km from Earth, while the Volna Kupol Garant is a highly capable system with a directional phased-array antenna, chief designer of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions Dmitry Kuzyakin said

Kremlin slams assumptions on alleged shift in situation in Ukraine's favor as incorrect

Europeans are clearly insisting that the war must continue, Yury Ushakov said

No one injured as passenger plane makes emergency landing in Russia’s Sochi

There were 125 passengers and five crew members on board

Russia hands over 522 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen — reporter

Yevgeny Poddubny said the Russian side returned back the bodies of 33 servicemen

What is known about coordinated strike on energy facilities in Ukraine by Russian forces

Blasts were reported in Kiev, Sumy, and Chernigov

Air defenses shoot down six more drones flying toward Moscow

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, 28 drones heading for Moscow have been shot down since midnight

Kazan Declaration and strategic partnership: outcomes of the Russia-ASEAN Summit

The document enshrines converging approaches between Russia and ASEAN on international issues and future areas of cooperation

Russia to continue special op in response to attack on bus with kids — Kremlin

The Ukrainian armed forces earlier used a fixed-wing drone to strike a bus carrying a Belarusian children's football team

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

NATO chief confirms that reduction of US troops in Europe to begin 'immediately'

Mark Rutte noted that "in reality, if a war breaks out and Article 5 emerges," then "all allies, including the US, will max out what they can do to make sure we can fight the war"

West's statements about DPRK's denuclearization are attack on constitution — official

Kim Yo Jong stated that the issue of denuclearization is "an irreversibly finalized agenda" for Pyongyang, and its repeated discussion only demonstrates Western countries' lack of understanding of the reality

Russia, ASEAN agree to work together to preserve cultural heritage

Russia and ASEAN countries agreed to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation among cultural experts, researchers and scholars, as well as their pursuit of progress in research activities

Iran, US officially agree on memorandum text — Iranian diplomat

Both parties signed the document

MFA warns NATO countries of devastating response in event of attack on Russia

"No brigade commanders of the West, no capabilities, potential, or defense lines will help them," Maria Zakharova stressed

Bulgaria will not allow anti-Russian sanctions that harm its economy — PM

Rumen Radev noted that the EU had already adopted 20 sanctions packages, but said that "they have had no impact whatsoever on the course of the war"

Trump confirms signing of US-Iran memorandum

The US leader signed it during a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron

Kiev evacuates almost all civilian organizations from Kramatorsk — expert

The evacuation of civilians is currently underway

Putin receives Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

As Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said earlier, Hakan Fidan asked for a meeting with the Russian leader, and his request was granted

Action plan for implementing Russia-ASEAN partnership through 2030 adopted

The document outlines specific measures aimed at expanding practical cooperation in key areas

US would like to come to terms with Russia, China on reducing nuke arsenals — Trump

The US leader pointed out that the United States has the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, followed by Russia in second, while China is actively building up its stockpiles

Situation around Iran remains far from resolved — Russian academic

Kirill Babayev expressed confidence that, under these circumstances, "Russia remains a reliable long-term supplier capable of providing both oil and liquefied natural gas to Southeast Asian countries"

Volkswagen top executives believe company's existence at risk

All members of the executive committee believe that a dramatic change in the automaker’s strategy is necessary

Russia’s Rostec showcases Supercam S180 drone evading UAV attacks at Minsk exhibition

The upgraded drone has become considerably faster and can stay in the air for more than four hours, roughly twice as long as the previous variant

Russian forces successfully advance near Belitskoye under Rodinskoye in DPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Russian troops will continue to advance in this sector

Ukraine’s backers growing weary of supporting Kiev, Lula says after G7 summit

According to the Brazilian leader, the G7 summit was the first time he had sensed a genuine desire among Western leaders to bring the conflict to an end

Russian-made Molniya-PVO interceptor drones prove effective against enemy UAVs

The drones proved effective against low-flying targets

Kazan to host main day of Russia-ASEAN summit

The Russian leader is expected not only to participate in two multilateral sessions but also to hold a series of bilateral meetings

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on Russia-ASEAN interaction, US-Iran agreements

According to the head of state, Russia and ASEAN countries held productive talks at the summit, which took place in a friendly and business-like atmosphere

Pilot error seen as likely cause of light aircraft crash near Moscow

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency classified the incident as an air catastrophe

Air defenses down another nine drones heading for Moscow

42 drones heading for Moscow have been shot down since midnight

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

What we know about incident with Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich in English Channel

The crew of the frigate Amdiral Grigorovich acted in strict accordance with international shipping regulations and took every measure to prevent a collision, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

G7 support for Ukraine takes conflict to new level, Russian official believes

State Secretary of the Union State Sergey Glazyev highlighted that the recent meeting of the G7 countries in Evian-les-Bains, France, had confirmed the full support of the leading Western countries for the actions of the Kiev regime

IN BRIEF: Kremlin aide comments on battlefield situation and Trump’s policies

Yury Ushakov pointed out that Donald Trump is a politician who played to the beat of his own drummer

Kiev deliberately targeted bus with Belarusian children — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov stressed, the bus was not a military vehicle

IN BRIEF: One killed in Rostov Region as air defenses down 555 UAVs across Russia

Nearly 180 drones targeting Moscow were downed

Russia-ASEAN summit gathered global majority, unlike G7 summit in France — expert

Kirill Babayev emphasized that the global majority advocates for a multipolar world, recognizing that the majority of the global GDP and technological innovation now stems from Asian nations

Air defenses shoot down another seven drones flying toward Moscow

Emergency personnel are working at the sites where debris came down

US, Iran to hold official signing ceremony for memorandum in Switzerland — TV channel

US Vice President JD Vance will take part in the official ceremony

UAV strikes on Russia delay return of four minors to families in Ukraine — ombudswoman

According to Russian Presidential commissioner for children's rights Maria Lvova-Belova, the plan was to carry out the reunification in late June

Russia’s latest Starlink satellite jammer shows high efficiency — expert

The Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system does not switch off Starlink communications as such but instead ‘stuns’ a particular satellite for the duration of its flight over the area of the system’s operation

NATO to modernize its nuclear capabilities to strengthen deterrence

According to the document, the alliance intends to actively utilize the practice of shared use, whereby non-nuclear NATO members receive potential nuclear delivery systems, such as F-16 and F-35 aircraft, and receive training in their use

West adapts 'color revolution' tactics to modern realities — top Russian security official

Sergey Shoigu pointed out that 'color revolutions' are a set of externally coordinated actions aimed at removing undesirable political regimes and depriving entire state of their sovereignty without the direct use of armed forces

Trump claims Iran sustains $2 trillion in damage, declines to discuss assistance

According to Donald Trump, the cessation to US strikes makes it possible to restore shipping in the region

Trump declines to elaborate on possible expansion of weapons supplies to Ukraine

Donald Trump also opined that Kiev was doing well on the battlefield

Russia to retaliate toughly to latest EU sanctions — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova recalled that these were restrictions against several Russian individuals and some local and foreign companies