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Middle East conflict

Israeli army strikes three Hezbollah command centers in response to ceasefire violations

The IDF attacks targeted the areas of Nabatieh and Mayfadoun in southern Lebanon

TEL AVIV, June 29. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported delivering strikes on three Hezbollah command centers in southern Lebanon to retaliate for what the Israeli military claimed were ceasefire violations by the Shiite organization.

"Yesterday (Sunday), in response to Hezbollah’s violations of the ceasefire agreement in the form of continued attacks on IDF soldiers in the security zone, the IDF struck three Hezbollah command centers in the areas of Nabatieh and Mayfadoun in southern Lebanon," the IDF said.

Also, Israeli "soldiers struck and dismantled a launcher that Hezbollah continued using to direct attacks at them," the army added.

Kiev builds up cooperation with Mexico’s largest drug cartels — Russia’s SVR

According to the press release, Ukrainian security agencies deliberately show indulgence toward the increased drug transit from Latin America to Europe

Temperature record broken in Hungary — weather service

Temperature in Budapest rose to 40 degrees Celsius on June 28

Russian troops liberate settlement of Novoskelevatoye in Dnepropetrovsk region — top brass

Troops from Battlegroup West in Krasny Liman seized five strongpoints and captured 57 buildings over the past 24 hours, according to the reported

Emergency outage covered significant part of Zaporozhye Region

Damage assessment is underway, Governor Yevgeny Balitsky says

Saudi Arabia to allow entry for people vaccinated with Sputnik V from January 1

Saudi Arabia joined 101 other countries approving entry of individuals vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine

Russia ready to continue discussing Anchorage modalities with US — Putin

The president added that Moscow is ready to continue the talks

Press review: NATO drills rehearse Ukraine logistics and quake strengthens Venezuela power

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 26th

Mayor of Zaporozhye nuke plant host city dismisses evacuation reports

According to Maxim Pukhov, the city’s authorities and all services continue to operate normally

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

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry reports interception of two ballistic missiles

The armed forces identified two enemy ballistic missiles in Kuwait’s airspace, which were intercepted and neutralised in line with the authorised operational procedures

Russia destroys two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft at Voznesensk airfield in Nikolayev region

Russian Armed Forces used Geran-4 Seeker UAVs

Putin convenes meeting of government officials, Russian oil majors on fuel situation

The Russian president authorized efforts to minimize the impact of Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian civilian facilities

Russia, China to hold joint computer-assisted missile defense drill

The drill is not aimed against third countries, the Chinese Defense Ministry said

Russia’s security, inviolability of its borders to be guaranteed — Putin

"The West has preferred to turn a blind eye to all this Kiev’s terrorist attacks", Putin said

Russian gunmaker Kalashnikov unveils new drone for Arctic operation

The ZALA Arctic drones are capable of successfully solving both civilian and military tasks, the manufacturer informed

Ukraine’s 124 UAVs shot down over Russian regions, Black Sea in one day — Defense Ministry

During the day, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time

Iranian attack damages residential building — Bahraini Interior Ministry

There were no casualties

Ukrainian attacks leave one civilian dead in Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

The Ukrainian armed forces carried out 64 attacks on the Belgorod Region in the past 24 hours

IRGC delivers retaliatory strike on key US infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain

The IRGC also warned that Tehran’s future response to potential US aggression will be even more decisive

Lionel Messi emerges as top scorer in 2026 World Cup group stage

The Argentine forward scored six goals in three matches, setting a new tournament record

Putin describes reliance on traditional values as powerful basis for national unity

"It is obvious to all statesmen and politicians that reliance on traditional values forms a solid ideological foundation that unites Russian society," the Russian leader said at a United Russia party congress

At least one killed by falling drone fragments in south Russia

Several houses were damaged in Slavyansk-on-Kuban

Novak orders additional fuel market support measures to be developed

Participants in the meeting reviewed the current situation regarding supplies of petroleum products to Russian regions and analyzed pricing trends across the federal districts

NATO no longer needed today — descendant of Otto von Bismarck

Alexander von Bismarck says many people in Germany share this opinion

Press review: Rutte visits Washington to ease NATO tensions and Trump blocked on Iran war

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 25th

UK’s outgoing PM Starmer eyeing role of NATO secretary general — weekly

Starmer’s plans would need some sustained government backing, the weekly wrote

Russia succeeds in creating strike UAV industry comparable to nuclear industry — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin underscored that the integration of drones into modern warfare marks a fundamental shift from previous conflicts

Russia to spend $2.7 billion on Arctic by 2025

On Thursday, a new version of the state program for the social and economic development of the Arctic zone will be adopted

Russia adjusting plans based on situation, will implement strategic ones in full — Putin

"Naturally, we have been adjusting certain plans, based on the situation", Putin said

Messi’s goal helps Argentina defeat Jordan in World Cup match

The match ended with a score of 3:1

Moscow will not ignore ban on use of Russian symbols at competitions — Foreign Ministry

The only possible and logical response from the Russian side was to refuse to participate in the competition, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said in a commentary

All districts in Kherson Region suffer power outage

Energy workers and emergency services are working on sites, Governor Vladimir Saldo says

Russian, Chinese warplanes conducted joint six-hour patrol

Fighter air cover was provided along the entire joint patrol route by Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Jian-16 aircraft of the Chinese Air Force

Kiev troops shell DPR 11 times in past day, two killed

Eight people were wounded, including a teenager

FSB nabs Moscow woman for funding Ukrainian armed forces

FSB investigators are currently conducting searches

CENTCOM says it struck ten military targets in Iran

The US Central Command also published a video of the strikes

Kiev, West not intending to implement Minsk Agreements — Putin

The Russian president added that it is important that Belarus has always provided its venue for talks

No signs of nuclear infrastructure being deployed in Finland — Russian embassy

According to the statement, even the theoretical possibility of its appearance seriously affects security in the region

Black Sea Fleet’s Admiral Essen frigate conducts exercises in Mediterranean

The Ka-27PL helicopter crew conducted scheduled training to practice search and tracking of a submarine

Europe 'getting a taste' for producing UAVs for Ukrainian strikes against Russia — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin highlighted that Ukraine itself no longer hosts significant large-scale UAV manufacturing facilities

Turkish diplomat refutes reports on US S-400 ultimatum — media

The S-400 Triumf is the most advanced long-range air defense missile system that went into service in Russia in 2007

Russian man kills National Guard member, wounds policeman, kills himself after family spat

A woman called police amid a family spat, when a police car approached the house, the husband opened gunfire at it

Time isn’t ripe yet for talks between EU, Russia, Finland’s top diplomat says

Elina Valtonen added there should be no impression "that we in Europe are desperately seeking talks to achieve peace, regardless of the conditions"

Seoul, Tokyo reaffirm commitment to Korean Peninsula denuclearization

Notably, North Korea has repeatedly stressed that its nuclear status is non-negotiable

DR Congo advances to World Cup playoffs for first time

The team beat Uzbekistan 3:1

Russia may begin exploration and development of Moon resources after 2036

Among the main projects through 2036, Roscosmos also proposes including the exploration of the Moon using automated spacecraft

Putin orders to minimize impact from Kiev’s terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure

"I would like to reiterate that the impact from terrorist attacks on our civilian facilities and infrastructure should be minimized," the Russian head of state said

Russia living through crucial time — Putin

"The United Russia party, our leading political party, is holding a congress at a crucial time for the country as the entire world, too, is undergoing a radical, systemic transformation," the Russian head of state said

Israel announced destruction of underground Hezbollah facility

Israel notified the US and the American representative in Lebanon in advance of the operation, according to a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz

Navigation recovery in Hormuz Strait to take months due to mines

The available routes are extremely limited, CEO of Japan’s NYK Line Takaya Soga says

Bank of Russia’s Governor calls sharp key rate cut a ‘double blow’ to economy

Elvira Nabullina stressed that the key rate alone cannot make loans cheap

US in search of quick, low-cost missile production options after Iran operation — media

The Financial Times points out that "the US Air Force has requested some $12 bln over the next five years for 28,000 missiles"

EU discussing new loan to Ukraine of 30-45 billion euros after 2027

The financing will be provided in the event that the conflict continues after 2027, Pekka Toveri, member of the European Parliament, says

Russia standing firm on its feet, ready to fight for its core interests — Putin

"Russia is standing firm <…> on its feet, as it declares its fundamental, core interests and is ready to fight for them and our future, way of living, sovereign ideology, foundations, and living principles," the president stated

Putin pledges to bring Russian economy to new technological level

"We will bring the Russian economy to a brand new technological level across all key spheres", Putin said

Ukraine hopes to get at least $154 billion from its Western allies by 2030

The Finance Ministry estimates that the country will need $46.4 billion in 2026 to maintain the functioning of its governmental bodies

"Michael" movie becomes highest-grossing biopic in history

According to Variety, the movie earned over $977 million

Kiev loses 10,000 troops, mercenaries over week — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the trend towards the growth of losses among the Ukrainian military personnel has been observed for the sixth consecutive week

Belarusian president embarks on East, Southeast Asia tour

Alexander Lukashenko will visit a number of countries and hold high level talks

US no longer treats Israel as special ally — media

Politico points out that Vice President JD Vance has become the face of changes in Washington's approach to Israel

Putin extends ban on Russian oil exports under price cap through end-2027

The presidential decree prohibits supplies of Russian oil and petroleum products to foreign legal entities and individuals if contracts for such supplies directly or indirectly provide for the use of a price cap mechanism

Saudi Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 people

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash

Drones that attacked Moscow assembled through cooperation of NATO countries — expert

The origins of the components and systems powering the examined drones have been identified, the unmanned aircraft expert and general designer at Russia’s Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions Dmitry Kuzyakin said

Relations between Russia, China should evolve without regard to secondary sanctions

Deputy General Director of the Russian International Affairs Council Dmitry Kiku added that a new page in relations between the two countries is needed

Western attempts strangle Russia financially, economically fail — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Alexander Trofimov stressed that Russia has withstood the sanctions-driven economic blitzkrieg thanks to the consistent efforts of the government, society, and the business community

Medvedev describes Western interference in Armenian election campaign as unprecedented

Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed to the Armenian authorities’ persecution of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party

Alibaba founder Jack Ma gives Russian MoD over 1 mln medical masks

The cargo included 200,000 coronavirus test systems, according to the top brass

West fails to defeat Russia on battlefield, attempts to destabilize nation futile — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites", Putin said

No war between Europe and Russia, descendant of Otto von Bismarck says

Alexander von Bismarck also warned that it was dangerous to direct threats toward Moscow

Russia under unprecedented pressure from Western elites — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites," the Russian leader noted

ECHR decision to register same-sex marriages violates Russian constitution — Peskov

Earlier, the court recognized the refusal to marry three same-sex couples as a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Canadian national team qualifies for FIFA World Cup 1/8 finals

The team defeated South Africa 1-0

Global ocean shipping rates hit two-year high due to US tariffs — FT

According to digital shipping platform Freightos, the cost of shipping a standard 40-foot container from China to the US East Coast surged to $7,880

War with Iran increases risk of US, Israel using nuclear weapons — Taylor Greene

The former US House of Representatives member emphasized that the situation in the Middle East could spiral out of control

Trump threatens to destroy Iran if it decides to resume military actions

The president says that the US may become unable "to be reasonable" if the Iranian side does not learn lessons

Venezuelan journalist projects earthquake death toll to count in tens of thousands

Juan Barreto says rescue efforts continue in La Guaira state, and an enormous number of destroyed buildings can be seen

Series of explosions heard near Iran’s Sirik, Qeshm

Several projectiles hit a telecom tower on Sirik and landed in the village of Masen on Qeshm

Falling drone fragments start fire on territory of oil refinery in south Russia

No casualties were reported

Putin appoints new members of commission on Russia’s participation in G20

Denis Agafonov, head of the expert department of the presidential administration and the Russian sherpa in G20, was appointed chair of the commission

Spanish gas hub chief calls on EU to postpone Russian LNG ban — newspaper

Ivan Jimenez believes US President Donald Trump could keep pressure on the EU to maintain the Russian gas ban, given the boost it would provide to US exports to Europe

Russian troops liberate two settlements in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye regions

Units of Battlegroup East moved deeper into enemy defenses, liberating the settlement of Pisantsy and the settlement of Novosyolovka

11-year old rescued in Venezuela after 70 hours under rubble

The child was pulled from the rubble by Colombian rescuers

Putin commends participants in special military operation as Russia’s true elite

"We should certainly create conditions so that such people who, as I have repeatedly stated, form the true elite of Russia can continue to serve the country - in civilian spheres, in politics", Putin said

Kiev resorts to terrorism as Ukrainian troops retreat on battlefield — Putin

"The Kiev regime is retreating along the entire line of engagement, and therefore it has resorted to openly terrorist activities," the Russian leader said, referring to deliberate attacks on civilians

Head of International BRICS Forum sees growing interest in Russian culture

According to Purnima Anand, "the Indians like Russian culture very much, and people in Russia like the Indian one"

Eleven people killed in light aircraft crash in France — media

According to the L'Est Republicain newspaper, the victims include five instructors, five amateur parachutists and the pilot

Iraq ready to host meeting between Iran, Gulf Arab nations — top diplomat

According to Hussein, as Iraq maintains "perfect relations with the United States," Baghdad "expresses its readiness to help both Tehran and Washington put an end to the war between them."

Iran warns third countries against interfering in Hormuz Strait — top diplomat

According to Abbas Araghchi, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could return to pre-conflict levels within 30 days, provided all existing obstacles were removed

Russian specialists develop Duplet double net launcher against drones

The new net launcher has been created based on requirements from combat personnel

Ukrainian drone downed while approaching Moscow — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin says first responders are working at the crash site

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Russia’s strategic goals, security, Duma election

Russia is living through a crucial time, the head of state said, as he pledged that the security of the nation will be ensured

Russia reports downing 72 Ukrainian drones over its regions, Sea of Azov during 12 hours

Alert air defense capabilities intercepted and destroyed drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Krasnodar, Kursk, Moscow, Oryol, Smolensk, and Tver Regions as well as the Republic of Crimea

Pakistani security forces eliminated 29 militants at the border with Afghanistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also reported the destruction of three targets including weapons and ammunition depots

Serbia will not give up friendship with Russia but will honor EU commitments — president

Aleksandar Vucic added that Serbia values "these friendly ties"

Russia plans to complete clinical trials of tuberculosis vaccine by end of 2026

Scientists intend to register it in 2027, Irina Vasilyeva, Director of the National Medical Research Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases, says

Russia destroys up to platoon of Ukrainian troops in Novoskelevatoye

Assault units of the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th army of Battlegroup East have liberated Novoskelevatoye

Press review: EU seen as preparing for war with Russia while Zelensky threatens Belarus

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 22nd

Russia’s energy chief blames US trade war for current oil prices

Russia reduces crude oil production by 100,000 barrels per day in July, the energy minister says

Dialogue with Japan possible when Tokyo changes its stance on Ukraine — Putin

Russian President added that unlike Japan, Russia did nothing that would mar bilateral ties

United States, Iran agreed to stop strikes — Axios

Washington and Tehran also reached an agreement to hold consultations in Doha on Tuesday

US attacks violate agreements with Tehran — Iranian MFA

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Iran remained committed to defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter