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Strait of Hormuz developments

Washington seeks to cut embassy staff in Middle East — CNN

According to the TV channel, the US State Department does not expect to return to normal staffing in the region soon amid the looming threat of a full-scale return to war

NEW YORK, August 12. /TASS/. The US Department of State is exploring the possibility of reducing the number of its staff serving at embassies in the Middle East, CNN news agency reported on Wednesday citing its unnamed sources.

"The State Department is asking US embassies in the Middle East to create plans to continue operating with a small number of staff on the ground," the agency states.

"The plans have not been finalized, the sources said, and it is unclear if they will be implemented at all of the embassies that are currently on reduced staffing," the US-based agency continued.

"Still, the developments underscore that the State Department does not expect to return to normal staffing in the region soon amid the looming threat of a full-scale return to war," according to CNN.

The United States and Israel began a war with Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

However, in the early morning hours of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached on the Strait of Hormuz.

Crisis in Russian-Georgian relations

Georgia hurts itself by saying no to diplomatic relations with Russia — Abkhazian official

Sergey Shamba stressed that Abkhazia would only be happy if relations between Russia and Georgia improved

Russia has right to attack any ships carrying cargo for enemy — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that Russian armed forces were capable of significantly extending their operations beyond the borders of the Black Sea basin

Russian Air Force aircraft fleet almost 100% modernized — commander

Sergey Kobylash added that since the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Russian Air Force has "achieved impressive results in engaging both ground and air targets"

Trump says Russia agreed to release Gilman without exchange

According to the US leader, the Russian president agreed to release Gilman on a humanitarian basis

Iran to join BRICS New Development Bank soon, says Central Bank Governor

Abdolnasser Hemmati said the most important outcome of cooperation among BRICS member states is the creation of the New Development Bank

IN BRIEF: Putin’s key statements on innovations, sovereignty, SKIF

The head of state noted that Russia has grown even stronger by expanding its technological capabilities

US forces in complete control over Strait of Hormuz — President Trump

According to the US leader, Iran has "no Navy and no Air Force"

Pentagon contractors for Golden Dome complete their first tests — Bloomberg

As the agency notes, the program included testing data transmission from sensors to the interceptor, as well as demonstration of propulsion systems

CENTCOM reports disabling ship that attempted to breach blockade on Iran

According to the US military, the vessel has ignored repeated warnings while en route to an Iranian port via the Gulf of Oman

Romania's MFA provides no evidence of Russia's involvement in UAV incidents — embassy

The Russian diplomatic mission stated that the officials "were shown pieces of styrofoam" during the meeting with ministry representatives

Ukrainian drone attack kills civilian in Crimea

Regional head Sergey Aksyonov urged residents of Crimea to stay calm and vigilant

Trump expresses his distrust of Iran

At the same time, in the president's opinion, the US is in "a very good position" on the Iranian issue

Biden caused US munitions problems by aiding Kiev — Trump

According to the US leader, Joe Biden gave Kiev munitions worth $300 billion to Ukraine

Plans to deploy new weapons in Asia-Pacific region pose threat to Russia, says Putin

The Russian president said the conflict potential is growing in the Asia-Pacific region and NATO forces are infiltrating it

EU wary of 'Trojan horse' as it considers faster enlargement — media

According to the sources, the European Commission was drawing up revised rules for new members, which will be presented to EU leaders at a European Council meeting on October 15

Russian Air Force Commander calls Su-57 fighter key element in achieving air superiority

Speaking about the Air Force’s fleet, Sergey Kobylash noted that the "4++" generation multi-role fighters Su-35S and Su-30SM, as well as the Su-34M bombers perform ground support missions

Russian swimmer Kornev wins gold at 2026 European Aquatics Championships

Maxime Grousset of France won silver and Grigori Pekarski of Belarus finished third

Defeat in Kramatorsk to deal massive blow to Kiev — Bild

The situation is getting worse day by day, and the frontline is moving closer to Ukrainian positions

Japan expresses protest to North Korea over launch of ballistic missile

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has said that Japan, together with the US and the Republic of Korea, is currently continuing to analyze information related to North Korea's missile launch

Russia poses no threat to Japan, Moscow has no claims against Tokyo — Putin

Despite this, Japan has classified Russia as a major threat, the Russian leader said

Putin arrives in Far Eastern city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The Russian president will attend the final stage of the Pacific Fleet’s exercises

Russian troops liberate Vodyanoye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russia's Battlegroup North units took control of the settlement, destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle and inflicted more than 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops over the past day

Houthis say they attacked Saudi forces’ positions in Yemen

The attack left "dozens killed and wounded, including Saudis," Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree says

Drapaty, killing civilians in Novorossiya, Donbass, pledges allegiance to West — expert

Vitaly Kiselyov noted that Mikhail Drapaty personally issued orders to Ukrainian forces to strike civilian vehicles on the Novorossiya federal highway

Russian troops hammer Ukrainian fuel tanks, ship with military cargo in new strikes

Russian troops hit a Ukrainian patrol boat at the Ochakov port in the Nikolayev Region

Putin arrives aboard Varyag missile cruiser

Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Liina reported to the president on the fleet’s ongoing drills

Russian army is global military powerhouse — expert

According to Hero of Russia Yevgeny Poddubny, Russia currently has the most combat-ready and powerful army in the world

Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia — TV

The court also sentenced Atef Najib, the former head of the political security directorate in the Syrian province of Daraa

American mercenary Conor Kennedy arrested in absentia in Russia, placed on wanted list

He participated in combat operations on the side of the Ukrainian forces incognito

Italian PM faces growing pressure over support for Ukraine — media

According to the report, Giorgia Meloni is also "hardening her tone" on migration

Tokyo changes position despite prior constructive relations with Russia — Putin

As the Russian leader recalled, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a declaration in the mid-1950s that opened the way to a peace treaty and, consequently, a solution to the issue of the Kuril islands

Iran's Supreme Leader avoids public appearances for security concerns — IRGC

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since the start of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran

US expert views Gilman’s release as step towards de-escalation ahead of Witkoff’s visit

According to Gilbert Doctorow, the move also could be aimed at de-escalation between Russia and NATO

Turkey to keep Black Sea closed to military vessels - expert

Canan Tercan noted that withdrawing from the Montreux Convention is legally possible, but quite unlikely

JD Vance personally asks Kiev to stop strikes on CPC infrastructure — newspaper

According to the Financial Times, the US vice president conveyed Washington’s request in a phone call with Vladimir Zelensky on July 31

Tensions mount both in Asia-Pacific region, Arctic zone — Putin

The head of state stresses that Russia has always advocated, and continues to confirm its readiness to cooperate in the Arctic and the use of the Northern Sea Route

Moscow ready to exchange over 220 convicted Ukrainians for Russians — rights commissioner

Yana Lantratova added that the Russians in question included residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics and Crimea

Witkoff says he is meeting released American Gilman in United States

The US president's special envoy thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for granting the pardon and for "his personal engagement throughout this process"

IN BRIEF: What we know about foiled terrorist attack against Defense Ministry officer

The suspect planned to blow up a car of the employee of the military commissariat of the Krasnodar Region

Gagauzia head transferred to prison with conditions degrading to human dignity — lawyer

Sergiu Moraru says that in this prison there is often no water for two or three days

Ukrainians in Poland paying price for Kiev’s glorification of Nazism — Russian senator

Alexander Voloshin highlighted that the Ukrainian leadership had fostered the most radical forms of nationalism in Eastern Europe for many years

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on Western 'piracy, robbery', groundless Japan’s claims

The Russian president said the Pacific Fleet’s marines carry out missions in the Pacific Operational Area "boldly, professionally, and heroically"

Press review: EU braces for winter fuel shortage as gold prices set to recover

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 12th

Implementation of US peace plan for Gaza de-facto stalled — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya stated that the ceasefire was still being consistently violated, first of all by the Israeli side

Serbian politician questions necessity of Zelensky's visit to Belgrade

In Milos Jovanovic's words, the people of Serbia "feel sad for casualties inflicted by the conflict on the two Slavic peoples," and Belgrade should "maintain the best possible relationship with all countries, including Ukraine

Thirty-six special op military pilots honored as Heroes of Russia — Defense Ministry

August 12 marks the 114th anniversary of the establishment of Russian Air Force

Russia warns Ukraine against any provocations against Belarus — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin reiterated that the Agreement on Security Guarantees between Russia and Belarus implies "an obvious mechanism for joint response" to actions considered threats to a member of the Union State

Rosatom completes construction of Siberian Ring Photon Source compound

The Siberian Ring Photon Source is a complex of 34 buildings, facilities, and engineering and technological equipment spanning approximately 90,000 square meters

Trump says he would like to run for third term, but US laws very strict

According to the US president, "everybody wants" him to do so

Gender transition surgeries in US to no longer be paid for by Medicaid insurance — Trump

According to the US president, dozens of US hospitals have ended "this so-called 'gender-affirming care'"

North Korea can deliver ‘death' blow in case of external threat — Foreign Ministry

First Deputy Foreign Minister Jang Kum-chol called South Korean nuclear submarine program "a serious challenge" to the security and maritime sovereignty of North Korea

Switzerland adds 45 entities, 9 individuals to anti-Russian sanctions list — TASS

Nine individuals have been blacklisted for the first time, including Rostec Executive Director Oleg Yevtushenko

Supreme Court rules to disqualify Yabloko party from parliamentary polls

The Yabloko party has five days to appeal the ruling

Russia destroys Ukraine’s US-made Humvee vehicle in Donetsk region

As a result of a single precision strike, the enemy armored vehicle caught fire and its fuel detonated, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Cuba to embark on path of major change before end of Trump's presidential term — Rubio

The head of the US foreign policy department did not disclose details of the changes he expects

UK seeks to ‘reboot’ high-level military contacts with Russia — The Times

According to the report, UK military chiefs fear an "unintended escalation" caused by the lack of dialogue with Moscow

US could face 'bloodbath' if it launches ground operation against Iran — expert

Mikhail Margelov said there can be a lot of scenarios

Russia’s defenses in Zaporozhye make Ukraine’s military 'hit brick wall' — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian army manages to hold back the enemy and advance on this direction

Su-57 constitutes key element for achieving air superiority — Russia’s Air Force Commander

Sergey Kobylash stated that during the special military operation, Russian aviation and aviation munitions "reached a qualitatively new level"

IN BRIEF: Latest Russian strike targets defense industry sites, logistic centers

The crews of the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered strikes against Ukrainian temporary deployment sites and drone control centers in the DPR, the Kharkov and Sumy Regions, the Defense Ministry reported

South Korea calls on North Korea to cease missile launches

The presidential administration stated that the actions of Pyongyang "are a provocation that violates UN Security Council resolutions"

Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet shot down by friendly fire — defense source

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal probe after the fighter’s crash

Russia slams Yerevan over plans to interrogate WWII veteran

It is hard to find clearer evidence of the moral and spiritual decay that leads to rapprochement with the modern faceless, morally impoverished Europe and fraternization with the neo-Nazi Kiev regime, Maria Zakharova stated

Baltic not NATO’s internal sea, Polish president warns

Although this follows from cartography and map analysis, in fact this is not entirely the case, Karol Nawrocki pointed out

Ukrainian forces choose targets to sow fear, panic, but Russia shall win — expert

Yevgeny Poddubny emphasized that the most important thing for Russia right now is to prevail

Russia develops Darwin-D protective net to shield roads from UAV attacks

The net is designed to shield highways, major roads, and transportation arteries at least 12 meters wide from attacks by FPV drones and fixed-wing UAVs

EU uncertain who to pay for Kiev’s 90 bln euro loan — German MEP

Fabio De Masi accused the German government of irresponsibility for approving the loan to Ukraine without properly assessing the risks and consequences while "nothing has functioned in Germany for a long time."

EU can supply Ukraine with weapons purchased from US — Trump

The US president reiterated that he does not give weapons to Ukraine

Russian citizen detained in US state of Louisiana with big batch of drugs — ICE

The investigation is ongoing

Nearly half of Russians expect app removal to push users to Android, poll shows

Experts note that the consequences of removing Russian apps from the App Store could impact not only the current user experience but also the future of Apple's ecosystem in Russia

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

Battlegroup North units took control of the settlement of Shcherbakovka in the Kharkov Region and Battlegroup East units liberated the settlement of Novoye Pole in the Zaporozhye Region

Georgia rules out restoring diplomatic ties with Russia — prime minister

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgia’s objective with regard to Russia is a peaceful settlement of the conflict

Russia to resort to measures in response to growing NATO presence in Finland — embassy

According to a source in the embassy, Russia has repeatedly drawn attention to the detrimental consequences of this policy, and the diplomats are sure that Helsinki are aware of these signals

Kiev asks NATO for underwater vehicles, remote detonation systems — document

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine requested the assistance in enhancing capabilities for humanitarian demining and transportation of explosive ordnance

Aircraft possibly carrying Gilman makes stopover in Ireland

A source in EU air traffic control services said that Shannon Airport is often used to refuel aircraft before flying over the Atlantic

Ukrainian parliament admits country’s air defense forces in shambles

According to the statement, the authorities stopped informing society instead of addressing "the catastrophic state" Ukraine finds itself in due to "a lack of air defense systems"

Baba-Yaga drone number one target for snipers, Kalashnikov rifles — Kalashnikov CEO

Alan Lushnikov noted that the role and place of snipers in armed conflict were constantly evolving

Conflict exposes US military’s weakness — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi said that Iran had not yet reached its final objective

Russian strikes destroy 80,000-100,000 sq m of refrigerated warehouses near Kiev — expert

According to Alexander Bondarenko, the remaining facilities cover only 20-30% of the region’s needs

Damaged schools, dead, injured in southern Russia: consequences of drone attacks

Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 502 Ukrainian UAVs over eight Russian regions

Two suspected Russian drones found floating in Black Sea — Romanian defense minister

According to Romania’s acting Defense Minister Radu Miruta, the drones were spotted by a ship working in this area which called a coastal guard boat

US Department of Energy raises Brent oil price outlook to $86.81 in 2026

The authority expects "most production" to recover by early 2027

Multinational statement on missile launches signals preparations for major war — expert

Alexander Stepanov pointed out that, of the 41 countries, only the US, France and Britain possessed ICBM technology

IN BRIEF: What we know about release of American Robert Gilman, convicted in Russia

Robert Gilman was detained in 2022 at the Voronezh railway station after being involved in a drunken brawl on the Sukhum-Moscow train

Special op is most serious test Russia facing over past 30 years — Kalashnikov CEO

According to Alan Lushnikov, it is still too early to assess the results of the company’s work during the special military operation

Russia’s BARS-Kursk crew destroys over 30 Ukrainian UAVs in Sumy Region — soldier

The serviceman added that using radar stations, the troops track the flight of Ukrainian UAVs, lock onto the target, and then a Russian drone approaches the target and detonates

Press review: NATO boosts Northern Europe presence as Israel blocks Gaza peace efforts

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 11th

Su-35S pilot destroys two Ukrainian Su-27s in single air battle — commander

Sergey Kobylash added that, "after skillfully executing a maneuver and taking up an advantageous tactical position," the Russian pilot fired three air-to-air missiles

Novorossiysk declares state of emergency after Ukrainian drone attack

According to the latest reports, a secondary school, a sports school and a college had been damaged in the attack

US controls Strait of Hormuz, would strike Iran if it attempted to change that — Trump

The US president clarified that the strait was under complete control

US may launch ground operation against Iran by year-end — expert

Mikhail Margelov said Donald Trump will make decisions depending on how much Republicans lose

Expert doubts US is ‘running out of weapons’ due to conflict with Iran

Mikhail Margelov explained that the Americans "have always been very businesslike and efficient in managing their weapons stockpiles, giving up very little over the years"

German lawmaker calls on government to rein in financial aid to Ukraine

Markus Frohnmaier recalled that since February 2022, Germany has allocated more than 100 billion euro in assistance to Ukraine

Rubio says Trump nominated him for Secretary of State without prior discussion

The US president called him and said he was going to be the secretary of state, the politician said

Siding with West in conflict with Russia unacceptable for Serbs — politician

Milos Jovanovic explained that the reason was that the West positioned itself as an enemy of Serbia and the people of Serbia

All US bases will be seized if Washington uses nuclear weapons against Iran — IRGC

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi did not clarify whether the Iranian military would occupy the US bases on its own or with the help of other forces

Kiev concerned over Russia’s Rassvet low-Earth orbit satellite constellation

In late March, Russia’s Bureau 1440 company successfully orbited the first 16 satellites of the Rassvet low-Earth orbit constellation

Moscow to respond in kind if West seizes Russian commercial vessels — Putin

The Russian president emphasized that it wasn’t just about the areas where Russian vessels could be seized but wherever Moscow founds it necessary and reasonable

Yabloko receives Supreme Court’s reasoned decision for removal from elections

The court session lasted more than nine hours

Ukrainian troops burn corpses of Colombian mercenaries with acid — war prisoner

The captured Ukrainian soldier added that he was guided to the position by a drone and was not provided with water or food, so he decided to surrender

Trump confirms release of US citizen Robert Gilman convicted in Russia

According to the US President, Robert Gilman will arrive in the United States early on Wednesday Moscow time