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Houthis claim strike on Saudi warship in Red Sea

According to the statement, the ballistic missile strike was accurate

DOHA, August 17. /TASS/. Houthi rebels from Yemen's Ansar Allah movement have carried out a ballistic missile attack on a Saudi Arabian landing ship and its escorting boats in the Red Sea, according to rebel military spokesman Yahya Saree.

"The Yemeni armed forces (the Houthis - TASS) attacked a Saudi Arabian landing ship and four accompanying warships in the Red Sea off the coast of Mokha," Saree said.

He claimed that the ballistic missile strike was accurate, resulting in "the ship being completely burned, some of the boats sinking, and the rest catching fire."

The rebels’ spokesman stressed that the movement is closely monitoring Saudi troop movements and will continue to attack them both on land and at sea.

Support for Ukraine, anti-Russia sanctions taking toll on Latvia’s economy — politician

Riga can no longer turn a blind eye to the economic costs associated with supporting Kiev and anti-Russian sanctions, Ainars Slesers said

Klyuchevskoy volcano in Russia’s Kamchatka sends 7-kilometer ash plume into sky

The ash trail stretched 10 kilometers to the northeast of the volcano

Press review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17th

Iranian army offers reward for killing of capturing US troops

"Brave Iranian women who will do this will receive double the reward", the Iranian army commander Amir Hatami said

Ukrainian forces tried to flee Rybalskoye through tunnels dug under houses — serviceman

The battlegroup East’s assault troops were located a few dozen meters from the Ukrainian fighters attempting to flee and were covertly monitoring their movements

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 390 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US should avoid tensions with Russia ahead of elections — candidate for president

The White House should seek to expand trade and joint projects in the spirit of Anchorage, said Diane Sare

Russia launches investigation against FAZ journalist Martens for his remarks on Russians

An informed source said that questions of putting the journalist on an international wanted list and choosing his pretrial detention measure in absentia are being decided

Putin, Xi Jinping seek to strengthen ties amid global instability — Chinese envoy

Zhang Hanhui specifically highlighted the milestone anniversaries of Russian-Chinese relations, including 30 years of strategic partnership, and 25 years since the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation

NATO has official game plan for war with Russia, Bild reports

The NATO Land Warfighting Concept was developed under the leadership of US Major Andrew Pingray

Middle East crisis prompts Thailand to seek new energy sources — foreign minister

Sihasak Phuangketkeow noted that Thailand met about 50% of its energy needs through Middle Eastern countries

Russia, China to set new record for trade turnover by year-end — envoy

Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui noted that Sino-Russian trade and economic cooperation was demonstrating steady growth

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

FACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, two killed

On-duty air defense systems intercepted a total of 205 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over nine Russian regions

Russian forces target over 130 ships serving Ukrainian army since July

The destroyed targets included bulk carriers and patrol boats

West testing all its new weapons in Ukraine — Russian defense official

Akhmat Special Forces Commander Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov opined that the West is preparing for a future conflict with Russia

Over 70 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

"From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Moscow time (5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMT), Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 72 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk Regions, and the Black and Azov Seas

France might have lost hundreds of soldiers in Ukraine — law enforcement

The source recalled that France was one of the few NATO countries that did not shy to send its career servicemen to take part in combat operations

Lavrov says will sign agreement on visa-free travel for diplomats with Ghanaian minister

The Russian foreign minister said this is important for the development of contacts between the two countries’ government in all spheres

Zelensky will lose power if EU stops funding Ukraine — media

Mysl Polska editor Tomasz Jankowski said that after every scandal, Western partners ask Zelenskyy to "tighten controls" and fight corruption

Russian top diplomat’s takes on why Ukraine conflict cannot be halted along contact line

Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow will not stoop to Kiev’s methods but will take much tougher measures to destroy everything that fuels the Ukrainian military machine from the West

Kim Jong Un sends reply telegram to Vladimir Putin

North Korean leader wished Russian President good health and success in his work

State Duma says foreign agents prepare fake exit polls outside Russian embassies

The volunteers are currently being recruited from among Russians who have relocated abroad

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs two Flamingo missiles, 203 Ukrainian UAVs over past day

The Russian troops also identified and destroyed 56 UAV control posts, 32 robotic systems and three mortars

Islam Makhachev beats Ian Machado Garry to defend UFC welterweight title

Makhachev won by unanimous decision at the UFC 330 tournament in Philadelphia

Countering Iranian UAVs in Persian Gulf similar to killing mosquito with bazooka — experts

The main challenge for countries in the Arabian Peninsula is the enormous gap between the cost of attack weapons and interceptors, experts of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade said

EU’s chief diplomat says bloc will unveil `largest sanctions ever’ on Russia in fall

Kaja Kallas expressed hope that the EU and US positions on sanctions against Russia would converge

Ukraine has over hundred nationalist battalions — French expert

Laurent Braillard said that he counted the equivalent of 106 battalions across 85 units

Russian forces hit three dry cargo ships, two tankers at Odessa port

Fuel tanks were also destroyed, the Russian defense ministry said

Envoy hopes Russian House in Berlin will not be closed

As a countermeasure, Russia may close the Goethe-Institut, said Sergey Nechaev

West plans to accuse Russia of arming Latin American drug cartels — intel agency

The SVR said the fabricated audio and video materials were also being prepared to support alleged "evidence" of Russia's transferring weapons to Latin Americans through intermediaries

Battlegroup North destroys 36 Ukrainian UAV command posts, 569 drones over past day

The Ukrainian army also lost five ATVs, eight ground robotic systems and four mortars

Several Middle Eastern countries secretly shipping oil through Hormuz — news agency

According to the news agency, the movement of such vessels carries the risk of attacks

Ukrainian counterattacks weak near Olkhovatka, enemy focused on defensive action — expert

Earlier, Andrey Marochko said that Russian forces are on the offensive on a front of 10 kilometers near the town

Effectiveness of Knyaz Vandal drone rises 2.5-fold — Ushkuynik Center

CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center Alexey Chadayev also mentioned the Knyaz Veshchy Oleg reconnaissance drone which is radio-controlled and has good communication capabilities

Russian stocks down as main trading session opens

The yuan exchange rate against the ruble gained 3.25 kopecks

Only previously manufactured US weapons can be supplied to Ukraine from Turkey — expert

Turkey does not plan to supply domestically produced weapons to Ukraine

Ukrainian missile attack on Russia’s Belgorod Region kills six, leaves four others injured

A building was destroyed by fire and a car was damaged at the scene

Iran prepares to resume conflict with US — newspaper

The newspaper noted that Tehran believes that the memorandum signed was likely just an attempt by the US and Israel to take pressure off the global economy and buy time for a bigger attack down the road

Press review: Putin’s Iturup visit sends message to Japan as EU falls short of gas targets

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 14th

Russia’s Battlegroup North artillery eliminates over 50 Ukrainian troops overnight

Artillery crews of the Battlegroup North have eliminated 10 Ukrainian UAV control posts and nine all-terrain vehicles

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

More US weapons supplies to Kiev via Turkey to make peace more distant prospect — expert

Ivan Timofeyev, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that the US is not seeking a military defeat for Ukraine

IN BRIEF: Russian forces deliver strikes on Izmail, Odessa ports, logistics targets

The Russian Armed Forces destroyed a Nova Poshta logistics center on the outskirts of Odessa and hit a Tarantul-class patrol boat at the port of Odessa

Russia, Indonesia to continue to expand mutually beneficial partnership ties — Putin

The Russian leader emphasized that the two countries' relations had been developing most successfully

Russian forces strike transport, energy infrastructure used by Ukrainian troops

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian forces also hit assembly facilities and storage sites for long-range drones and unmanned boats, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries in 159 areas

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Tarantul-class patrol boat at Odessa port overnight

Russian attack drones has also struck fuel tanks in Odessa port

Iran reduces to nothing most expensive tool of US military presence — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that the prolonged at-sea deployment and the inherent vulnerabilities of the ships had taken a toll on the crews

Russian forces hit Ukrainian uncrewed boats production facility

Russian drones struck facilities for the production and storage of components for uncrewed boats used by Ukraine to attack Russian coastal cities, ships and infrastructure facilities in the Black Sea, the Russian defense ministry said

Takaichi has no right to criticize Putin for his visit to Iturup — news outlet

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has the cheek to lecture Russia about 'hurting Japanese feelings,' while Tokyo has the blood of Russian civilians on its hands by supporting the Kiev regime, the news outlet said

Iran estimates environmental damage from Hormuz oil spill at trillions of dollars

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that everyone involved in commercial shipping operations must bear legal and moral responsibility for clearing the aftermath in the region

Trump orders to scale down military drills with Seoul due to Pyongyang

The US leader noted that South Korea sends a hostile signal to North Korea

Iran’s talks with Oman on Strait of Hormuz held up by US, Israel — diplomat

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei, Tehran and Muscat are working to establish a mechanism that will ensure "respect for the rights of the two coastal states and guarantee the safe passage of merchant vessels"

Russian envoy issues warning to Europe over flaws in its migration strategy

Failure to admit migration mistakes is undermining what is left of Europe, Kirill Dmitriev pointed out

IN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Intelligence Service on new Western provocation against Moscow

According to the SVR, a Western country plans to accuse Russia of supplying arms to drug cartels and other organized crime groups in Latin American countries

Andrey Klepach no longer VEB.RF chief economist — press service

The candidate has already been selected

Three killed, one injured in drone attack on Russia’s Rostov Region — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, more than 150 UAVs were destroyed over three cities and nine districts in the region

San Diego orders evacuation following wildfire on city outskirts

According to the authorities, 160 firefighters and 54 pieces of equipment have been deployed to fight the fire

New arms supplies to Kiev to deal serious blow to Russia’s relations with US, Turkey — MFA

Multifaceted damage resulting from such supplies is inevitable, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Russian air defenses shoot down record-breaking number of Ukrainian drones in one day

The Russian army also destroyed 14 guided air bombs, a HIMARS projectile and 9 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles

Finnish politician slams Stubb as 'US vassal' in relations with Russia

Member of the Freedom Alliance national conservative party Armando Mema pointed out that the Finnish leader has repeatedly made political decisions aimed at pleasing American diplomats

Patriot missiles in short supply, Poland needs them itself — former defense minister

Mariusz Blaszczak acknowledged that Patriot missiles are unable to engage maneuvering munitions, but stated that Poland’s Narew air defense system can handle this task

Kiev loses 9,500 fighters, mercenaries over past week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the heaviest losses on the enemy were inflicted by fighters of Russia’s Battlegroup Center

Moscow beauty pageant crowns Mrs. Russia 2026

The winnner received the crown and the opportunity to shoot a music video as prizes

Indonesian earthquake death toll exceeds 50 — agency

According to the AP, the earthquake left some 5,000 people homeless, with more than 900 buildings being ruined and some 450 damaged

Three injured as Moscow comes under massive drone attack — mayor

According to Sergey Sobyanin, emergency specialists are working at the scene where drone debris fell

Zelensky’s policies are turning Ukraine into ruins — former spokeswoman

Yulia Mendel noted that the escalation strategy Vladimir Zelensky had chosen had yielded no positive results

Russian expert says not surprised at Turkey’s potential re-exports of US weapons to Kiev

Ivan Timofeyev, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that Turkey has maintained quite a close and long-time relationship with Ukraine in the military-technical sphere

Russian forces on the offensive on a 10 km-wide front near Olkhovatka — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the sector near Olkhovatka is being cleared of Ukrainian troops

Kushner holds talks with Egyptian president, Hamas representatives - TV

According to its sources, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law met with mediators in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas leaders, and with Nickolay Mladenov, the Gaza Board of Peace high representative

Epstein case reveals real face of Western elites seeking to rule world — Lavrov

"It is unnecessary to explain to any normal person that this is pure Satanism and is beyond human comprehension," the Russian Foreign Minister added

US launches 49 probes into weapons supplies to Ukraine

Representatives from the Pentagon, the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, as well as the US Navy and Air Force are taking part and are cooperating with Ukraine's NABU, SAPO, the police, and the prosecutor general’s office

Kushner expected to visit Israel next week — source

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law plans to discuss with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the implementation of the next stage of settling the situation in the Gaza Strip, Axios said, citing its sosurces

Ukrainian forces shell DPR settlements 26 times over past 24 hours — statement

Reports indicate that one civilian was killed and ten were injured, including a child

Indiana storm claims at least seven lives — newspaper

The victims range in age from four to 86

Russian forces strike defense industry facilities, oil refinery, steel plant

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian troops also struck the UkrDefens company in Kyiv, which produces components for attack drones, Khrushch interceptor drones, and Harpia anti-aircraft missiles

China shows stance on WWII outcome with Kuril Islands statement — Russian senator

Asia has not forgotten the lessons of history, and nobody will allow them to be rewritten to serve political ambitions, Natalya Nikonorova said

Kremlin aide advises West to follow Putin’s speech at upcoming Eastern Economic Forum

Special attention is always focused on the Russian president's speech at the plenary session, Advisor to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the forum's Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said

Thailand shocked by murder of Russian tourists in Pattaya, foreign minister says

Bangkok is taking additional measures to ensure the safety of all travelers, said Sihasak Phuangketkeow

South Korea, US conducting exercises as planned — news agency

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he had ordered a reduction in the scale of the exercises

Hamas calls on mediators, Board of Peace to compel Israel to observe ceasefire

The radicals reiterated that they "accept the roadmap proposed to them," but did not revealed its details

White House contacted IRGC via mediator who has offered assistance again - media

The United States wanted to organize closed-door bilateral settlement talks in Iraqi Kurdistan’s administrative center, the city of Erbil

Western business may return to Russia only via pragmatic partnerships — presidential aide

No country wants to voluntarily build an autarky, Anton Kobyakov said

Battlegroup South destroys 47 Ukrainian UAV control posts, 245 drones over past day

The units of the battlegroup also destroyed four ATVs, 46 ground robotic systems and 135 rotor drones

Witkoff, Kushner may bring new proposals on Ukraine to Moscow — expert

Oleg Karpovich views the upcoming visit as an effort by the Trump administration to actively participate in resolving the conflict in Ukraine

CENTCOM chief acknowledges fatigue among crew of USS Abraham Lincoln

Admiral Brad Cooper stressed that the issues related to food, hot water and other concerns raised months ago were addressed by leadership and resolved

Terms of new US arms supplies to Ukraine via Turkey controversial — Russian MFA

Judging by documents recently released by the US Congress, the matter concerns a formidable arsenal that includes offensive weaponry, she said

Russian Armed Forces liberate Rybalskyoe in Zaporozhye Region

It allowed the Battlegroup East to expand its zone of control northwest of Novoye Pole, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian troops gain foothold on southern outskirts of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka in DPR

Denis Pushilin stated that the Russian forces had the opportunity to move forward after the liberation of Konstantinovka

Ukraine’s losses from idle port capacities rise to $1.75 billion

Ukrainian farm exports have dwindled by approximately 60%

Press review: Russia ready for US-Ukraine talks and oil prices may rise by 25% in 2026

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 13th

One civilian died, ten more wounded in Ukraine’s attacks on DPR

A fire crew was attacked by a drone in one of the liberated settlements, leaving two Russian emergencies ministry’s employees wounded, DPR’s head Denis Pushilin said

Russian air defenses down 822 Ukrainian drones overnight

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Oryol, Rostov, Ryazan, Tambov and Tula regions, the Moscow region, Krasnodar Krai and the Republic of Crimea, as well as over the Azov and Black Seas

Battlegroup Center’s Tornado-S system strikes Ukrainian command post at Dobropolye

The enemy stronghold was destroyed with a salvo of 300-mm guided rockets with high-explosive fragmentation warheads from a distance of approximately 100 kilometers

Russian swimmers win gold at 2026 European Aquatics Championships

The Russian team of Kliment Kolesnikov, Ivan Kozhakin, Andrey Minakov, and Egor Kornev covered the 4x100m Medley Relay in 3 minutes and 28.67 seconds

Western sanctions only heighten interest to business contacts with Russia — Kremlin aide

Western sanctions have heightened interest in business networking among business representatives at major international events in Russia, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and the Russian Economic Week, Russian Presidential Aide and Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said

Russia ready to help African countries fight against terrorism — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that despite the Sahel nations’ withdrawal from ECOWAS, they remain neighbors and Russia "is interested in normalizing relations between them"

Thousands of supporters of Russia tortured by the SBU — French expert

Mostly Russian-speaking residents in Donbass, southern Odessa and central Ukraine fell victim to repressions, Laurent Brayard revealed

Trump praises Mecca Agreement as sign of unity among Middle Eastern countries

The US leader stressed that it shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way

Suspension of navigation in Black Sea to become Ukraine’s slow death — expert

According to Alexander Pataman, head of the secretariat of the Zaporozhye Region office of the World Russian People’s Council, Russia has sufficient resources and logistical alternatives to minimize the consequences of this scenario

Maritime shipping costs have surged to record highs due to conflicts, climate factors — FT

Last week freight rates for transporting oil from the Persian Gulf to Asia reached $15.22 per barrel