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Middle East conflict

Death toll from Iran’s overnight strikes on Israel rises to four, medics say

Ambulance service said that MDA teams evacuated 87 casualties to hospitals

TEL AVIV, June 16. /TASS/. Iran’s overnight strikes on four facilities in central Israel killed four people and left almost 90 injured, Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service said.

"MDA emergency medical technicians and paramedics pronounced the deaths of four people – two women and two men, all approximately 70 years old. So far, MDA teams have evacuated 87 casualties to hospitals," the MDA said on the X social media platform.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported earlier that three people had been killed and 67 had suffered injuries.

EU wants government change in Russia, like Israel wants in Iran — expert

"They are working to topple a government of a country," former Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said

Russia handed over to Ukraine its best peace proposal, advises to accept it — diplomat

Vasily Nebenzya added that the document was based on principles voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024

Trump says might support ceasefire between Israel, Iran

"It's very hard to stop," US President noted speaking about Israel and Iran exchanging strikes

Moscow acts in full compliance with Russia-Iran treaty amid Middle East flareup — diplomat

"Hence such intensive contacts of our head of state with the conflicting sides, regional players, all the countries involved," Maria Zakharova said

Iran launches Sejil medium-range missile in combat conditions for first time — news agency

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran launched three such missiles into Israeli territory

Russia’s enemies hurt selves in trying to sink country’s economy — Putin

In particular, the decision not to use Russian energy resources has caused serious economic consequences for European countries, the Russian president reiterated

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

Iran suspects US of using negotiations as cover-up for strike — foreign minister

"United States again to show their determination for going for a negotiated solution, or they have something else in their mind and they want to attack Iran anyway," Araghchi said.

Putin says not even discussing possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination

Russian President said at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies organized by TASS, when asked what Russia's reaction would be if Israel were to assassinate the ayatollah

China, Russia shining example of scientific, technical alliance — China’s vice premier

As an example of cooperation in the field of education, Ding Xuexiang cited how the two countries worked together to found 15 specialized universities

New world order is emerging naturally, like rising sun — Putin

"Our role is to formalize this process and facilitate it, ensuring it develops in a more balanced way that aligns with the interests of the vast majority of nations," the Russian president said

West using topic of Ukraine to distract attention from Middle East — Russian diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Western countries are obviously seeking to demonize Russia and keep afloat the unconvincing narrative picturing Ukraine as a victim and Russia as an aggressor

Russia warns US against interfering in military actions against Iran — MFA

Maria Zakharova said that it would be an extremely dangerous step with unpredictable negative consequences

Western media coverage of Iran-Israel conflict overlooks nuclear risk element — MFA

Maria Zakharova warned against assuming that just because so-called "precision strikes" are being carried out, a nuclear disaster is out of the question

Russia plans to gradually increase production of aircraft — minister

According to Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov 23 MS-21 planes are currently at various stages of completion at the production in Irkutsk

Putin meets with king of Bahrain’s advisor ahead of SPIEF plenary session

As Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov announced, the meeting’s main topic was the Middle Eastern escalation

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Russia’s debt burden among the lowest in the world — Putin

The Russian leader emphasized that a more meaningful economic indicator is the GDP growth rate

US use of nuclear weapons in Iran would lead to catastrophic developments — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov noted, there are so many speculations that "it’s impossible to comment on them"

Ukraine, Russia exchange POWs as agreed in Istanbul — Russian Defense Ministry

Right now, Russian military personnel are in Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance

US not ready to discuss potential impact of Israel’s strikes on Iran’s Bushehr NPP

"I'm not going to speculate on a hypothetical dynamic at this point," US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said

Downed F-35, US fleet withdrawal, secret Chinese flights: news on Israel-Iran conflict

On Wednesday morning, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Iranian facilities used in the production of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Vital to avoid 'internationalization' of Israel-Iran conflict — Russia's UN envoy

Russia observes extremely dangerous attempts to drag third countries into the confrontation, Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia concerned about Iran's nuclear infrastructure given recent events — Putin

The Russian leader said that he was worried about what this could lead to

China uses US efforts to stifle its growth as fuel to surge forward — deputy premier

"As China has proven in recent years, the stronger the blow, the swifter the progress and development," Ding Xuexiang said

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

According to the Iranian official, the attack came as a surprise for the Israel

Inflation is 'price for Russia’s rapid economic growth’ — Putin

The Russian president also highlighted that economic growth in Russia is unfolding against the backdrop of a historically low unemployment rate

Iran's strikes on Israel target military facilities, decision-making centers — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh indicated that a de-escalation could be possible, if the attacks cease

Russia ready to continue cooperation with OPEC — Putin

"On our side, we will be glad to see you at the traditional Russian Energy Week in Moscow," the Russian president said at the meeting with OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais

Trump sees progress in Ukrainian reconciliation process

US President didn't go into details

Putin confident that acceptable solutions can be found for Iran, Israel

"Both the countries of the Global South, and even more so the countries of the region, can positively influence this process and the search for a solution," the Russian president stated

Liberation of Kupyansk suburb creates logistics issues for Kiev forces — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that Moskovka was one of the settlements where the Kiev regime had pursued "decommunization and derussification"

Putin hopes Israeli threats toward Khamenei just words

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called one of the goals of the military operation against Iran was that Khamenei "cease to exist"

China's new mosquito-sized drone could revolutionize military warfare, medicine — SCMP

According the newspaper, which cited military sources and TV channels, similar miniature bionic robots are best suited to reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield

Russian forces can easily liberate Sumy due to crisis in Ukrainian army ranks — expert

"This is not a major issue for our armed forces, this is quite a realistic task given the current personnel crisis in the Ukrainian army," Yan Gagin said

Russia should enter top 20 in terms of business conditions by 2030 — Putin

The Russian president stressed that the competitiveness of Russian industry, agriculture, and many other sectors should be built on its own technological solutions

Ukraine, Middle East, new world order: main points from Putin's keynote address at SPIEF

According to the Russian president, Russians and Ukrainians are one people

Russia, Ukraine to discuss memoranda shared in Istanbul negotiations — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that now the parties should present their views on the drafts they have received

For Russia, Zelensky's signature holds no weight, Ukraine’s opposition politician says

Viktor Medvedchuk explained that the Ukrainian state is currently in a state of decline, primarily due to internal factors

Putin gives interview to Sky News Arabia

Russian President does it after the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Russia intends to withdraw from agreement on military-technical cooperation with Germany

The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the German leadership is deliberately ideologically manipulating the German population in the anti-Russian direction, openly provoking the exacerbation of the military-political situation

Russia in touch with Syria on military bases issue — Foreign Ministry

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov noted that Russia is expecting a delegation from Damascus and is awaiting proposals on the timing of the visit

Russia never questioned Ukraine’s right to independence — Putin

The Russian president noted that the right thing would be to come back to these fundamental values at the core of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty

US doesn’t see any signs China could provide military assistance to Iran — White House

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US president "enjoys a very respectful and cordial relationship" with China's President Xi Jinping

Putin admits worried about threat of World War III

"There is a lot of conflict potential, it is growing," the Russian president said

Many unidentified bodies of Ukrainian soldiers in Zaporozhye region — Russian official

Yevgeny Balitsky also emphasized that, in general, Kiev’s losses are significantly higher than those of the Russian army

Russia does not seek mediation in Middle East, it offers ideas — Putin

The Russia leader said that he sees possible points of communication for Iran and Israel

Russia backs Iran’s fight for legitimate interests, peaceful nuclear program — Putin

The Russian president also commented on criticism in Western media that Moscow allegedly should have helped Iran against Israel

Russian army starts fighting for Kupyansk by liberating Kharkov Region’s Moskovka — expert

Andrey Marochko said the settlement is actually a suburb of Kupyansk

US sees possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons in Iran — Fox News journalist

Earlier, The Guardian wrote that US President Donald Trump was not examining the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons for a strike on the facility

Russia’s security zone in Sumy Region is 10-12 km deep — Putin

As the Russian president pointed out, Russia "was forced to create security zones along the border" after the Ukrainian army was expelled from the Kursk Region

Russia offered Ukraine to stop hostilities at every stage of talks — Putin

The Russian leader noted that Kiev's decision was influenced by "those who are guided by old neocolonial principles, first of all in Europe"

UK Foreign Office: 14 European countries to step up fight against Russia's 'shadow fleet'

The representatives of 14 European countries have promised to "take appropriate action within international law," if vessels "fail to fly a valid flag in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea"

Israel attacks Iran’s Rasht off Caspian Sea coast

The strike was delivered on the territory of the Sefidrud Technology Park

China ready to work with Russia to promote global multipolarity — vice premier

Ding Xuexiang stressed Beijing's readiness to work with Russia "to implement important agreements reached at the highest level, as well as to support each other on the path of development and prosperity"

Another Iranian missile attack reported in Israel, explosions heard

Shortly after the report, the IDF announced "a series of strikes against missile storage and launching infrastructure sites in central Iran"

Russia got assurances from Netanyahu, Trump that staff at Bushehr NPP will be safe — Putin

According to the president, Russia relied "on the certain level of relations with Israel, on the recovering relations with the United States"

Putin calls Rosatom undisputed world leader in development of nuclear energy

As the Russian president stressed, Russia has many opportunities in the energy sector

Israel again under fire from Iran, with about 25 missiles launched

According to the report, sirens went off in areas including near Tel Aviv, and at least one loud explosion was heard during the attack

Tornado-S rockets effectively break through Ukrainian air defense

The rockets have an advanced inertial guidance system that successfully operates in conditions of satellite channel jamming, which is important in modern war that uses a lot of electronic warfare systems

Russian forces eliminate all US-made Bradley IFVs sent to Ukraine — Rostec chief

An infantry fighting vehicle should be quick, mobile and capable of moving across rough terrain and also across rivers afloat without bridges and roads, Sergey Chemezov said

Trump fears Iran may turn into 'another Libya' — NYP

According to information obtained by New York Post, Trump favors limited strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in Natanz and Fordow

SPIEF plenary session with Putin's participation lasts record four hours

This year, the Russian president's speech lasted 55 minutes, placing it among the top five longest speeches in terms of duration

Putin notes six waves of NATO’s eastward expansion since 1990s

Since the early 90s and over decades, we have been told that in no case NATO would expand eastward, the Russian president said

Using 'dirty bomb' against Russia to be Ukraine’s last mistake, Putin says

"This would be a colossal mistake on the part of those Russia is calling the neo-Nazis on the territory of current Ukraine," the Russian leader said

Russian activist, founder of 'Army of Beauties' sentenced to 22 years for state treason

According to the investigation, Nadezhda Rossinskaya systematically raised funds for the Ukrainian army, disguising them as humanitarian projects and partially transferring them to a terrorist organization banned in Russia

Press review: US may abandon Ukraine talks as Mideast braces for escalation

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 20th

Moderate earthquake hits northern Iran

No casualties or damage were reported

Only Trump can make decisions on Russia, Ukraine — Department of State

The United States closely watched the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said

Russian research institute chief lauds scientific cooperation with China

When asked about scientific cooperation with the global South, Mikhail Kovalchuk recalled that a range of agreements, including in the areas of nuclear energy, lunar and space exploration, were signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow on May 9

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

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military-industrial, fuel and energy sites over week

RDIF head confident Putin’s SPIEF comments to be heard all over world

Kirill Dmitriev was asked whether the United States would listen to what the Russian leader had to say today, including on Iran and Ukraine

Putin looks forward to visiting China

The Russian president noted that Russia-China relations continue to grow stronger

Russia demands official apology from Rome over 'monstrous' Kremlin post — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, "the situation with free speech in Italy has reached a really frightening stage"

Putin says Russian economy stable, acknowledges issues exist

During the plenary session, the president also pointed to rapid growth in the country’s manufacturing sector and a record low unemployment rate

US could strike Iran as soon as next weekend — Hersh

According to the American journalist Seymour Hersh, the operation will "entail heavy American bombing"

Israeli top brass calls on people to be ready for long campaign against Iran

"Israel is preparing for a wide range of possible developments," Eyal Zamir said

Immediate negotiations with Russia are Ukraine’s only chance — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya thanked the United States for supporting the direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev

FACTBOX: Putin names five steps to change national economic structure

The Russian economy should be more technologically advanced

Israel Defense Forces says it completed one more wave of strikes on Iran

A statement by the IDF press service says the attack involved 15 Israeli fighter jets

Putin not ruling out taking control over Sumy, but says there is no such goal now

The Russian president said that Russia's actions are caused, among other things, by the constant shelling of the country's border territories by the Ukrainian forces

Kiev creates own problems after deciding to attack Russia’s Kursk Region — Putin

Kiev authorities personally formed a line of combat contact stretching along for almost two thousand kilometers, the Russian president said

Russian stock market in the red on Friday — market data

The yuan gained 5.35 kopecks to 10.8985 rubles

Russian forces 1 km away from Kupyansk after capturing Moskovka — analyst

Andrey Marochko noted that this is a very short distance

Russia ready to help Iran restore damaged nuclear facilities — Rosatom head

Alexey Likhachev said Germany had abandoned the Bushehr nuclear power station, damaged but later restored by Russian specialists

No country’s security should come at expense of another’s — Putin

"I would like to emphasize that Russia has always stood for ensuring the security of each country without prejudice to the security of any other country," the Russian president said

TASS elected OANA chair for next three years

The voting was held at a plenary meeting of the 19th General Assembly of the organization in St. Petersburg

Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted 65% of Iranian missiles over past day, news report says

According to the official, Iranian missiles are equipped with a navigation system for the final phase of their flight that helps them accurately hit designated targets

Russian economy on brink of recession — economic development minister

Maxim Reshetnikov noted that figures point to slowdown

Putin says Russia ranks first in Europe in terms of GDP

The Russian leader stressed that these are very significant indices

Trump says he struggles to understand why Iran needs nuclear energy when it has oil

"You know, they're sitting on the top of one of the largest piles of oil in the world," US President said

Mounting costs may prevent Israel from conducting lengthy war against Iran — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, air defenses alone can amount to $200 million a day, while ammunition and aircraft also add to the price tag of the war

Putin points to Israel's huge Russian-speaking demographic

The Russian leader also noted that Russia has traditionally friendly allied relations with the Arab and Islamic world

Oil demand to remain high — Putin

OPEC expert estimates served as a basis to a significant degree when determining the strategy of Russia’s development and the energy sector development strategy, the Russian president added

Iranian air defense thwarts Israeli drone attack on Tehran province — IRGC

According to the report, two drones were destroyed near Tehran’s oil refinery

Press review: Washington mulls Iran strike as Russia and US plan 15 joint ventures by 2025

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 19th

Russia will create favorable conditions for foreign investors — Putin

The Russian president noted that fixed capital investment in Russia increased by 8.7% in the first quarter of this year

Trump says he gives Iran two weeks for diplomacy

"I would say two weeks would be the maximum," US President noted

Iraq extends ban on flights in its airspace for another 24 hours — air traffic controllers

This will be the ninth day of ban on civilian air traffic in the region

Largest protest since declaration of martial law takes place in Kiev

The protesters gathered downtown near the entrance to the House of Trade Unions, which was cordoned off by the police

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran