❗️None can guarantee Moldovan president won't start war in region — SVR
 
More statements by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service:
 
💬Moldovan President Maia Sandu categorically refused to discuss with Ukraine the issue of energy supply to Moldova after the expiration of the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit agreement.
 
💬According to Sandu, if Russia does not find a way to deliver gas to Moldova, Chisinau will "take revenge" on Transnistria.
 
💬Moldova has ordered the opening of criminal cases against the leadership of Transnistria "for separatism."
 
💬Sandu has demanded the preparation of a forceful seizure of the Moldovan regional power plant located in Transnistria.
 
💬The European Union would not mind the appearance of a new crisis point in the zone of Russia's interests but is not ready for it yet.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🦣Mammoth remains found in Russia 

A mammoth of unique preservation has been discovered in the permafrost in Russia's Yakutia. The geological age of the find is estimated to be 50,000 years. 

In total, six mammoth remains have been found in the world; five of them in Russia.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹Russia's Grad MLRS crew struck a cluster of infantry and equipment of the Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk People's Republic to support the assault of Russian stormtroopers in suppressing the firing points of the Ukrainian army.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Russia, Iran to sign strategic partnership agreement in Jan - Iranian FM spokesman
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian may hold a meeting to sign the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in January 2025, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.
 

"I hope this document will be signed at the end of [January]," Baghaei told reporters.

 
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty is to become a milestone in the development of Russian-Iranian relations. The document will include bilateral cooperation in such areas as energy, the manufacturing industry, transportation, and agriculture.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak PM Robert Fico discussed bilateral relations and energy issues during talks at the Kremlin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed.
 
Other topics covered included the situation in Ukraine and the course of the special military operation; the conversation was extensive, he added.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Further statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

💬 Putin and Fico discussed relations between Russia and Slovakia, which suffered due to past authorities in Bratislava;

💬 The situation with gas supplies from Russia to European countries in transit through Ukraine is complicated and requires increased attention.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Storozhevoye in the Donetsk People's Republic, Russia's Defense Ministry announced

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    

▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 610 soldiers and two tanks in the Russian Tsentr Battlegroup's area of responsibility;

▪️Ukrainian losses in the Russian Yug combat group's area of responsibility amounted to 400 militants;

▪️Ukrainian troops lost more than 400 soldiers per day in the area of responsibility of the Russian Zapad Battlegroup;

▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 155 soldiers in the area of responsibility of the Russian Vostok combat group;

▪️Russian air defense systems shot down 14 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

The primary goal of the Russian delegation's visit to Tehran is to discuss transportation and logistics with Iran, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev.

Led by Deputy Prime Ministers Alexei Overchuk and Vitaly Savelyev, the Russian delegation has arrived in Tehran, where negotiations with Iran's president are scheduled.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🛩 Rostec sends 'kings of the sky' to Russia's army

The United Aircraft Corporation (part of Russia's Rostec state arms corporation) has transferred another batch of Su-57 fighter jets and Su-34 bombers to Moscow's troops.

The multifunctional Su-57 is capable of hitting air, land and sea targets. The aircraft can be used around the clock, including in difficult weather conditions and interference conditions.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️In the Russian Kursk region, Ukrainian losses amounted to over 300 militants, Russia's Defense Ministry informed

Two tanks, including Abrams, were destroyed, the ministry added.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📊 For the first time in its 3-year history of monetization, Telegram became profitable for 2024 showing impressive results:

💬 The number of Telegram Premium subscribers tripled, exceeding 12 million in revenue, which increased Telegram's total revenue up to more than $1 billion

💬 Telegram's cash reserves are up to $500 million

💬 A meaningful share of the $2 billion in debt was repaid, taking advantage of favorable prices for Telegram bonds

💬 This year saw innovations in monetization: (Stars, Gifts, Giveaways, Mini Apps, the Affiliate Platform, Telegram Business, and Telegram Gateway…) demonstrating that social media platforms can achieve financial sustainability while staying independent and respecting users' rights.

💬 Monetization proves that Telegram prioritizes its users

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Donald Trump has nominated Michael Duffey, an opponent of military aid to Ukraine, to the position of undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, according to the New York Times.

In 2019, at Duffey's request, the Pentagon blocked a $250 million military aid package for Ukraine.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇷🇺🛩 Strategic wings: Which aircraft form Russia's long-range aviation

December 23 marks Long-Range Aviation Day of the Russian Aerospace Forces. The military branch is part of the strategic reserve of the Russian Armed Forces and one of the three components of the country’s nuclear triad.

Let’s explore the aircraft currently in service in Russia’s long-range aviation:

🔶Tupolev Tu-160: A supersonic, variable-sweep wing, nuclear-capable heavy strategic bomber and airborne missile platform with a range of 14,000 km and a maximum speed of 2,200 km/h. The aircraft is armed with subsonic long-range cruise missiles and aero-ballistic short-range hypersonic missiles.

🔶Tupolev Tu-95MS: A four-engine, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform with a range of 10,500 km and a maximum speed of 830 km/h. Armament includes cruise missiles, freefall bombs, and cannons.

🔶Tupolev Tu-22M3: A supersonic, variable-sweep wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber with a range of 6,800 km and a maximum speed of 2,300 km/h. It is equipped with guided missiles, hypersonic aero-ballistic missiles, freefall bombs, and cannons.

🔶Mikoyan MiG-31: A supersonic interceptor aircraft and one of the fastest operational combat aircraft in the world, with a range of 3,300 km and a maximum speed exceeding 3,000 km/h. It is armed with air-to-air missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and a cannon.

🔶Ilyushin Il-78: A four-engine strategic aerial refueling tanker with a range of 7,300 km and a maximum speed of over 850 km/h.

🔶Additional aircraft: Russia’s fleet also includes various trainers and transport planes.

The history of Russia's long-range aviation dates back to December 23, 1913, when the flight of the world’s largest four-engine heavy bomber, the Ilya Muromets, took place. These aircraft were part of the world’s first long-range bomber squadron, operational in Russia as of December 23, 1914.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇬🇧❌🎅UK says no to Christmas

Vendors at Christmas markets in London, UK, were banned from using the word “Christmas." Instead, they were told to stick to “Winter markets.”

"It's something to do with religion; they can't say 'Christmas'," a vendor told a journalist. 

In late November, UK PM Keir Starmer accused the Conservatives of running an “open borders experiment” after new figures showed that net migration to the UK had hit a record high of nearly 1 million during the period covering Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak’s administrations.

However, Starmer himself faced criticism in July for failing to handle a crisis that triggered a wave of violent riots in Southport.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🌎 From Greenland to Canada: Trump’s annexation wishlist

US President-elect Donald Trump has been dropping not-so-subtle hints about his ambitions to grow America's borders - literally. Here’s a rundown of the territories Trump has set his sights on:

🔸 Panama Canal: Bringing it back home?

Trump isn’t shy about wanting to reclaim the Panama Canal, labeling its 1999 handover to Panama a mere "token of cooperation." After Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino firmly rejected this idea, Trump retorted with his favorite cliffhanger, “We’ll see about that!” One wonders if he envisions the canal lined with golden Trump logos. Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro jumped into the fray, firmly backing Panama's sovereignty and calling Trump’s remarks an affront to regional stability.

🔸 Greenland: Real estate or geopolitics?

Revisiting his dream of acquiring Greenland, Trump framed the purchase as a necessity for "National security and freedom throughout the world." Whether it’s the natural resources, a strategic missile deployment site, or simply a vast icy canvas for a new Trump-branded resort, the motives remain unclear. Adding flair to the absurdity, X owner Elon Musk chimed in on social media, tweeting “Congrats! Help America gain Greenland,” complete with a cheeky emoji. Was he serious? Probably not, but when it comes to Trump and Greenland, who can tell?

🔸 Canada: The 51st state?

Trump jokingly (or was it?) suggested that Canada should join the US as the 51st state. Why? To dodge tariffs and enjoy military protection, of course! Trump’s December 18 post declared, “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st state!!!” Canadians, however, seemed less than enthused - perhaps Maple Leafs on the Stars and Stripes aren’t quite their style.

🔸 Mexico: Subsidized to statehood?

During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on December 8, Trump floated the idea of Mexico becoming a US state. Claiming that the US “subsidizes” Mexico to the tune of $300 billion a year, he remarked, “If we're going to subsidize them, let them become a state.” While it may have been a rhetorical flourish, the comment stirred conversation about Trump’s vision of turning financial aid into political absorption.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🎄 Russian Christmas star in Moscow - The main Christmas tree installed in the Kremlin

An amazing Christmas tree has been installed in Sobornaya Square in Moscow, decorated with:

▫️2,500 toys (400 are unique)

▫️150 LED decorations, including icicles with a "running light" affect

Christmas miracles may be on the way...

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, although the exact timing of the meeting is still unclear, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov also highlighted that Moscow maintains contacts with Syria's new authorities through both diplomatic and military channels.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

❗️Key points from Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov's statements:

▪️Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovakian PM Robert Fico discussed the topic of Ukraine in detail, including various peace initiatives;

▪️Fico showed himself to be an independent, thinking politician who puts the interests of his country first;

▪️Fico confirmed to Putin his intention to come to Moscow for Victory Day;

▪️Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have not discussed the possibility of the chancellor's possible visit to Moscow;

▪️Several countries have already offered to host Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump's potential talks;

▪️Russia is in contact with the new leadership of Syria both through diplomatic channels and the military;

▪️Putin will discuss cooperation in the field of migration, economics and politics with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon on December 24;

▪️The Russian president will take part in an informal meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders on December 25;

▪️The Kremlin has announced visits of foreign leaders to Moscow for early 2025;

▪️The Kremlin is expecting many guests for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Pipeline politics: Who are the players fighting to keep Russian gas flowing through Ukraine?

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico explained that his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow was prompted by Volodymyr Zelensky's recent remarks opposing Russian gas transit through Ukraine.

Fico emphasized that while halting gas transit flows in early 2025 would not threaten Slovakia’s supplies due to sufficient storage, it would significantly impact transit operations and market prices. He noted that Bratislava is striving to maintain gas flows through Ukraine, as sourcing gas elsewhere would cost Slovakia an additional €220 million (almost $229 million) in transit costs.

Let’s delve into who else - along with Slovakia - is interested in the transit of Russia's “blue fuel”.

🇭🇺 Hungary: According to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest is seeking a solution that would allow gas flows to Europe via Ukraine to continue once the current transit contract between Moscow and Kiev expires. “We have not given up on our Ukraine transit plans,” he said.

🇦🇹 Austria: The country has been the main recipient of Russian gas through Ukraine. Moscow, however, notified Vienna last month that Russia will halt gas supplies through Ukraine starting November 16. This was followed by Chancellor Karl Nehammer claiming that his country’s “gas storage facilities are full and we [Austria] have sufficient capacity to obtain gas from other regions.”

🇲🇩 Moldova: Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said the termination of Russian gas supplies to Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria after January 1, 2025, is a "very realistic" scenario. Without these supplies, the region would need financial help to survive and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.

The current agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, and Kiev has repeatedly stated that it does not plan to extend it.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt