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BOEING 777 CRASH IN DONBASS

Russian patriarch offers condolences over Malaysian airliner’s crash in Ukraine

“I hope that an unbiased and thorough investigation of this tragedy will be conducted involving the international community,” the patriarch noted

MOSCOW, July 20, /ITAR-TASS/. Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill offered condolences to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak over the crash of a Malaysia Airlines the Dutch city of Amsterdam to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

“This disaster has shocked the whole world and caused a deep grief to residents of Malaysia, the Netherlands and many other countries,” the patriarch said in a message of condolence to the prime minister of the Southeast Asian kingdom.

The supreme hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church conveyed sincere sympathy to those who had lost their relatives and loved ones in this air crash. “I hope that an unbiased and thorough investigation of this tragedy will be conducted involving the international community,” the patriarch noted.

“Let Merciful God console all those who suffered from this horrible mischief,” he said in the address of condolence.

The Malaysia Airlines passenger airliner on the MH17 flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in east Ukraine’s Donetsk region in the evening on July 17. All 298 people abroad the airliner died in the air crash. According to updated reports, 196 people were found dead at the airliner’s crash site.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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Israeli Air Force strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

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EU leaders urge to adopt proposal on using incomes from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine

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Vasily Nebenzya is convinced that the work of the UNRWA is indispensable under these circumstances

Russia restores gasoline production after decline — Energy Ministry

The increase in motor gasoline production in mid-April is associated with production recovery after a local drop due to unscheduled repairs at refineries

Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

German police apprehend two suspected Russian spies — media

The Der Spiegel magazine claims that the saboteurs’ targets included military cargo routes

Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 18th

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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EU summit urges to provide air defense systems and all necessary military aid to Kiev

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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Ukrainian military under constant gunfire by Russian troops near Urozhainoye, says POW

Yevgeny Pogrebnyak said that he was treated well by Russian troops in his captivity

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EU vows new sanctions against Iran, calls on Mideast conflict parties to show restraint

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Ukrainian drone attack damages four houses in Russia’s Voronezh

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Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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Georgian protests against foreign agent bill reek of US influence — Medvedev

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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Iran withdraws officers out of Syria due to Israel’s potential strike — newspaper

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Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

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Both main US parties threatened Telegram, co-founder says

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Russian Aerospace Forces destroy three militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

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Weather balloon neutralized in Russia’s central Kaluga Region — authorities

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Vasily Nebenzya also pointed at the European Union’s double standards with regard to refugees from Ukraine and the Global South

DPR leader reports heaviest fighting near Avdeyevka, Chasov Yar

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MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

Another source said MiG-31I differs from previous MiG-K option by "different engines, avionics and missiles"

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Maria Zakharova noted that Moscow would not be surprised if it turned out that the US and the EU had imposed their plans on Yerevan

German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

Commenting on the men's arrest, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said: "Our security services have prevented possible explosions aimed at undermining our military assistance to Ukraine"

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Ukrainian military reportedly uses HIMARS rocket launcher to attack Gorlovka

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Argentina applies for status of NATO’s global partner

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Georgian president says she will veto law on foreign agents

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China to act over possible US measures for alleged support of Russian defense sector

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Ukraine attacks ZNPP training center again, drone neutralized

"No one was injured as a result of the attack," the news release said

G7 countries to continue examining possible ways of using frozen Russian assets

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Number of people convicted of high treason in Russia last year revealed

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

Arnulf Damerau said that he provided details of the meeting, along with evidence and a list of names of those involved, to US and European intelligence agencies

West silent on Ukraine's threats to attack Crimean Bridge — MFA

Maria Zakharova wondered how the Western public, government agencies and intelligence services would feel if military experts from third countries started openly discussing ways to blow up bridges in Germany and Portugal

Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

Ahmad Haqtalab argued that Israel had been conducting "subversive and terrorist activities" against the Islamic republic's nuclear infrastructure for year

Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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Israel planned to strike back at Iran on April 15, but decided to postpone, Axios reports

Israel told the US administration about the decision to wait, according to a US official

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

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Ukraine to lose at least 10 mln citizens over mobilization law — political scientist

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

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