Putin orders to draft over 140,000 men into army this spring

In October-December 2016, 152,000 Russians were drafted into the army.

MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday to draft 142,000 Russian men into the Armed Forces in spring 2017.

The decree, posted on the official portal of legal information, enters into force on the day of its publication.

In October-December 2016, in line with the president’s decree 152,000 Russians aged 18 to 27 were drafted into the army. Last spring, 155,000 Russian men were called up for army duty. In autumn 2015, 147,100 Russians were conscripted.

Lately, Russian lawmakers have been discussing proposals to increase the draft age ceiling from the current 27 years to 30 or 35 years. This initiative is due to be discussed already this autumn.

Source: ITAR-TASS 31-03-2017

London High Court rules Ukraine must repay $3 bln to Russia

According to Russia’s Finance Ministry, London's High Court recognizes Ukraine has no arguments against Russian debt recognition.

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. Russia’s Finance Ministry believes that by its judgment on the expedited procedure of examining Russia’s lawsuit versus Ukraine on the $3bln debt recovery the High Court of London has obliged Kiev to repay debt and interest to Moscow, the ministry’s press office said on Wednesday.

"On March 29, 2017, London’s High Court passed a judgment after examining Russia’s request for hearing its lawsuit versus Ukraine in an expedited procedure that Ukraine is obliged to pay Russia the Eurobond nominal value of $3 billion and the relevant amount of accrued interest," the Finance Ministry said.

"The court pronounced its final verdict obliging Ukraine to pay to Russia its eurobond debt in full. No extra hearings on this issue in the London High Court are due," the Finance Ministry said.

"The High Court of London has acknowledged that the defendant lacks any arguments that reject the claimant’s reasons about the existence of the Eurobond debt and, as a consequence, there is no need to examine the arguments provided by the counsel for the defense in the course of a full-scale judicial process. In particular, the court pointed in its judgment that the talk was about the demand to fulfil obligations under a debt instrument and the defendant lacks any arguments for the court in favor of recognizing this claim as unsubstantiated," the Finance Ministry said. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine has said it will appeal against the London High Court’s judgment.

Russia purchased Ukraine’s $3 bln Eurobond in December 2013, using money of its National Welfare Fund. After paying the first three Eurobond coupons, Ukraine refused to repay $3.075 billion as the Eurobond’s principal and last coupon in December 2015.

After numerous attempts to settle the issue out of court, in February 2016 Russia requested The Law Debenture Trust Corporation acting as the Trustee on the Eurobond to initiate judicial proceedings against Ukraine in the High Court of London.

London’s High Court has ruled to hear the case of Ukraine’s $3 billion debt to Russia in an expedited procedure, Judge William Blair said on Wednesday.

Judge Blair presided over a three-day court session on this issue in January.

"The Trustee is entitled to summary judgment," the judge said, reading out the ruling.

As the court said in its ruling, "Summary judgment is the procedure by which the court may decide a claim without a trial, where the claimant can show that the defendant has no real prospect of successfully defending the claim."

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-03-2017

Lavrov vows that Moscow won’t leave Donbass residents 'high and dry'

The Russian top diplomat has assured that "Russia is a peaceful country which has no territorial claims against 

its neighbors".

MOSCOW, March 28. /TASS/. Moscow’s efforts are aimed at preventing a new round of violence in southeastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Russia’s Argumenty i Fakty weekly.

"Russia is a peaceful country, we have no territorial claims against our neighbors," he assured. "We are interested in being surrounded by stable and prosperous countries with whom we can build a partnership in the spirit of good-neighborliness. At the same time, our efforts have been aimed at preventing ‘hotheads’ in Kiev from launching another round of violence in the southeast of that country. Anyway, we will not leave residents of the Donbass region high and dry."

"Today it is obvious that the peace process has stalled because of the Ukrainian leaders’ reluctance to honor their obligations under the Minsk agreements," the top diplomat emphasized. "We will push ahead with efforts to make sure that Kiev stops the blockade of Donbass and embarks on their full-fledged implementation. We expect a similar approach on the part of Western nations, which have repeatedly stated that there is no alternative to the Minsk accords and pointed of the need of their early implementation."

According to Lavrov, while seeking the early implementation of the Minsk agreements, Moscow proceeds from the assumption that "a long-term solution to the problems related to the deep crisis that hit Ukraine can only be found by political and diplomatic means."

"The Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015, was approved by the UN Security Council, which passed the corresponding Resolution 2202 on February 17, 2015," the minister recalled. "We are confident that there is no alternative to the Minsk [accords] today, and the West agrees with that."

"The main thing envisaged by the Minsk agreements is direct dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk," Russia’s top diplomat said. "Neither Russia, nor the new US president, nor anyone else can do anything for the warring sides other than what the settlement really depends on - reaching an agreement with each other directly on mutual security guarantees and the principles of building a joint future."

Source: ITAR-TASS 29-03-2017

Lavrov calls attempts to block Donbass ‘unacceptable’

The Russian top siplomat says Kiev’s attempts to impose a blockade on Donbass in hope that the region will capitulate are unacceptable.

MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. Kiev’s attempts to impose a blockade on Donbass in hope that the region will capitulate are unacceptable, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano.

"Certainly, we discussed the situation in Ukraine. We share view that there is the need for a full and absolute implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures," Lavrov said.

At the meeting the Italian partners were informed about Russia’s efforts made as part of the Normandy format (Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany) all these years and the Contact Group to ensure the implementation of accords signed by Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk in February 2015, he said.

"We paid attention to the sharp deterioration of situation in Ukraine’s southeast linked to the repeated use of force by the Kiev authorities to solve the Donbass problem," Lavrov said. "Of course, we drew attention to the unacceptable attempts of imposing a total blockade in hope to force this region to capitulate."

Lavrov stressed that "instead of this there is the need to force the Kiev authorities to establish a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Minsk as they promised under the Minsk agreements."

In late January, Ukrainian radical activists blocked railway lines leading to the Donbass territory not controlled by Kiev citing the need to combat smuggling.

In response, the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics announced that on March 1, external administrations would be introduced at all Ukrainian-owned enterprises so they could continue to operate. Since their products could not be delivered to Ukraine, the two republics decided to search for new trade partners.

Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko condemned the blockade saying it was inflicting damage on the country’s economy. However, on March 15, the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) made a decision to cut all transport links with Donbass thus fulfilling the radicals’ demand.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-03-2017

Eurovision organizers determined to ensure Russia’s participation in Kiev-hosted contest

Chairman of the Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group Frank-Dieter Freiling emphasized that both sides had rejected an offer for Yulia Samoilova to perform via satellite.

BERLIN, March 27. /TASS/. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed its determination to ensure Russia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled to be held in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev in May, Frank-Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group, told Germany’s Tagesspiegel daily.

When commenting on the Ukrainian authorities’ decision to issue an entry ban against Russian contestant Yulia Samoilova, he said that "if the decision to ban her from entering Ukraine stands, then the EBU will continue its efforts to provide Russia with an opportunity to participate." "However, both sides have rejected our offer for Yulia Samoilova to perform via satellite", he added.

On March 24, the European Broadcasting Union told TASS that it was considering various options for Samoilova’s participation. "We are continuing our dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the ambition to have all artists present to perform in host city, Kiev, which is, of course, our preferred option," EBU Senior Communications officer Dave Goodman said. "However, in case the travel ban on Yulia Samoilova is upheld, we have to investigate alternative options," he added.

On March 22, Ukraine's intelligence agency (SBU) issued a three-year entry ban against Samoilova, citing her performance at a festival dubbed "A World of Sports and Kindness" held in Crimea on June 27, 2015. Ukraine’s authorities say that by performing in Crimea, Samoilova violated the Ukrainian government’s regulation dated June 4, 2015, which stipulates that foreign citizens should receive a special permission in order to enter Crimea.

The European Broadcasting Union said it was "deeply disappointed" by this decision and offered to broadcast Samoilova’s performance during the contest. However, Russia’s Channel One rejected this proposal. Kiev did not support it either saying it would be a violation of the Ukrainian law.

2017 Eurovision Song Contest

On March 12, it was announced that wheelchair-bound Yulia Samoilova had been chosen to represent Russia at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

The contest semifinals will be held on May 9 and 11 while the Grand Final will take place on May 13.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-03-2017

Kiev’s military violate ceasefire in Lugansk Republic- militia

Since the autumn of 2014, members of the Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine have announced ceasefires in Donbass more than ten times.

LUGANSK, March 26. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military three times opened fire on the militia’s positions in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) over the past 24 hours, the republic’s defense authority said on Sunday.

"Under fire were settlements Donetsky, Kalinovka and Krutaya Gora," the Lugansk information center quoted the authority’s report. "The military used 122mm artillery, 120 and 82mm mortars, weapons of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms."

Since the autumn of 2014, members of the Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine have announced ceasefires in Donbass more than ten times. However, the Ukrainian military have been repeatedly violating ceasefires, particularly using large caliber guns, mortars and tanks that should be withdrawn from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk agreements.

At the recent meeting of the Contact Group, held on March 1, the parties agreed to resume the weapons withdrawal process on March 7. However, the Ukrainian military refused to begin withdrawal under pretext of insecurity in the region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-03-2017

Explosions continue going off at Ukraine ammo depot

Special equipment, including two fire tanks and three fire vehicles, are used at the depot now.

KIEV, March 25. /TASS/. Detonations continue at the ammo depot in Ukraine's Kharkov region, where the fire was extinguished, press service of the national emergencies service said on Saturday.

"As of 07:25 on Saturday, occasional explosions of various intensity continue at the technical territory of the depot," the press service said.

Special equipment, including two fire tanks and three fire vehicles, are used at the depot now, the press service said, adding gas supplies had been cut, and railway communication at the local station was stopped. The air communication is closed in the area of 40 km.

The now-infamous fire broke out at the military depot in near the city of Balakleya at around 3.00 a.m. local time (0100GMT) on Thursday. Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoly Matios said the fire and a series of blasts were recorded in several storage facilities for artillery shells and missiles.

Until recently, the ammo depot in Balakleya, encompassing an area of 368 hectares, was considered to be Europe’s largest facility for storing weapons. The depot may house up to 150,000 tonnes of armaments. Media reports say currently there are some 125,000 tonnes of munitions there.

Earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman said that the blaze had engulfed nearly half of the entire territory of the military facility and extinguishing it "may take up to seven days."

Ukraine’s top military brass labeled the blasts at the ammo depot an ‘act of sabotage.’ Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Lugansk people’s militias said that Kiev’s military may have blown up the depot to cover up the mass shortage of munitions there.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-03-2017

Russian State Duma speaker warns Ukraine increasingly turning into terrorist state

State Duma speaker has commented on Kiev’s response to the murder of the Russian lawmaker Denis Voronenkov.

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Ukraine is turning into a terrorist country where laws do not work, Speaker of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, told TASS on Friday.

"Such statements can only be made on the basis of the investigation," he said commenting on Kiev’s response to the murder of ex-Russian lawmaker Denis Voronenkov, including on remarks by President Pyotr Poroshenko who called it "an act of state terrorism" on the part of Russia. "There was no probe yet, and it is unlikely to be impartial considering the current situation in Ukraine. That’s why all statements made instantly are an attempt, on the one hand, to shuffle off the blame on to someone else. On the other hand, everything suggests that all that may have been orchestrated."

"Certainly, one should express one’s viewpoint only after a report by the law enforcement agencies," the speaker said. Judging by what is going on in Ukraine, "this is hardly possible, because Ukraine is increasingly turning into a terrorist state where laws do not work, and all these statements look like some kind of agony," he noted.

"Of course, it would be right for them to investigate the incident, to study this situation, to understand who is behind it, what the reason is and then make statements." 

The case

Voronenkov was gunned down in a shootout in Kiev on Thursday, the chief of Kiev’s police force, Andrey Krishchenko said earlier. The incident occurred in broad daylight at the entrance to Premier-Palace Hotel.

Voronenkov was a member of the Communist faction in the previous, 6th State Duma. In December 2014 Russia’s Investigative Committee asked the State Duma to strip him of immunity in connection with a criminal case over a hostile takeover of a building in the center of Moscow. In April 2015, the IC asked the Prosecutor-General’s Office for permission to indict Voronenkov on criminal charges. On February 15, 2017, a decision was made to bring him to justice in the capacity of an accused on falsification and fraud charges.

In December 2016, Voronenkov emigrated to Kiev where he was granted Ukrainian citizenship.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-03-2017

Chain of explosions reported from ammunition depot in northeastern Ukraine

According to local media, residents are evacuated.

KIEV, March 23./TASS/. An explosion in the small hours of Thursday triggered a fire and a chain detonation of munitions at a military depot near the city of Balakleya in Ukraine’s Kharkov region, Ukrainian 24 TV reports.

"A powerful explosion occurred at a military base in Balakleya" at the biggest in Ukraine ammunition depot, the TV channel reports. According to local media, residents are evacuated. According to eyewitnesses cited by 24 TV, streets are swarmed with cars leaving the city.

A short video from the site shows a glow of major fire and new explosions are heard every second. There have been no immediate reports about casualties or damage.

Ukraine’s UNN (Ukrainian National News) news agency said the fire started at about 4:00 Moscow time. At the moment, a crisis center has been deployed in the area and measures are taken to localize the fire. A group of officers from the Defense Ministry led by Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Igor Pavlovsky are heading to the site.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-03-2017

Unknown Russian WWI soldier to be laid to rest with honors in France

The memorial ceremony will be held at the Russian War Cemetery of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand on Wednesday.

PARIS, March 22. /TASS/. An unknown member of the First World War-era Russian Expeditionary Force in France, whose remains were found earlier this year in France’s northeastern department of Marne, will be laid to rest with honors Wednesday.

The remains were discovered at a site of a First World War battle in the commune of Cormicy in January. The preserved fragments of his uniform indicated that it was a member of the Russian Expeditionary Force in France, later known as the Russian Legion.

The memorial ceremony will be held at the Russian War Cemetery of Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand Wednesday and will be attended by Russia’s Ambassador in Frqance Alexander Orlov and French Secretary of State for Veterans and Remembrance Jean-Marc Todeschini.

The unknown member of the Russian Expeditionary Force will be buried with military honors. National anthems of Russia and France will be played during the ceremony.

The Russian Expeditionary Force in France was created in 1916 after France requested that Russian troops be sent to fight alongside their own army on the Western Front. It was disbanded after the 1917 February revolution in Russia, but hundreds of its members continued to fight in France as volunteers.

Russia and France lost some 3 million and 1.5 million soldiers respectively in the First World War.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-03-2017

Belarus to host joint military drills with Russia in mid-September

Joint military exercises by Russia and Belarus codenamed West 2017 will be held from September 14 to 20, involving about 3,000 Belarusian military.

MINSK, March 20. /TASS/. Joint military exercises by Russia and Belarus codenamed West 2017 will be held from September 14 to 20, involving about 3,000 Belarusian military, Belarusian Defense Minister Andrey Ravkov told reporters on Monday.

The minister said Moscow plans to send about 3,000 military and about 280 items of military equipment for the joint drills to be held in Belarus. "Aircraft, involving up to 25 Russian military planes, will also take part in the drills," he said.

"Everything is going as planned," the minister noted. "The scope of this exercise is enromous - from the Kola direction in the Arctic zone to Belarus."

"The total number of troops that will be involved in the exercise will not exceed the parameters stipulated by the Vienna document of 2011, no more than 13,000 military," he specified.

Ravkov said Belarus will furnish seven firing grounds and areas for the regional grouping of forces, which includes the Armed Forces of Belarus and the 1st tank army of the Russian Western Military District. Some tank units will take part in the military drills.

Earlier, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gave his seal of approval to event’s plans.

According to the minister, the president emphasized that the upcoming drills were aimed at training the regional group of forces that protect the territory of the Union State of Russia and Belarus on its western periphery.

The top Belarusian military said the military would be polishing up key elements of defense.

He said Western partners are interested in monitoring the exercise. "We will send invitations 50 days prior to the exercise’s launch. The requirements requested by the western partners will be met," the minister added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-03-2017

Large-scale drills of Airborne, Aerospace Forces and Black Sea Fleet begin in Crimea

The exercises are held in the new format in Crimea due to the "increased terrorist threat".

OPUK RANGE/Crimea/, March 20. /TASS/. Drills involving three large units of Russia’s Airborne Forces, Aerospace Forces and the Black Sea Fleet began in Crimea’s Opuk firing range on Monday, Airborne Force Commander Colonel-General Andrei Serdyukov said.

"For the first time in the Russian army’s history the Airborne Forces’ three large units were simultaneously alerted as part of the drills and partly redeployed to Crimea with weapons and equipment," said Serdyukov, who is in charge of the manoeuvres.

More than 2,500 paratroopers and some 600 pieces of equipment are involved in the drills.

Servicemen from Novorossiysk, Kamyshinsk and Ulan Ude units, as well as the fourth army of the Aerospace Forces and Air Defense Forces of the Southern military district take part in the exercises.

During the drills, the troops will train to conduct operations "as part of a group of rapid reaction forces" against terrorists and regular forces of a simulated enemy, Serdyukov said.

The exercises are held in the new format in Crimea due to the "increased terrorist threat and also a

broad range of use of the Airborne Forces as rapid reaction forces to solve crises in various regions of the world," he said.

The servicemen will be tasked to take under control crucial facilities, practice amphibious landing and airdrops, and also firing during the offensive and defensive operations.

Source: ITAR-TASS 20-03-2017

Ukrainian military target fire at Yasinovataya, Gorlovka - authorities

Head of the Donetsk Petrov region Maxim Zhukovsky said 15 electricity substations remain idle after the shelling.

DONETSK, March 19. /TASS/. The Ukrainian Armed Forces on Saturday evening and Sunday morning shelled Yasinovataya, Zaitsevo north of Gorlovka, Luganskoye, Signalnoye and Elenovka, the local authorities told the Donetsk News Agency on Sunday.

"Last night, the Ukrainian military were shelling heavily from mortars suburbs of Yasinovataya, and the roof of the local chlorine station was damaged," Yasinovataya’s official said.

On Sunday morning, the military targeted mass shelling on Zaitsevo.

"In the morning, at 6:30 we were shelled, one house damaged in Zaitsevo," acting head Ivan Prikhodko said, adding under fire was also Dolomitnoye, where shells destroyed two houses.

Head of the Donetsk Petrov region Maxim Zhukovsky said 15 electricity substations remain idle after the shelling. "Luganskoye and Signalnoye are in blackout, repairing has begun," he said. Without electricity also remain settlements Elenovka and Naberezhnoye in the south of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

Since the autumn of 2014, members of the Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine have announced ceasefires in Donbass more than ten times. However, the Ukrainian military have been repeatedly violating ceasefires, particularly using large caliber guns, mortars and tanks that should be withdrawn from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk agreements.

At the recent meeting of the Contact Group, held on March 1, the parties agreed to resume the weapons withdrawal process on March 7. However, the Ukrainian military refused to begin withdrawal under pretext of insecurity in the region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-03-2017 

Kremlin expects Kiev to recognize outcome of Crimean referendum 'sooner or later'

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the decision to conduct a referendum was made by a body established in accordance with the Ukrainian law.

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Moscow expects that Kiev will sooner or later recognize the outcome of the referendum which led to Crimea’s reunification with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

"We hope that sooner or later Kiev will show respect for the decision made by the Crimean people and recognize the outcome of the plebiscite as it was caused by events taking place in Kiev which had created serious threats for the Crimeans," Peskov said.

"We would welcome if Kiev adopted a more sober approach towards events that took place when the Crimeans voiced their will through the referendum," the Kremlin spokesman added. He pointed out that the decision to conduct a referendum was made by a body established in accordance with the Ukrainian law.

"Today we witness a civil war in some of Ukraine’s regions, the consequences are terrble for millions of Donbass residents. The Crimeans, who voted in favor of the reunification with Russia three years ago, actually saved their lives and, which is more important, their future," Peskov stressed. He also said that "we expect that sooner or later Kiev will understand it."

After Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in a coup in February 2014, mass protests began in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. On March 11, 2014, Crimea’s Supreme Council and Sevastopol City Council adopted a declaration of independence.

On March 16, 2014, a referendum on reuniting with Russia was conducted. Over 80% of voters participated in the plebiscite, most of them supporting the idea (96.7% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol).

On March 18, the treaty on Crimea’s reunification with Russia was signed by President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Federal Assembly (parliament) approved the document on March 21.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-03-2017

Sberbank considers actions of Ukraine’s authorities discriminatory

Russia’s top lender has asked Kiev to unblock the operation of its branches.

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Russia’s top lender Sberbank considers the actions of the authorities of Ukraine against the banks with Russian capital operating in the country, discriminatory and politically motivated and asks Kiev to unblock the operation of the bank's branches, an official with the press service of Sberbank told reporters.

"We are disappointed by the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to impose sanctions on PJSC Sberbank (Ukraine) and consider this decision discriminatory, politically motivated and not caused by any actions of our subsidiary bank that violate the laws of Ukraine," the official said.

"We appeal to the President of Ukraine to restore the law and order, to unblock the central and other divisions of the bank and provide normal conditions for the bank's servicing of its clients. These are several tens of thousands of Ukrainian legal entities and more than a million private clients who are citizens of Ukraine," the bank said.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko imposed sanctions against five banks with Russian state capital operating in the Ukrainian market, according to the president’s press service.

Sanctions were introduced after the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine adopted the day before. Restrictions are introduced for a year against Sberbank, VS Bank, Prominvestbank, VTB Bank and BM Bank.

Sanctions include a ban on withdrawal of funds outside of Ukraine, as well as payment of dividends, interest, return of interbank deposits and loans, funds from correspondent accounts of subordinated debt. The ban also concerns distribution of profits and capital of these five banks. At the same time, restrictions, according to the National Bank of Ukraine, do not prohibit settlements between residents of Ukraine and their counterparties who have accounts in the parent structures.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-03-2017

Lavrov: Kiev’s transport blockade of Donbass contradicts common sense

Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council decided to suspend all transport links with the territories of Donbass uncontrolled by Kiev.

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/. Kiev’s transport blockade of Donbass is against common sense and conscience, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday.

"This runs counter to common sense and human conscience," Lavrov said, stressing that he first found out about this Kiev’s decision from journalists.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council decided to suspend all transport links with the territories of Donbass uncontrolled by Kiev.

The ban will be in effect until points 1 and 2 (ensuring ceasefire and withdrawing weapons) of the February 2015 Minsk peace deal are implemented and the seized enterprises return to Ukraine’s jurisdiction, the council’s head, Alexander Turchinov, said. Ukraine’s police and the National Guard were ordered to block all highways in Donbass by 2 p.m. Moscow Time (1100GMT) on Wednesday.

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-03-2017

Crimea fully integrates in Russia, region's head says

Crimea does not depend on food, water and electricity supplies from Ukraine, the Crimean head says.

SIMFEROPOL, March 15. /TASS/. The Republic of Crimea has fully integrated in Russia, Crimean head Sergei Aksyonov told reporters on Wednesday.

"We have fully integrated in the Russian Federation. People do not remember anymore what hryvnia (Ukraine’s national currency) is, that period has been forgotten like a bad dream," he said commenting on the third anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with Russia.

According to Aksyonov, Crimea does not depend on food, water and electricity supplies from Ukraine.

"There are peace, order and harmony here," he stressed.

After Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in a coup in February 2014, mass protests began in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. On March 11, 2014, Crimea’s Supreme Council and Sevastopol City Council adopted a declaration of independence.

On March 16, 2014, a referendum on reuniting with Russia was conducted. Over 80% of voters participated in the plebiscite, most of them supporting the idea (96.7% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol).

On March 18, the treaty on Crimea’s reunification with Russia was signed by President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Federal Assembly (parliament) approved the document on March 21.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-03-2017

Moscow regrets EU’s decision to prolong anti-Russian sanctions

The EU’s decision to prolong the operation of the "black list" of Russian and Ukrainian citizens for six months was announced on Tuesday.

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The Minsk Accords have failed to be implemented to this day through Kiev’s fault, so the EU Council’s decision to prolong sanctions against Russia is regrettable, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

"The EU’s decision is regrettable," she said. "There has been little progress in implementing the Minsk Accords due to Kiev’s reluctance to comply with its liabilities under these agreements."

"Russia’s retaliatory stop-list remains in effect, too, but this is no choice of ours," Zakharova said.

The EU’s decision to prolong the operation of the "black list" of Russian and Ukrainian citizens for six months was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Tuesday. It will take effect as of Wednesday, March 15 and expire on September 15, 2017.

On the sanction list there are the names of 150 individuals, including Russian officials, politicians, businessmen and law enforcement officers, as well as officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics. The names of the former prime minister of the Lugansk People’s Republic Gennady Tsypkalov and former commander of the Donetsk People’s Republic’s militia Arsen Pavlov have been removed from the list after their death.

The list has been complemented by the names of 37 organizations, all of them various military and political agencies of the Lugansk and Donetsk republics the European businesses are not allowed to have relations with. All those on the sanction list are prohibited from entering the EU. Their assets in the European banks, should any be found, are to be frozen.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-03-2017

LPR security agencies: Ukraine’s Security Service plotted attack on DPR leader

A detained Ukrainian agent says he had been tasked to blow up Zakharchenko’s car.

LUGANSK, March 12. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Security Service plotted a terrorist attack on the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, the state security ministry of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) said on Sunday after questioning a detained Ukrainian agent, Sergei Ivanchuk.

Ivanchuk said he had been tasked to blow up Zakharchenko’s car when it is on its way to the Uspenka checkpoint, LuganskInformCenter said citing the ministry.

Apart from that, Ivanchuk said his another task was to worm his way into confidence of Mikhail Tolstykh, the commander of the DPR’s Somali battalion, known under the nickname Givi. Earlier, the LPR state security ministry said the servicemen of the 8th regiment of Ukraine’s special operations force were behind Tolstykh’s murder. Invanchuk served in that regiment.

On March 10, LPR’ security and law enforcement services exposed a network of several groups of Ukrainian diversionists acting in its territory and detained their members. Some of them confessed committing a number of terrorist attacks in the self-proclaimed republics and in Russia.

Source: ITAR-TASS 13-03-2017

Ukrainian military launch 550 shells, mine on DPR within one day

The republic’s reconnaissance reported the Ukrainian military had pulled heavy weapons and trucks with armory to Primorskoye and Magdalinovka.

DONETSK, March 11. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military launched 550 shells and mines on settlement of the self proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), spokesman of the republic’s command Eduard Basurin said on Saturday.

"Here is the amount of weapons, outlawed by the Minsk agreements, the Ukrainian Armed Forces used against the republic: heavy artillery - 113 shells, mortars of various calibers - 427 mines," the spokesman said. "The losses were one serviceman killed."

Under fire were 14 settlements, he said.

The republic’s reconnaissance reported the Ukrainian military had pulled heavy weapons and trucks with armory to Primorskoye and Magdalinovka.

On February 15, the Contact Group made another decision stipulating that all weapons banned by the Minsk agreements should be withdrawn from the line of contact by February 20. Foreign ministers of the four member states of the Normandy Quartet (Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine) upheld this initiative at a meeting that took place on February 18. However, according to the self-proclaimed republics, Kiev has been hampering the implementation of this decision. The Ukrainian authorities, in turn, have been accusing the self-proclaimed republics of violating the ceasefire.

Since the autumn of 2014, members of the Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine have announced ceasefires in Donbass more than ten times. However, the Ukrainian military have been repeatedly violating ceasefires, particularly using large caliber guns, mortars and tanks that should be withdrawn from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk agreements.

At the recent meeting of the Contact Group, held on March 1, the parties agreed to resume the weapons withdrawal process on March 7. However, the Ukrainian military refused to begin withdrawal under pretext of insecurity in the region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-03-2017

Russian military delivers over 2,300 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Syrians in past day

In total, humanitarian aid was delivered to 3,250 Syrian civilians.

HMEYMIM /Syria/, March 11. /TASS/. Seven humanitarian missions to deliver 2,300 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Syrians were carried out by the Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria in the past 24 hours, the center said Saturday.

"In the past day, the Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria conducted seven humanitarian missions in the provinces of Aleppo (six) and Hama (one)," the center said in a statement.

In total, humanitarian aid was delivered to 3,250 Syrian civilians.

Russian aircraft also delivered 20.4 tonnes of humanitarian aid (food) to the besieged city of Deir ez-Zor using parachute platforms. The aid was provided by the United Nations.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-03-2017

Israeli prime minister hails Russia’s role in fight against Islamic terrorism

The Israeli PM expressed confidence that everybody is interested in stopping the spread of terrorism.

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marked on Thursday major progress achieved in fight against Islamic terrorism, hailing Russia’s role in it.

"We are united by joint fight against Islamic terrorism," the prime minister said. "Over the recent year we have seen major progress in fight against radical Islamic Sunni terrorism under the leadership of ISIS and Al-Qaeda," he said, marking Russia’s big role in that progress. 

Benjamin Netanyahu said that attempt to destroy the Jewish people started back 2,500 years ago, still continue. 

"They write it in black and white on their banners," the prime minister said. "Of course, I have to say here - we have our own country, our army and we can defend ourselves, but this is a threat of radical Islamic Shia terrorism not only for our region, it is for the whole world," he went on.

The Israeli PM expressed confidence that everybody is interested in stopping the spread of this threat.

He thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for a warm welcome and marked that he was glad to see the strengthening of Russian-Israeli relations, including in the tourism sector.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-03-2017

Russian Defense Ministry to get ten new Sukhoi-35S fighters in 2017

The Sukhoi-35S is Russia’s highly maneuverable multirole fighter of generation 4++.

KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR, March 9. /TASS/. The Russian Defense Ministry this year will get a batch of ten highly maneuverable multirole fighters Sukhoi-35S and another Sukhoi-27 will be upgraded to the Sukhoi-35 level, First Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov told the media on Thursday.

"Last year we concluded a long-term contract for building Sukhoi-35S planes. This year we expect ten newly-built Sukhoi-35S fighters and another four Sukhoi-27s upgraded to match the Sukhoi-35 capabilities," he said while visiting the Gagarin Aircraft-Building Plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Borisov spoke highly of the Sukhoi-35S parameters. "The pilots say the plane is great. It boasts unique flight and technical parameters. It was baptized by fire in Syria to have displayed excellent capabilities," Borisov said.

The Sukhoi-35S is Russia’s highly maneuverable multirole fighter of generation 4++, developed by the Sukhoi design bureau. The plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur was commissioned to build 50 Sukhoi-35S jets for the Defense Ministry by 2020. Ten planes are to be delivered every year. Since 2009 the plant has provided 48 planes for the Russian Armed Forces.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-03-2017

Russian diplomat blames Kiev for disengagement of forces in Donbass failure

Earlier, a Lugansk minilitary official said once again that Kiev will be ready to withdraw its weapons from the line of engagement only if the ceasefire is observed for seven days.

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. The disengagement of manpower and materiel near Stanitsa Luganskaya in the Donbass region scheduled for Tuesday did not take place because of Kiev’s stance, Russia’s envoy to the Contact Group on the settlement in eastern Ukraine, Boris Gryzlov, said.

"Unfortunately, the disengagement of forces did not take place again. There were no reasons for that, except for the stance assumed by the Ukrainian side. We are waiting for the comments from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission on the issue," he noted.

On March 1, members of the Contact Group on the settlement in eastern Ukraine region agreed on the disengagement of manpower and materiel close to Stanitsa Luganskaya on March 7. This populated locality was one of the first so-called safety zones that were to be set up in the Donbass region in accordance with the agreements reached last September. However, to date, the parties have been able to secure the withdrawal of weapons only in two places - close to the village of Petrovskoye (the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR) and the city of Zolotoye (the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, LPR). All attempts to set up a safety zone near Stanitsa Luganskaya have been futile.

Earlier on Tuesday, deputy head of the Lugansk Military and Civil Administration, Yuri Klimenko, said once again that Kiev will be ready to withdraw its weapons from the line of engagement only if the ceasefire is observed for seven days. For its part, the LPR people’s militia said it was ready to withdraw weapons from the Stanitsa Luganskaya area without such preconditions, but if guarantees are provided that the Ukrainian armed forces will take similar steps.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-03-2017

Putin pardons Russian woman convicted of high treason

According to the Kremlin press service, the president signed the decree "based on the principles of humanity".

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree pardoning Oksana Sevastidi convicted of high treason, the Kremlin press service said.

According to the press service, the president signed the decree "based on the principles of humanity". The document says that Sevastidi should be released so that she does not have to further serve her prison sentence. The decree takes effect in five days after its official publication.

Meanwhile, Sevastidi’s defense attorney Yevgeny Smirnov told TASS that despite the pardon, his client would demand that her sentence be overturned and she be cleared of the charge.

"In spite of the pardon, we will continue to fight on so that her sentence is overturned and she could be acquitted of high treason, since the sentence is unlawful and should not remain as is," the attorney noted

In March 2016, Sevastidi, born in 1970 in the city of Yekaterinburg (then Sverdlovsk), was sentenced to seven years behind bars under Article 275 of the Russian Criminal Code (high treason). In 2008, while in Sochi, she texted an SMS-message to her acquaintance in Georgia pointing to the movement of military hardware convoys towards Abkhazia. She has been serving her sentence in a penal colony in the Ivanovo region.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-03-2017