US citizen detained in Moscow on suspicion of espionage - FSB

A criminal investigation into espionage has been launched against the US citizen.

MOSCOW, December 31. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service has detained US citizen Paul Whelan in Moscow on suspicion of espionage, the public relations center said on Monday.

"On December 28, 2018 staff members of the Russian Federal Security Service detained US citizen Paul Whelan in Moscow while on a spy mission," the center said.

A criminal investigation into espionage has been launched against the US citizen.

If found guilty, he faces between 10 and 20 years in jail.

Source: ITAR-TASS 31-12-2018

Belarus President Lukashenko gives Putin salo and potatoes as New Year gift

According to Belarusian presidential press secretary Natalya Eismont, four sacks of potatoes were brought to Moscow and they were of different varieties.

MINSK, December 30. /TASS/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko gave Russian President Vladimir Putin salo (food of cured slabs of pork fat) and four sacks of potatoes as a New Year gift, Belarusian presidential press secretary Natalya Eismont said.

Speaking during a late night show "Makayenka, 9" on Belarus 1 television channel, Eismont said President Lukashenko presented with handmade baubles for a New Year tree other leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

"I should say that Alexander Lukashenko presented Vladimir Putin with not potatoes only, and in fact, as far as I know, Russian president likes good salo," Eismont said. "Alexander Lukashenko knows about it and during his previous visit he brought salo…, the most delicious of course, the selected Belarusian salo."

Eismont said that potatoes were brought afterwards. "As far as I know, potatoes were particularly ordered, because some time ago, perhaps half jokingly, Alexander Lukashenko asked Vladimir Putin, what he would like to get from the Belarusian president, from our country, and in response it was said - what else should I ask from Belarus? Potatoes and salo."

According to her, four sacks of potatoes were brought to Moscow and they were of different varieties.

"Some potatoes were for grilling, some for making hash browns, some for cooking them mashed, some for roasting and boiling. All of them were supplied with instructions," she said.

Eismont also said that after a lengthy deliberation the staff of the presidential administration decided to give the leaders of the CIS member states for New Year handmade baubles for a Christmas tree.

"They are absolutely exclusive," she said. "Initially they were considered by Alexander Lukashenko as a bit heavy and he asked to make them lighter and more festive.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-12-2018

New Year ceasefire enters into force in Donbass

The ceasefire agreement was reached on December 27 during the videoconference of the Contact Group's subgroup on security.

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The ceasefire in Donbass timed for New Year and Christmas holidays has entered into force at 1:01am Moscow time on December 29. The ceasefire agreement was reached on December 27 during the videoconference of the Contact Group's subgroup on security.

During its last meeting this year, the Contact Group on Ukraine failed to reach a ceasefire agreement because of Ukraine's position. Kiev refused to discuss the issue before the December 26 expiration of martial law imposed in several regions, including Donetsk and Lugansk.

As a result, a videoconference on the security subgroup was organized, and New Year ceasefire was agreed. However, Russia's envoy to the Contact Group reminded that previous experience shows that ceasefire agreements are not always observed. He said he insisted on "introducing unconditional disciplinary responsibility for ceasefire violators."

The current attempt to enforce ceasefire in Donbass is already the 22nd since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Before that, back-to-school ceasefire was in force in Donbass. The most successful ceasefire was imposed in 2016, when it was observed for six weeks.

Source: ITAR-TASS 29-12-2018

Fencing off intruders: Russia completes security barrier on Crimean border

The construction of a 60-kilometer fence on the border with Ukraine has been completed in Crimea.

SIMFEROPOL, December 28. /TASS/. The construction of a 60-kilometer fence on the border with Ukraine has been completed in Crimea, the press service of the Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Border Service for Russia’s Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol reported on Friday.

"The planned construction of engineering structures and the installation of an intricate system of alarm sensors has been completed in the area of the Isthmus of Perekop. Planning and developing the documentation started in 2015. The construction and installation of equipment ended in December 2018," the report says.

The border structure consists of several types of barricades with a length of more than 60 km and several hundred various types of sensors, both hidden and out in the open, as well as being equipped with video surveillance systems, including imaging IR equipment.

One of the systems is based on vibration sensors. They go off when an intruder approaches the fence and transmit information through the linear part of the barrier to the duty officer in the form of an audible warning with a graphic display of the number of the alarm section. It is also possible to determine the direction in which the state border violator is moving. The second system is based on radioray sensors. A night-vision security camera activates when an intruder trespasses into the detection zone, turning on a video feed and an alarm signal for the duty officer, followed by audible warning and a display of the section’s number and video.

The border service explained that the use of these systems on the Crimean part of the border is necessary due to various threats, such as attempts by groups of saboteurs from the neighboring state to infiltrate Crimean territory. In addition, the barrier seeks to deter attempts to organize the illegal trafficking of weapons, munitions, goods, cargoes, tobacco and alcohol products, fuel and lubricant materials, drugs and psychotropic substances. This fence also seeks to thwart breaches of the state border and its regime on the part of Ukrainian citizens for utility purposes. Similar systems for state border protection are successfully used in Russia’s northern and Far Eastern areas, as well as in other highly volatile areas on Russia’s borders.

The government procurement web site earlier reported that setting up this barrier in Crimea would cost more than 200 million rubles ($2.9 million). The fence’s construction should provide high durability, long service and should be cost effective when in operation as well. The service life guarantee of the fence and its equipment is at least 10 years. The structures are resistant to tough climate conditions (including humidity of up to 98% and air temperatures of up to plus 65 degrees).

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-12-2018

Russian missile frigate heading home after Mediterranean mission

The Black Sea Fleet’s frigate Admiral Essen has set off for its home base in Sevastopol.

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s frigate Admiral Essen has accomplished missions as part of Russia’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce and has set off for its home base in Sevastopol, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The warship has started to pass through the Black Sea’s Dardanelles and Bosporus straits, heading for the Black Sea Fleet’s permanent naval base - the city of Sevastopol," the press office said.

The frigate Admiral Essen performed missions as part of Russia’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce from August 2018.

In 2018, the frigate spent about 300 days at sea. During its stay as part of Russia’s Mediterranean Squadron, the Admiral Essen took part in the inter-fleet drills in the Mediterranean Sea under the direction of the Russian Navy commander-in-chief.

During the drills, the warship’s crew practiced conducting a battle by a sole ship and as part of a naval group. The frigate also held artillery fire against naval and air targets and practiced anti-submarine warfare.

The Admiral Essen represents a new series of Project 11356R/M frigates (the Project 11357 designation is also used). These frigates are designed to destroy enemy surface ships and vessels, submarines and ground installations, carry out patrols and defend sea lanes.

The frigates of this Project are armed with eight launchers of Kalibr-NK cruise missiles that are capable of striking surface, coastal and underwater targets at a distance of up to 2,600 km.

The warships of this Project are also armed with Shtil-1, Palash and AK-630M air defense missile and artillery systems, A-190 100mm universal artillery guns, torpedo tubes and RBU-6000 rocket launchers. The frigates also have a take-off and landing strip and a hangar for an anti-submarine warfare helicopter (Ka-27 or Ka-31).

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-12-2018

Putin to visit Serbia in January — Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to make a visit to Serbia in January 2019.

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to make a visit to Serbia in January 2019, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed.

"Preparations for the president’s visit to Serbia are underway, the visit is planned for January," Peskov said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that he expected his Russian counterpart to visit Belgrade on January 17. The two leaders last met in Moscow on October 2, 2018.

According to the Serbian media, the two countries plan to sign 20 agreements during the Russian president’s visit. The implementation of joint energy, infrastructure and innovation projects will also be the center of attention.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said earlier that an agreement on establishing a nuclear center in Serbia could be signed during Putin’s visit to the country.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-12-2018

Support for Russia keeps growing despite West’s hostile anti-Russian crusade, says speaker

MOSCOW, December 24./TASS/. Support for Russia is growing on the global arena despite the anti-Russian policy actively pursued by the West, Russian Federation Council upper house’s Speaker Valentina Matviyenko told a news conference on Monday.

"Believe me, the number of Russia’s allies, explicit and implicit, is growing. No, they cannot vote openly, they are intimidated, they depend on Western gifts and other things. But we know very well and we understand that more and more people rationally assess the situation, the danger of this situation and rightness of Russia’s actions," Matviyenko said when asked what Russia should do given anti-Russian sanctions that Washington keeps slapping on it and anti-Russian resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-12-2018

All nine bodies recovered from Solikamsk mine after fire

On Saturday morning, a fire broke out at a depth of 340 meters in a mine in Solikamsk, Perm Region, when construction work was underway by a contracting company.

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. /TASS/. All nine bodies of trapped miners have been found in the Solikamsk mine after a fire, the emergencies center said on Sunday.

It was earlier reported that eight bodies were found in the mine.

"The ninth body was found in the same place as the other six bodies," the emergencies center said.

On Saturday morning, a fire broke out at a depth of 340 meters in a mine in Solikamsk, Perm Region, near the Urals, when construction work was underway by a contracting company. At that moment, 17 people were working underground, but just eight of them managed to come to the surface. Rescuers have tried to reach the remaining nine miners, but none of the attempts were successful due to high temperature and smoke.

The Russian Investigative Committee’s regional branch opened a criminal case over violation of safety rules in mining, construction and other activities that entailed death of three or more persons.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-12-2018

Ukrainian forces shell LPR territory 4 times over last 24 hours

Ukrainian forces used mortars, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms.

LUGANSK, December 22. /TASS/. Ukrainian forces have shelled the territory of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) four times over the last 24 hours, LPR people's militia said on Saturday.

"The settlements of Donetsky, Kalinovka, Sokolniki and Zhelobok came under fire," LuganskInformCenter quoted LPR people's militia as saying.

Ukrainian forces used mortars, weapons on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms.

The last agreement on ceasefire in eastern Ukraine was reached at the Contact Group meeting in Minsk. The ceasefire was supposed to start overnight to September 29, right before the beginning of a school year. Since the start of the conflict, the sides have agreed on a ceasefire over 20 times already, but violations keep occurring.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-12-2018

Russia’s top brass signs contract for two Mi-38T advanced military transport helicopters

This is the first helicopter of this series manufactured specially for the Defense Ministry.

KAZAN, December 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has concluded a contract for two latest Mil Mi-38T transport and troop landing helicopters, with the first rotorcraft to be delivered in the summer of 2019, Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Thursday.

"The helicopter has bright future. It features excellent characteristics. We have already contracted two helicopters and will get the first of them in the summer of next year," the defense official told journalists during his visit to the Kazan Helicopter Plant.

"And we will undoubtedly consider serial deliveries to the troops upon the completion of all the works," he said.

On the helicopter factory’s premises, the defense official viewed the assembly of new helicopters, the pace of R&D work and the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan, and also visited the flight testing compound where the new Mi-38T performed its demonstration flight.

This is the first helicopter of this series manufactured specially for the Defense Ministry. The helicopter made its debut flight in late November.

The Mi-38T (transport and troop landing) is the military version of the certified civilian Mi-38.

The helicopter in its military configuration is equipped with new highly efficient domestically-produced TV-7-117V engines and an integrated digital pilot navigation system.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-12-2018

Russian cargo ship Kuzma Minin rescued in British waters

According to Sky News, the ship with a running engine is sailing towards the open sea near the coast of the English city of Falmouth.

LONDON, December 18. / TASS /.The British Coast Guard lifted off the Russian cargo ship Kuzma Minin and turned it away from the shore, the British TV channel Sky News showed the live footage on air on Tuesday.

Currently, with the help of four tugboats, the Russian ship with a running engine is sailing towards the open sea near the coast of the English city of Falmouth.

The operation to remove the vessel from the shoals took place as the first tidal wave arrives at the Falmouth coast area. The second tide is expected around 5:00 pm GMT (8:00 pm Moscow time). According to the weather forecasts, in the evening the weather should deteriorate sharply, the wind and storm will increase.

The departure from the shoal allows the Russian bulk carrier to shelter from the weather in the sea port of Falmouth protected by moles. It is expected that in the future the vessel will be inspected for possible damage by divers.

The Russian cargo ship got stuck on Tuesday morning as it was entering the Falmouth sea port. As the representative of the British Coast Guard informed, the ship "anchored and ran aground in the western part of the port entrance between Swanpool and Gillingways beaches around 5:40 in the morning (8:40 Moscow time)". According to them, "on board there is a crew of 18 people and there is no cargo." The costal guard said that the vessel had a "5 degree lurch, but there were no reports of any pollution [of the sea]."

Earlier TASS reported that the deputy head of the British Foreign Ministry Alan Duncan assured that London would do everything for the safety of seafarers from Russia. According to the diplomatic mission, Duncan "contacted the Russian ambassador (in London) Alexander Yakovenko regarding the stranded near the British coast Russian cargo carrier Kuzma Minin due to the weather conditions," and "assured that the British side would do everything possible to ensure the safety of Russian sailors ".

The embassy also said that Yakovenko thanked the Deputy Minister "for their efficiency and goodwill.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-12-2018

Russian cargo ship runs aground off British coast, paper reports

A Russian 16,000-tonne ship known as the Kuzma Minin has run aground off the coast of Britain’s Cornwall County as the area was being pounded by stormy weather.

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. A Russian 16,000-tonne ship known as the Kuzma Minin has run aground off the coast of Britain’s Cornwall County as the area was being pounded by stormy weather, the Daily Mirror wrote on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, the bulk carrier is "dangerously close" to a nearby beach.

The ship, which has 18 Russian crew, had set off from Terneuzen, a port in the Netherlands, where it was earlier arrested due to its owner’s debts. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency plans to refloat the bulk carrier.

The Kuzma Minin operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company had stayed in the port of Terneuzen for several months. Sergei Fishov, a coordinator for the International Transport Workers’ Federation, said in October that the shipowner’s debt exceeded 2.2 mln euro.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-12-2018

Lavrov vows Russia will not wage war against Ukraine

Lavrov warns that the Kiev regime is hatching a scheme for an armed provocation on the border with Crimea some time in the last ten days of December.

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russia is not going to wage war against Ukraine but will respond in kind, if Kiev carries out a provocation on the border with Crimea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Monday.

"We will not wage war against Ukraine, I promise you," he vowed.

Donbass republics

He stressed that Ukraine’s domestic problems were "much broader and deeper" than just the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics (DPR, LPR). That’s why Russia cannot just recognize the DPR and LPR, as that would be tantamount to leaving the rest of Ukraine in the hands of the Nazi regime.

"You want to recognize the LPR and DPR? And what’s next? To lose the rest of Ukraine and abandon it to the Nazis?" he said, when asked why Russia refused to recognize these self-proclaimed republics.

Provocation near Crimea

He noted though that Kiev was plotting more incitement on the border with Russia. "I am sure there will be more provocations," he warned. ""[Ukrainian President Pyotr] Poroshenko is planning an armed provocation on the border with Russia, on the border with Crimea during the last ten days of December."

The minister vowed that Russia would not leave that unanswered. "The answer is: they will regret it. This is our country, this is our border. We will not allow him [Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko] to try to somehow protect his interests, the way he sees it, and violate those rights that Crimeans defended in full accordance with international law," Lavrov stressed.

Russia’s top diplomat pointed out that the current regime in Kiev was similar to that of neo-Nazis.

"We are not fighting the Ukrainian regime. It is Ukrainian citizens living in Donbass who are fighting against the Ukrainian regime, which has full Nazi and neo-Nazi characteristics," Lavrov pointed out.According to Russia’s data, Poroshenko has been discussing the upcoming provocation on the border with Crimea with his Western sponsors. "They advise him to keep low intense combat actions to enable them to go ahead with propaganda that Russians are carrying out an offensive against Ukraine and that’s why Russia needs to be hit by sanctions, but military actions should never switch into a phase that will be followed by full-scale responses," Lavrov stressed.

Russia’s top diplomat emphasized that Kiev’s provocations are ongoing. "Our respective services are making all necessary efforts to thwart these incidents."

Minsk accords

The Minsk agreements are the only way of overcoming the crisis in the Donbass region, he said.

"There is no alternative to the Minsk agreements," the minister stressed. "I said the same thing the year before last as well."

In response to a journalist’s remark that the Minsk agreements are allegedly not working, he said, "The UN Charter has likewise been violated on numerous occasions, and it is does not work many times either. However, it is impermissible to give in to panic."

Ukrainian regime

Lavrov said the current Ukrainian regime is similar to that of neo-Nazis.

"We are not fighting against the Ukrainian regime. These are Ukrainian citizens living in Donbass, who are fighting against the Ukrainian regime, which has all characteristics of Nazis and neo-Nazis," Lavrov said.

When asked why Moscow is not severing ties with Kiev, Lavrov stressed: "We have relations with the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian state is much more and more important for us than that regime, which is currently in power thanks to the West’s betrayal of all norms of the international law and international behavior."

"The Ukrainian people have nothing to do with it, and I’m sure that most Ukrainian citizens wish peace to their country and want it to get rid of this shameful regime and resume normal ties with Russia," he said.

To this aim, Ukraine’s domestic problems need to be settled, which are "much broader and deeper than simply the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-12-2018

Three injured in helicopter’s hard landing in Siberia

There were 25 people onboard, including 22 workers and three crew members.

TASS, December 16. Three people received light injuries when a Mi-8 helicopter made a hard landing in West Siberia’s Tomsk Region, the press service of the Emergencies Ministry’s regional branch told TASS on Sunday.

"There were 25 people onboard, including 22 workers and three crew members. Three people received light injuries during the incident," the press service said. They have been hospitalized, and there is no threat to their lives.

The incident was caused by a broken landing gear leg, a source in the emergency services said.

The helicopter was en route from the Kargasok village to the Kedrovy town.

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-12-2018

Ukrainian military’s shelling kills LPR militiaman - agency

Militiaman suffered deadly wounds in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ shelling of the Lugansk People’s Republic, Luganskinformcenter's source said.

LUGANSK, December 15. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military’s shelling has killed a militiaman in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), the Luganskinformcenter news agency reported, citing an LPR security source.

According to the source, "a militiaman suffered deadly wounds in the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ shelling of the Lugansk People’s Republic."

The LPR militia said earlier that the Ukrainian military had violated the ceasefire five times in the previous 24 hours.

The so-called "back-to-school" ceasefire in Donbass took effect on August 29. However, both the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics continue to record attacks by the Ukrainian military. In addition, the intelligence agencies of the DPR and LPR say that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been deploying heavy weapons, including those banned by the Minsk Agreements, to the disengagement line.

Source: ITAR-TASS 15-12-2018

Lukashenko slams campaigners for removal of monuments to Soviet soldiers as freaks

Belarussian President paid particular attention to Poland, where "some people find monuments annoying"

MINSK, December 14. /TASS/. Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has slammed as "freaks" those who demolish monuments to the Soviet soldiers who saved the world from fascism.

"There are many freaks in Poland and in Ukraine. I have no other name for those who ruin monuments," Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian journalists on Friday.

Lukashenko paid particular attention to Poland.

"Six hundred thousand Soviet soldiers lost their lives liberating Poland. And now some people there find monuments annoying," he said angrily. "When I see them armed with pneumatic hammers tearing off the head of a statue of some military commander, I cannot but say this is sheer idiocy. Those who wage a war on monuments are freaks," Lukashenko said.

Poland on October 21, 2017 enacted an updated law on decommunization, which envisages the demolition of monuments and memorials commemorating "individuals, organizations, events or dates symbolizing Communism or other totalitarian system.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-12-2018

Diplomat sees Ukrainian lawmaker’s call to destroy Crimean Bridge as inciting terrorism

A member of Ukrainian parliament earlier said the bridge that the bridge must be "destroyed" by whoever possible.

MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Tuesday a Ukrainian lawmaker, who earlier urged to destroy the Crimean Bridge, had made a direct call for terrorism.

Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Igor Mosiychuk was earlier quoted as saying that the bridge across the Kerch Strait, which connects Crimea with mainland Russia, must be "destroyed" by whoever possible, be it "Ukrainian subversive groups, insurgents from Caucasus, aliens or the Lord God himself."

Commenting on the reports, Maria Zakharova said it was "one of many statements, made by the Kiev regime and the modern Ukraine’s political establishment, which contains a direct call for terrorist activities."

"If they see nothing wrong about public statements of this kind, it’s hard to imagine what their clandestine plans could be, or what kind of "peaceful future" the Ukrainian regime has prepared for its own country," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page.

"The official government’s policies are based on provocations, similar to the Kerch Strait incident, the staged death of [Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko] and on endless intimidation and threats," she added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-12-2018

Crimea sees 28-percent surge in tourist flow since the start of 2018

Crimea has welcomed more than 6.6 million tourists since the beginning of the year.

SIMFEROPOL, December 11. /TASS/. Crimea has welcomed more than 6.6 million tourists since the beginning of the year, which is 28% more than the same period last year, Crimean Minister for Recreation and Tourism Vadim Volchenko said at a session of the peninsula’s Ministerial Council on Tuesday.

Crimea was earlier reported to have set a tourist flow record for the entire post-Soviet period this year.

"From early 2018 to December 7, Crimea was the place where 6,617,000 people spent their holidays, which is 28% greater than in the same period last year," Volchenko said.

He noted that 47% of tourists crossed the Crimean Bridge, and about 40% reached the peninsula by plane. More than 1 million tourists came to Crimea from Ukraine for recreation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-12-2018

About 2,000 people evacuated from Moscow’s Sklifosovsky hospital over bomb threat

K-9 experts and emergency workers are currently at the site.

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. About 2,000 people have been evacuated from the Sklifosovsky emergency hospital in downtown Moscow after a bomb call, an emergency source told TASS on Monday.

"Police received an anonymous bomb threat call. K-9 experts and emergency workers have been dispatched there. About 2,000 people have been evacuated from the hospital," the source said.

Meanwhile, police received another anonymous call about a bomb planted at the Leningradsky Railway Terminal.

"Police officers have been dispatched to inspect the railway terminal," an emergency source told TASS.

On November 28, hoax calls were received about bombs planted at 15 Moscow shopping malls and the Kievsky Railway Terminal. According to a law enforcement source, all calls came from a telephone number registered in Ukraine.

A series of hoax bomb calls was recorded across Russia from September to December 2017, when nearly 4,000 facilities received bomb threats and over 2.6 mln people in various cities had to be evacuated.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-12-2018

Israeli, Russian military experts may meet in Moscow in coming days - Netanyahu

Meeting with Russian President Putin will be held later.

TEL AVIV, December 9. /TASS/. Israeli and Russian experts may gather for another meeting to discuss coordination on Syria in the coming days in Moscow, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a government meeting on Sunday.

"I talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. We agreed that the delegations of Russian and Israeli armies on coordination on Syria will meet as soon as possible. I hope this will be in the coming days, most likely in Moscow. And our meeting with President Putin will be held later," Netanyahu said, according to his press service.

Putin and Netanyahu held a phone conversation on Saturday at the initiative of the Israeli side, the Kremlin press service said. The sides reached an agreement to "work on the next personal meeting of the two countries’ leaders."

"This [phone conversation] was a follow-up to the talks in Paris, which were very crucial for ensuring the continuing cooperation, which the Russian Army and the Israeli Defense Forces have maintained for several years," Netanyahu said on Sunday.

The two leaders had a brief conversation in Paris on November 11 on the sidelines of the events marking the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice.

Netanyahu said he told the Russian leader on Saturday that the Jewish state would continue its policy to prevent the creation of Iran’s military bases in Syria and go on with its steps against the handover of high-precision weapons to Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and its tunnels crossing into Israel.

On Tuesday, Israel’s Defense Forces launched Operation Northern Shield to expose and destroy tunnels, built by the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah, crossing into Israel.

On September 17, Russia’s Il-20 aircraft was accidently downed by Syrian air defenses over the Mediterranean Sea when it was returning to the Hmeymim airbase. Russian top brass said a missile from Syria’s S-200 system downed the aircraft when it targeted four Israeli F-16 fighter jets, which attacked facilities in Latakia. All 15 Russian crew members were killed in the tragedy. The Israeli Air Force and those who made the decision to use the Il-20 aircraft as cover are solely to blame for its crash, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-12-2018

Lavrov asks European states to influence US for sake of preserving INF Treaty

Moscow addressed its partners with a proposal for discussing all INF Treaty-related issues within the Russia-NATO Council earlier

MILAN, December 7. /TASS/. The European countries must influence the United States for the sake of preserving the Intermediate Nuclear Force Treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference following a meeting of the OSCE foreign ministers on Friday.

"My counterparts, including Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, have expressed concern over this situation [the United States’ pullout from the INF Treaty]. If they are really concerned, then they must probably influence their ally - the United States - to persuade the Americans to come to the negotiating table and start discussing the issue in a concrete way, and not accuse us groundlessly across the Atlantic," Lavrov said. "We are prepared for such a discussion."

He recalled that Moscow had addressed its partners with a proposal for discussing all INF Treaty-related issues within the Russia-NATO Council, but the alliance’s member-states refused to do that.

"We suggested the INF Treaty issue be considered by the Russia-NATO Council," Lavrov said. "Our NATO counterparts found that not suitable. Incidentally, they had plugged all channels of communication between Russian and NATO military. It is very hard to remain in such a position, if you wish to be understood well.".

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-12-2018

Court will decide future of detained Ukrainian sailors, says Russia's top diplomat

Lavrov stated that the detained Ukrainian sailors have violated international and Russian laws.

MILANO, December 7. /TASS/. The future of Ukrainian sailors, detained late last month for allegedly violating a Russian state border, will be decided after a court trial, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

"As soon as the investigation is over, a court trial will follow," Lavrov told journalists. "We will be able to speak about ways of facilitating their fate or of reaching an agreement on definite steps only after the court brings out its decision."

Russia’s top diplomat added that the Ukrainian sailors "are currently under an investigation, Russia’s High Commissioner for Human Rights [Tatyana Moskalkova] is in permanent contact with them, they have an access to [Ukrainian] Consular services, they are feeling well and nothing poses a threat to their health."

Lavrov stated that the detained Ukrainian sailors have "violated the international and Russian laws."

"They have illegally entered the territorial waters of Russia, never left them, refused to reply to requests," the minister said. "This is a crime recognized by any country."

"For instance, there is a directive regarding the state border between the United States and Mexico to shoot to kill anyone attempting to cross it illegally," he said. "We [Russia] have never acted this way."

On November 25, three Ukrainian naval ships violated the procedure for passing through Russia’s territorial waters while sailing from the Azov to the Black Sea.

After having breached the Russian border, the three Ukrainian warships were warned by Russia’s maritime security forces to stop. The intruding vessels ignored the demands, thereby evoking a chase involving gunfire in the Kerch Strait whereupon three Ukrainian navy sailors ended up lightly wounded.

They were later given medical assistance. Consequently, the Ukrainian warships were detained and brought to Kerch. A criminal case has been opened into the violation of the Russian state border.

Russia has branded Ukraine’s stunt a provocation, while the Ukrainian authorities have exploited the incident to impose martial law. The European Union and NATO have called for de-escalating the situation.

The Ukrainian ships’ crew members, 24 Ukrainian nationals, have been arrested until January 25, 2019, and transferred from Crimea’s Simferopol to Moscow earlier this month.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-12-2018

Russian diplomat says evidence points to Kiev beefing up military might in Donbass

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also drew attention to the announcement of the start of drills in the Zaporozhye, Kherson and Chernigov regions, and also the training of reservists.

MOSCOW, December 5. /TASS/. The Kiev regime is building up its military presence in the Donbass region, indicated by the information surfacing, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

“For the sake of holding on to power, the current rulers in Kiev, the Kiev regime is ready to do anything, even going as far as unleashing a new blitzkrieg in the South-East. Unfortunately, information has started to surface more and more on the likelihood of the use of force by the Ukrainian military in Donbass. The Kiev regime is using an information noise screen to try to shift the world’s attention towards its own provocation in the Kerch Strait, which the regime is painting as some “Russian aggression” in order to deploy substantial offensive hardware to the region,” the Russian diplomat said.

"Some days ago, social networks posted photos of armored units deployed to Mariupol. Besides, efforts are underway to deploy Ukrainian military personnel to the conflict zone from assault and paramilitary brigades, which underwent intensive training in November with the active involvement of US, Canadian and British instructors at practice ranges in the Zhitomir and Lvov regions. Specialists from private military companies were spotted along the engagement line and they conducted training for the personnel of the Ukrainian special forces with the aim of carrying out offensive operations," the diplomat pointed out.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also drew the journalists’ attention to the announcement of the start of military drills in the Zaporozhye, Kherson and Chernigov regions, and also the training of reservists.

On November 27, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, endorsed President Pyotr Poroshenko’s decree on imposing a 30-day martial law from November 28 in the Vinnitsa, Lugansk, Nikolayevsk, Odessa, Sumy, Kharkov, Chernigov, Donetsk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, as well as Ukraine’s territorial waters in the Sea of Azov. Initially, Poroshenko sought to impose martial law for 60 days, but this put into question holding the March presidential election and sparked a public outcry.

The pretext for the decision to declare martial law was an incident in the Kerch Strait on November 25, when three Ukrainian warships, en route from Odessa to Mariupol, illegally crossed Russia’s state border, entered Russia’s territorial waters and started performing dangerous maneuvers.

Despite the repeated warnings and demands to stop, the Ukrainian vessels continued their way, forcing Russia to use weapons. All three Ukrainian ships were detained in the Black Sea. Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and received medical assistance. Their lives are currently not under threat. A criminal case has been launched over the violation of Russia’s state border. Moscow slammed the incident as a provocation.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-12-2018

Russia to hold over 4,000 war games in 2019, says defense chief

The Russian Defense Ministry plans to hold more than 4,000 drills and roughly 8,500 practical combat training events throughout 2019.

MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. The Russian Defense Ministry plans to hold more than 4,000 drills and roughly 8,500 practical combat training events throughout 2019, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on a conference call on Tuesday.

"Next year is going to be extremely busy. Over 4,000 various types of drills and nearly 8,500 practical combat training events are scheduled. The main focus will be placed on applying expertise in the use of troops in today’s armed conflicts and training commanders to effectively address non-standard tasks," the minister stated.

Shoigu added that the Defense Ministry would continue to practice snap combat readiness checks. "This form of monitoring makes it possible to pinpoint problems that are not very visible in everyday life," he stressed.

On December 3, the Russian Armed Forces shifted to its winter schedule of training. The defense chief noted that a lot of preparatory work had been done in the army before the start of the new training period.

The conference call with the defense minister was held at the National Defense Control Center, and was attended by area and combat arms commanders, as well as representatives of the leadership of the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Primorsky and Smolensk Regions.

As for his meeting with regional representatives, Shoigu addressed possible solutions regarding the social problems of servicemen and their families, along with the development of the Young Army movement, and progress in constructing and arranging Patriot Park branches in their regions.

Source: ITAR-TASS 04-12-2018

Ukrainian military servicemen detained in Black Sea charged with violating Russian border

According to the lawyer of one of the detained, the charges were brought right after their arrest.

MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military servicemen and Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) officers detained in the Kerch Strait have been charged with violating Russia’s border, Nikolai Polozov, the lawyer of one of the detained Ukrainians, told TASS.

"Charges were brought right after their arrest. All of them are charged with violating the Russian border under Article 322.3 of the Russian Criminal Code," the lawyer said.

According to Polozov, he hasn’t met with his client Denis Gritsenko since the latter was arrested.

"I haven’t met with my client yet, I don’t know whether any documents have been sent to Moscow and who is conducting the investigation," the lawyer added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-12-2018

Ukraine’s government divides country by declaring martial law, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin said martial law was declared in 10 Ukrainian regions where the current authorities do not have much support.

BUENOS AIRES, December 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that by declaring martial law in the country’s ten regions, the Ukrainian government has divided the country into two parts.

"They declared martial law in ten regions, those where the current president does not have a lot of support," the Russian leader told reporters. "This means that Ukraine’s current government has divided the country into two parts - one that can be trusted and one that cannot."

The Russian leader noted that Ukraine had not declared martial law before, when the events in the country were much more dire, and added that Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko’s decision is related to the upcoming elections in the country.

Putin noted that Kiev is not interested in resolving the conflict in Donbass, especially by peaceful means. "The analysis of recent events related to this incident or the Black Sea provocation, and what we see in Donbass, shows that the current government of Ukraine is not interested in the regulation of the situation as a whole, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters. "This is a party of war, and while they remain in power, all tragedies of this sort and war will continue."

Putin reminded of the tragic events that took place at Odessa’s Trade Unions House, which are not currently under investigation. "There is no investigation - just silence," the Russian leader stated.

He said that Russia will simplify the process of obtaining citizenship for Ukrainians and will not impose any entry restrictions. "No, we will not impose any restrictions on Ukrainian citizens. Moreover, we will on the contrary take the path of liberalization and simplify the process for Ukrainian citizens and stay on our territory and obtain Russian citizenship, if some of them want to do this," Putin told a press conference.

On November 30 Kiev banned Russian men aged from 16 to 60 from entering Ukraine.

Source: ITAR-TASS 02-12-2018

Russian military successfully test advanced missile of ballistic missile defense system

Missile Defense Task Force Commander said, that "the new antimissile missile proved out its specifications after a series of testing and successfully implemented the task by hitting the ‘target’".

MOSCOW, December 1. /TASS/. The Russian military successfully carried out the launch of an upgraded missile of a ballistic missile defense system at the Sary-Shagan Range in Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry press service reported on Saturday.

"A combat unit of the Air Defense and Missile Defense Forces of the Aerospace Force successfully carried out another test launch of the advanced missile of the Russian ballistic missile defense system," the report says.

Missile Defense Task Force Commander Sergei Grabchuk said, as quoted by the press service, that "the new antimissile missile proved out its specifications after a series of testing and successfully implemented the task by hitting the ‘target’ with the given accuracy."

In late August the successful test launch of a new missile of the Russian missile defense was reported. The test launches of the new missile were also carried out in February, April and July 2018.

Source: ITAR-TASS 01-12-2018