Kremlin: Russian passports to provide freedom of movement to Donbass residents

On April 24, Putin signed a decree, which eases Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine.

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. By obtaining Russian passports, Donbass residents are getting documents that are recognized not only in Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

In response to a question why Moscow eased citizenship for residents of certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions while the Russian president had signed a decree in 2017 recognizing documents issued in the self-proclaimed Donbass republics, Peskov pointed out that Donbass residents "do not only travel to Russia." "Indeed, they could use those documents in Russia but as for other destinations, it was impossible," the Russian presidential spokesman pointed out.

On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which eases Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine. "Individuals permanently residing in certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure," the decree reads. According to the document, the decision has been made "in order to protect human rights and freedoms" based on generally accepted international laws.

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-04-2019

Over 130 weapon systems to roll through Red Square during Victory Parade

The parade’s air component will be represented by 74 aircraft.

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has set a procedure for the mechanized column, aircraft and helicopters to take part in the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

"Over 130 wheeled and tracked vehicles will pass through Red Square while the parade’s air component will be represented by 74 aircraft," the ministry said in a statement.

Traditionally, the Soviet legendary T-34 tank, the Victory’s armored symbol, will lead the mechanized column during the parade. Next in the formation will be Tigr-M light armored vehicles, including those with the Arbalet combat module, Tigr vehicles with the Kornet-D anti-tank system, and also the Taifun-K armor. BTR-82A armored personnel carriers will follow Taifun vehicles, after which the most advanced tracked armor - the Kurganets and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, Armata tanks and tank support combat vehicles - will roll through Red Square.

The air defense troops’ combat hardware will include Tor-M2 and Buk-M2 surface-to-air missile systems, Pantsyr-S anti-aircraft missile/gun complexes and S-400 missile launching vehicles. The spectators will also see modernized T-72B3 tanks, the Airborne Force’s new armor represented by BMD-4M airborne assault vehicles and BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers, and also Msta-S self-propelled artillery guns, self-propelled launchers of the Iskander tactical missile system, Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, Bumerang armored personnel carriers and autonomous launch vehicles of the Yars strategic road-mobile missile system.

The mechanized column will also feature Taifun-U and Taifun-K armored vehicles of Russia’s military police and Tigr, Patrul and Ural armored vehicles of the country’s National Guard.

After the mechanized column passes through Red Square, the air component of the Victory Parade will begin. The airborne parade will begin with the flyover of four groups of helicopters (Mi-26, Mi-8, Mi-28N, Ka-52 and Mi-24). After that, 12 groups of aircraft from all aviation branches of Russia’s Aerospace Force will fly over Red Square, changing each other: the Tu-160 ‘White Swan’ strategic missile-carrying bomber and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers. An Il-78 aerial refueling tanker and the Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bomber will simulate aerial refueling, after which three Tu-95MS strategic bombers, MiG-29SMT, MiG-29, Su-35S and Su-30SM will fly in formations that will be followed by MiG-31 long-range fighter-interceptors, Su-24M and Su-34 bombers. Su-25 attack aircraft will conclude the airborne part of Russia’s military parade.

The troops that will march across Red Square will involve more than 13,600 personnel.

Source: ITAR-TASS 29-04-2019

Putin slams Butina’s sentence as travesty of justice

BEIJING, April 27. /TASS/. A US court’s decision to sentence Russian national Maria Butina to 18 months in prison is a travesty of justice aimed at saving face, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference wrapping up his visit to China.

"The Foreign Ministry has already issued a statement commenting on Butina’s 18-month prison sentence. In my view, and this is what the Foreign Ministry said in its statement: this is a travesty of justice," Putin said. "It is unclear what she has been convicted of, what crime she committed," he added.

On Friday, a court in Washington sentenced Butina to 18 years behind bars.

Source: ITAR-TASS 28-04-2019

Butina’s attorney expects her release in November

Earlier on Friday, a court in Washington sustained the prosecution’s request for sentencing Butina to 18 months behind bars.

WASHINGTON, April 27. /TASS/. Russian citizen Maria Butina, sentenced to 18 months behind bars on Friday for violating the US law on foreign agents, may be released in November, her attorney Robert Driscoll told reporters after the sentencing.

"We expect that Maria should be back to Russia hopefully in the full some time, maybe in November," he said.

According to Driscoll, the defense team would look into the possibility of filing an appeal, but sees little potential for it due to the plea bargain that Butina signed last December.

"We disagree strongly with the court sentence," he said, adding that Butina "plead guilty in this case and, therefore, accepts the sentence."

Earlier on Friday, a court in Washington sustained the prosecution’s request for sentencing Butina to 18 months behind bars for violating the US law on the registration of foreign agents. Judge Tanya Chutkan ignored the defense lawyers’ request that Butina should be sentenced to a term equal to the period she had already spent in custody, which is nine months.

"I feel terrible for Maria’s family. <...> I wish we have done more to get her out sooner. <...> I do not believe an additional nine months in jail serves any purpose in terms of punishment or contrition at this point, <...> so I don’t think that was necessary" he added.

Maria Butina, 30, was arrested in Washington DC on July 15, right before the Helsinki meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump. The US Department of Justice said that she was suspected of acting "as an agent of Russia inside the United States by developing relationships with US persons and infiltrating organizations having influence in American politics, for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation."

On December 13, Butina pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the US law governing foreign agents operating in the country and signed a plea agreement. The prosecution said at the time that the process of Butina’s cooperation with the investigation might take some time.

Butina had arrived in the United States for a course of studies. Last spring she obtained a master’s degree at American University, where she studied international relations.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-04-2019

Decision to grant Russian citizenship to Donbass residents "humanitarian measure" — envoy

Russian Envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that the decree "was directed at providing social protection to those people who found themselves in very dire circumstances".

UNITED NATIONS, April 26. /TASS/. The decision to simplify the procedure of applying for Russian citizenship for Donbass residents is a humanitarian measure, Russian Envoy to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told a UN Security Council session on Ukraine on Thursday.

Nebenzya said that the Ukrainian government does not give an opportunity to Donbass residents to exercise their basic rights. "We had to offer them our assistance. In this case, no one is taking away anything from anyone. On the contrary, we recognize that we are taking a great economic and social responsibility by doing this," he added.

"This is a humanitarian measure, I ask you to understand this," he told UN Security Council members. "Russia is interested in the prosperity of brotherly Ukraine. In particular, the decree signed by the president [Putin] was directed at providing social protection to those people who found themselves in very dire circumstances," Nebenzya explained.

This decision "has nothing to do with the Minsk Agreements and does not prevent Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk from implementing those agreements," he said.

"I thank those who presented reports today for the briefing but, sincerely speaking, I did not understand what this briefing had to do with the issue that led us to this session today upon the Ukrainian side's request, and what this issue has to do with the Minsk Agreements," Nebenzya noted.

"We do not interfere into internal affairs and do not engage in crawling annexation. We only give people an opportunity to finally resolve their vital problems since the Kiev authorities refuse to help them resolve those problems," the diplomat continued.

He added that people will decide themselves whether they should use this opportunity or not. "In the end, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians applied for Russian citizenship even before this act," the diplomat noted.

"In other words, Russia is responding to the desperation of many thousands of people with this initiative," Nebenzya said. "We do not force them to become Russian citizens, they want to do it themselves. We only provide this opportunity and significantly ease the process," he added.

On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the residents of several regions of southeastern Ukraine to receive Russian citizenship in a simplified manner. According to the document, the decision has been made "in order to protect human rights and freedoms" based on universally accepted international laws.

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-04-2019

Putin says he had no intention of provoking Kiev by Donbass decree on passports

The issue of passports for the people of Donbass is "purely humanitarian", Putin stressed.

VLADIVOSTOK, April 25. /TASS/.Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he had no intention to provoke the authorities in Kiev by signing a decree on simpler rules of granting Russian citizenship to the residents of some areas of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine.

"We, including myself, are very far from provoking anybody," he said. "The passports-related issue is purely humanitarian."

Putin voiced surprise why his decision to ease citizenship granting procedures had drawn such a negative reaction.

"For instance, Poland has been issuing the Pole’s Card for many years, ten or so, since 2009, if I’m not wrong," he said. "Very same Poland issues passports, and so does Romania. The latter grants passports to Hungarians, Romanians and Poles. In that connection I have this question: in what way are the Russians resident in Ukraine inferior to Romanians, Poles or Hungarians? The same is true of the Ukrainians who feel inseparable links with Russia by virtue of different reasons - kinship, mixed marriages or other considerations.

Putin said he saw nothing out of the ordinary about that.

"Moreover, other countries neighboring on Ukraine have been doing this for many years. Why cannot Russia do the same?" Putin said, adding that the people in the Donetsk and Lugansk republics were in a far worse position that Poles, Romanians or Hungarians in Ukraine.

Putin stressed the fact that people in eastern Ukraine were often denied basic human rights.

"They have problems with moving about Ukraine or third countries. In Russia, they have problems, too. Quite often they are unable to buy air or train tickets. It’s beyond the limits," Putin said.

Kiev defaults on key provisions of Minsk Accords

Putin said that the previous, outgoing and future Ukrainian authorities showed no intention to sign the corresponding regulatory acts on amnesty.

"They are not going to recognize the special status of the Lugansk and Donetsk republics. In the meantime, this is the key issue of the Minsk Accords. This means that they are not going to implement the Minsk Accords at all," he said, adding the future of the people resident in these territories, should they remain abandoned and isolated, remained anyone’s guess. Putin stressed the idea that the blockade had been introduced by Ukraine, not Russia.

"This is direct contradiction to the Minsk Accords. Nothing has been restored: no economic ties, no financial relations, nothing. Moreover, humanitarian problems are being created for the people," Putin said adding that Russia could not afford to stay an idle onlooker.

"If the people who are about to take power in Kiev find the strength to implement the Minsk Accords, we will promote this process in every possible way to return the situation to these basic principles to the maximum extent," Putin said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-04-2019

London is using Ukraine as a tool in confrontation with Moscow — Russian embassy

The Russian Embassy in London commented on British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt's statements made as he was congratulating Vladimir Zelensky on being elected as President of Ukraine.

LONDON, April 23. /TASS/. The UK and other Western countries seek to use Ukraine as an instrument of military-political confrontation with Russia, the Russian Embassy in London said on Tuesday in comments on statements by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made as he was congratulating Vladimir Zelensky on being elected as President of Ukraine.

"Such statements only underline that the real aim of the so-called support provided over the last years to the Ukrainian government by the UK and other Western countries is not at all helping the Ukrainian people and improving their lives, but using Ukraine as a tool of military-political confrontation with Russia," the embassy said in a commentary.

"In his statement Mr Hunt said the UK's interest in supporting Ukraine was due to the country’s position ‘on the front-line of Russia’s challenge to the rules-based international system’," the embassy said. "The Foreign Secretary also mentioned that Ukraine’s ‘stability is essential for Europe’s security’. ‘Cooperation on defense and security’ was identified as the first among the areas of future cooperation between London and Kiev," the embassy added.

"It is worth mentioning that the statement, while expressing readiness for defense cooperation with Ukraine, does not say a word on the need for political settlement of the conflict in the east of the country through negotiations based on the Minsk Agreements," the embassy stressed.

The best way to bring stability to Ukraine is to encourage the Ukrainian government to engage in direct dialogue with its own citizens in the east, the embassy noted. "The continuation of the current British rhetoric, not to mention the practical implementation of the proposed plans, is unlikely to contribute to a normalization in Donbass," the embassy concluded.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-04-2019

Belarus suspends exports of light oil products to Ukraine, Poland, Baltic countries

Minsk earlier announced a sharp deterioration in the quality of oil coming from Russia through the section of the trunk oil pipeline Gomeltransneft Druzhba.

MINSK, April 23. /TASS/. Belarus has temporarily suspended exports of light oil products to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries, justifying this by low-quality oil supplies from Russia to Belarusian oil refineries, Deputy Director General of the Belarusian Oil Company (BNK) Sergey Grib said on Tuesday.

"At the moment contractual obligations are suspended until the issue with Russian oil is resolved," he said. Grib noted that "supplies of light oil products - gasoline and diesel fuel - to Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries has been suspended."

"Decline of exports occurs in order to ensure full domestic market," he explained. At the same time, he clarified that "those products that are not consumed in the markets of neighboring countries, the so-called heavy oil products, we sell through the Baltic Sea ports towards the countries of the so called "far arc" region (Asia, Africa and Latin America)." Grib said that the company is now working to ensure that no sanctions from contractors follow the suspension of light oil products exports. He added that the Belarusian side is "in the process" of assessing damage from suspending exports of oil products.

On Friday, April 19, Belarus announced a sharp deterioration in the quality of oil coming from Russia through the section of the trunk oil pipeline Gomeltransneft Druzhba. The company informed operators of the Druzhba main oil pipeline from other countries about the current situation. The source of pollution was found on the Samara-Unecha section of the Druzhba pipeline.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-04-2019

Russia's Rostov-on-Don submarine and Black Sea Fleet pilots carry out joint drills

SIMFEROPOL, April 22. /TASS/. Pilots from the Black Sea Fleet’s marine aviation and the crew of the Rostov-on-Don submarine carried out joint drills, the fleet’s press service told journalists on Monday.

"The Rostov-on-Don crew trained to maneuver the submarine upon emersion and submersion in routine and emergency modes during the one-day exercise, as well as to receive and share data with ships and command posts during communication sessions," the report says.

The crews of the Be-12 plane and two Ka-27M helicopters also searched the submarine with the use of a hydroacoustic station.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-04-2019

Lavrov vows to keep encouraging Donetsk, Lugansk to hold talks with Kiev

Russia’s top diplomat noted that Kiev is doing its utmost to undermine the success of the Contact Group’s work.

VLADIVOSTOK, April 21. /TASS/. Moscow will try to contribute to holding negotiations between Donetsk, Lugansk and Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview on the Zvezda TV channel on Sunday.

According to Lavrov, during the talks in the Belarusian capital Moscow made great efforts to convince the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic to back the Minsk agreements. "It’s we [Russia] who persuaded these people to once again show their readiness and even resolve, if you want, to achieve peace with the rest of Ukraine," Lavrov said in the interview with program ‘Glavnoye with Olga Belova’

"Unfortunately, the way the current Ukrainian authorities treat our efforts is disappointing. Despite provocations, we will seek the implementation of these agreements. We are a country that is capable of reaching agreements," Lavrov emphasized.

However, Russia’s top diplomat noted that Kiev is doing its utmost to undermine the success of the Contact Group’s work. "In practical work when the Contact Group meets every month, or even more often, the representatives of the Ukrainian government directly sabotage all what is discussed ranging from security, disengagement of forces and means, political process to agreeing on a formula of holding elections and granting this region a special status in accordance with the Minsk agreements. There is a direct and blatant sabotage."

Lavrov noted: "We should understand how the election outcome will affect the activity of the Ukrainian delegation in the Contact Group and who are these people delegated there."

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-04-2019

Several Ukrainian soldiers killed by own landmines — Donetsk militia

A subversive group accidentally walked on a minefield.

DONETSK, April 20. /TASS/. A group of Ukrainian servicemen trying to secretly cross into the territory of the self-proclaimed eastern Ukrainian republic of Donetsk (DPR) was killed when they accidentally stepped onto a minefield created by the pro-government forces, a DPR militia spokesman said.

"At about 18:00 on Friday, two subversive groups of the enemy, each comprising between 10 and 12 members… tried to sneak onto the republic’s territory near the village of Oktyabr. Some of the ill-fated intruders walked onto a minefield. As a result, three Ukrainian servicemen were killed, and two more were injured," said Daniil Bezsonov, the head of the DPR militia’s press service.

He said the Ukrainian servicemen tried to evacuate the injured and sustained losses again: four died and five were injured.

Source: ITAR-TASS 20-04-2019

DPR, LPR say Contact Group talks yield no results because of Kiev's position

LPR's envoy to the Minsk talks Vladislav Deinego said Kiev's representatives refused to discuss "real measures to establish a ceasefire regime".

LUGANSK, April 18. /TASS/. The videoconference of participants in the Contact Group on settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine has yielded no results because of Kiev's unconstructive position, the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) envoy to the Minsk talks Vladislav Deinego said on Thursday.

"The videoconference of the Contact Group, as well as of the working sub-group on security, yielded no results. Representatives of the current Kiev authorities took a very unconstructive position by refusing to discuss with Donbass representatives the real measures to establish a ceasefire regime," LuganskInformCenter quoted Deinego as saying.

At the Minsk talks, Kiev's representatives "were trying to talk about anything other than real steps that would help to ensure a stable ceasefire," he added.

The foreign ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) also attributed the failure to establish ceasefire to Kiev's position. "Unfortunately, the lack of common sense of the Ukrainian side which continues to fight against Russia in their fantasies, has made everything to prevent reaching consensus on the most important task — to ensure a comprehensive and stable ceasefire, thus establishing a precedent of failing to coordinate a truce," Donetsk News Agency quoted the DPR foreign ministry as saying.

"Of course, we are interested in the soonest coordination of the ceasefire ahead of the Easter holidays, but it is obvious that this is only possible if additional control measures are taken. We hope that at the upcoming meeting in Minsk on April 24 the Ukrainian side will tone down its political ambitions and will support peaceful initiatives on establishing a real 'Easter ceasefire'," the DPR foreign ministry noted.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-04-2019

Russia bans exports of oil, petroleum products to Ukraine

The Russian prime minister also declared extension of the ban on imports of certain Ukrainian goods.

GORKI, April 18. /TASS/. The Russian government has banned exports of Russian oil and petroleum products to Ukraine, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

"[The Russian government] bans exports of Russian oil and petroleum products to Ukraine," the head of the cabinet said.

Medvedev has also declared extension of the ban on imports of certain Ukrainian goods. "We are forced to protect our interests and strike back," he said at a meeting of the cabinet when speaking about Ukrainian restrictions against Russia.

"I have signed a government decree on that. We are expanding the ban on imports of certain types of goods to Russia, which will be applied to Ukrainian engineering products, consumer goods, metal products, the cost of which totaled almost $250 mln last year," he said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-04-2019

Russian Baltic Fleet to practice missile strikes against enemy warships in drills

The drills involve about ten combat ships and vessels, including the Project 20380 corvettes Boiky and Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ships Minsk and Korolyov.

KALININGRAD, April 16. /TASS/. Several naval task forces of Russia’s Baltic Fleet have set out to the sea for tactical drills as part of a controlling check of their winter training period, the Fleet’s press office told TASS on Tuesday.

"At the Fleet’s combat training ranges in the Baltic Sea, the naval hunter-killer groups and attack forces comprising corvettes and anti-submarine warfare ships will conduct a set of drills to provide anti-submarine warfare support for deploying the Fleet’s amphibious assault forces and deliver notional missile strikes against a simulated enemy’s warships," Fleet Spokesman Roman Martov said.

The drills involve about ten combat ships and vessels, including the Project 20380 corvettes Boiky and Stoiky, the large amphibious assault ships Minsk and Korolyov, the small anti-submarine warfare ship Kabardino-Balkaria, the air cushion landing boats Denis Davydov, Michman Lermontov and Rimsky-Korsakov," the spokesman specified.

"During the planned sorties to the sea, the warships’ crews will enhance their skills in searching for and destroying a notional submarine, conducting electronic launches of missiles and repelling a massive air attack," Martov noted.

Marine troops landing onto the rough terrain on the territory of the Baltic Fleet’s Khmelyovka practice range will be a major stage of the controlling check, the spokesman said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-04-2019

Troops in Russia's Far East enhance skills using new terrorist-fighting tactic

The troops used unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems, artillery and tank units.

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, April 16. /TASS/. Troops in Russia’s Eastern Military District employed a new tactic to fight illegal armed formations during drills, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"A special tactical exercise was held at the Tryokhrechye practice range for the personnel of the Eastern Military District’s army stationed in the Amur Region to train units in the new tactics of fighting illegal armed formations, using the experience of present-day armed conflicts," the press office said in a statement.

During the week, a motorized infantry division stationed in the Jewish Autonomous Region were deployed to an unfamiliar practice range in the Amur Region where they searched for and blocked about 300 notional terrorists who employed the armor and modern firearms, the statement says.

"The troops maximally used unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems, artillery and tank units. The attempts by some groups of the illegal armed formations to break through the sealed-off area at night were halted by the tanks’ barrage fire and by a new method where artillery set up blinding lines," the press office said.

As the Eastern Military District told TASS, under this method, artillery teams shell the hostile area with special illuminating projectiles. This allows troops to see the area well and simultaneously demoralize the enemy by impairing its night vision devices.

The drills involved more than 1,000 troops and about 250 items of military hardware that included Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, Akatsiya 152mm self-propelled howitzers and Grad multiple launch rocket systems that went into service in the Eastern Military District this year, as well as Sani mortars, T-72B tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.

Source: ITAR-TASS 16-04-2019

WWII projectile discovered near Moscow school

190 children have been evacuated.

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Almost 200 children were evacuated from a physical culture school in western Moscow after a projectile dating back to the Great Patriotic War had been discovered nearby during construction work, an emergency source told TASS.

"A projectile dating back to Great Patriotic War was discovered near a school facility, 67, Udaltsova Street," the source said.

One hundred and ninety children and 30 teachers were cleared from the building. "The children were released home," the source said.

According to information from public sources, this is the address of the Olimp sports and education center.

Source:  ITAR-TASS 15-04-2019

Russia to respond in kind to NATO plans in Black Sea — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that NATO's activities in the Black Sea only undermine regional stability.

MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Russia closely follows NATO’s military planning in the Black Sea region and is set to respond in kind to the Alliance’s actions, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the 27th Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

"Definitely negative," he said when asked about Russia’s attitude to NATO’s increased activity in the Black Sea.

"Their activities in the Black Sea region cannot add security, they are just undermining regional stability. We will definitely take every precaution to neutralize the threats related to increased NATO activity in that region," he noted.

"We are closely following how the Alliance will be planning to strengthen its presence in the region, and we will respond in kind," he continued. "Our deep belief is that security in that region should be, first and foremost, ensured through cooperation among Black Sea littoral states. There are all required instruments for doing so," Grushko said.

In recent months, NATO has increased military presence in the Black Sea. On April 9-13, NATO’s Sea Shield 2019 exercise is being held in the region. Naval ships and aircraft from the United States, Bulgaria, Greece, Canada, the Netherlands, Romania and Turkey, in cooperation with representatives from Georgian and Ukrainian forces, are taking part in the drills.

Source: ITAR-TASS 14-04-2019

Donbass fighters thwart Ukrainian saboteurs

In early April, spokesman for the DPR People’s Militia Eduard Basurin reported that DPR servicemen had been put on alert in view of sabotage risks by Kiev ahead of the presidential election runoff.

DONETSK, April 12. /TASS/. Soldiers of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) militia fended off a Ukrainian sortie to cross the line of contact near Shirokino village, DPR Defense Ministry Spokesman Daniil Beznosov said on Friday.

"Our soldiers promptly detected an enemy squad near the village of Shirokino. In the course of the short clash the intruders were forced to retreat back to their positions with losses of one dead soldier and two more injured," the Donetsk News Agency quotes him as saying.

Beznosov specified that the Ukrainian squad left one injured soldier behind. He is currently in the custody of the DPR security agents.

Source: ITAR-TASS 13-04-2019

Moscow vows tit-for-tat response to persecution of Russian media in France

Zakharova explained that Russia had to make such a decision after reporters from RT and Sputnik had been denied access to numerous events taking place in France.

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Moscow will treat the French media active in Russia the same way the Russian media are treated in France, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

"We have warned many times. Now the period of warnings is over and a new period has begun when we will give tit-for-tat responses to France in this regard," she said.

Zakharova explained that Russia had to make such a decision after reporters from RT and Sputnik had been denied access to numerous events taking place in France. In particular, they were denied accreditation to a meeting of the Russian-French forum dubbed the Trianon Dialogue in early April.

Source: ITAR-TASS 12-04-2019

Udav handgun passes verification, gets recommended for serial production

The handgun remains operational within a range of air temperatures from 50 degrees below zero freezing to plus 70 degrees Celsius.

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. An interdepartmental commission has completed its verification of the design specifications for the Udav handgun (a product of TsNIITochMash) and recommended it for serial production, the Rostec corporation said in a news release on Thursday.

"The self-loading 9-mm handgun has been recommended for serial production under the index O1, which permits it for official use," the news release says.

The commission examined the terms of reference, the results of preliminary and government certification tests and checked if the flaws detected in the process of testing have been eliminated. Next, a decision should follow on whether to authorize it for service or for experimental use in the field first.

"The Udav meets all modern requirements established for firearms. Composite materials have made it possible to considerably diminish the handgun’s mass and improve its operating parameters," the press service quotes Rostec’s industrial director Sergey Abramov as saying.

The firearm remains operational within a range of air temperatures from 50 degrees below zero to plus 70 degrees and is equally good for all arms and services.

"Its features are competitive with those of such renowned brands as Colt, Walther, Heckler&Koch, Glock, Browning, CZ and others," Abramov added.

The Udav Pistol

According to earlier reports, the Udav fires a powerful 9x21 mm cartridge. It has passed government certification tests and been recommended for standard use.

TsNIITochMash plans to deliver standard military, special and civilian configurations of the weapon.

The self-loading Udav handgun is an entirely Russian-designed and manufactured weapon with a sighting range of 50 meters and an 18-round magazine. Brand-new special ammunition has been designed for it. In addition, the manufacturer plans to produce a standard army, special and civilian version of the weapon.

Source: ITAR-TASS 11-04-2019

Russian S-400s fend off simulated missile attack in Crimea

The S-400 Triumfs detected and acquired the target, simulated by the tactical Sukhoi Su-24 bombers.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, April 10. /TASS/. Russia's S-400 missile system combat units of the Southern Military District stationed in Crimea successfully fended off a simulated missile attack, head of the district’s press service Vadim Astafyev told reporters on Wednesday.

"As part of the inspection of the skills and expertise gained over the winter, the Southern Military District’s 4th Air and Air Defense Forces Army S-400 Triumf missile system combat units deployed in Crimea began exercises to fend off a missile attack launched by a simulated enemy. Having moved to the starting position point and having fulfilled the routine tasks to set up the systems into firing position, the S-400 Triumfs detected and acquired the target, simulated by the tactical Sukhoi Su-24 bombers," he said.

To fend off the intensive strike on the S-400 positions, Pantsir-S1 missile system units were deployed. After intercepting the ballistic missiles of the simulated enemy, the Triumfs (S-400s) and Pantsirs practiced switching the starting and firing positions.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-04-2019

Putin says new development strategy for Russia's Arctic will be approved this year

Vladimir Putin has instructed the cabinet to draft a law on a special system of preferences for investors in the Arctic.

ST. PETERSBURG, April 9. /TASS/. Plans are in place to shortly approve a new strategy for development of Arctic Russia by 2035, President Vladimir Putin said at the Arctic Forum on Tuesday.

"We intend to prepare and approve the new strategy for development of Arctic Russia by 2035 already this year. It should consolidate activities of our National Projects and state programs, investment plans of infrastructural companies and development programs of Arctic regions and cities," the head of state said.

Putin extended appreciation to foreign guests of the Forum "for readiness to partnership and understanding of common responsibility for the future of the Arctic Region, for its stable and sustainable development."

"Russia will take the presidency in the Arctic Council in 2021 and we offer cooperation in the Arctic Region to all countries - participants in this organization, and to other states," the Russian President said.

"I am confident that significance of the Arctic factor in the national economy will only grow further on," Putin added.

Preferences for investors

Vladimir Putin has instructed the cabinet to draft a law on a special system of preferences for investors in the Arctic region as soon as possible so that the State Duma, lower house of parliament, could adopt it in the autumn session.

"Considering the peculiarities of the Arctic region, preferences for investors should be and will be even more advanced, more stable," he said at the plenary session of the Arctic Forum.

Putin instructed the government, experts and business representatives to draft a special federal law on a special system of preferences for investors in the Arctic zone.

"I am asking you to carry out this work promptly so that the law will be passed by the State Duma in the autumn session," he said.

Source: ITAR-TASS 09-04-2019

Kremlin says only Ukrainians can and must settle Donbass conflict

Moscow is not a party to the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

MOSCOW, April 8. /TASS/. The Ukrainians themselves must settle the situation in Donbass, because Moscow is not a party to the conflict in the southeast of Ukraine, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Monday. This is how he replied to Ukrainian presidential candidate Vladimir Zelensky’s remark that in the event of his victory he would do his best to achieve an effective ceasefire in Donbass as soon as possible and for that he would directly contact the Russian leadership.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has said more than once that for settling the conflict in Donbass the most important thing is not dialogue with Moscow, because Moscow is not a party to this conflict. It is an intra-Ukrainian conflict and it is up to the Ukrainians to settle it, if they talk to each other," Peskov said.

He answered in the negative to the elaborative question if that meant that Russia would not discuss Donbass with Zelensky, should he take the reins of power as Ukraine’s next president.

"No, it does not mean that. You know that Putin is always open for dialogue, except for situations where the dialogue is accompanied by various provocations and acts of sabotage. In that case, Putin’s reaction is very clear, unequivocal and resolute. Putin has always been and still remains a supporter of a dialogue for resolving the problems on the agenda," Peskov said.

On April 7, Zelensky said in a televised interview that should he be elected, he would do his utmost to achieve an effective truce in Donbass as soon as possible. He called for more active contacts with the residents of the Donbass areas beyond Kiev’s control - the self-proclaimed republics - over social issues. In particular, he pointed to the need for paying pensions.

Asked if he was prepared to contact the Russian leadership directly, Zelensky answered in the affirmative. Also, he declared it was necessary to keep working within the framework of the Minsk Accords for a settlement in Donbass, adding that in his opinion the agreements should be reformed.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-04-2019

Kiev forces violate ceasefire ten times over past 24 hours, Lugansk people’s militias says

According to militia’s data, the fire was opened using mortars, MICV armament, grenade launchers and large caliber small arms.

LUGANSK, April 7. /TASS/. Ukraine’s forces opened fire against militia positions in the proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic ten times over the past 24 hours, the republican defense ministry reports on Sunday.

"Areas of Frunze, Donetsky and Kalinovo townships, Prishib, Nizhnee Lozovoe and Khoroshee villages were attacked by fire," the LuganskInformCenter news agency says, citing a militia spokesperson. According to militia’s data, the fire was opened using mortars, MICV armament, grenade launchers and large caliber small arms.

Members of the security sub-group negotiated a new spring ceasefire during the video conference in the course of negotiations in Minsk. It entered force on March 8 but Ukrainian forces opened fire again in five minutes after it comes into force, thereby breaking the ceasefire agreement.

Source: ITAR-TASS 07-04-2019

Kremlin declines to comment on idea about lower house’s involvement in forming Cabinet

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that this is a new proposal.

MOSCOW, April 6. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refrained from commenting on the proposal by Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin concerning the lower house’s involvement in forming the government.

"This is a new proposal," Peskov told TASS when asked whether the initiative, which calls for amending the Constitution, had been coordinated with the Kremlin.

In an interview posted on the State Duma’s website, Volodin spoke out in favor of the lower house's participation in consultations while appointing members of the Russian government.

The State Duma currently takes part in forming the Cabinet only within the framework of the procedure of giving consent to the president for the prime minister’s appointment.

Source: ITAR-TASS 06-04-2019

Russian air defense troops repel air attack during Black Sea drills

The drills involved over 500 anti-aircraft gunners and more than 40 weapon systems.

ROSTOV-ON-DON, April 5. /TASS/. The personnel of Buk-M1-2 surface-to-air missile batteries successfully accomplished assignments in interaction with teams of Pantsyr-S1 air defense missile/gun systems to thwart a massive enemy air attack in drills on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region, the press office of Russia’s Southern Military District reported on Friday.

"In the process of accomplishing combat training missions, the anti-aircraft gunners timely spotted, locked on and destroyed over 20 air targets by electronic launches when the targets entered the systems’ long-range destruction capability boundary," the press office said.

Meanwhile, the teams of Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun complexes attached to Buk batteries accomplished assignments for defending military facilities against low-flying aircraft, including drones.

The one-day drills held on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region involved over 500 anti-aircraft gunners and more than 40 weapon systems.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-04-2019

Irish top diplomat to visit Russia on April 10-11

 Simon Coveney will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney will visit Moscow on April 10-11 and hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

"On April 10-11, the Irish foreign minister will make a working visit to Moscow. His talks with Sergey Lavrov are scheduled for April 11. It will be the first talks between the Russian and Irish top diplomats since December 2012, when the Russian foreign minister held a meeting with his Irish counterpart on the sidelines of the Dublin meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council," "she said.

According to Zakharova, the parties "are expected to discuss the current state of relations and the prospects for their future, as well as ways to boost cooperation." "There will also be an exchange of views on regional and international issues," she added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 04-04-2019

Kremlin dismisses NATO plans for Ukrainian ships’ passage through Kerch Strait

NATO earlier announced plans to take steps to ensure Ukrainian vessels’ safe passage through the Kerch Strait.

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Moscow has responded to NATO’s statements on its intention to guarantee the passage of Ukrainian vessels through the Kerch Strait made by US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison in a negative way, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"In a negative light," he said when asked how Kremlin viewed such statements. "We do not understand what that means."

"According to Peskov, "the situation with the Kerch Strait and navigation there is well known." "In accordance with international law, Russia’s stance is very consistent and is well-known too," he added.

Commenting on the possibility of NATO ships’ passage through these waters, the Kremlin spokesman noted that it was necessary to wait for an appropriate request first. "When this request is received, the decision will be made," Peskov said when asked under what circumstances Russia could let NATO warships pass to the Sea of Azov. "The issue at hand is an enclosed water body, so this is a separate issue, and I would refrain from commenting on it hypothetically."

According to Peskov, "there is a certain notification system about such plans, which should be complied with." "Besides, there is a procedure for warships’ presence in the Black Sea, which is enshrined in the Montreux Convention that must be implemented as well," the Kremlin spokesman concluded.

NATO earlier announced plans to take steps to ensure Ukrainian vessels’ safe passage through the Kerch Strait and expand the scope of aerial reconnaissance in the Black Sea region. A statement to this effect was made by US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison. She told reporters at a press briefing on Tuesday that NATO foreign ministers were expected to endorse that package of measures at a two-day meeting in the US, which is beginning on Wednesday.

Source: ITAR-TASS 03-04-2019

Troops in Russia’s Central Military District put on alert in combat readiness check

Russia’s Central Military District is based on the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions.

YEKATERINBURG, April 1. /TASS/. Ten large-scale military exercises involving units and formations of Russia’s Central Military District will be held as part of the troops’ control check that kicked off on April 1, the District’s press office reported on Monday.

"A control check of the Central Military District’s troops started on April 1 to include 10 large exercises. The maneuvers will be conducted at training ranges in the regions of the Siberia, the Urals and the Volga area, and also on the territory of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan," the press office said.

"Large units and formations of Russia’s biggest military district will practice going on high alert, moving and deploying mobile components of the command and control system and making marches to the designated areas," the statement reads.

The drills will focus on sharpening the skills of employing reconnaissance/strike systems as part of missile and artillery units, aviation and reconnaissance means. The check will be directed by Central Military District Commander Colonel-General Alexander Lapin, the press office said.

"According to General Lapin, the check will primarily evaluate the commanders’ ability to make proper and prompt decisions amid sudden actions by an enemy and its use of mobile fire groups on a wide front and other specifics of hostile operations taking into account the experience of armed conflicts. The results of the control check will be summed up at a session of the Military Council of the Central Military District with the participation of the District’s command," the press office said.

Russia’s Central Military District is based on the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions. Structurally, the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units on the territory of Kazakhstan.

Source: ITAR-TASS 02-04-2019

Kremlin says will not comment on Ukraine’s election until end of runoff

The Kremlin spokesman also said that Moscow is not planning to send congratulations to any candidates on making it to Ukraine’s runoff presidential election.

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. The Kremlin believes it is premature to comment on the presidential election in Ukraine, since the runoff will be held, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

"The election in Ukraine is not over, the runoff will be held, so it is too early to make any official comments yet," he said. "We have to wait."

The Kremlin spokesman declined to comment on comedian Vladimir Zelensky’s performance in the election, who leads the race after the first round. "The election is not over, the runoff was not held yet and the winner was not determined so far, so we believe it is premature to talk about that," he noted.

Peskov also commented on remarks by head of the Russian State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov who advised the lower house of the Russian parliament to approve a statement on non-recognition of the results of Ukraine’s presidential election. According to the Kremlin spokesman, that’s the lawmakers’ stance, while "under the Constitution, the basics of the country’s foreign policy are determined by the head of state, that is, the president."

According to Peskov,  Moscow is not planning to send congratulations to any candidates on making it to Ukraine’s runoff presidential election, either.

"Until the election is over, it would be probably wrong to congratulate anyone on reaching the runoff, that’s why certainly, there is no talk about this because the winner of the Ukrainian election is unknown now," Peskov said.

"We are carefully watching the candidates’ statements, especially those concerning our country and bilateral relations. We are keeping a close eye on the candidates’ statements about their vision on the future fate of Donbass and are drawing certain conclusions. Surely, we would like to see not a party of war steering Ukraine, but a party, which is set to really settle the situation in Ukraine’s southeast step-by-step based on the existing [Minsk] agreements," Peskov said.

Head of the Servant of the People party Vladimir Zelensky leads the race having garnerered 30.45% of the vote now that 70% of ballots have been counted. He is followed by incumbent President Pyotr Poroshenko (16.19%) and leader of the Batkivshchyna party Yulia Timoshenko who has secured 13.15% of the vote.

Ukraine’s Central Election Commission earlier declared that none of the candidates would be able to win the majority of votes, and the runoff election would be held on April 21.

Source: ITAR-TASS 01-04-2019