Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Putin, Trump Blame U.S. Democrats For Allegations Of Russian Meddling RFE/RL 31 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on May 30 both dismissed allegations of Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential campaign as "fiction" or "fake news" created by Democrats to explain their defeat in the election.
• Interview: U.S. Senator Booker Says Russia Trying to Destabilize Democracies Globally RFE/RL 31 May 2017 -- Russia's interference in Ukraine is just one sign of a broad attempt to destabilize democracies around the world, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (Democrat-New Jersey) has told RFE/RL.
• Russia, Saudi Arabia Hail Oil Output Deal For Stabilizing World Markets RFE/RL 31 May 2017 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia on May 30 praised their agreement on oil production curbs, which they said had helped stabilize global oil prices, and agreed to pursue more cooperative efforts.
• Putin highlights Iran's important role in Syrian ceasefire IRNA 31 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Turkey, Iran, the Syrian government and the armed opposition, as well as Russia, all play an important role in ensuring that the Syrian ceasefire works.
• Russia fires missiles at Daesh positions outside Syria's Palmyra Press TV 31 May 2017 -- The Russian military says it has fired cruise missiles from its warships in the Mediterranean towards Daesh positions outside the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, inflicting losses on the Takfiri terror group.
• US-Russia Deconfliction Channel Active Ahead of Strikes Near Palmyra - Pentagon Sputnik 31 May 2017 -- The deconfliction line for the US-Russia military operations in Syria was active before a Russian frigate and submarine launched Kalibr cruise missiles on Daesh targets near the city of Palmyra, US Department of Defense spokesperson Adrian Rankine-Galloway told Sputnik.
• Russia Fires Cruise Missiles at Islamic State in Syria VOA 31 May 2017 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says its forces fired four cruise missiles from the Mediterranean Sea to hit Islamic State targets in Syria.
• Russian Northern Fleet Gets Over 100 New Weaponry Pieces, Including S-400 Sputnik 31 May 2017 -- Russia's Northern Fleet in the first five months of 2017 received over 100 pieces of advanced military equipment, including S-400 missile systems, Northern Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov said Wednesday.
• Russia, India Set to Discuss Creation of Anaerobic Power Unit for Submarines Sputnik 31 May 2017 -- The Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Indian Larsen & Toubro Limited will discuss creation of anaerobic power unit for submarines during the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the Rosoboronexport's press service said on Wednesday.
• Trump: Russians Must Be Laughing at US Probes of Moscow Election Meddling VOA 30 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says that Russian officials "must be laughing" at the United States with its escalating investigations into Moscow's meddling in last year's election, which he claimed was "a lame excuse" adopted by opposition Democrats to explain losing the White House.
• McCain: Russia, Putin 'Greatest Challenge We Have' VOA 30 May 2017 -- U.S. Senator John McCain said Monday he views Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, as the "greatest challenge we have," even more so than that posed by the Islamic State group.
• Russian Military to Commission Su-35S Fighter Jet by End of 2017 - MoD Sputnik 30 May 2017 -- Deputy Defense Minister said that Russian military is expecting to complete the final tests and commission the advanced Su-35S fighter jet by the end of 2017.
• Czech Court Rules Hacking Suspect Can Be Extradited To U.S. Or Russia RFE/RL 30 May 2017 -- A court in the Czech Republic has ruled that a Russian computer-hacking suspect at the center of a tug-of-war between the United States and Russia can be extradited to either country.
• McCain: Russian president 'a greater threat than ISIL' Press TV 29 May 2017 -- US Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to world security than the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.
• Kremlin Disagrees with Macron's Remarks on RT, Sputnik - Peskov Sputnik 29 May 2017 -- Russian president's spokesman said that Kremlin does not agree with the remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron concerning Russian media outlets Sputnik and RT.
• After Talks With Putin, Macron Accuses Russian State Media Of Spreading 'Propaganda' RFE/RL 29 May 2017 -- French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russian state news outlets of spreading "fake news" and "propaganda" against him during May's presidential election, after holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Versailles Palace outside Paris.
• Macron, Putin Discuss Propaganda, Syria VOA 29 May 2017 -- New French President Emmanuel Macron called RT (formerly Russia Today) television and Sputnik multi-media "propaganda" following his first face-to-face talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
• Russia airstrikes kill 120 Daesh terrorists fleeing Raqqa: Source Press TV 27 May 2017 -- Russian airstrikes have killed as many as 120 Daesh terrorists who were trying to flee the Takfiri outfit's last stronghold of Raqqah in northern Syria for the ancient city of Palmyra in the central part of the Arab country, a Russian Defense Ministry source says.
• Russian Airstrikes Kill 120 Daesh Terrorists Fleeing From Raqqa - Source Sputnik 27 May 2017 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed some 120 Daesh (banned in Russia) militants trying to escape the violent group's self-proclaimed capital city of Raqqa in Syria, a military source told Sputnik.
• N Korea issue no good reason for THAAD deployment: Russia, China Press TV 27 May 2017 -- Russia and China have once again voiced opposition to the deployment of a US missile system to South Korea, saying the North Korean nuclear program should not be used as a pretext for military build-up on the troubled peninsula.
• Russian Strategic Bombers Perform Scheduled Flight Over Barents, Norwegian Seas Sputnik 27 May 2017 -- According to Defense Ministry, Russian Tupolev Тu-22М3 strategic bombers on Saturday carried out flights over neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian seas.
• Track and Destroy: Russian Warships Hold Anti-Sub Drills in the Mediterranean Sputnik 27 May 2017 -- A flotilla of Russian surface ships successfully held anti-submarine drills in the Mediterranean Sea, a Russian Black Sea Fleet official said on Saturday.
• EU's Tusk Calls On G7 To Maintain Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 26 May 2017 -- Amid new uncertainty over the U.S. position, European Council President Donald Tusk has called on the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries to maintain sanctions on Russia over its aggression in Ukraine.
• Russia Supplies Advanced President-S Onboard Defense Systems to Three Countries Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- Russia has supplied its advanced President-S onboard defense systems to three countries and is negotiating further supplies with other customers, a representative of Concern Radio-electronic Technology (KRET), Vladimir Mikheev, told Sputnik.
• Russia to Supply China, India With Helicopters by 2020 – Manufacturer Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- Russia is to supply several countries with the Mi-8, Ka-32 and Ansat helicopters, Deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters company.
• Russia to Set Up Military Scientific-Testing Center for Arctic Zone Sputnik 26 May 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to establish an Arctic research and testing scientific center this year.
• Brazil, Mexico Considering Purchase of Russian Mil Helicopters - Manufacturer Sputnik 25 May 2017 -- Brazil and Mexico are considering deliveries of Russian Mil helicopters, a spokesman of the Russian Helicopters company told Sputnik on Thursday.
• Three Latin American States Send Russia Requests for Helicopters Delivery Sputnik 25 May 2017 -- Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay sent official appeals to Russia for the delivery of Russian helicopters, the Russian Helicopters holding company said Thursday.
• Russian Next-Gen Military Satellite Successfully Reaches Designated Orbit Sputnik 25 May 2017 -- Russia's next-generation military satellite launched from the Plesetsk space center in northern part of the country earlier in the day has successfully reached its designated orbit, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
• Russian Base in Tajikistan Bolstered With Uragan MLRS Battery Sputnik 25 May 2017 -- According to Central Military District commander, Russia has reinforced its military base in Tajikistan with a battery of Uragan multiple rocket launcher systems.
• Russian Ka-52 'Alligator' Helicopters to Get 'Space' Guidance System Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopters will get a new guidance system for artillery armament which has been developed with the use of "space" technology, the Russian Space Systems company said.
• Russia to Focus on Hypersonic Weapons in New State Arms Program - MoD Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Russia will consider the development of hypersonic weapons and supplying the country's Armed Forces with them as one of the high-priority spheres in the country's 2018-2025 state armaments program, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Borisov said Wednesday.
• Russian Navy Aims to Increase Number of Strategic Subs Armed With Missiles Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- Nine strategic submarines reinforce Russia's Strategic Missile Forces and allow for permanent patrol of the world's oceans, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a government hour session Wednesday.
• Russian Armed Forces to Receive T-50 Fighter Jets in 2019, S-500 Systems in 2020 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The Russian Armed Forces will begin receiving fifth-generation T-50 fighter aircraft in 2019 and S-500 missile systems the following year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
• Russia to Activate Anti-Prompt Global Strike, Non-Nuclear Deterrence by 2020 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- According to the Russian defense minister, Russia will create a reliable barrier to a potential enemy's prompt global strike and ensure non-nuclear deterrence by 2020.
• Russian Forces Receive 40 Arms Carriers, 180 Long-Range Cruise Missiles in 2016 Sputnik 24 May 2017 -- The Russian Armed Forces have received 40 high-precision weapons delivery systems and 180 long-range cruise missiles in 2016, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
• Putin: At Least 15 Russian Remote Sensing Satellites to Operate by 2020 Sputnik 22 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the remote sensing technologies must be used to boost the Russian defense and security, develop the economy and social sphere, and increase the quality of the state's governance.
• Russia to Supply CSTO States With Advanced Copters, Air Defense Systems in 2017 Sputnik 21 May 2017 -- Dmitry Shugaev, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), stated that Russia will continue defense products supplies to Belarus, Armenia and Kazakhstan in 2017.
• Russian Pacific Fleet About to Get a Whole Lot Deadlier With Three New Corvettes Sputnik 21 May 2017 -- On Sunday, amid celebrations of the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet Day, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Russian Navy's Far Eastern fleet would be taking delivery of three brand new Steregushchiy-class corvettes in the near future.
• Russian Military Deploying Nearly 200 Troops to Arctic for Mystery Mission Sputnik 20 May 2017 -- The Russian Ministry of Defense has deployed the first detachment of a specially-trained group of troops to the Arctic on a curious new mission.
• Ferry Service Launches Between Russia, North Korea Despite U.S. Demands RFE/RL 19 May 2017 -- A new ferry between North Korea and Russia has docked for the first time at the port of Vladivostok, despite U.S. calls for countries to downgrade relations with Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile-testing programs.
• Modernized Tu-160M2 Bomber, 'Stepping Stone' to PAK DA 5th Gen Stealth Bomber Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- While Russia is pressing ahead with the development of the Tupolev Tu-160M2 supersonic strategic bomber, work on the PAK DA new generation stealth bomber could be temporarily put on the back burner.
• Modernization of Russian Naval Support Base in Tartus May Take 5-7 Years Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- A full modernization of the Russian Navy maintenance and support facility in Syrian Tartus may take five to seven years, Chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov said Thursday.
• Russian Strategic Missile Forces Switching to Yars ICBMs - Putin Sputnik 18 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the share of Yars modern missile systems in Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) would stand at 72 percent by the end of 2017.
• Putin Offers To Provide Record Of Controversial Trump-Lavrov Talks RFE/RL 17 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Moscow is prepared to provide a record of a White House meeting in which U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly shared classified intelligence with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• Former Top U.S. Officials Call For New Sanctions, More Aggressive Action On Russia RFE/RL 17 May 2017 -- The United States should impose new sanctions and move more aggressively to "shape Russian thinking" in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine and elsewhere, former top State and Defense department officials said.
• Putin Says Hope Exists for Restoring Peace in Libya, Russia Ready to Help Sputnik 17 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday there is hope for establishing peace in the Libya and Moscow is ready to contribute to the process of settlement in the crisis-torn state.
• Putin: I Can Prove Trump Passed No Secrets VOA 17 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says President Donald Trump never passed any classified information to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov when they met last week in Washington, and he has the transcripts to prove it.
• Trump's reported intel-sharing with Russia nonsense: Kremlin Press TV 16 May 2017 -- The Kremlin has denounced as "complete nonsense" new media reports about US President Donald Trump disclosing classified information at a meeting with Russian officials.
• Russia denies Trump shared info on planned Daesh operation Press TV 16 May 2017 -- Russia has rejected recent reports that US President Donald Trump shared with it information on "a planned Daesh operation."
• Putin says Russia not responsible for recent global cyber attack Press TV 15 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that his country had nothing to do with the recent global "ransomware" cyber attack that targeted some 150 countries over the weekend.
• Russia's 1st Tank Army Receives New Batch of Modernized T-72B3 Tanks Sputnik 15 May 2017 -- Russia's First Tank Army has received 20 T-72B3 tanks that have been modernized and tested, Russia's Western Military District said Monday.
• Russia to Build New Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker - Putin Sputnik 15 May 2017 -- Russia will proceed with building the new nuclear-powered Lider icebreaker but the timing may shift, including due to budget constraints, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Cyber Security Experts: Russia Disproportionately Targeted by Malware VOA 14 May 2017 -- Countries across the globe scrambled to respond to a malicious "ransomware" virus, as internet security watchdogs said the attack had disproportionately targeted Russia.
• Tillerson Says Russia Meddled In U.S. Election, No 'Clean Slate' With Moscow RFE/RL 14 May 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says it is clear that Russia meddled in last year's presidential election, and that Washington and Moscow will not be able to restart with "a clean slate."
• Thousands Protest In Moscow Against Plan To Raze Soviet-Era Housing RFE/RL 14 May 2017 -- Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Moscow to protest the proposed demolitions of Soviet-era housing blocks in the Russian capital.
• North Korea missile launch poses no danger to Russia: Defense Min. Press TV 14 May 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has rejected claims that North Korea's latest ballistic missile test poses a danger to Moscow as it landed about 500 kilometers from its border.
• Russia, China Express Concern Over New North Korean Missile Test RFE/RL 14 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have voiced concern about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea fired a ballistic missile on May 14, Putin's spokesman said.
• U.S. Settles Magnitsky-Linked Money Laundering Case On Eve Of Trial RFE/RL 13 May 2017 -- A Russian-owned group of companies will pay the U.S. government $6 million to settle a wide-reaching money-laundering case that had quietly rippled through U.S.-Russian relations for years.
• South Korean Leader Urges 'Constructive Role' From Putin On Tensions With North RFE/RL 13 May 2017 -- South Korea's newly elected President Moon Jae-in has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to play a "constructive role" in resolving tensions with North Korea's over its threats to use nuclear weapons.
• US spy aircraft intercepted by Russia over Black Sea Press TV 12 May 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry says an Su-30 aircraft has intercepted a US surveillance plane over the Black Sea while it was approaching the Russian border earlier this week.
• Navy: Russian Jet Came Within 6 Meters of US Spy Plane VOA 12 May 2017 -- The United States Navy said Friday that a Russian jet flew within six meters of an American spy plane earlier this week over the Black Sea, but that the encounter was professional.
• Russia's patience with US in diplomats case has limits: Kremlin Press TV 12 May 2017 -- Moscow has not ruled out the possibility of retaliation against Washington over the expulsion from the United States of 35 Russian diplomats late last year, a Russian official says.
• Russian Army's Most Combat-Ready Formations to Be Designated 'Shock Troops' Sputnik 12 May 2017 -- Russia's most battle-worthy army units will soon be given the 'shock troops' designation, and will receive their own distinctive heraldry, Lieutenant-General Ivan Buvaltsev, head of the Main Administration of Combat Training of the Russian Armed Forces, has confirmed.
• Russian president says ready to help ease Korea tension Press TV 12 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is ready to help calm down tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Russia charges three suspects with terror in St. Petersburg metro bombing Press TV 11 May 2017 -- Russian prosecutors have charged three suspects over involvement in last month's bombing attack in the Saint Petersburg metro.
• Kremlin 'Cautiously Optimistic' After Lavrov-Trump Meeting RFE/RL 11 May 2017 -- The Kremlin expressed "cautious optimism" about the prospects for an improvement in relations with the United States following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• Russia: 'Cautious Optimism' After Trump-Lavrov Meeting VOA 11 May 2017 -- A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a meeting between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. President Donald Trump was "extremely positive."
• Trump Praises 'Very Good' Meeting With Russian Foreign Minister RFE/RL 10 May 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said his talks with Russia's foreign minister were "very good" and said both Washington and Moscow were working toward ending the six-year war in Syria.
• Tillerson Tells Lavrov Sanctions to Stay Until Minsk Deal Implemented Sputnik 10 May 2017 -- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Washington that US sanctions on Russia will remain until the Minsk agreement is fully implemented, the Department of State said in a press release on Wednesday.
• Secretary Tillerson's Meeting With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov US Dept. of State 10 May 2017
• Trump, Russian FM Hold Talks on Syria, Other Flashpoints VOA 10 May 2017 -- A day after firing the head of the agency investigating his administration's ties to Russia, President Donald Trump hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the White House for talks focusing largely on Syria.
• Veteran 'Silovik' Named To Head Chechen Presidential Administration RFE/RL 10 May 2017 -- Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov recently demoted one of his closest associates and promoted a second. That in itself is not unusual, given that Kadyrov constantly transfers from one post to another, regardless of relevant qualifications and competence, the estimated 80 to 100 men, most of them either blood relatives or born in his native village of Tsentaroi, whom he trusts.
• Arctic Region Has No Issues Requiring Military Solutions - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 10 May 2017 -- There are no issues or disagreements over the Arctic region, which would call for military solutions, and the region's prosperity can be ensured only through cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
• Military Strikes Continue Against ISIS Terrorists in Syria, Iraq AFPS 09 May 2017 -- U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 27 strikes consisting of 84 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
• Counter-ISIS Campaign to Intensify, Mattis Says AFPS 09 May 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition will accelerate its campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today in a joint press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen.
• Update: air strikes against Daesh UK MOD 09 May 2017 -- The RAF are continuing to take the fight to Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• IS Video Purportedly Shows Beheading Of Russian Officer In Syria RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has issued a video showing the beheading of a man it described as a Russian intelligence officer captured in Syria, but the Russian Defense Ministry suggests no such killing has taken place.
• Syria Says Russian Military, Not UN Troops, To Police Safe Zones RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Syria's foreign minister said on May 8 that Russian troops, not UN-supervised international forces, will enforce the cease-fire in safe zones established under a Russian-led agreement.
• IS Video Shows Execution of Alleged Russian Intel Officer VOA 09 May 2017 -- The Islamic State group released a video Monday night through its social media channels purporting to show the beheading of a Russian intelligence officer in Syria.
• The 'Russophobia' Weapon RFE/RL 09 May 2017 -- Sergei Lavrov sees "Russophobia" everywhere.
• Russian Black See Fleet Receives Two Advanced Raptor Patrol Boats Sputnik 08 May 2017 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet received two advanced Raptor high-speed patrol boats, the fleet's spokesman Сapt. 1st Rank Vyacheslav Trukhachev said Monday.
• Moscow Protest Marks Five Years Since Bolotnaya Crackdown RFE/RL 06 May 2017 -- Thousands of Russian opposition activists held a rally in Moscow on May 6 to mark five years since the 2012 Bolotnaya Square antigovernment protest in Moscow.
• Meant for Each Other: Why Russian Ka-52 Are Top Choice for Egypt's Mistral Ships Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Russia's shipborne Ka-52K Katran combat helicopters are best suited for Egypt's Mistral warships, an official representative of Russia's Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) told Sputnik on Friday.
• Egypt's Decision on Buying Russia's Ka-52K Expected in May - Russian Helicopters Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Russian Helicopters company CEO said that a decision on the purchase of Russia's shipborne Ka-52K Katran combat helicopters by Egypt should be reached this month.
• Russia General Staff Estimating Number of Syria Safe Zones Observation Posts Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said that Russian troops in Syria under the leadership of the General Staff are estimating the number of necessary observation points, which will be established in the Syrian safe zones.
• Russian Air Forces Stopped Operations in Syria De-escalation Zones From May 1 Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Russia stopped using its Aerospace Forces in de-escalation zones in Syria from midnight May 1 in line with memorandum, chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi said Friday.
• In Massive Spending Bill, U.S. Lawmakers Back Several Measures Targeting Russia RFE/RL 04 May 2017 -- Congress has authorized a new $100 million effort to counter "Russian influence and aggression" and to support civil society organizations in Europe and Eurasia.
• Putin Vows To Discuss Alleged Abuse Of Gay Men In Chechnya With Top Officials RFE/RL 05 May 2017 -- President Vladimir Putin says he will speak to top law enforcement officials about reports alleging a campaign of abuse targeting gay men in Russia's southern Chechnya region, which he suggested may be nothing more than "rumors."
• Russian Police Probe Radical Pro-Kremlin Group Over Navalny Attack RFE/RL 05 May 2017 -- The leader of a radical pro-Kremlin group says police plan to question him and his colleagues over an attack on Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny that has impaired his eyesight.
• Russia's Newest Frigate Armed With Kalibrs Beefs Up Mediterranean Battle Group Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- The Admiral Essen, an Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate armed with Kalilbr missiles, has entered the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian Navy's Mediterranean task force mission, Navy spokesman Vyacheslav Trukhachyov confirmed Friday.
• Russia to Rearm Strategic Missile Forces With 5th-Generation Arms by 2027 Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Russia will have upgraded its Strategic Missile Forces with 5th-generation devices by 2027.
• Russian Warplanes Performed Routine Flight Off Alaskan Shore Sputnik 05 May 2017 -- Russian heavy bombers performed a routine flight near Alaska on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Russian Navy to Receive 2 New Project 20360M Ships Before 2021 Sputnik 06 May 2017 -- Russian Defense Ministry said that Russia's Navy will get two new Project 20360M armament transport ships before 2021.
• Poll: Number Of Russians Who Would Vote For Putin Slips Below 50 Percent RFE/RL 04 May 2017 -- A new opinion poll indicates that 48 percent of voters would cast their ballots for incumbent President Vladimir Putin if Russia's presidential election were held in the near future.
• Russian Defense Ministry Denies Sunk Vessel Secret Equipment Salvaging Claims Sputnik 04 May 2017 -- Defense Ministry denied reports claiming military divers have launched an operation to salvage secret equipment from the sunken Liman vessel.
• Russia, Turkey underline need to continue anti-terror fight Press TV 03 May 2017 -- Russia and Turkey have both underscored the need to continue the fight against terrorism and step up safe zones in war-tron Syria.
• Putin, Erdogan Hail Return To 'Normal Partner' Relations RFE/RL 03 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed that their countries have overcome a period of difficulties in bilateral relations and have returned to "normal partner interaction."
• Russian President Putin Holds Joint Presser With Turkish Counterpart Erdogan Sputnik 03 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Wednesday, May 3. The two leaders previously discussed a series of issues over Russian-Turkish bilateral relations as well as the ongoing Syrian conflict.
• Trump Sends Envoy to Russia-sponsored Syrian Cease-fire Talks VOA 03 May 2017 -- Russia-sponsored Syrian cease-fire talks taking place Wednesday and Thursday in Astana, Kazakhstan will include a U.S. State Department envoy attending as an observer.
• Russia Could Deploy More Military Police to Syria if Safe Zones Created Sputnik 03 May 2017 -- In case the decision about the creation of safe, or de-escalation, zones in Syria is made, Russia may assist Syria by providing additional units of military police to ensure order in these designated areas, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Frants Klintsevich said Wednesday.
• Russian Election Hacking 'Wildly Successful' At Sowing Discord, U.S. Intelligence Figures Say RFE/RL 03 May 2017 -- Russia has succeeded in sowing political discord in the United States by interfering in the 2016 presidential election, which will likely prompt Moscow to try it again, two former top U.S. intelligence figures say.
• Tillerson Says 'Almost No Trust' Between U.S. And Russia RFE/RL 03 May 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says there is "almost no trust" at present between the United States and Russia, mentioning arms-control agreements and Ukraine as areas where Moscow "is not being particularly helpful today."
• Russian Court Upholds Navalny's Latest Embezzlement Verdict RFE/RL 03 May 2017 -- A Russian court has upheld an embezzlement verdict against opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, a politically charged ruling that will strengthen the government's case for keeping him out of next year's presidential election if President Vladimir Putin doesn't want him to run.
• Flying High: Russia's T-50 Super Jet Preparing to Soar With Next-Gen Engine Sputnik 03 May 2017 -- Flight tests of Russian newest PAK FA (T-50) fighter aircraft with a standard engine will start in the near future, General Designer of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Sergei Korotkov said Wednesday.
• Court Upholds Embezzlement Sentence for Russian Opposition Figure VOA 03 May 2017 -- A Russian court has upheld opposition leader Alexei Navalny's five-year suspended sentence for embezzlement, a move that could thwart his plans to run for president in 2018.
• Erdogan, Putin to Meet Amid Faltering Rapprochement VOA 02 May 2017 -- Turkey could be seeking to play Moscow off Washington, according to some analysts, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set for separate meetings this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Russia Reduces Nuclear Arsenals Despite Unfavorable International Climate Sputnik 02 May 2017 -- The director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control said that Russia was taking concrete steps to reduce its nuclear arsenals.
• Russia to Launch Indigenous Amphibious Assault Ship in Place of French Mistrals Sputnik 02 May 2017 -- Russia's Project 11711 large amphibious assault ship Pyotr Morgunov is slated to be floated this summer, Defense Ministry spokesman, Capitan First Rank Igor Dygalo, announced.
• Russian-Built AWACS-Type Aircraft to Detect New Generation Targets - Shoigu Sputnik 02 May 2017 -- A Russian-built A-100 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft will be able to detect new classes of targets, including new generation tactical aircraft, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
• Russian Mystery Weapon Claim Seen as Sign of Military Weakness VOA 02 May 2017 -- Does Russia have a "mystery weapon" capable of threatening the entire U.S. Navy?
• Putin Meets With Merkel, Will Hold Phone Call With Trump RFE/RL 02 May 2017 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met in the Russian Black Sea port of Sochi for talks focusing on the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as on strained bilateral relations.
• Putin Denies Russia Meddled in US Election VOA 02 May 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin denied Tuesday that Russia interfered in last year's U.S. presidential election, saying such allegations are "simply rumors" that are being leveraged for political reasons in the United States.