Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Russia to sell SU-35 fighter jets to Indonesia Press TV 22 Aug 2017 -- Russia is set to sell Indonesia nearly a dozen Sukhoi fighter jets worth $1.14 billion in exchange for cash and commodities, officials in Jakarta say.
• Ghana Mulls Purchases of Russian Helicopters, Military Equipment Sputnik 22 Aug 2017 -- The Ghanaian defense minister said that Ghana was interested in purchasing helicopters and military equipment from Russia.
• Russia to Supply Egypt With 15 Ka-52 Alligators by Year-end Sputnik 22 Aug 2017 -- Russia will supply Egypt with 15 Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters (NATO reporting name Hokum B) by the end of this year, Russian Helicopters holding company CEO Andrey Boginsky told Sputnik on Tuesday at the Army-2017 forum.
• Kremlin Aide Says Discussed 'Fresh Ideas' With U.S. Envoy To End Ukraine Conflict RFE/RL 22 Aug 2017 -- A Kremlin aide has made upbeat remarks after talking with the new U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, saying they discussed "fresh ideas" in a "constructive" meeting.
• Russia Claims Progress In Ousting IS From Syrian Strongholds RFE/RL 22 Aug 2017 -- A top Russian commander has said that Moscow and Syrian government forces have made swift progress in the last month driving Islamic State (IS) militants from central Syria and a last major stronghold in the east.
• Russia's New Soyuz-5 Carrier Rocket to Cheapen Satellite Insertion Into Orbit Sputnik 22 Aug 2017 -- According to the director general of Russia's Roscosmos, Russia's new Soyuz-5 carrier rocket will make inserting satellites into orbit seriously cheaper.
• Iraqi Official Praises Russian Arms Pivotal Role in Defeating Daesh Sputnik 22 Aug 2017 -- Russian-made weapons purchased by Iraq played a crucial role in many battles with Daesh terrorist group, Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh Fayad told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• U.S. Envoy On Ukraine Conflict Meets With Russia's Surkov In Minsk RFE/RL 21 Aug 2017 -- The new U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Kurt Volker, has met with a Kremlin aide in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
• U.S. Institutes Visa Restrictions At Its Missions Across Russia, Blames Kremlin Order RFE/RL 21 Aug 2017 -- The U.S. Embassy in Moscow says that "all nonimmigrant visa operations" at U.S. missions across Russia will be suspended as of August 23 due to a Kremlin-imposed cap on staff at U.S. diplomatic facilities.
• Russia's Top General to Visit Ankara Amid Turkish US Tensions VOA 21 Aug 2017 -- Russia's armed forces chief staff, General Valery Gerasimov, is due to visit Turkey this week in the latest step in bilateral regional coordination efforts on Syria. Ahead of Gerasimov's visit, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu took a swipe at NATO ally the United States, saying Russia better understood Turkey's concerns about the Syrian Kurdish rebel militia, the YPG.
• US Halts Non-immigrant Visas from Russia VOA 21 Aug 2017 -- The United States will halt the issuing of all non-immigrant visas from Russia from Wednesday to September 1, according to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
• New Il-96-400 Passenger Jet to Help Russian Planes Win Back Domestic Market Sputnik/ 19.08.2017 - According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's Il-96-400 passenger airliner will allow Russian planes to win back the country's domestic air transportation market.
• 'Ideal Place': Russia to Deploy Next Gen Missile Warning Radar in Crimea Sputnik/ Alexander Yuryev 14:04 19.08.2017 - Russia plans to set up the Voronezh-SM state-of-the-art missile warning radar in Crimea. In an interview with Sputnik, the radar’s chief designer Sergei Boyev spoke about the strengths of the new system and the benefits of locating it on the strategic Black Sea peninsula.
• Russia plans to scale back military spending - but not rearmament Sputnik News August 18, 2017 NIKOLAI LITOVKIN Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that in 2018 the country will decrease its military budget but said the pace of rearmament will remain the same. The economic crisis and sanctions have taken their toll on Russia. Like in recent years, the country’s budget has been slashed and military spending has been cut.
• Helicopters Ka-32 for the first time will start to deliver to Thailand and Turkey KUMERTAU, August 18th. / TASS /. Eight Ka-32A11BC helicopters will be delivered to Thailand and Turkey for the first time. This was reported in the holding company "Helicopters of Russia" (part of Rostekh).
• Jailed Russian Ex-Intelligence Officer Kvachkov Receives Additional Sentence RFE/RL 18 Aug 2017 -- A former Russian intelligence officer who is serving a prison term for an alleged attempt to overthrow the government, has been handed an additional prison term for incitement to hatred.
• Navalny Says Peskov's Alleged Son Living Luxurious Life, But Has No Job RFE/RL 18 Aug 2017 -- Aleksei Navalny, the Russian anticorruption crusader and foe of President Vladimir Putin, says the alleged son of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is living a life of luxury well beyond his apparent means.
• Russia Bolsters Positions in Central Asia Due to Afghan Conflict, DM Shoigu Says Sputnik 18 Aug 2017 -- Russia is increasing its presence in Central Asia because of instability from the conflict in neighboring Afghanistan, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a ministerial board session Friday.
• Russia, China Warn U.S. Against Military Conflict With North Korea RFE/RL 18 Aug 2017 -- Russia joined with China on August 17 in urging the United States not to take military action against North Korea, saying the escalating threats of war being traded between Washington and Pyongyang could reach the "point of no return."
• Russia's Space Forces Assume Control Over New Military Satellite Sputnik 17 Aug 2017 -- A new Russian military satellite has reached its final orbit after a launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan on Wednesday night.
• Russian Military Satellite Splits From Proton-M Carrier Rocket Sputnik 17 Aug 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said that a Russian military satellite mounted atop a Briz-M booster successfully separated from the carrier rocket.
• Russian Ex-Minister Ulyukayev Points Finger At Sechin, FSB In Bribery Trial RFE/RL 16 Aug 2017 -- Former Russian Economic Development Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev has told a Moscow court that the bribery charge against him was fabricated and accused powerful state oil company chief Igor Sechin of targeting him in a "provocation."
• Russia throws weight behind Iran's missile program Press TV 16 Aug 2017 -- Iran's defensive missile program is part of its "national interests," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says, asserting that the new US sanctions against the Islamic Republic over its missile activities are "illegitimate" and only harm the nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1.
• China, Russia warn against use of force against North Korea People's Daily 16 Aug 2017 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday noted that no one should be permitted to stir up tensions on China and Russia's doorstep, calling for a peaceful settlement to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
• Russia arrests 'Ukrainian agent' in Crimea during act of sabotage Press TV 15 Aug 2017 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained an alleged Ukrainian agent who was planning acts of sabotage in the Black Sea Crimean Peninsula.
• Russia Claims Ukrainian Reconnaissance Officer Detained In Crimea RFE/RL 15 Aug 2017 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has detained a senior reconnaissance officer from a Ukrainian military unit and claims he was planning acts of sabotage in Crimea.
• Putin: 2018 Defense Spending Cuts Won't Affect Army, Navy Refit Plans Sputnik 15 Aug 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia's defense spending in 2018 will be reduced, though the plans to renovate the country's military will remain in place.
• ICC issues arrest warrant for Libya commander Press TV 15 Aug 2017 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for the arrest of Mahmoud Mustafa Busayf al-Werfalli, a senior Libyan military commander, over the death of 33 people in the war-torn city of Benghazi.
• Lithuanian Military Claims NATO Jets Escorted Russian Aircraft 8 Times in Week Sputnik 14 Aug 2017 -- According to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, NATO fighter jets have intercepted and guided Russian aircraft eight times last week.
• Despite Russian Allegations, Moldova's Dodon Finds No Fault With Training Base RFE/RL 14 Aug 2017 -- Moldovan President Igor Dodon says he discovered nothing "dubious" during an inspection of a Moldovan Army training base that a Russian media report claimed would house U.S.-funded "military facilities."
• Russia arrests 4 suspects over Daesh plot to launch attacks in Moscow Press TV 14 Aug 2017 -- Russia has busted a Daesh-linked terror cell working on a plot to launch attacks in the capital Moscow.
• Russian FSB Detains Daesh-Linked Terrorists Plotting Suicide Attacks in Moscow Sputnik 14 Aug 2017 -- The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained members of a terrorist group who have been plotting suicide bomber attacks in Moscow.
• Russia's State-of-the-Art Torpedo That 'Changed the Rules of Maritime Warfare' Sputnik 14 Aug 2017 -- Russia will modernize its VA-111 Shkval supercavitating torpedo under the 2018-2025 state arms program. The torpedo can reach speeds of over 300 kph. Today, Russia is the only country to have in service such an advanced weapon.
• Libyan National Army Head Discussed Possible Russian Military Aid With Lavrov Sputnik 14 Aug 2017 -- Libyan National Army Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar said Monday he raised the issue of Russia providing military help to Libya during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
• Russia to Boost Iraqi Army Potential With Upcoming Supplies of T-90 Battle Tanks Sputnik 14 Aug 2017 -- Russia will begin the supplies of T-90 tanks to Iraq shortly, Russian ambassador to Iraq Maksim Maksimov told Sputnik.
• Russian Warplanes Help Syrian Army Liberate Daesh Hotbed in Homs Sputnik 13 Aug 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that Russian military aviation helped the Syrian army liberate Daesh's hotbed in the Homs province, the town of As-Sukhnah.
• Russian Aerospace Forces Learnt 'New Methods of Striking Targets' in Syria Sputnik 13 Aug 2017 -- The combat training of Russian pilots and the system designed to train cadets has been adjusted taking into account the experience gained by the Russian military in Syria, the commander in chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Viktor Bondarev, said.
• Analysts: Trump's Mixed Russia Policy Still Taking Shape VOA 13 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's reluctant support for tighter sanctions against Russia and recent comments about Russia have been interpreted in Moscow as a turning point in hopes for improved relations.
• 'We Must Be Strong Enough': Serbia Mulling Russia's S-300 System Purchase Sputnik 12 Aug 2017 -- Belgrade is mulling the purchase of Russia's S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, but it is premature for any specific detail to be shared, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Sputnik on Saturday.
• Serbia Expects Delivery of Russian T-72s Tanks, Armored Vehicles in 2018 Sputnik 12 Aug 2017 -- Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Sputnik on Saturday he expects Russia's military aid package to Serbia consisting, in particular, of 30 T-72s tanks and 30 BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance vehicles, to be delivered next year with no specific deadline fixed.
• Russian Females Get a Chance of Their Lives to Become Military Pilots Sputnik 12 Aug 2017 -- For the first time in its history, Russia's aviation school in Krasnodar will enroll female students to train them as military pilots, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told journalists.
• Next-Generation Russian Air Force Aircraft to Be Unmanned Sputnik 12 Aug 2017 -- The aviation technologies such as planes and helicopters for the Russian Aerospace Forces will be unmanned in the future, Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Saturday.
• Russian Anti-Submarine Destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov Enters Mediterranean Sputnik 12 Aug 2017 -- A spokesman of the Russian Northern Fleet said that Russia's Vice-Admiral Kulakov anti-submarine destroyer has entered the Mediterranean Sea.
• Libyan National Army Head Arrives in Moscow for Talks With Lavrov Sputnik 13 Aug 2017 -- The commander of the Libyan National Army arrived in Moscow for the talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• Russian Aerospace Forces to Receive 400 Planes, Helicopters Annually Until 2025 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russian Aerospace Forces will receive about 400 planes and helicopters per year in accordance with the new state armaments program for 2018-2025, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said.
• 'Think Twice': Russian FM Warns US Against Interfering in 2018 Presidential Vote Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia hopes that the United States will not meddle in its presidential election in 2018 after groundless accusations that Moscow interfered in the US November 2016 vote, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
• Russia's Fifth-Generation PAK FA Fighter Jet Officially Named Su-57 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's fifth-generation fighter jet PAK FA has officially been named as the Su-57, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said Friday.
• Russia Boosts Air Defense in Far East Amid Escalating N Korea Nuclear Situation Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia has put on high alert its air defense systems in the country's Far East due to the escalation of the situation around North Korea's recent missile tests.
• Admiralty Shipyards to Build Pacific Fleet Submarine Maintenance Base by 2020 Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Admiralty Shipyards will build a maintenance facility for diesel-electric submarines of Russia's Pacific Fleet by 2020, the company's CEO told Sputnik.
• Russia's Admiralty Shipyards to Build Compact Shipyard for Subs Manufacture Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's Admiralty Shipyards is building a compact shipyard for submarines' construction, the company's CEO said in an interview to Sputnik.
• Russia's Admiralty Shipyards to Sign Deal on Two Lada-Class Subs Constuction Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- The Admiralty Shipyards, a part of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation, is expecting to sign contracts on building two non-nuclear Lada-class (Project 677) submarines in 2018, the company's CEO, Alexander Buzakov, said in an interview with Sputnik.
• Russia to Start Construction of 2 Varshavyanka-Class Subs for Pacific Fleet Sputnik 11 Aug 2017 -- Russia's St. Petersburg-based Admiralty Shipyards is planning to start construction of two more Varshavyanka-class (Project 636.3) diesel-electric attack submarines for the Pacific Fleet in 2019, the company's CEO Alexander Buzakov said.
• Russian forces hold major drills in Baltic Sea Press TV 10 Aug 2017 -- The Russian navy has staged major tactical drills in the westernmost region of Kaliningrad, the latest in a series of high-profile war games by the country's military forces in the strategic Baltic Sea.
• Russian Surveillance Plane Flies Low Over Washington, Creating Stir RFE/RL 10 Aug 2017 -- A Russian plane has conducted a surveillance flight over the U.S. Capitol building, Central Intelligence Agency, Pentagon, and other critical government centers in Washington after being cleared by the Pentagon.
• Ukraine cancels deal with Russia on joint military exports Press TV 09 Aug 2017 -- Ukraine has scrapped an inter-governmental military agreement with Russia that prevented unauthorized export of jointly developed weapons and equipment.
• Putin Visits Abkhazia On Anniversary Of Russia-Georgia War RFE/RL 08 Aug 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia and reiterated Russia's support for the separatists.
• Russia, Abkhazia Agree to Enhance Security Cooperation in Caucasus - Putin Sputnik 08 Aug 2017 -- Russia and Abkhazia will develop closer security cooperation in the Caucasian region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
• Putin: Russia to Continue Guaranteeing Abkhazia's Security, Independence Sputnik 08 Aug 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow securely guarantees the security and self-sufficiency of Abkhazia, its independence.
• Russia Steps Up Efforts To Cut Reliance On U.S. Dollar, Payments System RFE/RL 08 Aug 2017 -- Russia will speed up efforts to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar and credit-card system in the wake of tough new sanctions imposed by Washington, a top diplomat says.
• Russia Convinced No Alternative to Resuming Political Process on North Korea Sputnik 08 Aug 2017 -- Russia is convinced there is no alternative to resumption of political process on issue of North Korea, Moscow is ready to continue dialogue with Pyongyang, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
• US Says Russian Election Interference Created 'Serious Mistrust' VOA 06 Aug 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday that Russian interference in last year's presidential election created "serious mistrust," and that he and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed "a lot of work" that has to be done regarding U.S.-Russia relations.
• Tillerson, Lavrov discuss damaged US-Russia ties Press TV 07 Aug 2017 -- Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election has created "serious mistrust" between Washington and Moscow and damaged mutual ties, according to American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
• Tillerson Tells Lavrov Russia's Election Meddling Created 'Serious Mistrust' RFE/RL 07 Aug 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says he has told his Russian counterpart that Moscow's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election created "serious mistrust" between the two countries.
• Saakashvili Predicts Putin's 'Full Isolation,' Rise of Russian Opposition RFE/RL 07 Aug 2017 -- Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president and ex-governor of Ukraine's Odesa region who was stripped last month of his Ukrainian citizenship, says Russian President Vladimir Putin will eventually face "full international isolation" as a result of tensions between Moscow and the West.
• Russia, India to Train Naval, Air Blockade During Joint Exercises Indra-2017 Sputnik 07 Aug 2017 -- According to the press service of Russia's Eastern Military District, ships from the Russian and Indian navies will practice creating a partial naval and air blockade of the simulated enemy during the Indra-2017 military exercises.
• CSTO Rift Grows Between Moscow And Astana RFE/RL 06 Aug 2017 -- On June 22, Vladimir Shamanov, the head of the Russian State Duma's Committee on Defense, announced that Russian military officials were holding talks with their colleagues in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan about the potential deployment of Kazakh and Kyrgyz peacekeepers to Syria.
• US, Russian Envoys to Hold Talks on Ukraine Violence VOA 06 Aug 2017 -- Russia said Sunday that the U.S. is soon sending its envoy for negotiations over unrest in eastern Ukraine to Moscow for talks about the ongoing violence.
• Lavrov: We Feel U.S. Readiness To Continue Dialogue RFE/RL 06 Aug 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on August 6 that he believed his American counterpart was ready to continue dialogue with Russia on complex issues despite bilateral tensions and the imposition of fresh U.S. sanctions against Moscow.
• Russia's Kislyak Denies Inappropriate Contacts With Trump Adviser RFE/RL 05 Aug 2017 -- Former Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak has said that his discussions with former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn were "completely appropriate, calm, and absolutely transparent."
• Russia slams new EU bans over Crimea gas turbines as 'unfriendly' Press TV 05 Aug 2017 -- Russia has denounced as "unfriendly and unjustified" a European Union decision to expand its anti-Moscow sanctions list over Moscow's delivery of Siemens gas turbines to Crimea.
• Russian Support to Promote Settling Crisis in Syria - Syrian Opposition Figure Sputnik 05 Aug 2017 -- According to the leader of the Syrian opposition group, the establishment of contacts with Russia is the most effective way to handle Syrian conflict.
• Russia ties most difficult since Cold War: NATO Press TV 04 Aug 2017 -- NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says relations between the Western military alliance and Russia are experiencing their most difficult times since the Cold War.
• Indonesian Envoy Calls Establishing Russian Military Base in Country Impossible Sputnik 04 Aug 2017 -- The establishment of a Russian military base in Indonesia is not being considered, since the move would go against the nation's constitution, Indonesia's Ambassador to Russia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi told Sputnik.
• Indonesia Intends to Buy From Russia 8 Su-35 Fighters Sputnik 04 Aug 2017 -- Indonesia intends to purchase from Russia eight new Su-35 multirole air superiority fighters, later their number could increase to 16, Indonesia's ambassador to Russia Mohamad Wahid Supriyadi told Sputnik in an interview.
• In New Russian Sanctions Law, A U.S. Warning Of Things To Come RFE/RL 04 Aug 2017 -- Legislation signed into law this week by a reluctant U.S. President Donald Trump hits hard at Russia, cementing existing sanctions and adding on a few more for good measure to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine, Syria, and allegedly cyberspace.
• Russia agrees with US that bilateral ties at 'very dangerous low' Press TV 04 Aug 2017 -- The Kremlin says it agrees with US President Donald Trump's view posted on Twitter on Thursday that relations between Washington and Moscow were at a very dangerous low.
• Kremlin Echoes Trump's Assessment Of Bilateral Ties RFE/RL 04 Aug 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says the Kremlin agrees with President Donald Trump's statement that the U.S. "relationship with Russia is at an all-time and very dangerous low."
• Russian Officials Refuse To Accept Charges Of State-Sponsored Doping RFE/RL 04 Aug 2017 -- Russian officials said on August 3 that they will never accept a demand from world anti-doping authorities that they acknowledge that the state oversaw a mass sports doping operation and cover-up.
• Russia denies military presence in Libya Press TV 04 Aug 2017 -- Russia says it has deployed no military specialists to Libya, denying media reports that claimed otherwise.
• Top US Intelligence Officials Wary as Ever of Russia VOA 04 Aug 2017 -- Top U.S. intelligence officials are refusing to back down over concerns about Russia, even as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian officials lament what they describe as deteriorating relations between the two countries.
• No agreement on North Korea sanctions: Russia Press TV 04 Aug 2017 -- Russia says no agreement has been reached among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on a draft resolution against North Korea.
• Russia announces deal on safe zone in Syria's Homs Press TV 03 Aug 2017 -- The Russian army says it has reached a deal with foreign-backed militants in Syria to create a new de-escalation zone in the country's northern parts of Homs province.
• Russia Says New Safe Zone Agreed In Syria RFE/RL 03 Aug 2017 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says it has agreed with Syria's opposition to create a new safe zone north of the city of Homs.
• Russia Reached Deal With Syria Opposition on 3rd Syria Safe Zone - MoD Sputnik 03 Aug 2017 -- Russian Defense Ministry and moderate Syrian opposition reached an agreement on operations of the third de-escalation zone in Syria, Russian MoD spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Thursday.
• Trump says ties with Russia at 'very dangerous low,' blames Congress sanctions Press TV 03 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington's ties with Moscow are at a "very dangerous low," and blamed Congress for the situation, a day after he reluctantly signed into law a sanctions bill against Russia.
• Pence: Russia's behavior 'not acceptable' Press TV 03 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump's signing of the recent anti-Russia sanctions bill shows that Washington does not accept Moscow's "destabilizing behaviors."
• Russia: Fresh sanctions remove hope of better relations with the US Press TV 03 Aug 2017 -- Russia has said the fresh US sanctions imposed against Moscow are tantamount to a "full-scale trade war" and destroy prospects for better relations with Washington.
• Trump, Russia Agree: Relationship at Distinct Low Point VOA 03 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Congress Thursday for creating new tensions with Russia by approving sanctions against Moscow, and the Kremlin agreed the penalties would thwart improved relations.
• Arming Ukraine to escalate conflict, Russia tells US Press TV 02 Aug 2017 -- Russia has warned that a reported plan by the United States to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons will further escalate the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine.
• Trump signs sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran, North Korea Press TV 02 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has reluctantly signed into law a bill by Congress that imposes new sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, according to the White House.
• Tillerson says Trump not 'very happy' with new Russia sanctions bill Press TV 02 Aug 2017 -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says President Donald Trump is not happy with the new package of Congressional sanctions against Russia, particularly because they may hinder efforts to improve ties between the two countries.
• Kremlin denies Reuters report estimating rise in casualties in Syria Press TV 02 Aug 2017 -- Russia has dismissed as a "myth" a report by Reuters about a rise in the number of Russian military casualties in Syria this year.
• Trump Signs New Sanctions On Russia, Iran, North Korea; Calls Measure 'Significantly Flawed' RFE/RL 02 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law new legislation imposing further sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea but called the bill "significantly flawed" and signaled that he might not fully implement the sanctions.
• Moscow Rejects Reuters Report On Syrian Casualties RFE/RL 02 Aug 2017 -- Russia is disputing a report by the Reuters news agency that shows higher Russian casualties in Syria than has been officially reported.
• Russian PM Medvedev on New Sanctions: 'US Declares Full-Fledged Trade War' Sputnik 02 Aug 2017 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that the United States declared a full-fledged trade war by introducing new anti-Russia sanctions, adding that there is no chance that the relations between the two states will improve.
• Russian Base in Abkhazia Unaffected by Ammunition Blast - Defense Ministry Sputnik 02 Aug 2017 -- The personnel and facilities at the Russian military base in Abkhazia were not affected by an explosion at an ammunition depot of the Abkhazian Defense Ministry on Wednesday, spokesman for Russia's Southern Military District Col. Vadim Astafyev said.
• Trump Voices Concerns Over Russia Sanctions Law as He Signs Bill Sputnik 02 Aug 2017 -- President Donald Trump is adding a statement expressing concerns over the bill to sanction Russia, Iran and North Korea that he signed into law on Wednesday morning, according to media reports.
• President Trump Signs Anti-Russian Sanctions Into Law Sputnik 02 Aug 2017 -- US President Donald Trump has signed a new batch of sanctions into law which are directed against Russia, Iran and North Korea.
• Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law VOA 02 Aug 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sanctions bill he declared is "significantly flawed" with "clearly unconstitutional provisions."
• Trump "weighed in" on son's statement of Russia-related meeting: White House People's Daily 02 Aug 2017 -- The White House said Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump "weighed in" on a statement his eldest son had made about a controversial Russia-related meeting.
• Pence Says U.S. To Hold Russia 'Accountable For Its Actions' RFE/RL 02 Aug 2017 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has told leaders of the Western Balkans that the United States will continue to hold Russia "accountable for its actions."
• Germany Urges EU To Fight Back Against Russia Sanctions Bill RFE/RL 01 Aug 2017 -- Germany's economics minister on July 31 urged the European Union to fight back against new sanctions by the United States that could penalize Western companies doing business with Russia.
• 'We'll Make This Thing Run Ourselves Аnd Тo Hell With The Russians': U.S. Diplomat Recalls Last Major Expulsion In Moscow RFE/RL 01 Aug 2017 -- Someone had to clean the toilets. Someone had to lug that fresh milk into the embassy. And it couldn't be the ambassador.
• Tillerson Says Neither Trump Nor Him Happy About Anti-Russia Sanctions Sputnik 01 Aug 2017 -- Tillerson said neither he nor Donald Trump were happy about the Congress' decision to approve sanctions against Russia.
• Russian Planes Intercepted by NATO Jets During Training Mission - MoD Sputnik 01 Aug 2017 -- Two Russian MiG-31 Foxhound fighter jets and an An-26 Curl military transport aircraft carried out a planned training flight over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday when they were intercepted by two NATO fighters, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
• Anti-Sabotage Defense Installed at Russian Navy Base in Syria's Tartus Sputnik 01 Aug 2017 -- According to reports, an anti-sabotage boundary has been created along the coastline of the Russian Navy maintenance and support facility in the Syrian city of Tartus.
• Experts Say Russian Retaliation Against US Could Backfire VOA 01 Aug 2017 -- Russian authorities are now barring American diplomats and their families from a U.S. recreational residence on the outskirts of Moscow, part of sweeping retaliatory measures announced by Kremlin leader Vladmir Putin.
• Pence: Reversing Sanctions Requires Russia to Change VOA 01 Aug 2017 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says diplomatic actions taken by Russian in response to fresh sanctions will not deter U.S. commitment to its security and that of its allies.
• Russia, China Hit Back After U.S. Criticizes Them Over North Korea Crisis RFE/RL 01 Aug 2017 -- Russia and China hit back at the United States on July 31 after U.S. leaders blamed them for not doing enough to rein in North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
• Russia, India Sign Contract for Design of 3rd Stage of Kudankulam NPP Sputnik 01 Aug 2017 -- According to Atomstroyexport group, Russia and India have signed contracts on design of the third stage of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.