Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Top Republican, Democratic Senators Warn Trump On Enforcing Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 30 Sep 2017 -- Two leading U.S. senators are warning President Donald Trump to enforce the Russia sanctions that Congress recently passed into law over Trump's objections.
• Moscow Refutes Claims of Russian Troops Remaining in Belarus After Joint Drills Sputnik 30 Sep 2017 -- According to a statement issued by the Russian Defense Ministry, no Russian troops remained in Belarus after the Zapad-2017 joint drills.
• Russia rejects US claim on Iran, IAEA Press TV 30 Sep 2017 -- A senior Russian official has dismissed a recent US claim that Moscow is trying to "shield" Iran from inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which Washington has been pushing to widen to Iran's military sites.
• Russia Charges Opposition Leader for Unsanctioned Protests VOA 29 Sep 2017 -- Russian police released opposition leader and would-be presidential candidate Alexei Navalny on Friday after several hours in detention.
• Russian Sappers to Remove Mines from Up to 1,500 Hectares of Land in East Syria Sputnik 29 Sep 2017 -- According to Russian Ministry of Defense, demining of access routes for humanitarian convoys is a current priority for Russian sappers in the Deir ez-Zor operation.
• Ukraine's Military Chief Says Russia Left Troops In Belarus After War Games RFE/RL 29 Sep 2017 -- The Ukrainian military's chief of staff says Russia left troops behind in Belarus after staging military exercises there, despite Moscow's pledge not to do so, Reuters reports.
• Russia warns US over military observation flights Sputnik 29 Sep 2017 -- Russia has warned the United States against further deteriorating bilateral ties by pushing a dispute over the so-called military observation flights.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 28, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Sep 2017
• Turkey and Russia Agree on Need for De-escalation Zone in Syria VOA 28 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday agreed to push for the creation of a "de-escalation" zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib to help end the civil war.
• Putin, Erdogan Pledge To Closely Cooperate On Syria RFE/RL 28 Sep 2017 -- Following talks in Ankara, the Turkish and Russian presidents said they agreed to closely cooperate on ending Syria's civil war.
• Russia says killed 5 senior Nusra commanders in air raid in Idlib Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Russia says it has killed five prominent field commanders of the al-Nusra Front terrorist group, who organized an attack against Russian forces in Syria's western Hama Province earlier this month.
• Russia, US agree to create 1st lunar space station Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- As part of a long-term venture to send humans to Mars, the US and Russia have agreed to team up to build a crewed spaceport called Deep Space Gateway in lunar orbit.
• Putin hails Russia's destruction of last chemical arms, accuses US of failing to fulfill obligations Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin hails his country's destruction of its last supplies of chemical weapons, accusing the US of failing to fulfill its own obligations in this regard.
• Putin Hails Russia's Destruction Of Chemical Weapons, Chides U.S. RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country was destroying its last chemical weapons on September 27 in what the head of the international chemical weapons watchdog called a "major milestone."
• Russia conducts ICBM test-launch Press TV 27 Sep 2017 -- The Russian military has announced the successful test launch of its RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• Another Worrying Sign For Russia's Dire Demographics RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Many advanced economies are wondering how breakthroughs in technology could leave whole swaths of the population unemployed, but in Russia the government is pondering how to fill jobs with a dramatically shrinking work force.
• Telegram CEO Durov Says Russia's FSB Demands Messenger's Encryption Keys RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- Russia's main security agency has demanded encryption keys to the popular Telegram messaging app, according to the company's founder, as authorities ratchet up pressure on what has grown into a vibrant platform for political discussion in the country.
• Council Of Europe's Rights Chief Decries Abuses, Says Russia 'Only Country Not Cooperating' RFE/RL 27 Sep 2017 -- The Council of Europe's human rights chief says there is a "lot of work to do" in Russia as he criticized Moscow's lack of cooperation amid reports of rights abuses in Chechnya and Russia-occupied Crimea.
• Russian aircraft fire cruise missiles at Daesh positions in Syria Press TV 26 Sep 2017 -- Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday that the warplanes took off from Engels airbase, located 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) east of Russia's major port city of Saratov, flew over territory of Iran and Iraq and launched Kh-101 air-to-surface cruise missiles at designated targets.
• Russia rejects claim of targeting civilians in Syria Press TV 26 Sep 2017 -- Russia has rejected a recent allegation by a shadowy monitoring group that Moscow has conducted air raids on civilian-populated areas in Syria.
• US hypocritical policies to blame for Russian general's death in Syria: Moscow Press TV 26 Sep 2017 -- Moscow has said that the death of Russian Lieutenant-General Valery Asapov in Syria is the result of the US' hypocritical policies.
• Russia, U.S. Allies Exchange Blame Over Deaths In Syria RFE/RL 26 Sep 2017 -- Russia and U.S.-allied forces in Syria exchanged accusations that deaths within their ranks were caused by fire from the other side, adding to tensions as they wage separate campaigns within close proximity of one another.
• Russian Bombers Strike Daesh, al-Nusra Positions in Syria - MoD Sputnik 26 Sep 2017 -- Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers have carried out strikes on the most important Daesh and Al Nusra Front facilities in several Syrian provinces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
• Russian MoD Builds Euphrates Bridge in Syria for Transportation Services Sputnik 26 Sep 2017 -- Russian service specialists have built a bridge across the Euphrates river in Deir ez-Zor in order to transport military hardware.
• Russia Successfully Tests RS-12M Topol ICBM With Experimental Warhead Sputnik 26 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Strategic Missile Forces successfully tested on Tuesday an RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Defense Ministry said.
• UN Says Russia Committing 'Grave Human Rights Violations' In Occupied Crimea RFE/RL 25 Sep 2017 -- Agents of the Russian state have committed serious human rights abuses, including torture, since Russia occupied and seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, a UN human rights report says.
• New UN report details grave human rights violations in Crimea UN News 25 Sep 2017 -- The human rights situation in Crimea has significantly deteriorated under Russian occupation, a United Nations report says, detailing how residents there were affected when Ukrainian laws were substituted by those of Russia, including the imposition of Russian citizenship.
• Dissent, Criticism Stifled in Russia-occupied Crimea, UN Says VOA 25 Sep 2017 -- A United Nations report finds a sharp deterioration in the human rights situation in Crimea since Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula in March 2014, triggering the biggest crisis between Russia and the West since the end of the Cold War.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Official Blames U.S. For Death Of Russian General RFE/RL 25 Sep 2017 -- A top Russian Foreign Ministry official has asserted the United States is to blame for the death of a Russian general killed in eastern Syria over the weekend.
• Putin Dismisses Samara Governor Amid Predictions Of Regional Shake-Up RFE/RL 25 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the governor of the Samara Oblast, Nikolai Merkushkin, amid speculation that a shake-up of regional leaders is imminent ahead of a presidential election in March.
• Russian, Pakistani Forces Launch Joint Exercise In North Caucasus RFE/RL 25 Sep 2017 -- Special forces from Russia and Pakistan have begun a two-week joint training exercise in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia.
• Pakistan, Russia Begin 'Friendship 2017' Joint Anti-terror Drill VOA 25 Sep 2017 -- Pakistani and Russian military commandos have launched joint counterterrorism drills in the mountains and forests of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Karachaevo-Cherkessia.
• Russian general killed in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr by Daesh Press TV 24 Sep 2017 -- A Russian general has been killed by Daesh terrorists close to Syria's eastern Dayr al-Zawr province.
• Russian General Killed In Syria Fighting, Defense Ministry Says RFE/RL 24 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry says one of its generals, who was serving as an adviser to Syrian government troops, has been killed in the country's east, according to state news agency TASS.
• Russian Lieutenant-General Killed in Daesh Shelling in Syria - MoD Sputnik 24 Sep 2017 -- Russia's Lt. Gen. Asapov, who helped Syrian forces during the operation to lift the blockade of Deir ez-Zor, died as a result of Daesh shelling, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.
• Lavrov slams war of words between Trump, Kim as 'kindergarten fight' Press TV 23 Sep 2017 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged the United States and North Korea to reduce tensions and described the trading of insults between their leaders as a "kindergarten fight between children."
• Russian Submarine Attacks al-Nusra Front With Kalibr Missiles in Syria's Idlib Sputnik 22 Sep 2017 -- On Friday the Russian Black Sea fleet's submarine, 'Veliky Novgorod' launched Kalibr cruise missiles against terrorist targets in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
• Hull of Sibir Nuclear Icebreaker Floated Out in St. Petersburg Sputnik 22 Sep 2017 -- The hull of Russia's first serial universal nuclear-powered Arktika-class icebreaker Sibir arrives at the Baltic Shipyard.
• Reports: Trump Campaign Chairman Offered To Brief Russian Oligarch Close To Putin RFE/RL 21 Sep 2017 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman offered to provide briefings about the progress of the campaign last year to a Russian billionaire with close ties to the Kremlin, media reported on September 20.
• Calling Russia 'Aggressor' Hardly Leaves Room for Compromise - Kremlin Sputnik 21 Sep 2017 -- Ukrainian draft resolution on peacekeeping in Donbass for the UNSC includes the wording "Russia's role as an aggressor". The Kremlin commented on the issue.
• US, Russian Generals Meet to Discuss Deir El-Zour Tensions VOA 21 Sep 2017 -- American and Russia military leaders held an unprecedented, face-to-face meeting in recent days to discuss the increasing tensions around the Islamic State stronghold of Deir el-Zour, Syria, a coalition spokesman said Thursday.
• US-Led Coalition, Russian Officials Discuss Deir Ez-Zor Operations Sputnik 21 Sep 2017 -- US-led anti-Daesh coalition and Russian military officials met in an unknown location in the region 'nearby' Deir ez-Zor to discuss expanding deconfliction efforts as military operations move south into the Middle Euphrates River Valley in Syria.
• Russia to hit US-backed militants if Syrian troops targeted Press TV 21 Sep 2017 -- Russia has warned that it will strike back if the positions of Syrian government forces in the Arab country come under attack by US-backed militants.
• Tatar President Minnikhanov Balances Between Kremlin And His People In Annual Address RFE/RL 21 Sep 2017 -- The president of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, in his annual address to parliament on September 21 performed a balancing act between the Kremlin's drive toward abandoning mandatory Tatar-language classes in schools across the republic and growing concern about the move within Tatarstan.
• NATO is Seeking to Revive Cold War Climate - Lavrov Sputnik 21 Sep 2017 -- Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov observed that NATO's actions reignite decades-old tensions.
• Russia to Complete Chemical Weapons Destruction by October Sputnik 21 Sep 2017 -- The Russian state chemical weapons destruction program will probably be completed ahead of schedule, as Russian President Vladimir Putin had set the task of closing this issue as soon as possible.
• Russia Exports Mi-28NE Helicopters With Newest Defense Systems for 1st Time Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Helicopters company has delivered its first Mi-28NE "Night Hunter" modern attack helicopter to a foreign customer.
• Russia Conducts Test Launch of RS-24 Yars ICBM Sputnik 20 Sep 2017 -- The solid-fuel mobile ICBM RS-24 Yars (NATO reporting name SS-27 Mod 2) equipped with a multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle was test-launched from the Plesetsk space center.
• Lukashenka Says Russian Troops Will Go Home After Zapad Drills RFE/RL 20 Sep 2017 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka observed joint military exercises with Russia on their final day and said that all Russian troops in his country for the Zapad 2017 drills would go home after their conclusion.
• Russia to Deliver 12 Su-30K Fighters to Angola by Early 2018 - Repair Plant Sputnik 19 Sep 2017 -- Russia will meet all its obligations to deliver a dozen Su-30K fighters to Angola by early 2018.
• Report Of Errant Missile Strike At Russian Exercise Prompts Military Response RFE/RL 19 Sep 2017 -- A Russian website posted a video it said showed an errant rocket from a helicopter hitting close to at least two people watching the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad 2017, prompting statements from the military that left it unclear when the incident occurred and whether anyone was badly injured.
• Chuvash, Bashkir Writers Warn Putin 'Playing With Fire' On Language Policy RFE/RL 19 Sep 2017 -- Prominent writers in Russia's Chuvashia and Bashkortostan regions have urged President Vladimir Putin to stop discouraging the mandatory study of indigenous languages in regions with large ethnic-minority populations, warning that a shift away from the practice could sap Russia's strength and sow discord.
• S-400 Triumf System to Go Into Service With Unit in Volga Region - MoD Sputnik 19 Sep 2017 -- According to the head of the district's technical support department Maj. Gen. Fraiz Salyyev, Russia's S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems will go into service with an air defense unit of the Central Military District in the Volga region this year.
• Russia Pitches Aggressively for MiG-29K $12Bn Indian Deal Sputnik 19 Sep 2017 -- Indian Navy had issued a detailed request for information in January this year for 57 multi-role fighter aircraft to which Russian, French, Swedish and American companies had replied with their intent.
• Russia says US, Ukraine reject its UN proposal for eastern Ukraine Press TV 18 Sep 2017 -- Washington and Kiev have expressed reluctance to consider a proposal by Moscow for the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine, where government troops and pro-Russia forces are engaged in a long-running conflict, the Russian ambassador to the UN says.
• Russia's Putin attends Zapad-2017 joint drills with Belarus Press TV 18 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has attended joint drills, demonstrating Moscow's military might, with Belarus near Russia's western border with Estonia.
• China, Russia Launch Naval Drills In Far East RFE/RL 18 Sep 2017 -- A group of Chinese warships has arrived in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok to participate in the second round of joint naval exercises.
• Russia Denies Lithuanian Airspace Violation During Zapad-2017 Exercises Sputnik 18 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry denied on Monday claims of deliberate violation of the Lithuanian airspace on September 16 by two Russian military transport plane during the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 strategic exercises.
• Zapad-2017 Drills: Russia Test-Launches Iskander-M Missile Sputnik 18 Sep 2017 -- The Russian military test-launched on Monday a missile from an Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile as part of the Zapad-2017 drills.
• China, Russia begin joint drills near North Korea Press TV 18 Sep 2017 -- China and Russia have started joint naval drills near North Korea, amid continuing tensions chiefly between Pyongyang and Washington that risk turning into a military conflict.
• U.S. Ukraine Envoy Welcomes Russia Proposal For Peacekeepers, But Sees 'Obstacles' RFE/RL 17 Sep 2017 -- The U.S. special envoy for efforts to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine has called a Russian proposal to send United Nations peacekeepers to the region a "step forward" but warns there are still many "obstacles" to the plan suggested by Moscow.
• Senior NATO General Expresses Concerns Over Moscow's Zapad Maneuvers 'Transparency' RFE/RL 17 Sep 2017 -- A senior NATO general says the military alliance is concerned about the large-scale Zapad (West) 2017 military drills being conducted by Russia and Belarus because of Moscow's lack of transparency.
• Advanced Armor: Russia's T-72B3 Tank Faces First Test During Zapad-2017 Drills Sputnik 17 Sep 2017 -- The Zapad-2017 Russia-Belarus strategic joint military exercises provided the first large-scale test for crews of the newest T-72B3 tanks, which entered service with the Western Military District, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service said.
• Russia Rejects Allegation It Bombed U.S.-Backed Militia In Syria RFE/RL 17 Sep 2017 -- Russia has dismissed allegations that its military struck U.S.-backed forces in war-torn Syria, injuring several allied fighters.
• Russian MoD Denies Pentagon Allegations It Hit US-Backed Rebels in Syria Sputnik 17 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Defense Ministry denied on Sunday the Pentagon's allegations that Russian jets had attacked the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor.
• Russian Strike Wounds Syrian Democratic Forces Troops AFPS 16 Sep 2017 -- At approximately 12:30 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time today, Russian forces struck a target east of the Euphrates River in Syria near Dayr Az Zawr, causing injuries to coalition partner forces, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced.
• U.S. Coalition Says Allies Hit By Russian Strike In Syria RFE/RL 16 Sep 2017 -- The U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria says the Russian military has struck forces backed by Washington in the war-torn country, injuring several allied fighters.
• US-Led Coalition Accuses Russia of Striking US-Backed Forces Near Deir ez-Zor Sputnik 16 Sep 2017 -- Following the reports of six SDF fighters injured in an air strike in Syria Pentagon blames Russian air forces.
• Moscow Police Launch 'Hooliganism' Probe Over Assault Against Navalny Aide RFE/RL 16 Sep 2017 -- Police in Moscow have opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of "hooliganism" after a top campaign aide for opposition politician and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny was attacked by an unknown assailant wielding a metal pipe.
• Russian Athletes Suspected In Sochi Doping Ring To Face Charges Soon RFE/RL 16 Sep 2017 -- The first charges against Russian athletes suspected of having been part of a doping ring at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi may soon be issued by the International Olympic Committee, the head of a committee investigation has said.
• Bashkirs Rally In Defense Of Native Language RFE/RL 16 Sep 2017 -- A mass demonstration has been held in Ufa, the capital of the Russian region of Bashkortostan, to support the official status of the Bashkir language.
• Yak-130 Trainer Jet Crashes Near Airfield in Central Russia, Pilots Eject Sputnik 16 Sep 2017 -- A Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainer and combat jet has crashed near the Borisoglebsk airfield in south-central Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.
• Ten Su-25SM3 Warplanes Arrive: The Latest Incarnation of Russia's 'Flying Tank' Sputnik 16 Sep 2017 -- The Russian Aerospace Forces are due to get more than ten advanced Su-25SM3 close air support planes before the end of this year. Viktor Pryadka, head of the Avintel aviation technology alliance, told Sputnik that the latest Su-25 shows great potential.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Yalta, September 15, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Sep 2017
• U.S. Campaign Regulator Considers Changes After Revelation Of Russian Ad Purchases On Facebook RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Facebook's disclosure that Russians purchased political ads on the social network during last year's presidential campaign has prompted action by the U.S. agency that regulates campaign practices.
• Afghanistan Hopes for Deliveries of Russian Military Helicopters - Ambassador Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- The Afghan ambassador to Russia told Sputnik that Afghanistan hoped to receive Russian military helicopters.
• A Russian Ruse, or Real Policy Shift on Ukraine? VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- The Kremlin appears to be touting a major shift in policy on east Ukraine and possibly preparing local pro-Russian separatists for the reintegration of the disputed region of the Donbas into Ukraine.
• Pentagon 'Closely' Watching Massive Russia-Belarus Zapad-2017 War Games Sputnik 15 Sep 2017 -- Despite NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg statements, saying that the Russia-Belarus joint drills aren't considered to be a threat by the alliance, the Pentagon has said that it is "closely watching" the war games anyway.
• At Forum, Experts Slam Russian 'Disinformation' Campaigns Aimed at West VOA 15 Sep 2017 -- The German Marshall Fund says it has documented Russian interference in the elections or political affairs of at least 27 countries since 2004, ranging from disinformation campaigns on Facebook, Twitter and other social media to cyber attacks.
• As Wave Of Mysterious Bomb Threats Rattles Russia, Theories Fly RFE/RL 15 Sep 2017 -- Maybe it's telephone terrorism. Maybe it's a secret test of the country's civil defense. Or maybe it's a new form of cyberwarfare.
• Russian Submarines Destroy Daesh Targets in Syria With Kalibr Cruise Missiles Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Two Russian submarines, the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino, attacked Daesh terrorists in the vicinity of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor with Kalibr cruise missiles from a submerged position on Thursday.
• Russia Hopes Fight Against Daesh in Syria to End 'in Coming Months' Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia's presidential envoy for Syria has commented on the Syrian peace talks currently underway in Astana. He said he believes that Daesh terrorists in the country would be defeated soon due to the Syrian army's successful operation to free Deir ez-Zor, which resulted in the lifting of the three-year blockade of the city.
• Russian submarines attack Daesh targets in Dayr al-Zawr Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia says it has launched a missile attack against positions held by Daesh in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr from the submarines stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Russian nuclear missile hits mock target 6,000 km away Press TV 13 Sep 2017 -- The Russian military has successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ahead of a major military drill slated to begin in a few days.
• Russia launches military drills with Belarus, causing alarm Press TV 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia is set to launch major joint military drills with Belarus on Thursday, amid continuing tensions between Moscow and NATO.
• EU Renews Russia Sanctions, Keeps Ban On New U.S. Envoy Antonov RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- The European Union has prolonged its asset freezes and travel bans on Russian officials and Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine for another six months, with Russia's new ambassador to the United States remaining on the list, diplomats said.
• Anti-Doping Organizations Call For Russia To Be Banned From 2018 Winter Olympics RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Leaders from 17 national anti-doping organizations (NADO) have called for Russia to be banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
• Iskander Systems Developer Takes INF Treaty Into Account When Creating New Arms Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The developer of the Iskander-M has shed the light on the weapons' compliance with the INF Treaty between Russia and the US, as well as spoke about the ballistic missile system's capabilities.
• Kremlin Considers 'Wave of Hysteria' Over Russia-Belarus Drills 'Provocation' Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The Kremlin has responded to several eastern NATO member-states claims concerning the Russia-Belarus planned drills, which they consider to be posing a "threat" to their security despite the fact that the alliance's military observers had been invited to the exercise.
• Zapad 2017 Joint Strategic Drills Start in Russia, Belarus - Russian MoD Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- The Zapad 2017 joint strategic military exercise involving 12,700 servicemen from Russia and Belarus has begun.
• New Russian Icebreaker Ilya Muromets Clears Second Round of Sea Trials Sputnik 14 Sep 2017 -- Russian Navy spokesman reports that icebreaker Ilya Muromets has completed the second stage of trials.
• Russia, Belarus Kick Off Military Exercises Amid Tensions With West RFE/RL 14 Sep 2017 -- Russia and neighboring Belarus have begun a joint military exercise near NATO's eastern flank that has fanned already deep tensions between Moscow and the West.
• Ads Purchased By Russian Operatives Reported To Have Actively Promoted Trump Agenda RFE/RL 13 Sep 2017 -- Ads that Russian operatives purchased on Facebook during last year's presidential election actively promoted then-Republican candidate Donald Trump's anti-immigration campaign and other conservative causes, U.S. media are reporting.
• RT Says U.S. Ordered Contractor For RT America To Register As 'Foreign Agent' RFE/RL 13 Sep 2017 -- Russian state broadcaster RT and U.S. media are reporting that the U.S. Justice Department has asked RT to register a company that supplies extensive services for its U.S. outlet as a "foreign agent." *
• Central Europe Jittery on Eve of Massive Russian Exercises VOA 13 Sep 2017 -- Russia has been funneling troops and armor into Belarus for several weeks and on Thursday the Kremlin will order them to start attacking neighboring NATO countries.
• U.S., Russia To Hold Discussions On START Nuclear Arms Treaty RFE/RL 13 Sep 2017 -- The United States and Russia plan to soon start discussions at the expert level on a nuclear arms-reduction treaty signed in 2010, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said.
• DHS Statement on the Issuance of Binding Operational Directive 17-01 Department of Homeland Security 13 Sep 2017 -- After careful consideration of available information and consultation with interagency partners, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke today issued a Binding Operational Directive (BOD) directing Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies to take actions related to the use or presence of information security products, solutions, and services supplied directly or indirectly by AO Kaspersky Lab or related entities.
• U.S. Government Agencies Ordered To Remove Kaspersky Software RFE/RL 13 Sep 2017 -- The U.S. government has ordered all U.S. federal agencies to phase out use of Kaspersky Lab software products, citing "ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies."
• Kaspersky Lab Denies Claims of Attempts to Conduct Cyberespionage Sputnik 13 Sep 2017 -- Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity firm denies accusations of attempts to conduct cyberespionage and says they are based on inaccurate assumptions of company's links to Russian authorities.
• US Orders Federal Agencies to Remove Kaspersky Products VOA 13 Sep 2017 -- U.S. security officials on Wednesday ordered government agencies to get rid of products and services from Kaspersky Lab, a Moscow-based cybersecurity firm.
• Top US Official: Russia 'Ever More Aggressive' in Cyberspace VOA 13 Sep 2017 -- Russia is not backing down in cyberspace, instead ramping up the pace of its operations against the United States, according to the nation's top intelligence official.
• Outgoing US Ambassador to Russia Saw Evidence Russia Hacked US Election VOA 13 Sep 2017 -- John Tefft, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Russia, says he believes Russia engaged in cyberattacks during the 2016 presidential election.
• Kremlin Says Russia Proposed Full Normalization With U.S. After Trump's Election RFE/RL 13 Sep 2017 -- The Kremlin's chief spokesman said Russian officials made direct proposals to Washington about full normalization of ties between the two countries following President Donald Trump's election, but nothing came of it.
• Turkey says paid deposit in S-400 deal with Russia Press TV 12 Sep 2017 -- Turkey says it has paid a deposit as part of an agreement with Russia for the purchase of an air defense system.
• Turkey Signs Deal To Buy Antiaircraft Missiles From Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 antiaircraft missile systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow.
• Russia, Turkey S-400 Deal Underway: Ankara Paid Deposit for Russian Systems Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- The Turkish president confirmed the agreement of Russian S-400 air defense systems' delivery to Turkey had been signed and the deposit had been paid.
• U.S. Says Tillerson Not Looking To Escalate Diplomatic Tensions Further With Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2017 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson does not want diplomatic disputes between Washington and Moscow to escalate further and seeks an improvement of ties between the "two nuclear powers," a spokeswoman says.
• Russia, US Agree on the Need to Comply With New START Treaty - Moscow Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Russian and US diplomats discussed the New START treaty aiming to decrease the number of deployed nuclear warheads, which is set to expire in 2021.
• Russia Successfully Test-Launches Yars ICBM Sputnik 12 Sep 2017 -- Russia has successfully test-launched a RS-24 Yars ICBM to confirm the reliability of these missiles.
• Putin Says UN Peacekeepers Could Be Deployed Throughout Ukraine Conflict Zone RFE/RL 11 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled his willingness to look into the idea of deploying UN peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine not only along the conflict line separating Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists, but also in other areas where monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) work.
• Ruling Party Dominates Russian Elections Amid Low Turnout, Opposition Claims Strong Moscow Showing RFE/RL 11 Sep 2017 -- The ruling United Russia party has dominated a slew of regional and local elections marked by low turnout and claims of voter suppression, but liberal opposition candidates appeared to gain a toehold in Moscow with a strong showing in races for district councils in the capital.
• Russia slams German minister for 'baseless' remarks Press TV 10 Sep 2017 -- Russia's Defense Ministry has rebuked German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen for falsely claiming that Moscow planned to send more than 100,000 troops to take part in the upcoming joint military drills in Belarus.
• U.K.'s Fallon Says Russian War Games Aimed At 'Provoking' West RFE/RL 10 Sep 2017 -- British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has said Russia's upcoming military maneuvers with Belarus are aimed at "provoking" NATO and "testing" its defenses.
• Know Your Enemy: Russian War Games Expected To Yield Valuable Insight For Western Watchers RFE/RL 10 Sep 2017 -- When thousands of Russian troops wheeled and maneuvered through the steppes of southern Siberia two years ago, as part of massive military exercises known as Tsentr, Western experts spotted something unusual.
• Russia Holds Elections For Governors, Local Legislatures RFE/RL 09 Sep 2017 -- People across Russia go to the polls on September 10 to elect local and regional councils and governors in the last major voting before a presidential election in March.
• Russia's Black Sea Fleet Test Fires Utes Coastal Missile System Sputnik 09 Sep 2017 -- Russia's Black Sea fleet said Saturday it tested its Utes coastal missile system, firing two cruise missiles in "the interests of a surface action group."
• Report: British Suspect Iran Or Russia May Have Helped N. Korea Nuclear Program RFE/RL 10 Sep 2017 -- Britain's Telegraph newspaper is reporting that U.K. officials fear that Iran or Russia may have helped North Korea's "sudden advancement" in the development of nuclear weapons.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 8, 2017 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Sep 2017
• India Gearing Up for Two Major Joint Military Exercises With US, Russia Sputnik 08 Sep 2017 -- India's joint military exercises with the world's superpowers are not reminiscent of muscle-flexing in the region but preparedness for unforeseen contingency globally, says expert.
• Moscow Slams Militarization of Korean Peninsula After DPRK's Nuke Test Sputnik 08 Sep 2017 -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday warned against the militarization of the Korean Peninsula in the wake of North Korea's sixth nuclear test, saying it may lead to a full-fledged armed conflict in the region.
• Chairman of NATO Military Committee, General Pavel met with Russian Chief of General Staff, General Gerasimov NATO 07 Sep 2017 -- General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and First Deputy Minister of Defence met today, 7 September 2017, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• NATO, Russia meet amid tensions over war games Press TV 07 Sep 2017 -- Top Russian and NATO commanders have met in a rare meeting ahead of planned rival war games by the two sides which have raised fears of further escalation in eastern Europe.
• Facebook Says Russia-Based Operation Bought Ads Targeting U.S. Voters RFE/RL 07 Sep 2017 -- Facebook has informed U.S. investigators that the social network recently discovered it sold advertisements to a Russia-based operation targeting U.S. voters during last year's presidential election.
• Facebook Revelation on Russian-bought Political Ads 'Tip of the Iceberg' VOA 07 Sep 2017 -- Revelations that Russian-linked accounts paid for thousands of political ads to appear on Facebook during last year's presidential election may be just "the tip of the iceberg," according to a top U.S. lawmaker.
• France, Germany Denounce Russia's Strategy Of 'Intimidation,' Dispute Size Of War Games RFE/RL 07 Sep 2017 -- The French and German defense ministers have condemned Russia's upcoming military maneuvers with Belarus, saying Moscow is seeking to show off military might on the borders of the EU and NATO.
• Putin suggests North Korea will not give up nukes Press TV 07 Sep 2017 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that North Korea will not abandon its nuclear weapons program because Pyongyang views its missiles and atomic weapons as its only means of self-defense.
• Japan, South Korea Urge Russia To Support Tougher Sanctions On North RFE/RL 07 Sep 2017 -- The leaders of Japan and South Korea called for stronger sanctions against North Korea on visits to Russia's Vladivostok despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning against "pushing North Korea into a corner."
• Russia Advocating Conciliatory Approach to North Korea VOA 07 Sep 2017 -- Russia is increasingly advocating an arms control strategy to accept North Korea as a nuclear state, disagreeing with the United States and its allies, and even to a degree with China, which all support applying sanctions to force Pyongyang into denuclearization talks.