Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• US General: 'Russia Threatens Our Ability to Dominate Airspace' in Middle East Sputnik 28 Feb 2018 -- In his statement to the US House Armed Services Committee, General Joseph Votel elaborated on key military challenges to the US in the Middle East.
• Russia's patience with Ghouta militants not indefinite: Putin Press TV 28 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that his patience with militant attacks in Syria's Ghouta region is not indefinite, as terrorist groups positioned in the Damascus suburb continue to shell the capital indiscriminately.
• Amid Outcry Over Ghouta, Russia Vows To Back Assad Against 'Terror Threat' RFE/RL 28 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow will continue to help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to defeat what he called the "terrorist threat."
• U.S.: Russia 'On Wrong Side Of History' On Syrian Chemical Weapons RFE/RL 28 Feb 2018 -- A senior U.S. disarmament official says Russia has violated its commitments as guarantor of the destruction of Syria's chemical-weapons stockpile and failed to prevent President Bashar al-Assad's government from using them.
• Russia's Energomash Successfully Tests RD-180 Engine Made for US Atlas Rocket Sputnik 28 Feb 2018 -- Tests of a Russian RD-180 liquid-fuel rocket engine have been carried out in the Science and Test Complex of Russia's NPO Energomash, the company said Wednesday in a statement.
• US training EU armies to nuke Russia: Lavrov Press TV 28 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of hurdling international nuclear disarmament efforts by training European armies to use tactical nuclear weapons against Russia.
• 'Nastya Rybka,' Detained In Thailand And Alleging Russian Threat, Seeks U.S. Asylum RFE/RL 28 Feb 2018 -- The woman at the center of Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's recent report about an alleged meeting between billionaire Oleg Deripaska and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko has asked for political asylum from the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, where she and an associate were detained after a police raid on a "sex training" seminar.
• Suspected Russian Cocaine Trafficker Blames U.S. For Argentina Bust RFE/RL 28 Feb 2018 -- A man the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claims was behind an alleged attempt to smuggle nearly 400 kilograms of cocaine from Argentina to Moscow is claiming he is the victim of a set-up by U.S. intelligence and Argentinian police, Russian media report.
• US Training European Military to Use Nuclear Weapons Against Russia - Russian FM Sputnik 28 Feb 2018 -- The Conference on Disarmament, which takes place between February 26 and March 2, in Geneva, Switzerland, is a multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community.
• Tokyo Believes Russia Boosting Military Activity Near Japan - Defense Minister Sputnik 28 Feb 2018 -- Tokyo believes Moscow is boosting its military activity around Japan, and it may be linked to Japan joining international sanctions against Russia, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Wednesday.
• US Calls Out Russia for Playing 'Arsonist and Firefighter' in Syria VOA 27 Feb 2018 -- A top U.S. general is accusing Russia of sowing the seeds of instability in Syria and across the greater Middle East, part of an ongoing attempt to expand its influence at the expense of the United States and the international community.
• Third Anniversary Of Nemtsov's Assassination Marked RFE/RL 27 Feb 2018 -- Former friends, colleagues, and supporters of slain Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov are marking the third anniversary of his killing in Moscow.
• Russia dismisses 'bogus' reports of chemical attack in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed as "bogus stories" the recent reports of an alleged chemical attack in the militant-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Syrian capital city of Damascus, stressing that government forces have attacked foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists there.
• Putin orders daily five-hour ceasefire in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Press TV 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the implementation of a daily ceasefire in Syria's Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta from Tuesday and the creation of a "humanitarian corridor" through which civilians can leave the militant-held area.
• Putin Orders 'Humanitarian Pause' In Syria's Ghouta RFE/RL 26 Feb 2018 -- Russia says a daily "humanitarian pause" will be introduced in the Syrian rebel-held enclave of eastern Ghouta starting on February 27.
• Russia Proposes Creation of Int'l Commission on Syria's Raqqa - Minister Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu commented on the situation in Syria after the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria that stipulates introduction of a 30-day halt in fighting in the country.
• Putin Orders 'Daily Humanitarian Pause' in Airstrikes on Syrian Rebels VOA 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered a "daily humanitarian pause" in Moscow's airstrikes on Syrian rebels, a five-hour window to let civilians escape from clashes near Damascus.
• Russian Military Developing Long-Range Supersonic Missile-Lobbing Drone Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Designed to infiltrate far into an enemy's territory, the new system will carry both guided and unguided munitions.
• Putin Signs New State Arms Program Focused on Cutting-Edge Weaponry Sputnik 26 Feb 2018 -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed the country's new state arms procurement program, which includes, among other things, robotics, intelligence systems, UAVs and precision ammunition.
• Moscow Vows to Thwart Attempts to Derail Syrian Settlement After UN Resolution Sputnik 25 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria that stipulates introduction of a 30-day halt in fighting in the country that will boost the medical evacuation and provide access for humanitarian convoys in some of the country's regions.
• Russian Engineers Finish Work on Laser Capable of Shooting Down Enemy Satellites Sputnik 25 Feb 2018 -- An informed source told Russian media that the new laser weapon was developed with the help of know-how accumulated by the Beriev A-60 airborne laser laboratory.
• Russia Changing The Signposts In Pakistan RFE/RL 25 Feb 2018 -- First, a Russian military delegation made a rare visit to Pakistan's lawless tribal areas. Then Russian-language signposts were erected on roads in the northwestern province of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Now, Moscow has appointed an honorary consul in the city of Peshawar.
• Czech President Wants Hacking Suspect 'Extradited To Russia,' Not U.S. RFE/RL 24 Feb 2018 -- Czech President Milos Zeman has repeatedly lobbied for a suspected Russian hacker detained in Prague and wanted by the United States to be extradited to Russia, Justice Minister Robert Pelikan was quoted as saying on February 24.
• A look at Russia's advanced Su-57 stealth fighter jets sent to Syria Press TV 24 Feb 2018 -- Russia has taken its military support for the Syrian army to a whole new level by dispatching two of its most advanced Su-57 stealth fighter jets to the Arab country. Here are some of the features of the fighter jets.
• Russia sends most advanced jets to Syria after US F-22 deployment: Reports Press TV 24 Feb 2018 -- Russia has reportedly sent two of its most advanced and sophisticated fighter jets to Syria, where its air force has been backing up the national army's ground operation against terrorist groups.
• Top Wall Street Firm Raises Russia's Rating Out Of 'Junk' Territory RFE/RL 24 Feb 2018 -- A top Wall Street credit agency has raised Russia's credit rating by a notch, lifting it out of "junk" territory to reflect what it said was Russia's improving economy and budgetary restraint.
• Another Two Russian Fifth Gen. Su-57 Jets Reportedly Land in Syria's Hmeymim Sputnik 24 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet is specifically designed for air superiority and attack roles. Two such planes were reportedly spotted in the skies above Syria earlier this week.
• Senior Russian diplomat calls for direct Russo-American talks on North Korea Press TV 24 Feb 2018 -- A senior Russian diplomat says Russia and the United States should hold direct talks on North Korea.
• Ukraine's Military Chief Warns Of 'Wide-Scale Aggression' By Russia RFE/RL 23 Feb 2018 -- The commander of Ukraine's armed forces has warned of possible "wide-scale aggression" by Russia against his country.
• U.S. Diplomat: Work With Russia On Syria 'More Challenging' RFE/RL 23 Feb 2018 -- A senior U.S. diplomat says it has become "more challenging" for Washington to work with Moscow in Syria amid Russia's resistance to a call by Western powers for a 30-day cease-fire in the war-torn country.
• US warns Iraq of 'consequences' if it buys Russian S-400 missile systems Press TV 23 Feb 2018 -- The United States has warned Iraq, among a number of other countries, of the consequences of extending military cooperation with Russia, and striking deals to purchase advanced weaponry, particularly the S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems.
• Lavrov Vows Close Russia-Serbia Ties Despite EU Ambitions RFE/RL 22 Feb 2018 -- During a visit to Belgrade, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed Serbia's drive to join the European Union, but also vowed that Moscow would remain engaged with the Balkan country no matter what happens.
• Has Russia Deployed Latest-Generation Stealth Warplanes in Syria? VOA 22 Feb 2018 -- Moscow may have deployed two of its latest generation stealth warplanes to Syria, according to video footage of a pair of Su-57s landing at a Russian airbase in the war-torn country.
• Russia to support UN-proposed truce in Syria but not for Daesh, Nusra: Lavrov Press TV 22 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will consider supporting a UN-proposed ceasefire, providing it does not cover the Takfiri terrorist groups of Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, as well as other militant outfits that are shelling civilians in Syria's militant-held Eastern Ghouta.
• Trump administration considering new sanctions against Russia Press TV 22 Feb 2018 -- The administration US President Donald Trump is considering new sanctions against Russia in response to alleged election meddling and a cyber attack last year, in a bid to push back against criticism that it has been slow to act.
• Navalny Briefly Detained, Could Be Jailed Ahead Of Russian Election RFE/RL 22 Feb 2018 -- Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says he was briefly detained by police and accused of an administrative offense that could result in a 30-day jail term.
• Cossack Fighter Laments Russian 'Utilization' Of Mercenaries In Syria RFE/RL 22 Feb 2018 -- Russia is abuzz with media reports that dozens -- perhaps hundreds, by some accounts -- of Russian mercenaries were killed or wounded in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on February 7-8 in fighting with the U.S. military and its Syrian-rebel allies.
• US May Consider Imposing Sanctions on 13 Russians Indicted by Mueller Sputnik 21 Feb 2018 -- The US Department of State does not rule out potentially introducing sanctions against the 13 Russian individuals charged last week for trying to influence the 2016 US election, Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters on Tuesday.
• Russian Strategic Bombers Conduct Air Patrol Over Sea of Japan Sputnik 21 Feb 2018 -- Russia's two strategic Tu-95MS missile carriers conducted a successful air patrol operation over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea as well as the western part of the Pacific Ocean, the Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry, reported Tuesday.
• EU Renews Sanctions On Russian Officials, Ukrainian Separatists RFE/RL 21 Feb 2018 -- European Union ambassadors have prolonged the asset freezes and visa bans on 150 Russian officials and Moscow-backed Ukrainian separatists for another six months, EU diplomats told RFE/RL. The measure was also rolled over for 38 entities on the sanctions list.
• 'Poroshenko Signs 'Occupied Territories' Law Deeming Russia An 'Aggressor' RFE/RL 20 Feb 2018 -- KYIV -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he has signed into law a bill that supporters say will help Kyiv restore control of territory held by Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country.
• Ukraine's President Signs Donbass Reintegration Law Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed on Tuesday the law on Donbass reintegration. Ukraine's parliament adopted the document, which dubs Russia "an aggressor", and Donbass territories not controlled by Kiev "occupied," last month.
• US 'desensitizing' Russia to Black Sea presence: Military officials Press TV 20 Feb 2018 -- The United States wants Russia to get used to American military presence on its doorsteps in the Black Sea, US and NATO military officials say.
• Russia's Lavrov Blames West For 'Increasing Tensions' In Balkans RFE/RL 20 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States and some European countries of stoking East-West tensions in the Balkans ahead of a visit to Serbia this week.
• Russia Says 'Several Dozen' Wounded In Clash With U.S.-Led Forces In Syria RFE/RL 20 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says that "several dozen" citizens of Russia and other former Soviet republics who are not members of the military were wounded in a recent battle with U.S.-led forces in Syria.
• Tens of Russian and CIS Citizens Killed in Syria Were Not Military - Moscow Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- According to preliminary information shared by the Russian Foreign Ministry last week, at least 5 Russian volunteers were killed in US-led coalition's airstrike on pro-Damascus forces in Syria.
• US Warships in Black Sea on 'Russia's Radar' - Russian Admiral Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- As Washington increases its presence in the Black Sea, Russian Admiral and former Baltic Fleet Commander Vladimir Valuev said that the two US warships that have been stationed in the region do not pose any danger to Russia.
• Trump Orders to Determine if Russia Violated INF Treaty Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has ordered the secretaries of State and Defense as well as the Director of National Intelligence and Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff to determine whether Russia's RS-26 ballistic missile violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
• Russian Army to Get New 500kg Cluster Bomb 'Drel' in 2018 Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- A new cluster bomb called Drel (Drill) will be put into service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2018, the director general of the Techmash munition manufacturer said on Tuesday.
• Syria's Multi-Sided War Taxes Russia VOA 20 Feb 2018 -- Russia has played a decisive role in saving the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from ouster, but every week Moscow is finding it harder to arbitrate the winding down of a seven-year-long conflict that may have entered its most dangerous phase.
• Libya Prompts Russia for Military Defense Cooperation - Russian Contact Group Sputnik 20 Feb 2018 -- Both the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army headed by Khalifa Haftar ask Russia for military support but Moscow's position is balanced, head of the Russian Contact Group for intra-Libyan settlement Lev Dengov said.
• Russia, Pakistan Form Anti-Terror Military Cooperation Commission VOA 20 Feb 2018 -- Russia and Pakistan plan to establish a commission on military cooperation to counter the Islamic State threat in the region, accusing the United States of downplaying the terrorist group's dangerous "proliferation" in Afghanistan.
• US Wary of Russian and Chinese Antisatellite Weaponry Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- US National Intelligence believes the two countries are planning to create and use such weapons to knock out any US and allied satellites that could give them the upper hand on the ground.
• Russia says 'no indications' it meddled in 2016 US presidential election Press TV 19 Feb 2018 -- The Kremlin says there is no evidence that the Russian government meddled in the 2016 US presidential election after Washington indicted a number of Russian individuals and companies for their alleged covert efforts to sway American voters in favor of then Republican candidate Donald Trump.
• Kremlin Says No Evidence Russian State Meddled In U.S. Election RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- Days after the U.S. Justice Department formally accused 13 Russians and several companies of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has reiterated the claim that the Russian state did not interfere.
• After US Indictments, Russia Denies Election Meddling VOA 19 Feb 2018 -- The Kremlin on Monday denied Russian government involvement in interfering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• Tillerson Says U.S. Considering Additional Sanctions Against Russians RFE/RL 19 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States is considering additional sanctions against Russian individuals amid bipartisan criticism for the administration's delay in enforcing a law strengthening restrictions imposed on Moscow.
• High-Tech Enemy Probably Attacks Russia in 5 Sectors - General Staff Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- The nature of military conflicts has evolved significantly, with a potential high-tech enemy now having the ability conduct them simultaneously on the ground, in the air, at sea, in space as well as cyberspace, Col. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy, said.
• Russian Navy Pilots Practice Air Refueling on Su-30SM Jets for 1st Time Sputnik 19 Feb 2018 -- Pilots of the Russian Navy's fleet air have practiced air-to-air refueling on Su-30SM multirole fighter jets for the first time, the Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry, reported.
• Indonesia inks deal to buy 11 Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia Press TV 18 Feb 2018 -- Indonesia has finalized a billion-dollar deal pertaining to the purchase of 11 Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia.
• US vows to probe Syria attack involving Russians Press TV 18 Feb 2018 -- US Defense Secretary James Mattis has pledged to investigate an alleged attack involving a group of Russian private military contractors on US-backed opposition forces in Syria but stopped short of accusing Moscow of orchestrating the assault.
• Lavrov: U.S. Meddling Charges 'Claptrap'; McMaster Says 'Incontrovertible' RFE/RL 17 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he has no reaction to U.S. indictments on alleged Russian meddling in U.S. elections, calling the accusations nothing but “claptrap” until Moscow sees the facts in the case.
• U.S. Lawmakers Express Alarm At Alleged Russian Influence Efforts RFE/RL 17 Feb 2018 -- U.S. lawmakers and luminaries expressed alarm at the extensive efforts allegedly made by a ring of Russian operatives to influence the 2016 presidential election, as outlined in a surprise indictment by the U.S. special counsel.
• Russia Dismisses US Election-Meddling Indictments as 'Blather' VOA 17 Feb 2018 -- Moscow is claiming the charges against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election are "blather."
• US Man Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case Connected to Russia Election Probe VOA 17 Feb 2018 -- A California man has pleaded guilty to inadvertently selling bank accounts to Russians who were indicted Friday by a federal grand jury for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• Tensions Between Russia And West Simmer In Munich RFE/RL 17 Feb 2018 -- Tensions between Russia and the West over the war in eastern Ukraine and Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election were on full display during the second day of a high-profile security conference in Germany featuring world leaders and top diplomats.
• How New Admiral-Series Super-Frigates Will Help Project Russian Naval Power Sputnik 17 Feb 2018 -- The Admiral Gorshkov, lead ship of the new Project 22350 series of frigates, will be commissioned in August, with Admiral-series vessels expected to become the backbone of the Russian Navy's ocean-going presence over the next decades. Military observers Andrei Kotz and Viktor Murakhovsky outline what capabilities the advanced vessels will offer.
• Poroshenko Accuses Moscow Of 'World Hybrid War,' Denounces 'Russian World' RFE/RL 16 Feb 2018 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had delivered a fierce denunciation of Russia before a high-profile security conference, accusing Moscow of waging a "world hybrid war" and urging the West to ratchet up pressure on the Kremlin over its expansionism in Ukraine.
• Grand Jury Indicts Thirteen Russian Individuals and Three Russian Companies for Scheme to Interfere in the United States Political System US Dept. of Justice 16 Feb 2018 -- "The Department of Justice announced that a grand jury in the District of Columbia today returned an indictment presented by the Special Counsel's Office. The indictment charges thirteen Russian nationals and three Russian companies for committing federal crimes while seeking to interfere in the United States political system, including the 2016 Presidential election. The defendants allegedly conducted what they called "information warfare against the United States," with the stated goal of "spread[ing] distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general.""
• U.S. Special Counsel Indicts 13 Russians, Three Firms For Vote Meddling RFE/RL 16 Feb 2018 -- A U.S. grand jury has indicted 13 Russians and three Russian companies, including one known informally as the "Troll Factory," for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, and on charges including bank fraud, conspiracy, and identity theft.
• Moscow Slams US' New "Meddling" Allegations as Absurd Sputnik 16 Feb 2018 -- The United States has filed charges against 13 Russian individuals and three entities for purportedly breaking the law with the intention to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. The US deputy attorney general said that indictment includes no allegation that purported Russian meddling altered the outcome of the vote.
• 13 Russian Nationals Indicted in US Election Meddling Probe VOA 16 Feb 2018 -- The special counsel investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election announced charges against the first group of Russians it says were behind the effort, unsealing an indictment against 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities.
• Details on Russian Indictees VOA 16 Feb 2018 -- A federal grand jury investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election has indicted 13 Russian nationals including 12 employees of a St. Petersburg, Russia-based company that carries out online influence operations on behalf of Moscow. Below are some details from the indictment.
• Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Russia Indictments The White House 16 Feb 2018
• After Syria Deaths, Creeping Anger - And Kremlin Silence - Over Mercenaries RFE/RL 16 Feb 2018 -- Combat was not Ruslan Gavrilov's primary motivation in signing up to go to Syria with a shadowy private military company. But the 34-year-old Russian also wasn't "going to Syria to build houses," he told relatives.
• NATO Chief Urges Russian Transparency On Nuclear Treaty Compliance RFE/RL 16 Feb 2018 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is calling on Russia to address the alliance's concerns about what the United States has determined is Moscow's violation of a landmark Cold War arms treaty.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 15, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Feb 2018
• Russia says five of its citizens may have been killed by US warplanes in Syria Press TV 15 Feb 2018 -- Moscow says five Russian citizens may have been killed in recent attacks by US warplanes on pro-government forces in the eastern Syrian province of Dayr al-Zawr.
• Moscow: Five Russian Fighters May Have Been Killed In U.S. Strikes In Syria RFE/RL 15 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says that five Russians who were not military personnel may have been killed in a clash with U.S.-led forces in Syria last week and claims that reports putting the Russian death toll in the dozens or hundreds were "disinformation."
• Moscow Preliminarily Confirms Death of 5 Russians in Coalition's Strike in Syria Sputnik 15 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of five Russian nationals in the US-led coalition's strike in Syria, but their citizenship has yet to be verified.
• UK blames Russia for 'NotPetya' cyber attack in June Press TV 15 Feb 2018 -- The UK has accused Russia of being behind last year's so-called "NotPetya" cyber attack, which allegedly started in Russia and Ukraine before spreading worldwide, affecting thousands of computers.
• Britain Blames Russia For 'Malicious' 2017 Cyberattack RFE/RL 15 Feb 2018 -- Britain has blamed Russia for a cyberattack last summer that disrupted companies across Europe, warning that the West will not tolerate such "malicious" activities.
• Kremlin Dismisses Allegations of Cyberattacks as Russophobic Campaign Sputnik 15 Feb 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on accusations of UK Foreign Office of Russia allegedly being behind a massive cyberattack, using the NotPetya virus.
• UK Blames Russia for NotPetya Ransomware Cyberattack Sputnik 15 Feb 2018 -- The UK's minister for cybersecurity on Thursday attributed the blame for last June's cyberattack on governments and businesses in Europe on Russia, despite providing no evidence.
• Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 15 Feb 2018
• Moscow Downplays U.S. Threat Of New Sanctions RFE/RL 15 Feb 2018 -- Moscow says any new sanctions imposed by the United States would have little effect on its people or economy after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would impose new punitive measures on wealthy Russians "in the near future."
• Russia Warns West Continued Election Meddling Will be Met by Hard Measures Sputnik 15 Feb 2018 -- According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, it has facts showing attempts of the West to meddle in Russia's internal affairs amid presidential election campaign.
• Russia eyeing contract with Turkey for next batch of S-400s: Informed source Press TV 14 Feb 2018 -- Russia is considering signing a contract with Turkey to provide the NATO military alliance member with another batch of advanced S-400 missile defense systems, a government source has revealed.
• Putin Personally Ordered Crimea Annexation, Ex-Duma Deputy Testifies RFE/RL 14 Feb 2018 -- A Russian former lawmaker has testified before a Kyiv court that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.
• Nothing To See Here: Moscow Tight-Lipped On Russian Deaths In Syria RFE/RL 14 Feb 2018 -- As details continue to emerge about multiple Russian fighters killed in U.S. air and artillery strikes in Syria last week, the Kremlin and senior Russian officials are choosing their words carefully.
• Kremlin Distances Itself From Reports Of Mercenary Deaths In Syria RFE/RL 14 Feb 2018 -- The chief Kremlin spokesman has suggested that if any Russians were killed by U.S. air strikes in Syria last week, they were not regular soldiers, continuing to distance President Vladimir Putin's government from reports that several Russian mercenaries -- and possibly dozens -- died after staging an attack on U.S. forces and their allies in the Middle Eastern country on February 7.
• Russia Plans To Help Syria Rebuild Devastated Oil, Power Industries RFE/RL 14 Feb 2018 -- Russia plans to help Syria rebuild energy facilities that have been devastated by years of war, Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak has said.
• Kremlin Not Ruling Out Presence of Russian Citizens Apart From Military in Syria Sputnik 14 Feb 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that he didn't rule out that Russian nationals, who do not belong to the Russian Armed Forces, could be in Syria.
• Top US Intel Officials: Russia Bent on Influencing US Midterm Elections VOA 13 Feb 2018 -- With U.S. congressional primary elections just weeks away, top intelligence officials are warning that Russia appears intent on trying to disrupt the 2018 vote much as it did during the 2016 presidential election.
• Russian Cargo Ship Launched To Space Station After Two-Day Delay RFE/RL 13 Feb 2018 -- An unmanned Russian cargo spacecraft has blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS), two days after the original launch was delayed.
• Russian Lawmaker Klintsevich Resigns Defense Committee Post RFE/RL 13 Feb 2018 -- A prominent Russian lawmaker has resigned as deputy head of the Russian Federation Council's Defense Committee, saying unnamed critics did not like his "openness," Russian media reported.
• Russia tests latest interceptor missile in Kazakhstan Press TV 12 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of the testing of its latest interceptor missile which is designed to protect Moscow from nuclear attacks.
• Moscow Unaware of Iran's Military Base Near Syrian Palmyra - Deputy FM Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has no information about Iran having a military base near the Syrian city of Palmyra, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Monday.
• Russian Contingent in Syria Has Potential to Deter Terrorism - Kremlin Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Russia's remaining contingent in Syria has the necessary potential needed to deter terrorist activity, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
• Russia's New Su-25 Jet Will Be Immune to MANPAD Fire – Reports Sputnik 12 Feb 2018 -- Russian engineers have developed a system which ensures 100-percent protection against the heat-seeking warheads of Stinger and Igla MANPADS, Rossiiskaya Gazeta has reported.
• Russian FSB Detains Ukrainian In Crimea On Suspicion Of Spying RFE/RL 12 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has detained a Ukrainian national in Russian-controlled Crimea on suspicion of espionage.
• US Says It Will Further Monitor Russian Military Build-Up in Kaliningrad Region Sputnik 10 Feb 2018 -- Washington will continue monitoring potential Russian military equipment deployment in the country's westernmost Kaliningrad Region in the light of the recent short-range ballistic missiles deployment in the area, Michelle Baldanza, a spokeswoman of the US Department of Defense told Sputnik on Saturday.
• Russian Nuclear Supercomputer 'Caught Mining Bitcoin' RFE/RL 09 Feb 2018 -- Employees at a Russian top-secret nuclear facility have reportedly been detained after trying to use one of Russia's most powerful supercomputers to mine Bitcoin.
• Putin Predicts West Will 'Tire' Of Sanctions Soon RFE/RL 09 Feb 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin has told Russian business leaders that he believes Western countries will tire of their sanctions against Moscow "soon" and relations will improve.
• Sobchak Says Russian Election Meddling 'Unacceptable' RFE/RL 09 Feb 2018 -- Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak says it appears that Moscow meddled in the U.S. presidential election in 2016, and called any such interference "unacceptable."
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 8, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 08 Feb 2018
• Turkish, Russian Leaders Speak as Syria Strains Grow VOA 08 Feb 2018 -- Turkey and Russia's presidents have reportedly agreed to meet with their Iranian counterpart in Istanbul in the near future.
• Putin, Erdogan agree to boost military coordination in Syria: Kremlin Press TV 08 Feb 2018 -- The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayip Erdogan have agreed to strengthen Ankara-Moscow military and security coordination in Syria.
• Eight Candidates To Run For President Of Russia RFE/RL 08 Feb 2018 -- Eight candidates will be on the ballot in Russia's March 18 presidential vote, a poll that appears certain to hand President Vladimir Putin a new six-year term.
• Sky's the Limit: Russian Military to Start Combat Trials of Stealthy Su-57 Jet Sputnik 08 Feb 2018 -- The new plane is Russia's entry in the fifth-gen multirole stealth fighter jet category.
• US Tries to Convince Vietnam to Abandon Russian Arms Deals - Reports Sputnik 08 Feb 2018 -- The US State Department wants Vietnam to buy more weapons from the US, after Washington lifted its lethal arms embargo on its one-time enemy in 2016, Defense News reported.
• China, Russia voice support for Iran's nuclear deal amid US threats Press TV 08 Feb 2018 -- China and Russia have reaffirmed their support for Iran's nuclear deal with six world powers, including Beijing and Moscow, amid US President Donald Trump's threats against the multinational accord.
• Russians penetrated US election systems, top US official claims Press TV 08 Feb 2018 -- A senior US intelligence official claims the Russians successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several US states prior to the 2016 presidential election.
• Report: Russia 'Successfully Penetrated' US Voter Systems in 2016 VOA 07 Feb 2018 -- A senior U.S. cybersecurity official has told NBC News that Russian hackers successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several U.S. states prior to the 2016 presidential election.
• Turkey not at odds with Russia over Afrin operation: Cavusoglu Press TV 07 Feb 2018 -- Turkey says it has no disagreements with Russia over its military operation underway against US-backed Kurdish militants in the northern Syrian region of Afrin.
• Russia's Election Commission Registers Three More Presidential Candidates RFE/RL 07 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Central Election Commission has registered three more candidates for the March 18 presidential election, raising the total number of candidates to six.
• Russian Presidential Hopeful: If Putin Could Safely Retire, He Would VOA 07 Feb 2018 -- Russian presidential hopeful Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian TV celebrity and socialite, has told VOA that the rumors are true: If her father's old political mentor, President Vladimir Putin, were guaranteed a personally safe exit from public life, he would willingly retire from politics.
• Russia to Deliver 6 Additional Yak-130 Aircraft to Myanmar Sputnik 07 Feb 2018 -- Russia will deliver to Myanmar an additional batch of six Yak-130 combat training aircraft, Mikhail Petukhov, a deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told Sputnik.
• Mattis: Proposed U.S. Cruise Missile A Bargaining Chip With Russia RFE/RL 06 Feb 2018 -- Secretary of Defense James Mattis has said that a plan to add a new cruise missile to the United States' nuclear arsenal aims to provide additional leverage to U.S. negotiators trying to persuade Russia to stop violating a key arms control treaty.
• Russia rejects criticism about reported missile deployment in Kaliningrad Press TV 06 Feb 2018 -- Russia has countered criticism by NATO and its neighbors about the reported deployment of missile systems in the Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, saying Moscow has the legitimate right to have weapons anywhere it chooses on its territory.
• Kremlin Says It's Up To Russia Where It Deploys Its Missiles RFE/RL 06 Feb 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia has the right to decide where it deploys its military resources on its own territory, following reports that Russia had deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in its Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad.
• Putin Formally Registered As Presidential Candidate RFE/RL 06 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has been formally registered as a candidate in Russia's March 18 presidential election.
• Russia Threatens No One By Deploying Iskander Systems in Kaliningrad - Kremlin Sputnik 06 Feb 2018 -- Russia does not threaten anyone but has the sovereign right to place weapons anywhere on its territory, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, commenting on reports of Iskander deployment in the Kaliningrad region.
• Russian Foreign Intelligence Chief Explained His Visit to US Despite Sanctions Sputnik 06 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Head Sergei Naryshkin said Tuesday that he was performing his professional duties as the intelligence service chief during his recent visit to the United States.
• Russia, U.S. Declare Compliance With Nuclear Treaty By Deadline RFE/RL 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States and Russia have both declared that they complied with a 2010 arms-control treaty limiting the two countries' massive nuclear arsenals, as Moscow criticized President Donald Trump's new nuclear policy.
• US Expects to Continue Implementation of New START Treaty With Russia - DoS Sputnik 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States is looking forward to continuing implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), signed by Washington and Moscow in 2010, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Monday.
• New START Treaty Central Limits Take Effect US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States of America and the Russian Federation have implemented the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) for seven years. February 5, 2018 marks the date that the Treaty's central limits on each country's strategic nuclear arsenal take effect.
• Key Facts About New START Treaty Implementation US Dept. of State 05 Feb 2018
• Despite Tensions, US and Russia Complying With Key Nuclear Arms Reduction Treaty VOA 05 Feb 2018 -- The United States says it is confident that both the U.S. and Russia will have honored their commitments under the bilateral Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by the Monday deadline.
• UN chief congratulates US, Russia on nuclear arsenal cuts, urges further disarmament UN News 05 Feb 2018 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday congratulated the United States and Russia on successfully reducing their strategic nuclear forces to the level required by a new bilateral treaty signed in 2010, calling on both sides to engage in the necessary dialogue that will lead to further arsenal reductions.
• Russia hits back after jet downed People's Daily 05 Feb 2018 -- Massive Russian air strikes have killed at least 30 militants in northwest Syria, where a Russian fighter jet was shot down, Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
• Russia deploys Iskander nuclear-capable missiles to Kaliningrad: Report Press TV 05 Feb 2018 -- Russia has reportedly deployed advanced nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to its westernmost region of Kaliningrad that borders the Baltic countries of Poland and Lithuania, in an apparent move to counter US military buildup in the region.
• China, Iran, Russia Lash Out At U.S. Nuclear Policy Plan RFE/RL 04 Feb 2018 -- Russia, Iran, and China have strongly criticized Washington's newly revealed policy plan to expand U.S. nuclear weapons capabilities in order to deter other countries.
• Russian MPs vow to investigate origin of MANPAD used in downing jet in Syria Press TV 04 Feb 2018 -- Senior Russian lawmakers have urged the country to probe the origin of the man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD), which was reportedly used by Takfiri terrorists to down a Russian jet over Syria.
• Al-Qaida-linked Group Claims Responsibility for Shooting Down Russian Warplane VOA 04 Feb 2018 -- A Syrian rebel group linked to al-Qaida is claiming responsibility for shooting down a Russian jet near the rebel-held town of Saraqeb, Syria.
• Moscow Identifies Reasons Behind New US Nuclear Doctrine Sputnik 04 Feb 2018 -- Moscow Will Have to Take US Policies into Account
• Russian Su-25 aircraft shot down in Syria, pilot shot dead: Defense ministry Press TV 03 Feb 2018 -- Russia has confirmed that its Su-25 fighter jet has been shot down in a militant-held area in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, with its pilot killed in fighting after the incident.
• Moscow denounces 'anti-Russian' nature of new US nuclear policy Press TV 03 Feb 2018 -- Russia has lambasted the "bellicose" and "anti-Russian" nature of Washington's new nuclear policy, threatening that Moscow would adopt necessary measures to ensure its own security.
• US using Russian threat as pretext for nuclear buildup: Ambassador Press TV 03 Feb 2018 -- Moscow's ambassador to Washington says the US has launched a scaremongering campaign against Russia to find a pretext for pumping more dollars into its military industry and building up its nuclear stockpile.
• Russia Confirms Warplane Downed Over Syria, Pilot Dead RFE/RL 03 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that an Su-25 close-support military aircraft was shot down over Syria on February 3 and the pilot was killed.
• Russia Harshly Criticizes New U.S. Nuclear Posture Document RFE/RL 03 Feb 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has slammed a new nuclear-policy document issued by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on February 2.
• Terrorists Shot Down Russian Su-25 in Idlib, Russia Airstrikes Attack Zone - MoD Sputnik 03 Feb 2018 -- The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the country's air forces conducted a high-precision group strike in the area controlled by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham militants in Idlib, from where a missile that downed Russian Su-25 aircraft was launched.
• U.S. Treasury Warns Against Expansion Of Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 02 Feb 2018 -- A new report to Congress by the U.S. Treasury Department warns that expanding Russia sanctions against Russia to include new issues of Russian government bonds would have "serious spillover effects" for the global economy.
• Pentagon Chief Accuses Russia of Attempts to Undermine NATO's Capabilities Sputnik 02 Feb 2018 -- Russia is trying to undermine NATO's cohesion and capabilities, Pentagon chief James Mattis said during a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson.
• Tillerson Urges Latin America To Beware Of Russia, China RFE/RL 02 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned countries of the Western Hemisphere to beware of "alarming" actions by Russia and China in their region, urging them to work with the United States instead.
• Japan Protests Russia's Decision to Base Aviation on Kuril Island of Iturup Sputnik 02 Feb 2018 -- Russia is trying to undermine NATO's cohesion and capabilities, Pentagon chief James Mattis said during a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson.
• Heads of 3 Russian intelligence agencies met with CIA director in US: Report Press TV 02 Feb 2018 -- The heads of three Russian intelligence agencies traveled to the United States to meet with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, amid a series of political rifts between the two sides over US President Donald Trump's alleged collusion with Russian officials and Washington's renewal of sanctions against Moscow.
• Russian Court Extends Detention Of Norwegian Spying Suspect RFE/RL 02 Feb 2018 -- A Russian court has extended the detention of a Norwegian man suspected of spying after he allegedly received classified documents from a Russian man who is also under arrest.
• Tillerson Warns Against China, Russia Engagement in Latin America VOA 01 Feb 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Thursday that China and Russia were assuming "alarming" roles in Latin America, and he urged regional powers to work with the United States instead.
• At OSCE, U.S. Says Russia 'Fomenting, Perpetuating' War In Ukraine RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has issued a harshly worded statement accusing Russia of "ongoing violations of international law" in Ukraine.
• Putin Gives Nod to Creation of Russian Super Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the creation of a new Russian super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV), which is supposed to be used for missions to the Moon and Mars, Roscosmos Director General Igor Komarov told journalists on Thursday.
• Russian Military Talks Tough After 'Unsafe' Black Sea Flyby RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- Moscow is talking tough after being reprimanded by the United States over an "unsafe" incident in which a Russian military jet flew within 1.5 meters of a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the Black Sea.
• Russian Ex-Governor Given Eight Years In High-Profile Bribery Case RFE/RL 01 Feb 2018 -- A Moscow court has sentenced former Kirov Oblast Governor Nikita Belykh to eight years in prison following his conviction on bribery charges.
• NATO Intervention Lead to Libyan Conflict - Lavrov Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov after talks with his Italian counterpart Alfano, who is currently in Russia with a working visit as the chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), spoke about the conflict in Libya, Syrian peace process as well as areas of cooperation with the OSCE.
• Russia to Deploy Combat Jets on Kuril Island of Iturup Sputnik 01 Feb 2018 -- In November 2017, Russia made a decision to build a naval facility in the Kurils which is planned to be located on the island of Matua in the center of the archipelago.
• Russian experts to visit Fordow enrichment facility: Iranian official Press TV 01 Feb 2018 -- An Iranian nuclear official says a team of Russian specialists will visit the Fordow enrichment facility on Sunday as part of a project on stable isotopes.