Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• EU Expected To Expand Russia Sanctions Over Presidential Poll In Crimea RFE/RL 30 Apr 2018 -- The European Union is set to sanction five people who, according to the bloc, helped organize the Russian presidential election in the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea in March.
• Russians Not Turning on Kremlin Even as Latest US Sanctions Bite VOA 30 Apr 2018 -- The latest U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia earlier this month targeting two dozen Kremlin insiders and oligarchs close to Vladimir Putin and their companies are proving more painful than had been expected, say analysts. But they're doing nothing at this stage in turning ordinary Russians against the Kremlin or undermining the Russian leader's overall popularity.
• Meet Akademik Lomonsov: World's 1st floating nuclear plant Press TV 29 Apr 2018 -- Russia has officially launched the world's first floating nuclear power plant on board a giant ship, as part of Moscow's long-term program to address energy shortages in the country's rugged north and Far East region.
• Turkey firmly rejects US threat of sanctions over its purchase of Russian S-400 air defense system Press TV 28 Apr 2018 -- Turkey has dismissed Washington's threats of imposing sanction on Ankara over its planned purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system, insisting that it will not be deterred by such threats.
• Turkey Dismisses U.S. Warning Against Buying Russian Missile System RFE/RL 28 Apr 2018 -- Turkey has largely dismissed a warning from the new U.S. secretary of state against buying Russia's S-400 missile defense system, saying the deal is largely done and will not be reversed.
• Russia, Iran, Turkey Criticize Western Airstrikes on Syria VOA 28 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday that airstrikes on Syria, conducted by the U.S., Britain, and France on April 14, were a violation of international law and indicated that the Western powers were trying to destroy the peace process.
• Iran, Russia, Turkey stress Syrian sovereignty, independence IRNA 28 Apr 2018 -- Foreign Ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey in a joint statement on Syria released on Saturday emphasized the sovereignty and independence of Syria.
• Iran, Russia, Turkey FMs vow to boost efforts to settle Syria crisis Press TV 28 Apr 2018 -- Iran, Russia and Turkey have reaffirmed their strong commitment to Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, vowing to strengthen trilateral coordination to find a sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis in the Arab country.
• Russia Launches Controversial Floating Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 28 Apr 2018 -- A floating nuclear power built in Russia and widely criticized by environmentalists has embarked on its first sea voyage.
• Russian Aluminum Giant Makes Bid For Relief From U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 28 Apr 2018 -- Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska's aluminum empire has taken up a U.S. offer for relief from sanctions and announced his resignation from the board and a reduction of his stock holdings to less than 50 percent.
• E-Mails Show Lawyer Veselnitskaya In Close Communication With Top Russian Officials RFE/RL 27 Apr 2018 -- Newly released e-mails from a Russian lawyer involved in a U.S. money-laundering case showed the lawyer had close contact with officials from the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office, even as she portrayed herself as a private citizen.
• Russia's security service foils Daesh acts of terror in Moscow Press TV 27 Apr 2018 -- Russian security forces have thwarted acts of terror planned by the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Moscow.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 26, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Apr 2018
• Putin tells acting Armenian PM to resolve political crisis via legal means Press TV 26 Apr 2018 -- Russia has advised political leaders in Armenia to resolve the current crisis in the neighboring country "solely within the framework of the law".
• MEPs Urge EU Magnitsky Act To Tackle Kremlin's 'Antidemocratic" Activities RFE/RL 26 Apr 2018 -- Dozens of lawmakers in the European Parliament have called on the European Union to adopt legislation that would punish Russian businessmen for money-laundering activities within the bloc that they said are used to back the Kremlin's "antidemocratic" moves.
• No Victims of Alleged Chemical Attack Found in Syrian Douma - Moscow Sputnik 26 Apr 2018 -- No victims, casualties or even traces of use of chemical weapons have been found in Syria's Douma, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
• Iran, Russia, China must adopt joint strategy against US bids: Official Press TV 26 Apr 2018 -- A senior Iranian security official has underlined the necessity for Iran, China and Russia to adopt a joint strategy to counter US attempts at harming the three countries.
• Russia rejects any prospect for changes, additions to Iran nuclear deal Press TV 26 Apr 2018 -- Russia says it sees no room for amendments or additions to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world countries as a deadline looms for the US to announce whether or not it will keep its side of the bargain.
• Israel vows to destroy Russian s-300 missiles in Syria if warplanes are targeted Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- Israel's minister of military affairs says it will destroy Russian S-300 air defense systems in Syria if they down Tel Aviv regime planes over the war-torn nation.
• Russia starts production of S-400 missile systems for Turkey Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- Russia has started production of S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems for Turkey under an agreement concluded between the two countries late last year.
• Russia Starts Production of S-400 Missile Systems for Turkey Sputnik 25 Apr 2018 -- Russia has started producing S-400 air defense missile systems for Turkey, Russian state arms and military equipment exporter Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• Israel vows to destroy Russian s-300 missiles in Syria if warplanes are targeted Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- Israel's minister of military affairs says it will destroy Russian S-300 air defense systems in Syria if they down Tel Aviv regime planes over the war-torn nation.
• EU Urges Russia, Iran, Turkey To Press For Pause In Syria Conflict RFE/RL 25 Apr 2018 -- EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini has called on Russia, Iran, and Turkey to do more to scale down the fighting in Syria.
• European Commission To Call Out Russia For 'Information Warfare' RFE/RL 25 Apr 2018 -- The European Commission is set to single out Russia directly for what it calls Moscow's "information warfare" as part of EU efforts to fight back against online disinformation campaigns considered a threat to European security.
• Certain states play into hands of terrorists by using military force: Russia president Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says certain countries play into the hands of terrorists and endanger regional security by bypassing international law and resorting to military force.
• Russia Sees No Alternative to Nuclear Deal With Iran - Kremlin Sputnik 25 Apr 2018 -- The Kremlin has commented on French President Emmanuel Macron's statement on readiness to work on a new Iran nuclear deal as well as the situation in Armenia in the wake of the opposition protests that resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan.
• There is no alternative to Iran nuclear deal: Kremlin Press TV 25 Apr 2018 -- The Kremlin has thrown its weight behind the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, saying there is no alternative to the accord amid US threats to kill the international document.
• Belarusian Leader Has Harsh Words For Russia, West -- And Warning For Moscow RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has used an annual address to criticize both the West and Russia, accusing Western countries of "inciting trade wars" and charging that Moscow has blocked Belarusian goods from the Russian market.
• Russia, China urge UN members states to support Iran's nuclear deal Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Russia and China have issued a draft statement, calling on the UN member states to express their "unwavering support" for Iran's nuclear agreement amid the US efforts to scrap the deal.
• Russian military practicing combat skills in Sea of Japan Press TV 24 Apr 2018 -- Ships from Russia's Pacific fleet have been holding live-fire drills in the Sea of Japan, according to video released by the Russian Defense Ministry.
• U.S. Offers To Lift Sanctions On Russia's Rusal If Deripaska Cedes Control RFE/RL 24 Apr 2018 -- A senior Russian official says the government has not ruled out buying a stake in aluminum giant Rusal from tycoon Oleg Deripaska in order to protect the company from U.S. sanctions.
• US Pushing World Toward New Arms Race - Shoigu Sputnik 24 Apr 2018 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Washington was not ready for partnership on an equitable basis even with its own traditional allies.
• U.S. Seeks Long Jail Term For Yahoo Hacker, Sending 'Message Of Deterrence' To FSB RFE/RL 23 Apr 2018 -- U.S. authorities have demanded a nearly eight-year prison sentence for a Kazakh-born computer hacker, asserting that a harsh term would send a message to Russia's main intelligence agency about hacking and espionage.
• G7 To Set Up Group To Study Russia's 'Malign Behavior' RFE/RL 23 Apr 2018 -- The Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries has decided to create a working group to address what British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Russia's "malign behavior."
• Ahead Of U.S. Visit, Macron Warns Against Being 'Weak' With Putin RFE/RL 22 Apr 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has warned against showing any weakness toward Vladimir Putin while insisting he wants to work with the Russian president.
• Russia's Lavrov says no decision yet on delivery of S-300 missiles to Syria Press TV 23 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says his country has not yet decided to supply advanced S-300 missile defense systems to Syria, adding that the issue will be made public if Moscow makes such a decision.
• Lavrov: No Decision Yet On Delivery Of S-300 Missiles To Syria RFE/RL 23 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow has not yet made a decision on whether to deliver advanced S-300 missile systems to Syria.
• Lavrov on Russia's S-300 Supplies to Syria: It's No Secret, But Not Decided Yet Sputnik 23 Apr 2018 -- Russia may supply its S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Syria on a free-of-charge basis, according to a Russian newspaper citing sources.
• Pakistan, Russia Hold High-Level Security Talks VOA 23 Apr 2018 -- Russia and Pakistan have held their first national security advisers-level bilateral talks in Moscow, focusing on prospects for closer cooperation in defense, space, cyber security, nuclear, intelligence-sharing as well as trade.
• No Alternative To Iran Nuclear Deal, Kremlin Says RFE/RL 23 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has said that there is no alternative to the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and that the agreement should be observed by all those who signed it.
• Russia Received No Official Requests From US About Origin of NotPetya Malware Sputnik 22 Apr 2018 -- Russia did not receive any US requests regarding the origin of NotPetya malware, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cooperation in Information Security Andrey Krutskikh said.
• Russia May Supply India Forces With Armaments Tested in Real Warfare Sputnik 21 Apr 2018 -- Russia is prepared to provide a wide range of anti-aircraft weapons and military equipment, which have been successfully tried in real conditions, to India, Director General of the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev said on Friday.
• Russia, EU praise North Korean leader's decision on halting nuclear tests Press TV 21 Apr 2018 -- Russia and the European Union (EU) have hailed the landmark decision made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to suspend his country's nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile launches as a sign of seriousness in pursuing peace with rival South Korea.
• Democratic National Committee v. The Russian Federation, et al. 20 Apr 2018
• Democrats sue Trump campaign, Russia over 2016 election loss Press TV 20 Apr 2018 -- The US Democratic National Committee (DNC) has sued President Donald Trump's campaign, the Russian government and the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks over an alleged conspiracy to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
• U.S. Democratic Party Sues Russia, Trump Campaign RFE/RL 20 Apr 2018 -- The U.S. Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit against the Russian government, President Donald Trump's election campaign, and the WikiLeaks organization, accusing them of conspiring to disrupt the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign and tilt the election to Trump.
• U.S. Slams Russia, Iran As 'Morally Reprehensible' For Rights Violations RFE/RL 20 Apr 2018 -- A new U.S. State Department report has labeled the governments of Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea as "morally reprehensible" with human rights violations on a daily basis, making them "forces of instability."
• US Says China, Iran, Russia Are 'Forces for Instability' VOA 20 Apr 2018 -- The United States has labeled China and Russia "forces of instability" because of their human rights records, along with North Korea and Iran.
• Lavrov Says No 'Moral Obligation' To Deny Assad S-300 Missiles RFE/RL 20 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has suggested that Moscow might supply high-precision S-300 air-defense missiles to its ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the wake of Western air strikes.
• No reason not to supply Syria with S-300 defense systems: Russian FM Press TV 20 Apr 2018 -- Russia says the latest US missile strikes against Syria have removed any moral obligation for Moscow not to deliver advanced S-300 missile defense systems to Syria.
• Bolton, U.S. National Security Adviser, Tells Russia Conditions For Better Ties RFE/RL 20 Apr 2018 -- The new U.S. national security adviser has told Russia's U.S. ambassador that Moscow must address U.S. concerns on election meddling, the "reckless" nerve-agent attack in Britain, and the situations in Ukraine and Syria before relations can substantially improve.
• Russia: Putin Ready to Meet Trump VOA 20 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that President Vladimir Putin is willing to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to meet in Washington.
• Angling for a Summit, Kremlin Avoids Criticizing Trump VOA 20 Apr 2018 -- Kremlin officials, from President Vladimir Putin down, wasted no time in condemning the U.S.-led punitive airstrikes on Syria a week ago, warning of dire consequences. But Russian state-run media has focused more efforts on disputing the alleged Syrian government chemical attack, which prompted the Western airstrikes in the first place, than on the U.S.-led retaliation itself.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 19, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 19 Apr 2018
• Syria hands unexploded US cruise missiles to Russia Press TV 19 Apr 2018 -- Syria has handed over to Russia two unexploded cruise missiles it discovered in the aftermath of the recent attack by the United States, Britain and France, Syrian sources say.
• Russia, Syria Trying To 'Sanitize' Chemical Attack Site, U.S. Says RFE/RL 19 Apr 2018 -- The United States has accused Russia and Syria of trying to "sanitize" the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma, while delaying access by experts from the global chemical-weapons watchdog.
• US State Dept. Accuses Moscow, Damascus of Trying to 'Sanitize' Douma Sputnik 19 Apr 2018 -- The US Department of State said Thursday that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been prevented from accessing the site in Douma, Syria, where a chemical attack is alleged to have taken place earlier in April.
• Russia Launches Heavy Rocket with Military Satellite Sputnik 19 Apr 2018 -- A Russian carrier rocket with a military satellite blasted off early on Thursday from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed.
• Trump: New Russia Sanctions To Come Soon As They 'Deserve It' RFE/RL 19 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that nobody has been tougher on Russia than him and that he will impose new sanctions on Moscow "as soon as they very much deserve it."
• U.S. Calls For Probe Into 'Mysterious' Death Of Russian Journalist RFE/RL 19 Apr 2018 -- The United States has joined media watchdogs in calling on Russian authorities to thoroughly investigate the death of Russian investigative journalist Maksim Borodin last week.
• India's Defense Team to Visit Russia to Finalize AK-103 Assault Rifle Deal Sputnik 19 Apr 2018 -- The proposed deal envisages the licensed production of the assault rifles in India jointly by state-owned enterprises and private industry at an estimated cost of $1.9 billion. The Indian Army alone requires more than 768,000 sets of such rifles.
• Chemical watchdog confirms UK findings on Salisbury nerve agent UN News 18 Apr 2018 -- A technical team sent by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack in the United Kingdom has identified toxic agents consistent with the UK's initial investigation, the top United Nations disarmament official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
• Trump's UN Ambassador Hits Back Over Russia Sanctions 'Confusion' RFE/RL 18 Apr 2018 -- The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is pushing back against a suggestion by President Donald Trump's chief economic adviser that she was confused over possible new sanctions targeting Russia.
• State Dept: US Seeks No Confrontation With Russia in Syria, Ready to Use Force Sputnik 18 Apr 2018 -- The US, the UK and France launched a strike against Syria on April 14 as retaliation for the alleged chemical attack in Douma. Russia warned the US against delivering a strike, reminding that it has military personnel on the ground and that they will react accordingly.
• Russia, China Develop Capabilities to Disable US Satellites, USAF Secretary Says Sputnik 18 Apr 2018 -- US Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday that Moscow and Beijing are developing their capabilities to disrupt US satellites.
• Russian Navy gets new nuclear sub, warships Press TV 18 Apr 2018 -- The Russian Navy has expanded its strategic capabilities by commissioning a nuclear submarine, three new warships, two helicopters and a number of home-made Kalibr cruise missiles.
• Russia warns of 'painful' retaliation in face of US sanctions Press TV 18 Apr 2018 -- The speaker of the Russian upper house of parliament has warned of "serious consequences" of the US sanctions imposed on Russia, saying Moscow's response will be "precise and painful."
• Britain Launches 7 Probes into Impartiality of Russian Broadcaster RT VOA 18 Apr 2018 -- Britain's broadcast regulator has opened seven investigations into Russian state-owned RT television channel, citing an increase in potential violations of impartiality rules since the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter.
• OPCW Head Rejects Russian Claim About Presence Of Second Nerve Agent In Salisbury RFE/RL 18 Apr 2018 -- The head of the global chemical-weapons watchdog has rejected Russian claims that traces of a second nerve agent were discovered in the English city where a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned last month.
• Lavrov on S-300 Supply: After West's Attack, We Mull All Options to Defend Syria Sputnik 17 Apr 2018 -- Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry had stated that Russian-made air defense systems deployed by the Syrian forces managed to intercept 71 of 103 missiles, fired by the United States, France and the UK on April 14.
• Russia to consider S-300 delivery to Syria after West attack: Lavrov Press TV 17 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will consider delivering S-300 air defense systems to Damascus following the recent strikes against Syria by three Western powers.
• Russia Dismisses Rare US-British Warning on Hackers VOA 17 Apr 2018 -- Russia has rejected allegations from the United States and Britain that Russian-backed hackers are escalating cyberattacks on American and British companies, government operations and infrastructure.
• Security forces arrest members of Daesh cell in Russia, foil planned attacks Press TV 17 Apr 2018 -- Russian security service says it has detained several members of a terror cell run by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in southern Russia, foiling planned "resonant terror attacks" in the country.
• Putin, Merkel Discuss Syria, Baltic Gas Pipeline RFE/RL 17 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the situation in Syria and a controversial Baltic gas pipeline project in a telephone conversation, the Kremlin says.
• Newspaper Says Russian Businessman Raped, Tortured, Killed In Jail RFE/RL 17 Apr 2018 -- A Russian entrepreneur suspected of embezzling money earmarked for building military submarines was raped, tortured, and killed in pretrial detention, the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta reports.
• Inside the Internet Research Agency: a Mole Among Trolls VOA 17 Apr 2018 -- Vitaly Bespalov, a 23-year-old journalism school graduate, had no idea what to expect when he arrived at a nondescript four-story business center in St. Petersburg to interview for a job.
• G7 Ministers Call For Russia's 'Full Disclosure' On Spy Poisoning In Britain RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries have called on Russia to provide "full and complete disclosure" about the poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter in Britain last month.
• Trump Dismisses Russia Claims Syria Successfully Shot Down US Missiles VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Pentagon officials are dismissing Russian claims that Syrian air defense systems took out most of the cruise missiles aimed at three of the country's critical chemical weapons sites.
• Russia Says It Will Not Interfere With Syria Chemical Weapons Probe VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- Russia said Monday it will not interfere with the work of a fact-finding mission investigating an alleged chemical attack last week near Syria's capital.
• Russia: Chemical weapons inspection delayed due to West's airstrikes Press TV 16 Apr 2018 -- Russia says a visit by inspectors from the United Nations chemical watchdog to the site of an alleged gas attack in Syria's Douma has been delayed due to recent Western airstrikes on the Arab country.
• Russia Sends Warship Allegedly Carrying Military Hardware to Syria - Reports Sputnik 16 Apr 2018 -- With the crisis in Syria heating up, Russia has stepped up military and humanitarian supplies to the war-torn Arab country.
• Pantsir-S1 Repelling US Strikes on Syria Showed 100% Effectiveness - Russian MoD Sputnik 16 Apr 2018 -- Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry had said that Syrian air defenses intercepted 71 of more than 100 missiles that the United States, the United Kingdom, France launched on Friday in response to the alleged chemical attack in Syria's Douma.
• US, UK, France Missile Attack on Syria Won't Be Left Unanswered - Lavrov Sputnik 16 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday that all proofs of the alleged chemical attack in Douma, provided by some Western leaders, were taken from media and social networks.
• Russia-Backed Hackers Accused Of Global Cyberattacks RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- Russian state-sponsored hackers are seeking to hijack critical network infrastructure devices, U.S. and British intelligence agencies say.
• US, Britain Issue Rare Joint Warning on Russian Hackers VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- The United States and Britain issued a rare and ominous alert Monday charging Russia of ramping up cyber attacks on American and British companies, government operations and infrastructure.
• Moscow says US sanctions against Russia amount to 'asset grab' Press TV 16 Apr 2018 -- Moscow says it regards "illegal" US sanctions against Russia as a form of unfair competition and that any due response by the Kremlin would be in line with Russia's interests.
• Russian Duma To Consider Retaliatory Sanctions Against U.S. RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- Russia's lower parliament house has scheduled the first reading of a bill on retaliatory sanctions against the United States for May 15, meaning the first of three State Duma votes on the legislation could be held that day.
• Russian Regulator Orders Internet Providers To Block Telegram App RFE/RL 16 Apr 2018 -- State communications regulator Roskomnadzor has begun blocking access to Telegram, seeking to bar Russians from using the popular app whose self-exiled CEO has defied demands to let the Federal Security Service (FSB) read users' messages.
• Trump Orders Postponing Introduction of New Anti-Russian Sanctions - Reports Sputnik 16 Apr 2018 -- On Monday, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Washington is considering new anti-Russia sanctions in response to the alleged chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma, but added that no decision had been made.
• Russia Blocks Popular Telegram Messaging App VOA 16 Apr 2018 -- Russia began implementing a ban on popular instant messaging service Telegram after the app refused to provide encrypted messages to Russia's security services.
• US to Impose Sanctions on Russia Over Support of Assad - Envoy to UN Haley Sputnik 15 Apr 2018 -- Following a massive US strike on Syrian targets on April 17, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said during UN Security Council meeting that Washington was "locked and loaded" to conduct news strikes against the war-torn Middle East country.
• U.S. To Hit Russia With Sanctions Over Support For Assad RFE/RL 15 Apr 2018 -- The United States plans to announce new targeted sanctions against Russia over Moscow's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Putin: Further Western Strikes in Syria Contrary to Int'l Law Will Lead to Chaos Sputnik 15 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani discussed the situation in Syria after a massive missile strike was conducted by the US, Britain and France against the country.
• Macron Says He Told Putin Russia 'Complicit' in 'Syrian Chemical Weapons Use' Sputnik 15 Apr 2018 -- French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that Paris convinced the US administration to "stay in Syria long term."
• Russian Investigative Reporter Dies After Fall From Window; Editor Rejects Suicide RFE/RL 15 Apr 2018 -- Russian investigative journalist Maksim Borodin of Yekaterinburg has died of injuries sustained on April 12 when he fell from the window of his fifth-floor apartment.
• Russia says may give Syria S-300, calls for urgent UN meeting Press TV 14 Apr 2018 -- Following US, UK and French missile strikes against Syria, Russia calls for an emergency UN Security Council on the tripartite act on aggression and says it may consider supplying S-300 missile defense systems to the Arab state.
• West's proof of suspected chemical attack in Douma 'ludicrous' for experts: Lavrov Press TV 14 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the Western countries' so-called proofs of a purported use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government in the town of Douma, near capital Damascus, are "ludicrous" for experts, hours after the armed forces of the US, Britain and France launched a heavy barrage of cruise missiles on different localities of the Arab country.
• Russia was forewarned of the US-led attack on Syria: US envoy to Moscow Press TV 14 Apr 2018 -- Washington had notified Moscow prior to staging massive missile strikes against Syria, the American Ambassador to Russia has said, clarifying that the US-led attack was not intended as "a conflict between superpowers."
• Russia says none of its positions in Syria attacked by US IRNA 14 Apr 2018 -- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in a statement said none of its military positions in Tartus and Hamim or other places was attacked by the US.
• Russia: Syria air defense intercepted 71 missiles IRNA 14 Apr 2018 -- A senior Russian military official has said that Syrian air defense had intercepted at least 71 cruise missiles fired by US, UK and France at Syria early Saturday.
• US Contacted Russia Before Striking Syria to Avoid Casualities - Envoy to Moscow Sputnik 14 Apr 2018 -- On Saturday night, the US jointly with the UK and France conducted punitive missile strikes at several targets in Syria, the attack, according to the Syrian General Staff, injured three people.
• Putin: Attack on Syria 'Act of Aggression' Against Sovereign State Sputnik 14 Apr 2018 -- Western countries hit Syria, although neither Russian military experts, nor local residents confirmed fact of chemical attack in the city of Douma, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated.
• Putin warns Macron against any 'dangerous actions' in Syria Press TV 13 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron against any "dangerous actions" in war-torn Syria, as the West ponders possible strikes on the Arab country in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack near Damascus last week.
• US Holds Syria, Russia Accountable for Chemical Weapons Attack in Douma VOA 13 Apr 2018 -- U.S. officials are expressing "high confidence" that Syria carried out last week's chemical weapons attack in Douma, promising the West will respond and that all options remain on the table.
• Turkey to Mediate Between US, Russia on Syria Tensions VOA 13 Apr 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is assuming a mediator role, calling for a display of sensitivity by the U.S., Russia and other nations amid heightened tensions on Syria.
• Russia planning manned spaceflight to moon: Putin People's Daily 13 Apr 2018 -- Russia is actively implementing a lunar program through 2030, aiming to send astronauts to the moon, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, Russia's Cosmonautics Day.
• China, Russia's Sophisticated Anti-Satellite Capabilities Alarms US Sputnik 13 Apr 2018 -- Russia and China have developed increasingly sophisticated space countermeasure weapons to destroy US satellites, according to a new report.
• Activists Cry Foul As Russian Court Orders Telegram App Blocked RFE/RL 13 Apr 2018 -- A Moscow court has issued an order to block access to Telegram, ruling in favor of the state and against the defiant self-exiled Russian entrepreneur who created the popular messaging app.
• Russian Navy Uses Syria's Tartus as Resupply Point, Not Permanent Base - Source Sputnik 13 Apr 2018 -- The Russian navy is still using the Tartus naval facility in Syria only for replenishment of supplies and repair work, the warships always return to the sea, a military-diplomatic source told Sputnik on Friday.
• Russian Helicopter Crashes in Baltic Sea, Both Pilots Dead - Baltic Fleet Sputnik 13 Apr 2018 -- A Russian helicopter with two crew members crashed in the Baltic Sea, one body was found, a source in the emergency services told Sputnik on Friday.
• Britain says Russia spied on Skripals for five years before attack Press TV 13 Apr 2018 -- Britain says Russian intelligence agencies were spying on former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, for at least five years before poisoning them in a nerve agent attack.
• Britain Says Russia Spied On Skripals For Years Before Poisoning RFE/RL 13 Apr 2018 -- Russian intelligence agencies had been spying on Sergei and Yulia Skripal for at least five years before they were poisoned with a nerve agent, Britain's National Security Adviser Mark Sedwill said on April 13.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 12, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Apr 2018
• Russia-US Military Communication Channel in Syria Open – Kremlin Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- In wake of Trump's "Russia, get ready" tweet on Syria, Moscow underlined the necessity to refrain from any steps which could lead to an escalation in the region.
• Trump's new secretary of state to declare end of US soft policy on Russia Press TV 12 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's designated secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, is due to appear at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, where he will tell lawmakers in the upper chamber of Congress that years of soft policy towards Russia are "now over."
• U.S. Secretary of State Nominee Pompeo Signals Tougher Approach Toward Russia RFE/RL 12 Apr 2018 -- CIA Director Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of state, says he wants to "reset" the "deterrence relationship" with Russia, signaling a harder approach toward Moscow.
• Russian Court To Hear Request To Block Telegram RFE/RL 12 Apr 2018 -- A Russian court says it will begin considering this week a request by state media regulator Roskomnadzor to block the messaging app Telegram.
• Yak-130 Plane Crashes in Southwestern Russia, Pilots Unharmed - Defense Ministry Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- A Russian Yak-130 plane crashed in southwestern Voronezh region during a scheduled training flight, both pilots ejected themselves safely, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.
• OPCW's poisoning report may be part of UK agenda to discredit Russia: Zakharova Press TV 12 Apr 2018 -- Moscow has cast doubt on authenticity of a report by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the poisoning of a Soviet-era spy in the UK, saying it may be part of Britain's agenda to harm Russia's reputation.
• OPCW Confirms Skripals Poisoned With Novichok - Reports Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- As London continue to accuse Moscow of orchestrating the poisoning of a former Russian spy despite the lack of evidence to back up this claim, with the UK and a number of other states expelling Russian diplomats over the matter, the OPCW moves in to deliver a verdict of its own.
• Labs Confirm Nerve Agent Used on Russian Ex-Spy, Daughter VOA 12 Apr 2018 -- Four laboratories linked to the international chemical weapons watchdog have confirmed Britain's findings that a nerve agent was used last month to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter.
• India's Top Bureaucrat to Visit Moscow; Acquiring Russian Submarine Tops Agenda Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- India and Russia have been engaged in an advanced stage of negotiation on the sale of strategically crucial defense platforms like the S-400 air defense system, four stealth frigates, and helicopters despite the threat of US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
• India Approves Technical Configuration of Ka-226T, Delivery Likely From 2020 Sputnik 12 Apr 2018 -- In October 2016, India and Russia had finalized a broad agreement for a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Russian Helicopters. India will buy the first lot of 60 helicopters in a flyaway condition, while the remaining 140 will be made in India under the joint venture.
• What, U.S. Worry? Russia Threatens Retaliation For Latest Sanctions RFE/RL 11 Apr 2018 -- After Moscow seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, the United States hit back hard, slapping Russian officials with asset freezes, and financial and travel restrictions.
• Medvedev Says Russia Will Cope With New U.S. Sanctions Amid Ruble Slide RFE/RL 11 Apr 2018 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the country will cope with the latest round of U.S. sanctions, as the ruble fell for a third straight day following the imposition of the new restrictions.
• Trump: Worst US-Russian Relations Ever VOA 11 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he thinks U.S.-Russian relations are at their lowest point ever, including the saber-rattling Cold War years of six decades ago.
• Trump says relations with Russia worse than during the Cold War Press TV 11 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump says US-Russia relations are "worse now" than they were during the Cold War due to Moscow's support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and escalating tensions over a suspected poison gas attack near the Syrian capital Damascus.
• World situation chaotic, getting worse: Putin Press TV 11 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the world's current state of affairs is "chaotic" and will only keep exacerbating unless the international community opts for more constructive relations.
• Russia beefs up controls at North Caucasus border Press TV 11 Apr 2018 -- Russian authorities have adopted a series of new measures to beef up security along borders that may be used by terrorists to infiltrate the country.
• Scientist Finds No Toxins In Remains Of Russian Tycoon Who Died In Britain RFE/RL 11 Apr 2018 -- A scientist has said she found no plant toxins in the stomach of a Russian mafia whistle-blower who died suddenly in Britain in 2012, challenging earlier evidence that he may have been poisoned by a deadly plant that can cause cardiac arrest.
• Putin Urges Netanyahu to Avoid Actions That Destabilize Syria's Sovereignty Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin called for refraining from actions destabilizing the situation in Syria during his phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Kremlin press-service reported.
• Kremlin: Russia Is Not Part of Twitter Diplomacy, We Expect Serious Approach Sputnik 11 Apr 2018 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has commented on US President Donald Trump's recent "get ready, Russia" statements on his Twitter page.
• Trump On Syria: 'Get Ready Russia' Because Missiles 'Will Be Coming' RFE/RL 11 Apr 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested a missile strike on Syria may be imminent, issuing a tweet warning Syrian government ally Russia that it should "get ready" because missiles "will be coming."
• Russia Denies Reports About Blocking Signals From US Drones in Syria Sputnik 10 Apr 2018 -- The Russian military has been scrambling some US military drones performing in Syria, seriously disrupting American military operations, the channel NBC announced, citing anonymous US officials.
• Russia will propose UN resolution to probe alleged Syria gas attack: Lavorv Press TV 10 Apr 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will propose a resolution to the UN to launch an investigation into the reports of a suspected chemical attack on the Syrian town of Douma.
• Russia: US refusing to face reality on Douma attack Press TV 10 Apr 2018 -- Russia says the United States is refusing to accept the reality over an alleged chemical attack near the Syrian capital, Damascus, for which Moscow says there is no evidence.
• Russia: No evidence of chemical attack in Douma IRNA 10 Apr 2018 -- Russian Defense Ministry announced that there is no trace of chemical weapons in the Syrian city of Douma, Russia Today (RT) reported.
• Ruble Falls Further, Russian Officials Seek To Calm Nerves RFE/RL 10 Apr 2018 -- The Russian ruble is falling for a second straight day following the imposition of new U.S. sanctions, while the Central Bank chief and other officials are seeking to calm investors in the wake of a big sell-off in shares of Russian companies a day earlier.
• Russia Faces '100 Years Of Solitude' (Or More), Putin Aide Says RFE/RL 10 Apr 2018 -- A veteran adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin says that Russia has abandoned its centuries-long hopes of integrating with the West and is bracing for a new era of geopolitical isolation.
• Russia Reportedly Deploys Deep-Sea Division in the Arctic Sputnik 10 Apr 2018 -- With competition for the Arctic's mineral wealth heating up, Russia's Northern Fleet is becoming key to ensuring the country's national security and economic interests in the Far North.
• Poisoned ex-spy's daughter released from UK hospital Press TV 10 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal's daughter, Yulia, has been released from the hospital after surviving a poisoning attack in Salisbury last month.
• Poison Victim Yulia Skripal Discharged From U.K. Hospital RFE/RL 10 Apr 2018 -- Yulia Skripal, the poisoned daughter of a Russian former spy, has been discharged from a hospital in the English city of Salisbury.
• Poisoned Daughter of Ex-Russian Spy Released from British Hospital VOA 10 Apr 2018 -- Yulia Skripal has been released from a British hospital after she and her father – former Russian spy Sergei Skripal – were poisoned last month.
• New US sanctions flagrant breach of anything and everything: Russia Press TV 09 Apr 2018 -- The Kremlin has blasted as an "outrageous violation of anything and everything" a new round of sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia.
• Russia Calls U.S. Sanctions 'Unacceptable' As Stocks, Ruble Plunge RFE/RL 09 Apr 2018 -- Russia has lashed out at the United States over new sanctions announced by Washington at the end of last week, calling the measures "unacceptable" and illegal and saying it reserves the right to retaliate.
• Russia Reserves Right to Respond to New US Sanctions - Prime Minister Sputnik 09 Apr 2018 -- Russia reserves the right to respond to the new US anti-Russia sanctions and may review trade deals, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
• Skripal case attack on Russia's international role: Moscow's UN envoy Press TV 09 Apr 2018 -- Moscow's envoy to the United Nations has slammed the anti-Russia claims in the Skripal poisoning case as an "attack" against his country's role on the international stage, especially its Syria peace efforts.
• Russia says reports of Syria's chemical attack 'bogus,' meant to shield terrorists Press TV 08 Apr 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has lambasted as "bogus" reports of a chemical gas attack allegedly conducted by the Syrian government in Eastern Ghouta, warning that any military intervention based on such "invented and fabricated excuses" could lead to severe consequences.
• Moscow Has List of Retaliatory Measures to Respond to New US Sanctions Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- Moscow has a list of possible retaliatory measures in response to the recent US decision to expand anti-Russian sanctions, and this list is currently being elaborated, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.
• Russian Military to Get Several New S-400 Air Defense System Regiments Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- Three new regiments of S-400 Triumf air defense systems will enter operational service of the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2018, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin said Sunday.
• UK considering sending Skripal, his daughter to US: Report Press TV 08 Apr 2018 -- The UK is considering the option of sending poisoned Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia to the United States with new identities.
• Report: Britain Considering Giving Skripals 'New Identities' RFE/RL 08 Apr 2018 -- Britain's Sunday Times newspaper is reporting that the country is considering offering Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter new identities and a new life in the United States to protect them from further attempts on their life.
• UK MI-6 Discussed With FBI Skripals' Moving to US Under New Identities - Reports Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- Yulia and Sergei Skripal have reportedly been conscious for several days, while British intelligence is hoping for their assistance in the investigation of the poisoning case as soon as possible.
• Johnson Calls Corbyn 'Kremlin's Useful Idiot' Due to Stance on Skripal Case Sputnik 08 Apr 2018 -- UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called Sunday UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn a "Kremlin's useful idiot," commenting on his position in regards to the recent poisoning of the former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as Corbyn had expressed doubts about Russia's responsibility for the incident.e
• Putin warns of consequences of NATO military buildup Press TV 07 Apr 2018 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin has warned of the consequences of NATO's military buildup near his country's western borders, saying the move would provoke conflicts and cause military and political instability in the region.
• Russian Envoy Requests Meeting with Boris Johnson Over Spy Case RFE/RL 07 Apr 2018 -- Russia's embassy in London has requested a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, saying its dealings with Britain over the issue had been "utterly unsatisfactory."
• Russia Denies Report Nerve Agent Used Against Ex-Spy Came From Volga Lab RFE/RL 07 Apr 2018 -- Russian officials are denying a British newspaper report that the nerve agent used against a former Russian spy in England came from a closed military facility on the Volga River.
• US Raises Stakes with Tough Sanctions on Russian Oligarchs VOA 06 Apr 2018 -- The White House has announced sanctions against 38 Russian individuals and companies, saying the United States is standing up to ongoing "malign activity" by the Russian government against Western democracies and around the world.
• Treasury Designates Russian Oligarchs, Officials, and Entities in Response to Worldwide Malign Activity US Treasury 06 Apr 2018 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in consultation with the Department of State, today designated seven Russian oligarchs and 12 companies they own or control, 17 senior Russian government officials, and a state-owned Russian weapons trading company and its subsidiary, a Russian bank.
• US Sanctions Russian Oligarchs VOA 06 Apr 2018 -- The Trump administration on Friday announced wide-ranging sanctions against 38 Russian individuals and companies, part of what senior administration officials billed as a response "to address Russia's pattern of malign activities" around the world.
• US imposes sanctions on 24 Russian individuals, 12 firms Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Russian individuals and companies over a range of activities, including Moscow's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.
• U.S. Targets Russian Tycoons, Security Chiefs In New Round Of Sanctions RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- The United States imposed new financial and travel sanctions against more than two dozen members of Russia's political and business elite thought to have close connections to President Vladimir Putin, the latest U.S. effort to punish Moscow for "malign activity around the globe."
• 'Person A' In His Own Words: On The Record With Shadowy Operative In Russia Probe RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- Person A loves good wine and craft beer, frequents Kyiv's finest restaurants, speaks impeccable Russian, English, and Swedish, and may be a linchpin in the sprawling U.S. criminal investigation into Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
• Russia, China Denounce U.S. Efforts To Change Iran Deal, World Trade Rules RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- The foreign ministers of Russia and China have jointly denounced what they described as efforts by the United States to unilaterally change negotiated treaties ranging from the Iran nuclear deal to the global-warming pact and world trade rules.
• Chemical-Weapons Watchdog Conducts Inspection In Russia RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- Specialists from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) carried out an inspection at an undisclosed location in Russia last week, the Russian Defense Ministry's official publication has said.
• OPCW Carries Out Inspection in Russia Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has conducted an inspection in Russia, the Defense Ministry has said.
• Turkey Explains Why It Preferred Russia's S-400 Missiles to US Patriots Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- Ankara failed to agree with Washington on the transfer of technology related to the Patriot missile systems, which is why it has signed an agreement to be supplied with Russia's S-400 missiles, according to the Turkish presidential spokesman.
• Pakistan in Talks With Russia on Buying Air Defense Systems – Defense Minister Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- Pakistani Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan has discussed with Sputnik the issues of Moscow-Islamabad cooperation and the purchases of Russian hardware by Pakistan.
• Ex-spy Sergei Skripal out of critical condition: hospital Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, who the UK says was probably poisoned by Russians, has come out of critical care.
• UK playing with fire in Russian double-agent case: UN envoy Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- Russia has warned Britain that it "will be sorry" for falsely accusing Moscow of carrying out a chemical attack against a former double-agent.
• Ex-Spy Skripal 'Improving Rapidly' After Nerve-Agent Poisoning RFE/RL 06 Apr 2018 -- Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is no longer in critical condition and is "improving rapidly" just over one month after being exposed to a potent nerve agent, hospital staff in England say.
• Sergei Skripal Out of Critical Condition, Responding to Treatment - Hospital Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- A Salisbury Hospital official has confirmed that the ex-spy, who was poisoned in a chemical attack in southern England last month, is recovering.
• 'Unimpressed' by American Patriot missile system, India turns to Russian S-400 Press TV 06 Apr 2018 -- India is to finalize a weapons deal to buy Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems reportedly unimpressed by US-made Patriot missile systems' repeated failures.
• US Sanctions Unlikely to Affect Russia-India Talks on S-400 Missile Deliveries Sputnik 06 Apr 2018 -- New US sanctions against Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport will not affect the negotiations between Russia and India on the supply of S-400 Triumph air defense missile systems to New Delhi, a source close to the S-400 talks told Sputnik on Friday.
• Stoltenberg Warns That NATO Watches Russian Naval Drills in Baltic Sea – Reports Sputnik 05 Apr 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the North Atlantic alliance is watching closely Russia's naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, EUobserver online newspaper reported Thursday.
• Putin: Russia, Iran, Turkey will take more coordinated steps on Syria IRNA 05 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia, Iran and Turkey will take more coordinated steps to solve problems facing Syria.
• Ankara Hosts Iran, Russia Leaders as Cooperation Deepens to End Syria Conflict VOA 05 Apr 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara Wednesday for a second trilateral summit, part of ongoing efforts to end the Syrian civil war.
• U.S. Reported Poised To Impose New Sanctions On Russian Billionaires RFE/RL 05 Apr 2018 -- The United States plans to impose a new round of sanctions on Russia, this time targeting Russian billionaires with ties to President Vladimir Putin, media are reporting.
• Russia-Made S-300 Plays Important Role in Iran's Security - Defense Minister Sputnik 05 Apr 2018 -- The Russian S-300 air defense system plays an important role in the security of the Islamic Republic, the Iranian defense minister said.
• British Left to Defend Poison Allegations After Missteps VOA 05 Apr 2018 -- Sixty U.S. diplomats expelled by the Kremlin in the escalating dispute over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in Britain were seen leaving the U.S. embassy in Moscow Thursday.
• Poisoned Daughter of Russian Ex-Spy Says She Is Recovering Quickly VOA 05 Apr 2018 -- The poisoned daughter of a former Russian spy attacked with a nerve agent in Britain says she is recovering quickly.
• Yulia Skripal Says Strength 'Growing Daily,' Doesn't Reply To Russian Embassy Offer RFE/RL 05 Apr 2018 -- London's Metropolitan Police Service has issued a statement on behalf of Yulia Skripal, who fell ill last month in Britain after exposure to a nerve agent, quoting her as saying her strength "is growing daily" and that the entire poisoning incident has been "somewhat disorientating."
• Russia Takes Skripal Poisoning Case Before UN Security Council RFE/RL 05 Apr 2018 -- Russia takes its case before the UN Security Council on April 5, calling for an international investigation into the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain one day after losing a bid to be part of a joint investigation by the global chemical weapons watchdog.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, April 4, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Apr 2018
• Joint statement by Presidents of Iran, Russia, Turkey ISNA 04 Apr 2018 -- Iranian, Russian and Turkish presidents in a joint statement emphasized that the Astana format had been the only effective international initiative that had helped reduce violence across Syria and had contributed to peace and stability in Syria.
• Turkey, Russia, Iran Vow To Speed Up Efforts For 'Calm' In Syria RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- The presidents of Iran, Turkey, and Russia have expressed determination to "speed up their efforts to ensure calm on the ground" in Syria, saying after a summit in Ankara on April 4 that they are committed to achieving a "lasting cease-fire."
• Presidents of Iran, Russia, Turkey vow to cooperate to achieve sustainable peace in Syria Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey have reaffirmed their commitment to work toward achieving a sustainable ceasefire between warring sides in Syria and bringing peace and stability to the war-torn Arab country.
• Trio talks on Syria kicks off in Ankara IRNA 04 Apr 2018 -- Trilateral talks between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Veladimir Putin kicked off on Wednesday afternoon in Ankara on Syrian developments.
• Draft Russian Bill Requires Conscripts To Report For Duty Without Receiving Summons RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Russian lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a bill that would oblige draft-age men to report for military service even if they have not received a conscription notice.
• McMaster: We have failed to impose sufficient costs on Russia Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- Outgoing US national security adviser H.R. McMaster has criticized President Donald Trump's policy on Russia, saying Washington has "failed to impose sufficient costs," on Moscow.
• Outgoing U.S. Security Adviser: West Has 'Failed To Impose Sufficient Costs' On Russia RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Outgoing White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster has called for stronger measures against Russian "threats" and "provocations," arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is mistaken in thinking the West will not push back against the Kremlin's "hybrid warfare."
• Pakistan Says 'Geo-Strategic Reasons' Bring it Closer to Russia VOA 04 Apr 2018 -- Pakistan and Russia have been able to "transcend" their history of mistrust and rivalry, leading to a rapid improvement and expansion in bilateral political, military and economic ties, says Pakistani Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir.
• Iran pledges to continue cooperation with Russia until total elimination of terrorists: Defense Minister ISNA 04 Apr 2018 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, who is in Russia attend the seventh Moscow Conference on Global Security, held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.
• Iran-Russia strategic cooperation serves regional, global stability, Rouhani tells Putin Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has hailed Tehran-Moscow ties as constructive, saying the strategic cooperation between Iran and Russia contributes to regional and global stability and security.
• Iran vows to keep up anti-terror Russia ties until elimination terrorists: Defense chief Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says Iran is set to keep up its counter-terrorism cooperation with Russia until Syria and the entire region are fully cleansed of terrorist outfits.
• Russia urges UN Security Council meeting on British accusation about poisoning attack Press TV 04 Apr 2018 -- Russia has called on the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting to discuss Britain's accusation that Russia was involved in the poisoning last month in Britain of a former Russian spy, an incident which has badly affected ties between Moscow and the West.
• Russia Loses Vote By Chemical-Weapons Watchdog Over New U.K. Poisoning Probe RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Russia has lost a vote by the global chemical weapons watchdog for a new joint investigation, including Russian participation, into a nerve-agent attack against a former Russian spy in England, a diplomatic source has told Reuters.
• US Confident in UK's Assessment of Salisbury Attack After Defense Lab Report Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- The US is fully confident in the United Kingdom's assessment of the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, after the announcement by the UK government's Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down, a US Department of State official told Sputnik on Wednesday.
• OPCW to Receive Results of Sample Analysis in Skripal Case by Next Week Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Ahmet Uzumcu, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, said Wednesday that the results of the sample analyses of the substance used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom, were expected to be received by early next week.
• Russia's Offer for Joint Probe Into Skripal Case 'Perverse' - UK OPCW Delegation Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- The UK delegation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons called the Wednesday Russia's proposal for a joint investigation into the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom "perverse."
• Russia Responds to Hungary Over Skripal Case: One Diplomat Expelled Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Hungary is among the countries that have decided to join the UK in expelling Russian diplomats, hence why Moscow reserved the right to respond to Hungary's actions over the Skripal poisoning.
• Russia Expels One Belgian Diplomat in Response Over Skripal Case Sputnik 04 Apr 2018 -- Moscow's reciprocal move comes after a number of European countries, as well as the US, Canada and Australia decided to remove Russian diplomatic staff in solidarity with the UK, which groundlessly blamed the poisoning of ex-Russian intelligence officer Skripal on Russia.
• Putin Says Hopes Watchdog Will Help Defuse Diplomatic Row Over Poisonings RFE/RL 04 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he hopes a meeting of the global chemical weapons watchdog on April 4 will help to defuse a major diplomatic row that arose over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.
• Trump Tells Baltic Leaders 'Nobody Tougher On Russia' Than Him RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- The three Baltic presidents, after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, pledged to continue meeting NATO's defense-spending obligations in the hope that the alliance will bolster security along NATO's eastern flank.
• Balts Reportedly Asking US for More Troops and Arms to 'Deter Russia' Sputnik 03 Apr 2018 -- With tensions between the West and Russia being at a post-Cold War low, the former Soviet Baltic republics are looking for greater protection from NATO against the imaginary "Russian threat."
• Trump Hosting Baltic Leaders Amid Russia Tensions VOA 03 Apr 2018 -- Hosting leaders of Baltic states at the White House Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump discussed how to strengthen security, business, trade, energy, and cultural partnerships between the United States and the three NATO allies.
• Putin, Erdogan Agree To Speed Up Delivery Of S-400 Air-Defense Systems RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have agreed to speed up the delivery of S-400 air-defense missile systems to Ankara, a purchase that has raised concern among Turkey's NATO partners.
• Putin, In Ankara, Launches Construction Of Turkey's First Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin have formally launched the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant – a $20 billion project in Turkey's southern Mediterranean coastal region of Mersin.
• Leaders of Turkey, Russia, Iran Gather in Ankara to Discuss Syria End Game VOA 03 Apr 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosts his counterparts from Russia and Iran Wednesday for a second trilateral summit on Syria. The three, whose countries have a significant military presence in Syria, are increasingly cooperating to resolve the civil war under the auspices of the so-called "Astana Process."
• Putin Claims His Election Win Was 'Cleanest' In Russian History RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin has claimed that last month's presidential election was "probably the most transparent and cleanest" in Russian history, accepting a certificate identifying him as the president-elect after a vote that opponents said was marred by fraud and international observers said gave voters no real choice.
• Direct Mayoral Elections Abolished In Yekaterinburg, Despite Protests RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- Lawmakers in Russia's Sverdlovsk region have abolished the direct election of the mayor in the regional capital, Yekaterinburg, a move that has met resistance from the current mayor and protests by residents of Russia's fourth-largest city.
• Days After Resigning Over Deadly Fire, Russia's Tuleyev Gets Legislative Seat RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- Just two days after he resigned as Kemerovo governor, citing an unbearable "moral" burden following a shopping-mall fire that killed 64 people, veteran politician Aman Tuleyev has been handed a seat in the Russian region's legislature.
• Admiral Explains Why Russia Moving Caspian Flotilla HQ to Dagestan Sputnik 03 Apr 2018 -- Russia is preparing a new base for its Caspian Flotilla, which is set to become of the country's most technically advanced naval facilities.
• Russian Navy Considering Permanent Presence in Northeastern Part of Black Sea Sputnik 03 Apr 2018 -- The command of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is considering the issue of ensuring the safety of navigation in the north-eastern part of the Black Sea, in particular, the permanent presence of naval forces and equipment in this area, in addition to maritime border guards, a Crimean security source told Sputnik on Tuesday.
• Kremlin's Political Clans Start Competing Ahead of Possible Reshuffle VOA 03 Apr 2018 -- Reelected to a new term, Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to announce his ministerial lineup next month, but there are already signs that his long-time prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, is being reined in amid maneuvering by Moscow's political clans, say analysts.
• Defense minister praises Iran-Russia military cooperation IRNA 03 Apr 2018 -- Iranian defense minister on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in the military field.
• British Lab Not Identified 'Precise Source' Of Nerve Agent, But Attack Likely By 'State Actor' RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- The chief executive of Britain's Porton Down defense laboratory says his scientists have not verified the "precise source" of the nerve agent used to poison the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter -- explaining that it was not the task of his laboratory to do so.
• Chemical Weapons Watchdog To Discuss Skripal Poisoning Case RFE/RL 03 Apr 2018 -- The international chemical weapons watchdog is set to meet on April 4 to discuss Britain's allegations against Russia over the poisoning of an ex-Russian double agent in England last month.
• Russia to Take Steps to Speed Up S-400 Delivery at Turkey's Request – Official Sputnik 02 Apr 2018 -- Russian authorities will exert efforts in order to comply with Turkey's request to accelerate the process of deliveries of S-400 air defense systems to Ankara, presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.
• Russia successfully tests modernized anti-ballistic missile system Press TV 02 Apr 2018 -- Russia has successfully test-launched a new upgraded anti-ballistic missile system days after it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
• Russian MoD: Upgraded Anti-Missile System Successfully Tested in Kazakhstan Sputnik 02 Apr 2018 -- Russia's new modernized anti-ballistic missile system has been successfully tested in Kazakhstan at the Sary Shagan testing range, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry, the Krasnaya Zvezda, reported Monday.
• Moscow 'Outraged' Over Prague's Decision To Extradite Alleged Russian Hacker To U.S. RFE/RL 02 Apr 2018 -- Russia says the recent decision to extradite an alleged Russian hacker from the Czech Republic to the United States is aimed at "undermining" bilateral relations between Moscow and Prague.
• Russian Foreign Minister: U.K., U.S. Spreading 'Lies And Disinformation' RFE/RL 02 Apr 2018 -- Russia's top diplomat has accused the United States and Britain of spreading "lies and disinformation" about the nerve-agent poisoning of an ex-Russian double agent in England last month.
• Trump suggested White House meeting with Putin: Reports Press TV 02 Apr 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has reportedly invited Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to meet at the White House, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over a number of issues.
• Kremlin Aide: Trump Invited Putin To White House During Phone Call RFE/RL 02 Apr 2018 -- A top Kremlin adviser says U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Russian leader Vladimir Putin to visit the White House.
• Russian Foreign Ministry Releases 13 Questions Addressed to OPCW on Skripal Case Sputnik 01 Apr 2018 -- Earlier, Moscow had sent the two sets of questions regarding the "fabricated" Skripal case to the authorities of the United Kingdom and France