Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• US, Russian bomber jets conduct simultaneous missions off Norway amid INF tensions Press TV 31 Mar 2019 -- The United States and Russia have flown nuclear bombers over the Norwegian Sea, amid rising tensions following the recent withdrawal of the two Cold War-era arch foes from a landmark nuclear arms treaty and the build-up of NATO military forces on the US-led alliance's eastern flank near Russia.
• China to be offered Russia's 'best warplane' Su-57 Global Times 31 Mar 2019 -- Russia is reportedly eyeing exporting Su-57, its most advanced fighter jet, to China, an offer Chinese experts described as an indication of the close strategic relations between the two countries.
• Russian IL-112V Military Transport Plane Successfully Make Maiden Flight Sputnik 30 Mar 2019 -- Russia's new advanced IL-112V light military transport plane successfully made its maiden flight on 30 March, the manufacturer, Ilyushin Aviation Complex, announced.
• Bolton: US to defend interests in Venezuela amid Russian, Chinese 'provocative actions' Press TV 30 Mar 2019 -- US National Security Advisor John Bolton has warned Russia, China and other allies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro against any deployment of troops and military equipment in the Latin American country, saying Washington will defend its interests against such "provocative" actions.
• US failed in its plans for speedy coup in Venezuela: Russia Press TV 30 Mar 2019 -- A senior Russian official has reacted to threats by the United States for imposing sanctions on Moscow over its cooperation with the Venezuelan government, saying those threats show Washington has failed in its plan to carry out a "speedy coup" in the South American country.
• Trump Says He Will 'Probably' Talk To Putin, Xi About Venezuela RFE/RL 30 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he will "probably" talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the situation in Venezuela, which finds Washington on the opposite side of the crisis from Moscow and Beijing.
• Russia says opened helicopter pilot training center in Venezuela Press TV 30 Mar 2019 -- Russia's sole state arms exporter Rosoboronexport says it has opened a training center for military helicopters in Venezuela, a few days after Moscow dispatched troops and equipment to the crisis-hit South American country.
• Ukraine's Orthodox Church Faces Eviction In Russia-Annexed Crimea RFE/RL 29 Mar 2019 -- Ukraine's independent Orthodox Church is facing eviction in Simferopol, the capital of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which was seized by Russia in 2014.
• Campaigning Ends In Ukraine Ahead Of Presidential Vote RFE/RL 29 Mar 2019 -- Candidates in Ukraine's presidential election spent one final day campaigning on March 29 ahead of the crucial first round vote this weekend.
• U.S. State Department Condemns Arrests Of Crimean Tatars By Russian Authorities RFE/RL 29 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. State Department has condemned the arrests of 23 Crimean Tatars in Russian-annexed Crimea.
• Turkey says to honor Russia deal as US vows to ban transfer of F-35s to Ankara Press TV 29 Mar 2019 -- Turkey says it will honor the deal to purchase S-400 defense systems from Russia after US senators threatened to ban the transfer of F-35 fighter jets if Ankara goes ahead with the plan.
• The Week In Russia: Ford Hits The Brakes, Moscow Channels Mueller, And A Medvedev Ally Is Arrested RFE/RL 29 Mar 2019 -- A pioneer retreats as U.S. auto icon Ford announces the closure of three plants in Russia, while an ally of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is jailed on a corruption charge. Moscow comes out with its own take on the Mueller report, sight unseen, and injects about 100 military personnel into the standoff over Venezuela.
• U.S. Condemns Russian Troop Deployments In Venezuela RFE/RL 29 Mar 2019 -- Washington has condemned Russia's deployment of military forces in Venezuela, with senior U.S. officials saying the presence of Russian troops there is destabilizing a country that already faces a political and economic crisis.
• Russia to keep forces in Venezuela 'as long as needed' despite US call for removal Press TV 28 Mar 2019 -- Russia says it will keep the roughly 100 servicemen it sent to Venezuela over the weekend, despite the US call for their removal.
• Pompeo Says He Hopes To Set New Measures Soon Against Russia Over Actions In Ukraine RFE/RL 28 Mar 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he hopes to be able in the coming days to announce additional measures along with Western allies to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine.
• Russia Says It's 'Not A Threat' After Troops Land In Venezuela RFE/RL 28 Mar 2019 -- Moscow says the arrival of Russian soldiers in Venezuela does not present a threat to anyone, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Russia to withdraw its troops from the South American country and warned that "all options" were open to achieve that.
• Russian Region Bans Employment Of Foreigners In Dozens Of Sectors RFE/RL 28 Mar 2019 -- The head of Russia's Sakha-Yakutia region has signed a decree banning the employment of foreigners in dozens of economic sectors and other activities, amid tensions following the arrest of a Central Asian migrant suspected of raping a local woman.
• Bishkek, Moscow Agree To Expand Russian Base In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 28 Mar 2019 -- During Russian President Vladimir Putin's one-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, the sides have agreed to expand the territory of Russia's military base in the Central Asian country by 60 hectares, or 0.6 square kilometers.
• Russia confirms, defends sending military experts to Venezuela Press TV 27 Mar 2019 -- Russia has confirmed and defended sending military experts to Venezuela, saying the dispatch is based on a military-technical cooperation agreement signed by the two countries in 2001.
• U.S. President Donald Trump Tells Russia To 'Get Out' Of Venezuela RFE/RL 27 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russia to withdraw its troops from Venezuela and warned that "all options" were open to achieve that.
• US Views Russian Military Planes Arrival in Venezuela as 'Provocation' - Pence Sputnik 27 Mar 2019 -- The United States perceives the arrival of Russian military aircraft in Venezuela as an unwelcomed provocation and calls on Moscow to stop supporting the government of Nicolas Maduro, US Vice President Mike Pence told reporters.
• Trump: Russian Military Must 'Get Out' of Venezuela VOA 27 Mar 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says Russia "has to get out" of Venezuela, following the recent arrival of Russian military personnel in the country.
• Former Soviet Defense Chief Convicted Of War Crimes In 1991 Vilnius Crackdown RFE/RL 27 Mar 2019 -- A Lithuanian court has convicted a former Soviet military chief and a senior KGB officer of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during Moscow's 1991 crackdown on the country's independence movement.
• 'Star' Productions: Russia's Armed Forces Are Launching A Film Studio RFE/RL 27 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Defense Ministry already has its own federal TV channel, Zvezda (Star), a steady diet of Soviet war movies, commercials for the country's armed forces, and anti-Western propaganda. It now intends to launch its own film studio, tapping into the zeitgeist by producing the kind of patriotic fare that is enjoying growing approval from Russian cinemagoers.
• NATO Boosts Reconnaissance Near Russian Borders - Deputy Foreign Minister Sputnik 27 Mar 2019 -- NATO is increasing its reconnaissance activities near Russia's frontiers, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.
• First 2019 Launch From Vostochny Space Centre Slated for 27 June - Roscosmos Sputnik 27 Mar 2019 -- The blastoff of the Meteor-M meteorological satellite number 2-2 by the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with the Fregat upper stage from the Vostochny space center is scheduled to take place in three months, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos told Sputnik.
• Venezuela confirms landing of Russian planes in country Press TV 26 Mar 2019 -- A senior Venezuelan official has confirmed that two Russian planes have landed in the country after authorization by President Nicolas Maduro.
• US tests missile defense system Putin once said threatens global strategic balance Press TV 26 Mar 2019 -- In a move that is expected to stir more tensions with Russia, the US military has test-launched a ground-based missile defense system that Russian President Vladimir Putin once famously said would "destroy" the strategic balance in the world.
• Russian Ex-Minister Detained, Charged With Large-Scale Fraud RFE/RL 26 Mar 2019 -- Russia's Investigative Committee says it has launched a criminal case against a former minister, Mikhail Abyzov, on suspicion of embezzling $62 million from an energy distribution company in Siberia.
• Thousands Rally In Ingushetia To Protest Chechnya Land Swaps RFE/RL 26 Mar 2019 -- Thousands of people in Russia's Ingushetia region have protested against a controversial border deal with neighboring Chechnya, denouncing land swaps under the agreement and calling for Ingushetia head Yunus-Bek Yevkurov to step down.
• Russian Underwater Drone Poseidon Keeps US Intel on the Alert Sputnik 26 Mar 2019 -- Hours before the Poseidon tests were screened by Russian state television for the first time in late February, Russian defence chief Sergei Shoigu announced their completion.
• Russia May Create Service Centre for Yak-130 Light Attack Jets in Malaysia Sputnik 26 Mar 2019 -- Russia may create a service centre for the maintenance of Yak-130 light attack aircraft in Malaysia in the event the Southeast Asian country purchases these jets, Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) President Yuri Slyusar said Tuesday.
• Pompeo Cautions Russia Over Reports Of Military Mission In Venezuela RFE/RL 25 Mar 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Moscow's dispatch of military personnel to Venezuela is increasing tensions there and warned that Washington will not "stand idly by."
• Russia Lands Two Air Force Planes In Venezuela, Official Says RFE/RL 25 Mar 2019 -- A Venezuelan official has told the Associated Press that two Russian Air Force planes arrived in Caracas over the weekend as part of military cooperation between the two countries.
• Russian Military Officials Arrive in Venezuela for Defence Talks - Source Sputnik 25 Mar 2019 -- A group of Russian military personnel have arrived in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas to take part in consultations with country's officials on defence industry cooperation, a diplomatic source in Caracas told Sputnik.
• Secretary Pompeo's Call With Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov US Dept. of State 25 Mar 2019 -- Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today, March 25, on the situation in Venezuela.
• Three Russian Servicemen Were Killed by Terrorists in Syria in February - MoD Sputnik 25 Mar 2019 -- Three Russian servicemen went missing in Syria in late February after being attacked by terrorists, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Monday, adding that the deaths of all three servicemen had been confirmed.
• Mueller Report Draws No Immediate Reaction From Moscow VOA 23 Mar 2019 -- It was late Saturday evening in Moscow and almost 24 hours since the news that special counsel Robert Mueller submitted his long-awaited report to the U.S. attorney general had reached Russia's capital. But both the Kremlin and the country's Foreign Ministry were quiet.
• Russia says to respond to possible U.S. anti-missile tests People's Daily 23 Mar 2019 -- Russia will take necessary measures if the United States implements its plans to conduct anti-missile tests, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
• Alleged Footage of Brand New Russian Gunship Operating in Syria Surfaces Online Sputnik 23 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, it was reported that a prototype Mi-28NM was deployed to the Hmeymim Airbase in Syria's Latakia province to conduct field testing in high temperature and desert conditions, and to test out a new mobile radar complex.
• Russian Su-27 Escorted US B-52 Bombers Over Baltic Sea Twice Over 24 Hours: MoD Sputnik 23 Mar 2019 -- The US Air Force has conducted 7 flights over the Baltic Sea within 10 days, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.
• White House Rejects Request For Info On Putin, Trump Helsinki Meeting RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- The White House has rejected a request from three congressional committees seeking information on private conversations between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki last summer.
• G7 Letter Takes Aim At Role Of Violent Extremists In Ukrainian Society, Election RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- As the Ukrainian presidential election nears, the world's leading industrialized nations have some strong words for Ukraine's top cop amid recent far-right violence in Kyiv and other cities.
• Former US Diplomats Slam Response to 2018 Russian Attack on Ukrainian Ships VOA 22 Mar 2019 -- Recent Western-imposed sanctions targeting Russia – spawned by a naval attack on Ukrainian soldiers on the Sea of Azov late last year – are too little, too late, say former top U.S. emissaries to the region.
• The Week In Russia: Do Kremlin Bosses Dream In Kazakh? RFE/RL 22 Mar 2019 -- Like those of tycoons, officials, and activists who have fallen afoul of the Kremlin, the trial of human rights defender Oyub Titiyev contained plenty of procedure and -- according to the defendant and his allies -- zero justice. And in resigning as president but keeping key roles, did long-ruling Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbaev just hand Vladimir Putin a cheat sheet for the 2024 Question?
• Russia to Respond to Planned US Tests of SM-3 Block IIА Interceptor Missile Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- Moscow will take all necessary response measures if the United States implements its plans to test the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor missile against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
• Russia's Sarmat ICBM Can 'Rip Any Missile Defence System to Shreds' – Official Sputnik 22 Mar 2019 -- The Sarmat, a new intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to 11,000 km, is a strategic weapon of last resort capable of carrying up to 24 nuclear-armed independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), and has been touted as Russia's effort to preserve global strategic stability amid US plans to develop advanced missile defences.
• Russian jets chase away US nuclear bomber over Baltic Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Russia says it has sent two fighter jets to chase away a US Air Force B-52 long-range bomber flying near Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.
• US imposes North Korea sanctions on Chinese shipping companies Press TV 21 Mar 2019 -- The United States has targeted two Chinese shipping companies over the alleged evasion of sanctions imposed on North Korea, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's summit collapsed last month.
• Russian jets chase away US nuclear bomber over Baltic Press TV 22 Mar 2019 -- Russia says it has sent two fighter jets to chase away a US Air Force B-52 long-range bomber flying near Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.
• Two Russian Governors Resign Amid Shake-Up Of Regional Leadership RFE/RL 21 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignations of two regional governors amid an ongoing shake-up of regional leadership.
• Kremlin: US Bombers Near Russian Borders Creates Additional Tension Sputnik 21 Mar 2019 -- The appearance of US bombers near Russia does not strengthen the security atmosphere in the region that is directly adjacent to the Russia's borders but rather creates additional tension, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
• Nuclear Weapons Use Threshold Lowering Due to US Actions - Moscow Sputnik 21 Mar 2019 -- The threshold for the use of nuclear weapons is lowering due to the US actions and its new strategy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Thursday commenting on earlier statements by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
• Swedish Military Intel Boss Sees "Threat" From Russian Missiles, Chinese Bases Sputnik 20 Mar 2019 -- A fresh Swedish military intelliegence report points out Russia's increased defence capabilities and China's growing interest in Europe and the Arctic as the most important security trends.
• Ukraine Imposes Sanctions On Russians Over Kerch Bridge, Seizure Of Naval Vessels RFE/RL 20 Mar 2019 -- Ukraine has imposed economic and other sanctions on hundreds of individuals and entities for their alleged roles in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia over the Crimea region and the war in eastern Ukraine.
• Lavorv: Limited nuclear war possible if US refuses to resume disarmament Press TV 20 Mar 2019 -- Russia has called on the United States to resume bilateral efforts towards nuclear disarmament and stop fueling speculations about the possibility of a limited nuclear war, as both countries are poised to leave a crucial Cold War-era arms control treaty.
• Of Suspicious Minds: Medical Experts Cast Doubt On Lesin Autopsy RFE/RL 20 Mar 2019 -- A neck bone that rarely breaks, and when it does, it is almost always due to strangulation or asphyxiation. Soft-tissue hemorrhaging on muscles running along the sides and back of the neck. A swollen brain. Extensive bruising and cuts on legs, arms, hands, chest, face, and skull.
• Russia Pledges to Respond to Australia's New Anti-Moscow Sanctions Sputnik 20 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry pledged a response to Australia's new anti-Russian sanctions over the Kerch Strait situation.
• Norway Claims 'Electronic Proof' of Russian GPS Jamming During NATO Drills Sputnik 19 Mar 2019 -- Allegations of disrupting GPS signals are only a single step in Norway's array of verbal attacks against Russia. Previously, Norway accused Russia of simulating an attack on a US-supported radar in the Barents Sea.
• Russia, Egypt Did Not Sign Contracts for Aircraft Delivery in Late 2018 Sputnik 19 Mar 2019 -- Russia and Egypt did not sign contracts for aircraft supply in the second half of 2018, Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told Sputnik Tuesday.
• Moscow Rules Out Destroying 9M729 Missile Complexes, Says They Fit INF Treaty Sputnik 19 Mar 2019 -- Russia will not destroy its 9M729 missile complexes that Washington believes to be in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
• Russian Helicopters Accuses Slovakia of Illegal Repairs of Afghan Mi-17 Choppers Sputnik 18 Mar 2019 -- Russian Helicopters holding told Sputnik on Monday that it disclaims any responsibility for safety of operation of another Russian-made Mi-17V-5 helicopter in service with the Afghan air force, which has been illegally overhauled by the Slovak company LOTN.
• Russia to deploy nuclear-capable bombers in Crimea Press TV 18 Mar 2019 -- Russia has announced plans to deploy nuclear-capable strategic bombers to the Crimean Peninsula in response to the US missile defense deployment in Romania.
• Russia's Putin Signs Into Law Bills Banning 'Fake News,' Insults RFE/RL 18 Mar 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation enabling Russian authorities to block websites and hand out punishment for "fake news" and material deemed insulting to the state or the public.
• Mogherini Slams Russia As EU Marks Fifth Anniversary Of Crimea's 'Illegal Annexation' RFE/RL 17 Mar 2019 -- The European Union's foreign policy chief has marked the fifth anniversary of Russia's seizure and "illegal annexation" of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula with scathing criticism of the Kremlin.
• Putin To Visit Crimea To Mark Five Years Since Peninsula 'Rejoined' Russia RFE/RL 17 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to travel to Crimea on March 18 to mark the fifth anniversary of what Moscow considers the day Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula became part of Russia.
• Negotiations Held between DPRK and Russian Foreign Ministries KCNA 17 Mar 2019 -- DPRK Vice-Foreign Minister Im Chon Il, on a visit to Russia as head of a delegation of the DPRK Foreign Ministry, had negotiations with Igor Morgulov, his counterpart of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in Moscow on Mar. 14.
• Russia Has No Plans to Deploy Missiles in European Part of Country - MFA Sputnik 16 Mar 2019 -- Earlier in the week, General Ben Hodges, former commander of United States Army Europe (USAREUR), suggested that after leaving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the US would increase the potential of its missile defence system in Europe without focusing on deploying its cruise missiles to the continent.
• US, Canada, EU announce new sanctions against Russia Press TV 16 Mar 2019 -- The US, the EU and Canada have imposed fresh sanctions against Moscow in a coordinated move as people in Crimea celebrated the fifth anniversary of reintegration to Russia following a referendum.
• Exclusive: Washington Autopsy Files Reveal Lesin Sustained Broken Bone In Neck RFE/RL 16 Mar 2019 -- Mikhail Lesin, the former Russian press minister who turned up dead in a Washington hotel room in 2015, sustained a fracture to a neck bone just below the jaw line "at or near the time" of his death, according to documents released by the city's medical examiner that provide new details about his final days.
• Russia Vows To Respond To Fresh EU Sanctions RFE/RL 16 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has announced Moscow will respond to fresh sanction action by the European Union.
• Russia's Deripaska Files Suit Against U.S. Sanctions, Claims Loss Of $7.5 Billion RFE/RL 16 Mar 2019 -- Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska has filed a lawsuit in a Washington court against the U.S. Treasury Department, alleging the sanctions against him are illegal and claiming they have cost him $7.5 billion.
• The Week In Russia: Blue Balloons, Blood Feuds, And A Trial In Chechnya RFE/RL 15 Mar 2019 -- The Kremlin shrugs at the top Chechen legislator's "blood feud" threat against a blogger, while a top human rights activist in Chechnya faces a verdict in a drug-possession trial denounced as a "tragic farce." There was a touch of farce in Moscow, too, where activists said police classified blue balloons held by protesters at a 15,000-strong rally for Internet freedom as "pilotless flying vehicles" and detained the demonstrators handing them out.
• USAF B-52 Bomber Reportedly Spotted Flying Near Russia's Borders in Baltic Sea Sputnik 15 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, the Russian military reported that crews from the Baltic Fleet's air defence formation's S-400 mobile air defence systems had gone on combat duty in the Kaliningrad region amid NATO's continued buildup in the region.
• U.S., EU Impose New Sanctions On Russia Over Ukraine RFE/RL 15 Mar 2019 -- The United States, together with the European Union and Canada, imposed new sanctions on March 15 on more than a dozen Russian officials and businesses in response to the country's "continued aggression in Ukraine."
• US, Canada Expand Anti-Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Sputnik 15 Mar 2019 -- The last expansion of anti-Russia sanctions by the US occurred in January 2018, when 21 individuals and 12 entities were added to the sanctions list.
• Treasury Sanctions Russia over Continued Aggression in Ukraine US Treasury 15 Mar 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated six Russian individuals and eight entities in response to Russia's continued and ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Today's action targets individuals and entities playing a role in Russia's unjustified attacks on Ukrainian naval vessels in the Kerch Strait, the purported annexation of Crimea, and backing of illegitimate separatist government elections in eastern Ukraine.
• Foreign Secretary statement on international sanctions in response to Russian aggression in the Black Sea UK FCO 15 Mar 2019 -- The Foreign Secretary welcomes action taken by the EU, Australia, Canada and the US
• S-400 Air Defence Systems Go on Combat Duty in Russia's Westernmost Region Sputnik 15 Mar 2019 -- Combat crews of Russia's advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems started combat duty in the Kaliningrad region, the Baltic Fleet said in a statement Friday.
• Belarus Criticizes Russian Ambassador's Statements On Minsk-Moscow Ties RFE/RL 15 Mar 2019 -- Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatol Hlaz has criticized Russian envoy to Minsk Mikhail Babich's recent public statements about the two countries integration, calling them "artificial and juggled figures."
• European Parliament Urges EU To Adopt Legislation Like Magnitsky Act RFE/RL 14 Mar 2019 -- The European Parliament has overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging EU member states to adopt a sanctions framework similar to the Magnitsky Act in order to punish human rights offenders.
• Challenging Russian Information Operations Requires Whole-of-Government Approach DoD News 14 Mar 2019 -- When it comes to competition "below the level of armed conflict," such as information operations meant to influence adversaries, the U.S. can do more – and has the capacity to do so, the commander of U.S. European Command said yesterday.
• European Parliament Presses For More Money To Fight Russian Disinformation RFE/RL 13 Mar 2019 -- A recommendation by the European Parliament calls Russia "the main source of disinformation in Europe" and appeals for increased funding for the European Union's antipropaganda East StratCom Task Force.
• US Rights Report Highlights Venezuela, Iran, China VOA 13 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. State Department is painting a grim picture of violations and abuses in countries that already have dismal records in its "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018."
• U.S. Charges Russia, Iran With Serious Rights Abuses In Annual Report RFE/RL 13 Mar 2019 -- The United States has charged Russia and Iran with committing a range of serious human rights abuses both domestically and abroad in an annual State Department report.
• US Manipulated Figures to Seem to Comply With New START Treaty - Moscow Sputnik 13 Mar 2019 -- The United States manipulated figures to appear compliant with restrictions under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
• Russian jets destroy terrorist weapons depot in Syria's Idlib Press TV 13 Mar 2019 -- Russian fighter jets have targeted a weapons depot in Syria's terrorist-held Idlib province, as part of the Syrian government's ongoing battle to retake the last bastion of foreign-backed militants in the country.
• Russia 'Primary Threat' To Euro-Atlantic Security, Says U.S. General RFE/RL 13 Mar 2019 -- The commander of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, has said that Russia continues to be the "primary threat" to Euro-Atlantic security and voiced concern about Moscow's military modernization program.
• Russian Bills Banning 'Fake News,' Insults Head To Putin For Signature RFE/RL 13 Mar 2019 -- Legislation enabling Russian authorities to block websites and hand out punishment for "fake news" and material deemed insulting to the state or the public is headed to President Vladimir Putin's desk for his signature.
• U.S. Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Condemn Kremlin For Nemtsov Killing RFE/RL 13 Mar 2019 -- U.S. lawmakers have passed a measure that sharply criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin for what it says is the Kremlin's involvement in the killing of opposition activist Boris Nemtsov and the targeting of other political opponents.
• What US Sold to India in 10 Years, Russia Sold in Last 6 Months Sputnik 12 Mar 2019 -- In the last decade, the US remained India's top defence supplier by bagging deals worth over $12 billion, which included a $4.7 billion transaction for C-17 transport aircraft. But it took Russia a mere six months to break this record.
• Turkish-Russian Military Cooperation Deepens Amid US-Turkish Tensions VOA 12 Mar 2019 -- Russian and Turkish military cooperation is deepening as Ankara's relationship with Washington deteriorates. Recent joint naval exercises between Russia and Turkey, and increasing military cooperation in Syria, come as NATO allies question Turkey's allegiance to the Western defense alliance.
• Russia's two strategic submarines to join navy late this year: Military Press TV 12 Mar 2019 -- Russia says two of its latest strategic submarines will join the Russian Navy by the end of this year.
• No More 'Business As Usual,' Russia Not A Strategic Partner, European Parliament Declares RFE/RL 12 Mar 2019 -- The European Parliament has overwhelmingly voted to approve a report stating that Russia "can no longer be considered a 'strategic partner'" and that "the EU cannot envisage a gradual return to 'business as usual' until Russia fully implements the [2015] Minsk Agreement [which lays out a process for achieving peace in eastern Ukraine] and restores the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
• Swedish Defence Institute Disparages S-400, Calls Russia 'Underdog' Sputnik 12 Mar 2019 -- A string of reports by the Swedish Defence Research Institute has claimed the "Russian threat", a common trope for both politicians and journalists alike, is exaggerated.
• The United States Tightens Sanctions on Venezuela by Targeting Russia-Based Bank US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2019 -- Today, the United States sanctioned Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russia and Venezuela. With this action, we are targeting a financial institution involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that prolong Maduro's usurpation of democracy.
• Treasury Sanctions Russia-based Bank Attempting to Circumvent U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela US Treasury 11 Mar 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank that is jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies.
• US sanctions Russian bank over dealings with Venezuelan oil firm Press TV 11 Mar 2019 -- The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions against the Russian bank Evrofinance Mosnarbank over its dealings with Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA, part of US-led efforts to oust the democratically elected government of President Nicolas Maduro.
• U.S. Sanctions Russian Bank Over Dealings With Venezuela RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States imposed sanctions on a Russian bank over its dealings with Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA, as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Russia's state-controlled Rosneft of buying oil from the company.
• Treasury: US Targets Russian Bank in Venezuela Sanctions for Alleged PDVSA Links Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States has targeted the Russian bank Evrofinance Mosnarbank in its latest round of Venezuela-related sanctions, the US Department of the Treasury said in a press release.
• US Sanctions Bank Jointly Owned by Russia, Venezuela VOA 11 Mar 2019 -- The U.S. on Monday sanctioned a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies for its support for Venezuela's embattled President Nicolas Maduro and the country's state-controlled oil industry.
• U.S. Remains World's Top Arms Exporter, With Russia A Distant Second RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The United States remained far and above the rest of the world as the globe's leading arms exporter, with Russia a distant second, a leading research group says.
• Trump Administration Interested in Extending New START Treaty - Undersecretary Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Trump administration is interested in extending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) beyond 2020, Undersecretary of State Andrea Thompson said at the 2019 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference on Monday.
• US Crossing Line With Remarks on Turkey's S-400 Purchase - Erdogan's AK Party Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The statement comes just two days after a Pentagon spokesman warned Turkey of "grave consequences" if Ankara went ahead with the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.
• Syrian diplomat: Iran, Russia have priority for reconstruction of Syria IRNA 11 Mar 2019 -- Syrian Chargé d'affaires in Iran says the proposal of tariff reduction to zero for commodity exchanges between Iran and Syria are under examination in the joint economic commissions of the two countries, and Iran and Russia are in priority for Syria's reconstruction.
• Russian Defense Minister Says Army Now Capable of Remote Combat Missions Sputnik 12 Mar 2019 -- The Russian army can now fight in the remotest parts of the world, although just six years ago it did not have such an opportunity, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday, speaking at an extended meeting of the Russian lower house Defense Committee.e
• Don't Pass 'Fake News' Bill, Kremlin Human Rights Council Urges Parliament RFE/RL 11 Mar 2019 -- The Kremlin human rights council has urged Russia's upper house of parliament to reject bills that would outlaw online "fake news" and material deemed insulting to the Russian state or society.
• Russia Built 7.6 Mln Sq. Ft. of Military Infrastructure in Arctic - Defence Min. Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Russia has built more than 470 facilities spanning 710,000 square metres (7.6 million square feet) in the Arctic over the past six years, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has revealed.
• Russian Army Tested Over 300 Models of New Weapons in Syria Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- The Russian army has tested 316 models of advanced weapons during its participation in the Syrian conflict, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
• Russia to Conduct Observation Flight Over Belgium, Netherlands Next Week Sputnik 11 Mar 2019 -- Russia will conduct an observation flight over the territory of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) under the Treaty on Open Skies on March 11-15, the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, Ruslan Shishin, said on Monday.
• Erdogan says US angered by Turkey's independence Press TV 10 Mar 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United States is pressuring Turkey to cancel an arms agreement with Russia because Washington is angered by Ankara's independence.
• Russians Rally For Internet Freedom RFE/RL 10 Mar 2019 -- Thousands of activists have held protest actions across Russia against a new bill that its critics say is part of an effort by President Vladimir Putin's government to increase state control over the Internet and facilitate censorship.
• Russian Ship Test Weapon That Renders Enemy Targeting Systems Useless Sputnik 10 Mar 2019 -- The weapon system, developed by the Russian company Rostec, was recently spotted on the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov by British media as it approached a Royal Air Force base. The Times described the weapon as being able to make opposing soldiers vomit, but its effective range is much greater.
• 40-ton class heavy helicopter jointly developed by China, Russia to be delivered by 2032 Global Times 10 Mar 2019 -- The 40-ton class heavy helicopter, jointly developed by China and Russia, is expected to be delivered by 2032, said Wu Ximing, a Chinese political advisor and chief designer of helicopters for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
• Turkey to Face 'Grave Consequences' for Acquisition of Russian S-400 - Pentagon Sputnik 09 Mar 2019 -- Turkey's military relationship with the United States will face serious consequences if Ankara takes possession of the Russian S-400 air defence system, Defence Department spokesperson Charlie Summers told reporters on Friday.
• Turkey will begin to install Russian S-400 missile systems in October: Defense minister Press TV 08 Mar 2019 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the country will start installment of the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems later this year, regardless of strong opposition from the United States to the plan and warnings that Ankara should not buy the platform.
• S-400 Missile Defence Systems Will Start to be Installed in Turkey in October Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The process of deploying Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in Turkey will begin in October, Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar said.
• Pentagon: 'Grave Consequences' to US, Turkey Military Relations Over S-400 Spat VOA 08 Mar 2019 -- The Pentagon is warning of "grave consequences" to military relations between the United States and Turkey should Ankara purchase a Russian surface-to-air missile system.
• The Week In Russia: Gerasimov's Trojan Horse And A Tabloid's Tip For Putin RFE/RL 08 Mar 2019 -- A bizarre claim by Russia's top general that the Pentagon is developing a strategy involving air strikes and support for protesters sounds like bad news for Russians themselves, or at least for those in the mood to demonstrate against President Vladimir Putin's government, garbage dumps, or anything at all. Meanwhile, a tabloid sends Putin a warning about "the impermanence of power."
• Russia, Turkey Conduct Joint Naval Drills in Black Sea – Defence Ministry Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Black Sea Fleet's naval ships together with the vessels of the Turkish Naval Forces have conducted a passing exercise to improve interoperability in possible mine danger areas, Black Sea Fleet spokesman Capt. 2nd Rank Alexei Rulyov said on Friday.
• Estonian President Strips Officer Convicted of Spying for Russia of Ranks Sputnik 08 Mar 2019 -- Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has stripped a former officer convicted of spying for Russia of his military ranks, her office said Friday.
• Russia's MTS To Pay $850 Million To Settle Uzbek Bribery Case RFE/RL 07 Mar 2019 -- Russia's largest cell provider, MTS, will pay $850 million to settle a bribery and corruption case tied to the daughter of Uzbekistan's late president.
• Russia, Syria urge Jordan to admit refugees from Syria's Rukban camp Press TV 07 Mar 2019 -- The Russian and Syrian coordination centers on returning refugees have urged Jordan to open its border to displaced Syrians, who have been stranded in a camp near the frontier with the country.
• Russian fighter intercepts U.S. spy plane near Russian airspace: military People's Daily 07 Mar 2019 -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet has intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft approaching the Russian airspace over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
• Flushed With Pride? Russia Outfitting New Tank With A Toilet RFE/RL 07 Mar 2019 -- War is hell - but for Russian tank crews, it's about to get a bit more comfortable. The designer of a new battle tank that is under development says the latest plans for the armored vehicle include a built-in toilet for its three-person crew.
• Russian Duma Passes Bills Banning 'Fake News' And 'Insults' RFE/RL 07 Mar 2019 -- Russia's State Duma has approved legislation that would block websites that publish what the authorities deem to be "fake news" and penalizing websites that "insult" authorities, state symbols, and what the legislation vaguely describes as Russian "society."
• Six Steps Russia Is Taking Toward Restricting Its Internet RFE/RL 07 Mar 2019 -- The Russian State Duma on March 7 passed twin bills to stop the spread of "fake news" as well as information that "disrespects" Russia's government, its symbols, and society.
• Russian Lower House Outlaws Spreading of Fake News, Insulting of State Sputnik 07 Mar 2019 -- The Russian lower house passed on Thursday a law prohibiting the dissemination of fake information.
• US Doubts Russia to Succeed in Creating Sovereign Internet - NSA Chief Sputnik 07 Mar 2019 -- The United State doubts that Russia will be able to create a sovereign internet because its citizens will be anxious to access apps and tools, US National Security Agency (NSA) Director Gen. Paul Nakasone said during a cyber conference in San Francisco.
• Su-27 Fighter Jet Scrambled to Intercept US Spy Plane Near Russian Airspace Sputnik 07 Mar 2019 -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to identify and intercept an air target approaching the Russian airspace over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defence Ministry said Thursday.
• Russian MPs Approve Bills Restricting Online Criticism of Kremlin VOA 07 Mar 2019 -- The lower house of Russia's parliament has passed two bills that restrict online criticism of the government and authorizes the imposition of jail sentences or fines on those who publish erroneous information about the authorities.
• India, Russia Ink $3.3 Billion Deal for Third Russian Nuclear Submarine - Source Sputnik 07 Mar 2019 -- The deal, worth around $3.3 billion, is the biggest deal since October 2018, when the two countries signed a $5.43 billion deal for five units of S-400 air missile defence systems.
• Turkey merely seeks its own interests in purchasing Russian S-400 systems: VP Press TV 07 Mar 2019 -- Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay says his country's decision to buy Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems is only based on its own interests, stressing Ankara will not stop the purchase in the face of strong opposition from Washington and warnings that it should not buy the anti-aircraft platform.
• Erdogan Says No Intention Of Backing Out Of S-400 Missile Deal With Russia RFE/RL 07 Mar 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is determined to go through with a deal to purchase S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia, despite opposition from Washington.
• S-400 Purchase Doesn't Mean Ankara Has Rejected US' Patriots – Turkish VP Sputnik 07 Mar 2019 -- Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the debate on the S-400s was "over" following recommendations by the US military that Congress reject the sale of F-35s to Ankara if the country moved forward with its purchase of the Russian air defence system.
• Erdogan says Turkey won't go back on S-400 deal with Russia Press TV 06 Mar 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country will not go back on its agreement to buy S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, despite pressures from the United States.
• NATO-Ukraine Commission discusses situation in Crimea NATO 06 Mar 2019 -- The NATO-Ukraine Commission met at NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (6 March 2019) to discuss the current situation in Crimea, five years after Russia's illegal annexation.
• Top U.S. General Calls For More Defenses For Ukraine Against Russia RFE/RL 06 Mar 2019 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Europe called for bolstering Ukraine's defenses against Russian aggression, in eastern Ukraine as well as in the Black Sea.
• EU Ambassadors Approve Sanctions On Eight More Russians Over Kerch Strait Incident RFE/RL 06 Mar 2019 -- EU ambassadors have agreed to impose asset freezes and visa bans on eight Russians involved in the capture and jailing of 24 Ukrainian seamen in an incident near the Kerch Strait in November, according to several sources familiar with the discussions.
• UK Warship Sent to Intercept Russian Navy Ships Passing Through English Channel Sputnik 06 Mar 2019 -- The development comes after the press service of Russia's North Fleet reported on Tuesday that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, equipped with guided Kalibr missiles, had entered the English Channel, in the Russian warship's first such mission.
• Don't give Turkey F-35 jets if they buy Russian S-400: Top US general Press TV 06 Mar 2019 -- The top US general and the head of American forces in Europe has said the United States should not sell its high-tech F-35 fighter jets to Turkey if Ankara moves ahead with plans to buy advanced missile defense systems from Russia.
• Turkey Won't Cancel Russian S-400 Deal - Erdogan Sputnik 06 Mar 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan clarified debate Wednesday about Ankara's deal with Moscow to buy S-400 Triumf air defense systems, saying his government won't cancel the deal, despite protests from its ally in Washington.
• No State Has Right to Prohibit Turkey Purchase Russian S-400 Systems – Cavusoglu Sputnik 06 Mar 2019 -- No country has a right to exert pressure on Turkey over its plans to buy Russian S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler) air defence systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
• Turkey May Let Russia's S-400 Destroy US' F-35 Project 'From Within' – Report Sputnik 06 Mar 2019 -- On Tuesday, General Curtis Scaparrotti, head of the US European Command, told senators in the Senate Armed Services Committee that he doesn't recommend delivering F-35 jets to Ankara if it doesn't abort the S-400 missile defence deal with Russia.
• US Ups Pressure on Turkey Over Russian Missile System Purchase VOA 06 Mar 2019 -- Washington is ratcheting up pressure on Ankara over its decision to buy a Russian missile system, which was confirmed last month by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Senior U.S. diplomats held talks this week in the Turkish capital to lobby against the sale as Washington warns of "grave consequences."
• US Officials Issue Sanctions Warnings to Europe Over Russian Gas VOA 06 Mar 2019 -- U.S. officials have warned at an energy conference in Brussels that the Trump administration will take punitive action against European companies that are building the Kremlin-favored Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, which will deliver energy from Russia to Germany while bypassing Ukraine.
• EU, Russia, China reaffirm support for Iran nuclear deal Press TV 06 Mar 2019 -- Iran says the remaining signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal have reaffirmed their "strong support" for the Islamic Republic despite the United States' decision to unilaterally leave the agreement last year.
• Putin: Russia Cracking Down On Foreign Spies, But Needs Stronger Protection Of Military Secrets RFE/RL 06 Mar 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin has called on Russia's FSB domestic security service to strengthen the protection of information related to new weapons and other sensitive data, saying that foreign intelligence agencies were beefing up activities in the country.
• US Plans to Increase Presence of Carrier Strike Group to Counter Russia - EUCOM Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States is set to expand the rotational presence of guided missile destroyers and attack submarines to counter Russia in Europe, US European Command (USEUCOM) chief Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti said in congressional testimony on Tuesday.
• US General Calls for Firepower, Focus to Counter Russia VOA 05 Mar 2019 -- The United States needs more firepower and focus to push back against ever-increasing Russian aggression across Europe and beyond, according to the top U.S. commander in Europe.
• Bitter Medicine: Doctors Give Bad Marks To Russian Program To Boost Rural Health Care RFE/RL 05 Mar 2019 -- In 2017, Vladimir Sotnikov graduated from Tomsk Medical University and joined the government's Rural Doctor program, an initiative aimed at encouraging young medical professionals to work in remote rural locations.
• Putin signs decree suspending Russia's participation in INF Treaty People's Daily 05 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Russia's compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with immediate effect, the Kremlin said Monday.
• Russia to train 100 China troops on S-400 operations: Report Press TV 05 Mar 2019 -- Russia is reportedly set to train around 100 Chinese servicemen on how to operate S-400 as it is about to deliver a second regiment of the missile defense systems to Beijing.
• Russia May Deploy Missiles With Range Across Europe if US Puts Such Arms in Area Sputnik 05 Mar 2019 -- Russia may be forced to deploy missiles capable of striking the entire European continent if the United States deploys such weapons in the region, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said during remarks at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC.
• Ukraine Elections Mark Another Stage in Break From Russia VOA 04 Mar 2019 -- The Kremlin had hoped that by fomenting a separatist insurgency in east Ukraine's Donbas region, Ukraine could be snapped back into the Russian orbit, but the strategy appears to have backfired, say analysts.
• Qatar: Arms deal with Russia 'none of Saudi business' Press TV 04 Mar 2019 -- Qatar has told the Saudi regime not to meddle in its potential arms purchases from Russia, stressing that such a deal is none of Riyadh's business.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Ukraine The White House 04 Mar 2019
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 04 Mar 2019
• Multibillion-Dollar Money-Laundering Scheme Run By Russia's Largest Private Investment Bank Uncovered, Report Says RFE/RL 04 Mar 2019 -- An almost $9 billion global money-laundering scheme allegedly set up and run by Russia's largest private investment bank and having close ties to the country's ruling elite has been uncovered by the Sarajevo-based Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
• The Troika Laundromat: Five Quick Takeaways RFE/RL 04 Mar 2019 -- With the financial world reeling from the news that an almost $9 billion global money-laundering scheme was allegedly set up and run by Russia's largest private investment bank, here are five quick takeaways based on what we know so far from the revelations published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
• 'Troika Laundromat' Accusations Cast Millionaire Vardanyan In New Light RFE/RL 04 Mar 2019 -- Few have ever questioned the generosity of Russian-Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan, who has given away hundreds of millions of dollars in charitable donations and social investments since emerging as a leading post-Soviet entrepreneur in the 1990s.
• President Putin suspends Russia's participation in INF over US 'violations' Press TV 04 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that suspends his country's participation in the landmark Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a key Cold War-era nuclear arms-control agreement with the United States, over US "violations," the Kremlin says.
• Putin Officially Suspends Russia's Participation In INF Treaty With U.S. RFE/RL 04 Mar 2019 -- The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree suspending Russia's participation in a key Cold War-era nuclear arms-control agreement with the United States.
• Putin Orders to Suspend INF Treaty Until US Stops Violating Deal Sputnik 04 Mar 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the suspension of Russia's participation in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the Kremlin press service reported on Monday.
• India, Russia to Sign $3.3Bln Nuclear Submarine Deal on 7 March - Report Sputnik 04 Mar 2019 -- Sources told Sputnik that one of the several incomplete Soviet-era Akula hulls mothballed at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk would undergo a deep refit and rebuild, to be fitted with Indian sensors, operation room electronics, and communication equipment before being delivered to India in or before 2025.
• Russian Military Mulls Angara-A5 Heavy Rocket for Satellite Launches - Source Sputnik 04 Mar 2019 -- The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to use the Angara-A5 heavy-class carrier rockets to launch satellites from the Vostochny space center in Russia's Far East, a Russian space industry source told Sputnik.
• Russia to help Venezuela solve socio-economic problems: parliament leader People's Daily 04 Mar 2019 -- Russia will continue to assist Venezuela in resolving its socio-economic problems, including providing humanitarian assistance, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said Sunday.
• Russia will prevent US intervention in Venezuela: Official Press TV 03 Mar 2019 -- A Russian official says Moscow will do all it can to prevent potential intervention in Venezuela by the United States, which has not ruled out the military option to overthrow the elected government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
• Russia, India Open AK-203 Assault Rifle Production Plant - Official Sputnik 03 Mar 2019 -- Russia and India on Sunday inaugurated a plant that will produce AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles in the northeastern Indian town of Korwa, Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Director Dmitry Shugaev said.
• Netanyahu: Israel, Russia To Cooperate On Pullout Of Foreign Forces From Syria RFE/RL 03 Mar 2019 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel and Russia have agreed to establish a joint team to advance the withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria.
• Turkey Rejects US Patriot Offer Amid Row Over Russian S-400 - Reports Sputnik 02 Mar 2019 -- The United States has been pressing Turkey, its NATO ally, to reject a plan to purchase Russia's cutting-edge S-400 missile systems, which Turkey estimates to be three times cheaper than a $3.5 billion order for US anti-aircraft weapons.
• NATO Chief Urges Russia To Comply With INF Treaty RFE/RL 01 Mar 2019 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said the Western military alliance must be prepared if Russia ignores calls to return to compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, a cornerstone of arms control for decades.
• The Week In Russia: Boris Nemtsov And The Russia That Might Have Been RFE/RL 01 Mar 2019 -- Thousands of people in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities honored the memory of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, and in doing so mourned the loss of a Russia that might have been. Meanwhile, in the Russia that is what it is, state TV elaborated on President Vladimir Putin's saber-rattling warning to the West about missiles.
• Russian Air Defence Forces Already Training S-500 System Operators – General Sputnik 01 Mar 2019 -- The S-500 Prometey mobile missile-based air defence system is expected to begin coming online in 2020, eventually becoming the backbone of Russia's integrated air defence network.
• Lukashenka Says Russia Won't 'Swallow' Belarus, But Further Integration A 'Must' RFE/RL 01 Mar 2019 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says Russia has no intention of "swallowing" Belarus but added that further integration between the two countries is a "must."
• NATO Chief Says Eastern Enlargement Process Not Provocation Against Russia Sputnik 01 Mar 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that the alliance's enlargement to the east was not a provocation against Russia, dismissing such assessments as the concept of spheres of influence that should be left behind.