September 2019 - Russia Special Weapons News

Putin Pledges Continued Support For Separatist Government Of Georgia's Breakaway Abkhazia RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin has pledged Russia's continued support for the separatist government of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
U.S. Targets Russian Actors Involved in Efforts to Influence U.S. Elections US Dept. of State 30 Sep 2019 -- Today, the United States continues to take action in response to Russian attempts to influence U.S. democratic processes by imposing sanctions on four entities and seven individuals associated with the Internet Research Agency and its financier, Yevgeniy Prigozhin.
Treasury Targets Assets of Russian Financier who Attempted to Influence 2018 U.S. Elections US Treasury 30 Sep 2019 -- "Today, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Russian actors that attempted to influence the 2018 U.S. midterm elections, though there was no indication that foreign actors were able to compromise election infrastructure that would have prevented voting, changed vote counts, or disrupted the tallying of votes."
US targets two Russians over alleged attempts to sway 2018 midterm elections Press TV 30 Sep 2019 -- The administration of US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on two Russian nationals over accusations of attempting to interfere in the 2018 US midterm elections.
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Russian 'Troll Farm,' Owner Prigozhin RFE/RL 30 Sep 2019 -- Washington has imposed sanctions on several entities and people associated with the Internet Research Agency and its financier, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in connection with Russian interference in U.S. elections.
US Sanctions Two Russians, Three Firms 'Tied' To Internet Research Agency Over Vote Meddling Claims Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- Russia has been repeatedly accused of meddling in the US elections by Western powers. However, subsequent probes failed to find evidence pointing to any Russian interference in the US election. Moscow has strongly denied the accusations from the very beginning.
Russian Army Gets First New T-90M Tanks Sputnik 30 Sep 2019 -- The Russian army has begun to receive modernised T-90M tanks, Oleg Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, said in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
Soviet-Made MiG-29 Jet In Slovakia's Air Force Crashes, Pilot Survives RFE/RL 29 Sep 2019 -- The Slovak Defense Ministry says a Soviet-made MiG-29 military jet from the country's air force has crashed during a training flight.
Russian Opposition Stages New Moscow Rally After Summer Of Protests RFE/RL 29 Sep 2019 -- Tens of thousands of Russians braved cold, wet autumn weather to jam a central Moscow square as opposition groups sought to regain momentum following a summer of demonstrations that targeted both local elections and Russia's broader political system.
Thousands of Anti-Kremlin Protesters Turn Out, Demanding End of Political Repression VOA 29 Sep 2019 -- The drizzle had stopped by the time anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny bounded to the stage to cheers in a packed downtown Moscow square, where at least 20,000 anti-government protesters assembled to demand an end to prosecutions tied to earlier mass protests.
Russia's Zircon Missile Will Be Invisible to Radar, 'Inspire Awe' in Enemies – Report Sputnik 29 Sep 2019 -- An enemy will have about 20 seconds to take down the radar-invisible hypersonic fireball travelling at 10,000 km/h, specialists say.
Russia's newest drone performs first joint flight with Su-57 fighter Global Times 28 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Okhotnik (Hunter) heavy strike drone made its first joint test flight with a fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, which lasted more than 30 minutes, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
Two Planes With Russian Military Technical Personnel Arrive in Venezuela - Maduro Sputnik 28 Sep 2019 -- Two planes carrying Russian personnel who will provide military and technical assistance to Venezuela have arrived in the Bolivarian Republic, President Nicolas Maduro said.
Turkey in talks with Russia over buying Su-35 fighter jets: Russian official Press TV 28 Sep 2019 -- A senior Russian official says Moscow and Ankara are holding talks about the possible sale of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets to Turkey, after Washington removed Ankara from its F-35 fighter jets program after the latter received the first parts of advanced Russian S-400 missile defense system.
Russia lambasts US for breaching UN resolutions, withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal Press TV 28 Sep 2019 -- Russia has denounced the United States for its "attacks" on international law and for breaching the United Nations resolutions, taking aim at the US withdrawal from the landmark 2015 unclear deal between Iran and world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Wyden Unveils Report on NRA Ties to Russia, Findings Show NRA Misled Public About 2015 Moscow Trip US Senate Committee on Finance 27 Sep 2019 -- Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the findings of his 18-month investigation into the NRA's relationship with Russia and potential violations of U.S. tax and sanctions laws.
Pompeo To Discuss Moscow's 'Efforts To Sow Discord' On Balkan Trip RFE/RL 27 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will discuss "Russian efforts to sow discord" in Montenegro and North Macedonia when he visits the two Balkan countries next week, a senior U.S. official says.
The Week In Russia: Stuck In The Middle With You RFE/RL 27 Sep 2019 -- Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy have now both been at center stage in U.S. political controversies that have affected elections to the White House and the fate of its occupant. In terms of how they got there and how they have handled it, though, there are plenty of differences.
Russian FM Lavrov Slams West In UN General Assembly Speech RFE/RL 27 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took aim at the West as he took the podium at the UN General Assembly in New York, saying it is hard for the West to accept the loss of what he called its "privileged position" in world affairs.
Amid Ukraine Scandal, Kremlin Expects Trump-Putin Conversations To Stay Classified RFE/RL 27 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin says it expects conversations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump to remain classified as a scandal involving a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy engulfs Washington.
Russia's Defence Ministry to Build Laser Training Grounds – Report Sputnik 27 Sep 2019 -- The new complex will allow the imitation not only of infantry combat, but also of armored vehicles and artillery, with up to 15,000 people in action at the same time.
Unable to accept its decline, West subverts international law to suit its needs, Russia's Lavrov tells UN UN News 27 Sep 2019 -- While crediting the United Nations for preventing 'World War III', the Foreign Minister of Russia lamented to the General Assembly on Friday that the number of conflicts on the planet has not declined, nor has enmity weakened.
NATO rejects Russian proposal for nuclear missiles suspension Press TV 27 Sep 2019 -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has rejected Russia's calls for suspending the deployment of short and medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe, after the US withdrew from a landmark cold war-era treaty that banned the weapons.
Border Guards Detain Three North Korean Vessels With 262 Sailors in Russian Exclusive Economic Zone Sputnik 27 Sep 2019 -- According to the Russian authorities, the trespassing boats and everyone on board were transferred to the port city of Nakhodka.
Drills improve China-Russia military cooperation: spokesperson People's Daily 27 Sep 2019 -- The Tsentr-2019 (Center-2019) military exercises have enhanced the strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian armed forces, a Chinese military spokesperson said Thursday.
Pompeo Accuses Russia, Iran of 'Fueling' Violence in Syria Sputnik 27 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department designated a Russian-based maritime company, three Sovfracht directors and five vessels for an alleged scheme to evade sanctions to facilitate the delivery of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria.
Maduro: Caracas Has Moscow's 'Full Support' on Defence Industry Cooperation Sputnik 27 Sep 2019 -- Venezuela has Russia's full support on bilateral defence industry cooperation, the Latin American country's President, Nicolas Maduro, said after returning from his trip to Moscow.
Treasury Targets Sanctions Evasion Scheme Facilitating Jet Fuel Shipments to Russian Military Forces in Syria US Treasury 26 Sep 2019 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one entity, three individuals, and five vessels participating in a sanctions evasion scheme to facilitate the delivery of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria.
U.S. Sanctions Firm For Allegedly Providing Jet Fuel To Russian Forces In Syria RFE/RL 26 Sep 2019 -- The United States has slapped sanctions on a Russian company, three individuals, and five shipping vessels for allegedly participating in a scheme to avoid sanctions while facilitating the transfer of supplies of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in Syria in support of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Moscow Slams New US Sanctions Against Russian Firm Over Alleged Jet Fuel Delivery to Syria Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the day, the US Treasury announced that it has imposed new sanctions on Russia for facilitating the delivery of jet fuel to Russian forces operating in the Arab Republic.
Russia's Hmeymim Airbase in Syria to Host More Aircraft After Reconstruction Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria currently hosts about 30 warplanes and helicopters but will be able to accommodate more aircraft after the reconstruction, a base official said.
Kremlin Confirms Putin Calling on Europe, Asia to Abstain From Deploying Intermediate-Range Missiles Sputnik 26 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported earlier that Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to the leaders of a number of countries, including NATO members, with a proposal to introduce a moratorium on the deployment of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in Europe and other regions.
NATO Says Russian Proposal on Intermediate-Range Missile Deployment Ban Not Credible Sputnik 25 Sep 2019 -- NATO confirms receiving a letter from Russia on the introduction of a moratorium on the deployment of short- and medium-range missiles in Europe, but does not consider this proposal credible because of the Russian SSC-8 cruise missile, spokesperson Oana Lungescu said Wednesday.
Putin 'supports dialog between Venezuela government, opposition' Press TV 25 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country supports dialog between the Venezuelan government and opposition.
Russian, Venezuelan Leaders Hold Talks In Moscow RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, in Moscow amid the ongoing political crisis in the South American country.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy Seeks Global Support Amid 'Russian Aggression' RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy kicked off the second day of speeches at this year's UN General Assembly, warning world leaders about the dangers of "Russian aggression" in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy Says 'Russian Aggression' Holds Back Ukraine's Nation Building RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has blamed the Kremlin as being one of the two main factors that keep the country from realizing its full developmental potential.
Iran, Russia, Turkey issue joint statement on Syrian constitutional committee ISNA 25 Sep 2019 -- Iranian, Russian and Turkish foreign ministers held a joint meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States, during which they discussed holding the first session of Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva tasked with drafting Syria's new constitution.
Banker Linked To Russian Money-Laundering Case Found Dead In Estonia RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- The missing former chief of Danske Bank in Estonia, who was at the center of a 200 billion-euro ($220 billion) money-laundering scandal involving Russian money, has been found dead.
IAAF Votes To Extend Russia's Suspension From World Athletics Body RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- The governing body for world track and field has voted to keep a ban on Russian athletes amid concerns the country may have manipulated data from its Moscow anti-doping laboratory.
Report: Putin Sends NATO Proposal For Moratorium On Missile Deployment To Europe RFE/RL 25 Sep 2019 -- The Russian newspaper Kommersant is reporting that President Vladimir Putin has sent a proposal to NATO calling for a moratorium on deploying short- and medium-range missiles in Europe.
Venezuela's Maduro To Meet Putin In Moscow RFE/RL 24 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks in Moscow with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on September 25, the Kremlin has said.
Russia Develops First Ever Standard for Satellite Navigation in Arctic - Manufacturer Sputnik 24 Sep 2019 -- The Russian Space Systems company, together with the Polar Initiative scientific and information centre, have developed requirements for receivers of satellite navigation systems for use in the Arctic, the company, which is a part of State Space Corporation Roscosmos, said.
Russian Defence Ministry Denies Estonia's Claim of Border Violation by its Aircraft Sputnik 24 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, the press service of the General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces stated that a Russian Su-34 fighter violated the air border of the Baltic Republic.
Estonia Ministry Outraged by Russian Interpretation of Country's Liberation From Nazis Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- The Estonian Foreign Ministry expressed on Monday outrage over Russia's release of documents that interpret the Soviet military operation in Estonia that happened toward the end of World War II as the Baltic nation's liberation.
Niger, Russia Have Military Cooperation Deals to Be Extended Biennially – Foreign Minister Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- Niger and Russia will extend defence cooperation deals into large-scale contracts every two years to strengthen bilateral ties under the 2017 intergovernmental military agreement, Nigerien Foreign Minister Kallo Ankourao said.
US Presses Norway Into Boosting Defence Expenditure as Russia's Neighbour Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- Despite failing to meet NATO's 2 percent spending target, Norway's per capita defence expenditure is already among the world's highest.
Last Soyuz-FG Carrier Rocket Installed at Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch Site - Roscosmos Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- The last ever Soyuz-FG carrier rocket to be launched was installed at a launch site at Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome on Monday, Russia's state space agency, Roscosmos, said.
Russia well capable of resisting US with far less military spending: Defense minister Press TV 23 Sep 2019 -- Russia's defense chief says Moscow – unlike the United States – sees no need to pump large amounts of taxpayer money into its military budget since the Russian military has no intention of attacking others and is already well capable of defending the country against enemies.
World Doping Agency Probing 'Inconsistencies' With Russian Data RFE/RL 23 Sep 2019 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it has begun compliance proceedings against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) over "inconsistencies" in the data it supplied at the start of the year.
Chinese Media Claims S-500's Capabilities Will 'Exceed Those of Any Air Defence System in World' Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- Russia began trial production of the next-generation mobile air defence system earlier this year, and plans to start mass production of the system in the second half of next year.
Work on Sixth-Generation Fighters Underway in Russia - Aviation Systems Research Institute Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- Work on sixth-generation fighters is underway in Russia, with the possibility of pilot control expected to be optional, State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (GosNIIAS) Director General Sergey Khokhlov said.
Russian Military to Conduct Inspection of Region in Latvia Amid NATO Drills - Reports Sputnik 23 Sep 2019 -- The Russian military from September 23-26 to conduct an inspection of one of the Latvian areas amid the Silver Arrow 2019 NATO drills, the Russian Armed Forces' official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) reported on Monday.
Russia declares alleged CIA agent missing, search underway Press TV 23 Sep 2019 -- Russia has formally placed an alleged CIA agent on a list of missing individuals after US media reports claimed he had been evacuated to America.
Russia Declares Alleged CIA Mole Missing, Launches Search RFE/RL 23 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Interior Ministry says a former Kremlin official, whom media reports have called a CIA informant, has been officially declared missing.
Russia prevents Israeli airstrikes in Syrian capital: Russian media Press TV 21 Sep 2019 -- Russia has reportedly prevented another Israeli airstrike in Syria, helping the Syrian armed forces destroy a drone on its way to attack Damascus.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova Moscow, September 20, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Sep 2019
Pentagon Says Has Plan of Defeating Air Defence System of Russia's Kaliningrad Region Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- The Pentagon has developed a plan of defeating the air defence system of the Russian westernmost enclave, the Kaliningrad Region, in case of Moscow's possible aggression, Commander of the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, Gen. Jeffrey Lee Harrigian, said.
The Week In Russia: Big Chills, Little Thaws, And 'Workshop Solidarity' RFE/RL 20 Sep 2019 -- If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. They say that about New England, but it might work for Moscow, too, if it's the short-term political climate you're talking about. One day, a man is sentenced to years in prison, a few days later he may be released from jail. But the next, some other crackdown is in the forecast. Tough to tell a thaw from a false spring these days.
Russia Suspected of Manipulating Doping Data From Moscow Lab - Reports Sputnik 20 Sep 2019 -- Russia is suspected of manipulating the data of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, a non-compliance procedure has been launched against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), German ARD television journalist Hajo Seppelt reported.
Fresh Russia-Ukraine Talks On New Gas Transit Deal Inconclusive RFE/RL 19 Sep 2019 -- With winter approaching, Russia and Ukraine have held a third round of European Union-mediated talks in Brussels about the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe.
Russia, Ukraine Move Ahead With EU Talks to Avert Supply Cut VOA 19 Sep 2019 -- Representatives of the European Union, Ukraine, and Russia have concluded a first day of talks in Brussels with "constructive" dialogue as they aim to extend Kyiv's gas transit contract with Russia, European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Thursday.
Russian Pacific Fleet Forms Six Crews For New Military Vessels Sputnik 19 Sep 2019 -- Earlier in the month, Russia's Defence Ministry stated that it had decided to reinforce the Russian Pacific Fleet with a new Borei-class attack submarine, the Knyaz Oleg (Prince Oleg), which can carry up to 16 RSM-56 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Russia calls anti-Iran claims 'unsubstantiated' Press TV 19 Sep 2019 -- Russia has called on all countries of the Persian Gulf region to sit down for talks to ease tensions triggered by recent attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, calling accusations that Iran was behind the raids "unsubstantiated."
U.S. Says Moscow Used 'Sham' NGOs At OSCE Forum To Promote Claim Crimea Belongs To Russia RFE/RL 18 Sep 2019 -- The United States has accused Moscow of using "sham organizations" to promote its "spurious claim" that Ukraine's Crimea region is part of Russia during an annual human rights conference of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Eastern Ukraine Braces for Bitter 6th Winter of Conflict VOA 18 Sep 2019 -- The United Nations is urgently appealing for $52 million to provide life-saving assistance to thousands of the most vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine to prepare for the harsh winter months ahead.
Analysis: After 'Significant' Regional Elections, Russia's Opposition Looks To The Future RFE/RL 17 Sep 2019 -- More than a week after regional elections, Russia's anti-Putin opposition is struggling to understand exactly what was achieved and what comes next.
North Korean Migrants Remaining in Russia Experience Discrimination, Human Rights Abuses Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2019 -- As Russian authorities ramp up efforts to comply with U.N. sanctions on North Korea, North Korean migrants in Vladivostok are experiencing verbal abuse among the migrant worker community, discrimination from Russians, and human rights violations perpetrated by police, local residents told RFA's Korean Service.
Russia Detains At Least 160 North Korean Poachers, Summons Envoy RFE/RL 18 Sep 2019 -- Russian border guards have detained at least 160 North Korean nationals who they say were illegally fishing in Russian waters.
Pakistan, India Join Russia-Led Military Drills Despite Kashmir Tensions VOA 17 Sep 2019 -- Pakistan and India are taking part in a multinational counterterrorism military drill in Russia notwithstanding escalating border tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rival nations over their Kashmir territorial dispute.
Taliban Envoys Visit Iran, Russia Following Collapse Of U.S. Talks RFE/RL 17 Sep 2019 -- A four-member Taliban delegation has traveled to Tehran for talks with high-ranking Iranian officials -- the second such trip by the militants to a foreign country just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that peace talks with the United States had collapsed.
Joint statement of Astana guarantor states on Syria ISNA 17 Sep 2019 -- The Presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey, in a joint statement, reaffirmed their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, rejecting every effort to create new realities in the Syrian field under the pretext of combatting terrorism, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives.
Turkey, Russia, Iran Vow To Ease Tensions In Syria's Idlib RFE/RL 17 Sep 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the leaders of Russia and Iran in Ankara on September 16 for talks aimed at finding a lasting truce in the ruinous eight-year Syrian civil war.
Russia, China, SCO member states start large-scale drills Press TV 17 Sep 2019 -- Russia, China, and other member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have started large-scale military exercises on the Russian soil.
Russia Has Found Aircraft to Succeed 5th Gen Su-57 Stealth Fighter Sputnik 17 Sep 2019 -- Under development since 2012, the 20+ tonne stealthy flying wing design began rigorous military testing earlier this year.
Putin hails Iran-Russia common stance on JCPOA IRNA 17 Sep 2019 -- President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin described as valuable the common stance of Iran and Russia about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
N.Korea's Charge d'Affaires in Russia to Be Summoned to Foreign Ministry Over Schooners Sputnik 17 Sep 2019 -- North Korea's charge d'affaires in Russia will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry in connection with the detention of North Korean schooners, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russian Embassy to Ask State Dept About Alleged Diplomats' Role in Hacking FBI Systems Sputnik 17 Sep 2019 -- The Russian Embassy in the United States intends to ask the US State Department for clarifications in connection with media reports about the alleged involvement of diplomatic mission's employees in hacking FBI communication systems, the embassy's press service said.
In Ukraine, Foreign Minister And Others Fear Being 'Pushed' By West Into Bad Deal With Russia RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- Ukraine's foreign minister has voiced concern about the prospect of being nudged into an unfavorable agreement with Russia, telling RFE/RL that he hopes the West is pressuring Moscow as hard as it is pushing Kyiv for progress toward peace in the Donbas.
Russia warns against 'hasty conclusions' over attacks on Saudi oil facilities Press TV 16 Sep 2019 -- Russia has warned against drawing "hasty conclusions" on who carried out recent drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities in the eastern part of the kingdom amid allegations by US officials who point the incriminating finger at Iran.
Russia Concerned Over Attacks on Saudi Aramco, Warns Against Rushing to Conclusions on Culprit Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- Yemen's Houthi militia movement claimed responsibility for the Saturday attacks on two major Saudi oil facilities, with the drone strikes thought to have crippled up to half of the country's entire output. The United States rushed to blame Iran for the attacks, with Tehran dismissing the claims as "incomprehensible and meaningless."
President Rouhani calls for respect for Syrian sovereignty, territorial integrity IRNA 16 Sep 2019 -- Iran urged respect for the Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Turkey and Russia stress the importance of this issue.
Ankara summit aiming at restoring peace, stability in Syria, gov't spox says IRNA 16 Sep 2019 -- Government Spokesman Ali Rabiei noted that President Rouhani's trip to Ankara was aimed at building peace and stability in Syria.
Iran-Turkey-Russia cooperation promotes Syria security: Rouhani Press TV 16 Sep 2019 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says cooperation among Iran, Russia, and Turkey, as the three guarantor states of a ceasefire regime in Syria, has promoted security in the war-ravaged Arab country.
Presidents of Iran, Russia, Turkey meet in Ankara to discuss Syria Press TV 16 Sep 2019 -- The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey meet on Monday in the Turkish capital of Ankara to discuss a political resolution to Syria's eight-year conflict.
Turkey, Russia, Iran Vow To Ease Tensions In Syria's Idlib, Prevent Further Humanitarian Disaster RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the leaders of Russia and Iran in Ankara on September 16 for talks aimed at finding a lasting truce in the ruinous eight-year Syrian civil war.
Russia, Turkey, Iran View Israeli Attacks on Syria as Destabilising Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- Russia, Turkey and Iran consider Israeli military attacks on Syria as destabilizing and leading to increased tensions in the region, according to a joint statement by the leaders of the three countries after the summit in Ankara on Monday.
Turkey's Erdogan Hosts Putin, Rohani To Discuss Syrian War RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hosting his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Ankara on September 16 for their latest meeting on Syria.
Change The Russian Constitution? Might Be A Good Idea, Says Putin Confidant RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- Last October, it was a senior Russian judge suggesting that the country's 26-year-old constitution should be tweaked - possibly with an eye toward prolonging President Vladimir Putin's stay in power.
Russia Starts Annual Military Exercises With Six Countries RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- The Russian military's yearly strategic and operational exercises are starting on September 16.
Developer Hints at Start Date for Mass Production of Russia's S-500 Missile System Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- Limited production of the sophisticated new air defence system, most of whose characteristics remain under wraps, was said to have begun earlier this year, but the system has not yet concluded military testing.
Russia Deploys S-400 Systems in the Arctic Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- Russia has been stepping up its military, trade and exploration activities in the Arctic by building transport and energy infrastructure and developing the Northern Sea Route as part of the Arctic's Northern Passage, which links Europe and Asia.
Russian Court Upholds 14-Year Sentence For Polish Man Convicted Of Spying RFE/RL 16 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Supreme Court has upheld the 14-year prison term of a Polish citizen found guilty of espionage.
Revealed: Why India is Keen to Build its Own Version of Russia's S-400 Triumf Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- India is contemplating a deal that would see it build a domestic version of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence system, according to an IAF veteran and top military analyst.
Protesters Rally In Siberian City Amid Outrage Over Mayoral Election RFE/RL 15 Sep 2019 -- Hundreds of protesters jammed a central square in the Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, amid continuing outrage over recent elections for the city's mayor and related police violence.
World's first floating nuclear power plant arrives in Russian port Press TV 15 Sep 2019 -- The world's first floating nuclear plant made by Russia has arrived at its permanent base in the northeasterly region of the country as melting ice from global warming opens way for rivalry over the Arctic's untapped mineral resources.
Russian Navy Shadowing US Yuma Vessel Sailing in Black Sea Sputnik 15 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, the Bosphorus Observer, which tracks ships passing through the strait between Europe and Asia, reported that the US naval ship USNS Yuma had entered the Black Sea.
Canada Arrests Intelligence Officer Who Worked On Magnitsky Probe RFE/RL 15 Sep 2019 -- A senior intelligence official has been arrested in Canada and charged with disclosing classified information to an unspecified foreign entity.
Moscow, New Delhi Discuss Production of S-400 Air Defence System in India - Rostec CEO Sputnik 16 Sep 2019 -- Russia and India have signed a contract on the delivery of S-400 missile systems to New Delhi worth over $5 billion.
Energy Agency: U.S. Will 'Clearly' Overtake Saudi, Russia As World's Largest Oil Exporter RFE/RL 14 Sep 2019 -- The United States will "clearly" overtake Saudi Arabia and Russia as the world's largest oil exporter in the next few years amid an "unprecedented" energy boom, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
Russia expresses readiness to revive Ukraine peace talks with preconditions Press TV 14 Sep 2019 -- Russia has expressed willingness to participate in a four-way summit in the French capital aimed at reviving the Ukrainian peace process with some preconditions, including pull back of warring forces.
Kuchma Says Ukraine Should Not Make 'Unacceptable' Concessions To Russia RFE/RL 14 Sep 2019 -- The Ukrainian president's envoy for peace talks with Russia-backed separatists has stressed that Kyiv should not make unacceptable concessions to Russia.
Ankara to host Russia-Iran-Turkey trilateral summit on Syria ISNA 14 Sep 2019 -- The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran will discuss the difficult situation in Syria's Idlib province when they meet in Ankara early next week for a summit, Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin aide said.
Russia prevented Israeli airstrikes in Syria, Putin warned Netanyahu: Report Press TV 14 Sep 2019 -- Moscow has reportedly moved to prevent Israeli airstrikes in Syria, with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against the strikes.
Russia's Floating Nuclear Power Plant Arrives At Far East Base RFE/RL 14 Sep 2019 -- Russia's first floating nuclear power plant has reached its final destination in the country's remote Far East after a three-week, 5,000-kilometer journey.
Mystery S-400 Modification Spotted in Newspaper Photo Sputnik 14 Sep 2019 -- Capable of detecting, tracking and destroying all manner of manned aircraft, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, the S-400 is currently the most advanced mobile air defence system in Russia's arsenal.
Taliban delegation travels to Russia after talks with US collapse Press TV 14 Sep 2019 -- A team of negotiators from the Afghan Taliban has traveled to Russia days after the collapse of year-long negotiations between the US and the militant group.
Taliban Representatives Visit Russia, Aim for China & Iran Talks Amid US Negotiations Stall Sputnik 14 Sep 2019 -- The goal of the Taliban envoys is not to help revive talks with the United States but rather to gauge regional support for forcing the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, a high-ranking member of the movement said.
Russia Welcomes Serbian Commitment to Neutral Status – Lavrov Sputnik 13 Sep 2019 -- Russia welcomes Serbia's political course, which aims at preserving the neutral status of the Balkan nation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Taliban Envoys Visit Moscow After US Talks Collapse VOA 13 Sep 2019 -- A Taliban delegation traveled to Moscow and held talks with Russian officials Friday, a week after the United States abruptly called off a yearlong peace dialogue with the insurgent group over U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan.
Taliban Meets Russian Envoy In Moscow After U.S. Talks Collapse RFE/RL 13 Sep 2019 -- A team of Taliban negotiators from the militant group's Qatar office is in Moscow for talks with Russian officials, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that peace talks with U.S. officials have collapsed.
Russian Foreign Ministry Confirms Presidential Envoy Met Taliban Delegates in Moscow Sputnik 13 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Second Asian Department Director Zamir Kabulov, who is the Russian president's special representative for Afghanistan, has received a delegation of the Taliban group in Moscow, the Russian side emphasized the need to resume the US-Taliban talks, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
EU Formally Extends Russia Sanctions Linked To Aggression Toward Ukraine RFE/RL 13 Sep 2019 -- The European Union has formally approved an extension of sanctions against 170 Russian officials and Russian-backed Ukrainian separatists as well as 44 entities for another six months until March 15, the EU headquarters in Brussels said in a statement on September 11 as reported by AP.
Kremlin Says It Does Not Rule Out New Prisoner Swap With Ukraine RFE/RL 13 Sep 2019 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Moscow is not ruling out a new prisoner swap with Ukraine following the recent one when 70 people held in both countries were released.
Moscow: Russia and Ukraine Need Lot of Work and Time to Start New Stage of Detainee Release Sputnik 13 Sep 2019 -- New lists are being prepared for the next stage of the release of detainees, following a simultaneous release last week agreed by Kiev and Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday.
The Fate of Syria's Idlib to Top Turkey, Russia, Iran Talks VOA 13 Sep 2019 -- The Turkish, Iranian and Russian presidents will meet in Ankara Monday to discuss Syria and the last rebel enclave in Idlib. Syrian regime forces are threatening to overrun Idlib, and Ankara is warning of a humanitarian disaster.
War in Syria has come to end, long-lasting settlement of crisis needed: Russian FM Press TV 13 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he believes the foreign-sponsored terrorism in Syria has come to an end, and that the need to promote the long-lasting settlement of crisis both in the war-ravaged Arab country and the entire Middle East region is highly required.
Roscosmos to Build Inexpensive Soyuz-2M Rocket for Commercial Satellites Launch Service Sputnik 13 Sep 2019 -- Russian state space corporation Roscosmos is working on a cheaper version of the Soyuz rocket to cut launch costs for commercial satellites, Russian space travel operator Glavkosmos (GK) Launch Services CEO Alexander Serkin said.
Russia, Belarus Launch 'Union Shield' Military Drills RFE/RL 13 Sep 2019 -- The Russian and Belarusian militaries have launched weeklong joint exercises in the Nizhny Novgorod region, west of Moscow.
Field Of Nightmares? Russian World Cup Stadium Plagued By Problems RFE/RL 13 Sep 2019 -- Only a year after Russia hosted soccer's World Cup, one of the stadiums completed and opened just months before the event already appears to be in serious trouble, possibly sinking into a swamp.
Russia seeks Interpol help to locate alleged CIA informant Press TV 13 Sep 2019 -- Russia has called on Washington through Interpol to provide information regarding the whereabouts of a former Kremlin official that US media have alleged to be a CIA mole who was whisked to safety in 2017 by covert US operatives.
No Response Yet on Request About Sentenced Russian Citizen in Estonia - Russian Embassy Sputnik 13 Sep 2019 -- Russia's embassy in Estonia has not received any response from the Estonian Foreign Ministry to a request concerning an imprisoned Russian citizen over a case of alleged espionage, the embassy's press service stated.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 12, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Sep 2019
U.S. Treasury Removes Soviet-Born Scientist From Russian Oligarch List RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has taken a Soviet-born scientist with U.S. citizenship off its so-called "Russian Oligarch" list following a 20-month lobbying effort and court fight in Washington.
Mass Police Searches Of Navalny Offices Across Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- Russian law enforcement officers have raided the offices of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation in dozens of cities across Russia, according to his associates and human rights activists.
Russia, Unlike US, Has No Intermediate- And Shorter-Range Missiles - Defence Ministry Sputnik 12 Sep 2019 -- Mere weeks after the US formally left the landmark INF Treaty with Russia in early August, the Pentagon claimed success in testing a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of over 500 km, something which would have violated the now-dead agreement, prompting suspicions that Washington was preparing to ditch the deal in advance.
New Russian Drones Track Targets by Cell Phone Signal - Report Sputnik 12 Sep 2019 -- A new military system of three drones and a mobile command center can tap into cell phone base stations, analyze data flow to geographically locate a specific subscriber and then, if necessary, direct the delivery of a hefty explosive message.
Russian Police Raid Opposition Offices in Post-Election Show of Force VOA 12 Sep 2019 -- Russian authorities launched a wave of police raids early Thursday targeting supporters of opposition leader Alexey Navalny in dozens of cities across Russia.
Putin, Netanyahu Meet In Sochi Ahead Of Israel's Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said at the start of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Kremlin has an interest in who wins Israel's parliamentary election next week.
Israel Won't Put Up With Iran, Netanyahu Says In Russia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- Israel must be given free reign to act against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on September 12 as talks concluded in Sochi where met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss security coordination in Syria.
Russia Seeking Interpol's Help On Location Of Alleged CIA Informant RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says that Moscow has asked the international police agency Interpol for help in locating a former Kremlin official who is alleged to have been a CIA informant and who disappeared in 2017.
Paper Reports 'Details' Of Alleged CIA Informer's Disappearance In Montenegro RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- A newspaper in Montenegro has published what it says are details of the 2017 disappearance of a former Kremlin official identified in Russian media as a possible CIA informer who fled to the United States.
Russian official says Moscow understands Tehran's JCPOA moves IRNA 12 Sep 2019 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia understands Iran's third nuclear deal move though it believes the action does not help normalize the situation.
Russia Requests More Information On Convicted Russian Spy In Estonia RFE/RL 12 Sep 2019 -- The Russian Embassy in Estonia is seeking additional information from authorities in Tallinn after learning on September 11 that a Russian national was recently sentenced to five years in prison for espionage.
Case Surrounding Alleged US Spy Smolenkov is Speculation Used to Undermine Trust in Russia - Moscow Sputnik 12 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin earlier said in a statement that it didn't know if Oleg Smolenkov, described as a US spy in the media, was an informant, noting this is a question for the special services.
The Accidental Deputy: A Spoiler Candidate Surprisingly Wins A Seat In Moscow's City Duma RFE/RL 11 Sep 2019 -- The September 8 elections to the Moscow City Duma produced many surprises. But perhaps the most unexpected result came in District No. 3, where an engineer who is virtually unknown and did not campaign defeated the candidate supported by the ruling United Russia party and took the seat.
Poland, Ukraine Hail EU Court Ruling That Curbs Gazprom's Nord Stream Pipeline Access RFE/RL 11 Sep 2019 -- Gazprom says it is analyzing the legal and commercial consequences of a September 10 court ruling that reduced gas flows via the Opal pipeline, which connects Germany with the Russian state-owned gas company's Nord Stream pipeline, Reuters reports.
Macron's Courtship of Putin Alarming Russia's Near Neighbors VOA 11 Sep 2019 -- Two years ago, France's Emmanuel Macron was widely seen as the most bellicose of Western leaders when it came to confronting Moscow over its annexation of Crimea and its fomenting of violent separatism in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
Russian official says US aims to damage Iran-IAEA coop IRNA 11 Sep 2019 -- The US is after damaging the relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Russia's representative in international organizations in Vienna and the International Atomic Energy Agency Mikhail Ulyanov said on Wednesday.
US media lie about CIA mole in Russian govt.: Kremlin Press TV 11 Sep 2019 -- Moscow has dismissed as lies suggestions that a suspected CIA spy had confirmed Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential Election.
Russian Oligarch Malofeyev Banned From Bulgaria For 10 Years Over Spy Scandal RFE/RL 11 Sep 2019 -- The influential Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev has been banned from entering Bulgaria for 10 years in connection with the Balkan country's Russian spy scandal.
Trump Says Ready To Join Normandy Talks On East Ukraine Conflict RFE/RL 10 Sep 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said he isn't averse to joining talks with Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap: Step Toward Peace or False Dawn? VOA 10 Sep 2019 -- The prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia Saturday has prompted hopes that Moscow and Kyiv are ready for serious talks to end a more than five-year war in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine – a Moscow-fomented conflict that's claimed more than 13,000 lives.
Ukraine's Ombudswoman: Kyiv, Moscow Discussing 'Liberation' Of Crimean Tatars, Other Ukrainians Held In Russia RFE/RL 10 Sep 2019 -- Ukrainian and Russian officials are discussing the possible "liberation" of 113 Ukrainian nationals jailed in Russia, according to Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova.
Russian Defence Ministry Denies Reports Russian Combat Jets Delivered Strike on Idlib Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- The Russian Defence Ministry denied Reuters reports that Russian combat jets had delivered strikes on the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria thus violating the truce.
Russia: Iran's resumption of nuclear R&D poses no threat Press TV 10 Sep 2019 -- Russia says Iran's recent decision to stop observing the limits set by a 2015 nuclear deal on its nuclear research and development – known as R&D – poses no threat as Tehran is fully compliant with a safeguards agreement with the UN's nuclear watchdog.
Revealed as Fraud, CIA's 'Kremlin Spy' Fed Agency Key Intel Behind Russiagate Sputnik 11 Sep 2019 -- US media has claimed a spy placed high in the Kremlin had to be rushed out of Moscow in 2017 after US President Donald Trump endangered him by discussing intel he revealed. However, the man wasn't who US intel claimed he was, and the information he supplied, which formed the foundation of the Russiagate investigation, was just as fake.
Reports: US Had High-Level Russian Spy VOA 10 Sep 2019 -- The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had a source with high-level access to the Kremlin who played a key role in the assessment that President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign aimed at the 2016 U.S. election, The New York Times and CNN reported Monday.
CIA asset confirms Putin's order for meddling in US 2016: Report Press TV 10 Sep 2019 -- A CIA asset pulled from Russia has reportedly confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Reports: CIA Informant Who Provided Intel On Putin, Kremlin Was Extracted From Russia In 2017 RFE/RL 10 Sep 2019 -- U.S. media have reported that the CIA in 2017 extracted a Russian who provided top-secret intelligence on President Vladimir Putin, including information about alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. 2016 presidential election.
Virginia Residents Question Whether Their Neighbor Was A Russian Informant RFE/RL 10 Sep 2019 -- As U.S. and Russian officials cast doubt on the accuracy of U.S. media reports that two years ago the CIA extracted a Russian intelligence asset who allegedly provided top-secret information on President Vladimir Putin, efforts to identify the man led to an estate an hour's drive southwest of Washington, D.C.
Pompeo Says Reports US Extracted Spy From Russia Are 'Factually Wrong' Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has dismissed media reports that the United States had to extract a top covert source from inside Russia as factually wrong and inaccurate.
Kremlin Reveals Russian Official Claimed to Be CIA Spy Worked in Presidential Administration Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- CNN previously reported that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had extracted one of its agents, who allegedly spied on the Kremlin, in 2017 over purported fears for his safety.
Russian Presidential Office Says They Never Employed Suspected US Spy Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- According to CNN, the CIA extracted its source from Russia in 2017, fearing that President Donald Trump could expose him. However, both Moscow and Washington deny the report as fake.
CIA Spy Extracted From Russia Sent Information 'For Decades,' New York Times Claims Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- The extraction of an alleged source in the Kremlin left the CIA blind regarding Moscow's intentions and made recruiting new spies much harder – all thanks to the US mainstream media's unrestrained attention in 2016.
Bulgaria Charges Former Lawmaker With Spying For Russia RFE/RL 10 Sep 2019 -- Nikolai Malinov, a former parliamentary deputy from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) who now heads a pro-Russian nongovernmental organization, has been formally charged in Sofia with spying and laundering money for Russian organizations.
Ten T-80 Tanks Deployed to Russian Pacific Fleet to Bolster Marines Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- The T-80 received the nickname "flying tank" for its ability to move fast and perform stunt jumps. According to the army, the vehicles showed outstanding results during military drills in Kamchatka in 2018.
Testing of Russia's First 'Digital' Combat Helicopter to Be Completed Within Year - Military Contractor Sputnik 10 Sep 2019 -- The official testing of the first upgraded attack helicopter MI-24P-1M will be conducted in a Russian military unit within a year, a representative for the Russian Defence Ministry contractor's company KRET said.
Public Designation Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights of Vladimir Yermolayev and Stepan Tkach, Officials of the Investigative Committee in the Russian Federation US Dept. of State 10 Sep 2019 -- The Department is publicly designating Vladimir Petrovich Yermolayev, the Head of the Investigative Committee in the city of Surgut, Russia, and Stepan Vladimirovich Tkach, Senior Investigator at the Investigative Committee of Surgut, Russia, under Section 7031(c) of the FY2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to their involvement in gross violations of human rights.
Amid Widespread Fraud Claims, Russian Officials Praise 'Genuinely Competitive Elections' RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- On September 7, a group of journalists and election observers boarded a bus in Krasnoyarsk, a region of Siberia, and made their way south to Kyzyl, the capital of the neighboring Tyva Republic not far from Russia's border with Mongolia.
Weird Scenes Inside The Polling Place: Strange Delays As High-Profile United Russia Candidate Stumbled Toward Defeat RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Among the pro-Kremlin candidates to fall in Moscow's city council elections over the weekend, Andrei Metelsky was arguably the most prominent scalp collected by the opposition.
Kremlin hails prisoner swap with Ukraine as positive step Press TV 09 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin has hailed the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine as a positive step and a reason for cautious optimism on improving bilateral ties.
Macron, Putin Discuss Ukraine Conflict Before Their Defense, Foreign Ministers Meet RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron about the armed conflict in eastern Ukrainian and Iranian nuclear deal on September 8, according to the Kremlin's website.
Kremlin Sees Detainee Exchange With Ukraine As Positive Step - Spokesman Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The Kremlin sees the exchange of detainees between Russia and Ukraine as a positive step and a reason for cautious optimism on improvement in the relationship, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
Russia's United Engine Corporation Working to Replace French Ardiden 3G - Head Designer Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's United Engine Corporation is working on a replacement for a French engine Ardiden 3G that is used on Ka-62 helicopters, the company's chief designer, Yury Shmotin, said.
A New Hope? Five Takeaways From The Elections In Moscow And Elsewhere RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- The opposition is up. The ruling party is down. Incumbent governors are in. The Kremlin is worried. Aleksei Navalny's Smart Voting strategy is…smart?
Russia Accuses Facebook, Google Of Meddling In Elections RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's communications regulator has accused U.S. tech giants Google and Facebook of violating legislation prohibiting political advertising during elections.
United Russia, Putin Suffer Stinging Setback In Moscow Poll RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- Russia's ruling United Russia party, which backs President Vladimir Putin, has suffered a stinging setback in Moscow's city council elections, final preliminary results showed, suggesting a voting strategy advocated by opposition politician Aleksei Navalny may have been successful.
Russian Defence Minister Calls for 'Symmetrical Steps' in Order to Prevent Missile Arms Race in Europe Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- Lavrov Says US Prepared Missile Test Long Before Its Exit From INF Treaty
After Summer of Turmoil, Russians Hand Kremlin Election Setback VOA 09 Sep 2019 -- Russian voters handed setbacks to Kremlin-affiliated candidates in Moscow and other local elections nationwide – losses that came despite a near total ban on opposition candidates that sparked a summer of street protests and mass arrests in the capital.
France, Russia call for preserving JCPOA IRNA 09 Sep 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation called for preserving Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
French Ministers In Moscow In Bid To Rebuild Ties RFE/RL 09 Sep 2019 -- The French foreign and defense ministers have held "frank" talks with their Russian counterparts in Moscow as Paris pushes for a detente with Russia.
CIA in Damage Control Mode Over Report It Extracted Top Spy From Russia Fearing Exposure Aided by Trump Sputnik 09 Sep 2019 -- The CIA allegedly carried out the extraction mission amid fears that its asset was in imminent danger of being uncovered.
Putin, Macron Say Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap Gives Momentum For Peace Talks RFE/RL 08 Sep 2019 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin say a prisoner swap between Kyiv and Moscow has given momentum to talks on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap US Dept. of State 08 Sep 2019
UN chief welcomes prisoner exchange between the Russia and Ukraine UN News 08 Sep 2019 -- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed on Sunday, yesterday's exchange of prisoners and detainees between Russia and Ukraine.
Russian Space Agency to Test Modernized Fregat Upper Stage During Launch of Meteor Satellite in 2020 Sputnik 08 Sep 2019 -- Russian state space corporation Roscosmos will test the modernized Fregat upper stage in 2020 during the blastoff of the Meteor-M meteorological satellite No. 2-3 from the Vostochny space centre, according to materials on the government procurement website.
Russians go to polls as Putin squares up to bellicose US Press TV 08 Sep 2019 -- Russians have taken to the polls to cast their ballots in local and regional elections held at a time of a political thaw between Russia and Ukraine as well as simmering tensions with the US over the suspension of a Cold War-era treaty.
Moscow City Council In Focus As Russians Vote In Regional Elections RFE/RL 08 Sep 2019 -- Russians voted in local and regional elections that have turned into a serious test for the Kremlin, with the popularity of President Vladimir Putin and the ruling party on the wane.
Russia to Deliver S-400 to India Within 18-19 Months, Contract Already Prepaid - Official Sputnik 08 Sep 2019 -- Russia will deliver S-400 air defence systems to India in strict accordance with the schedule, within 18-19 months, and the contract has been already prepaid, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said.
China sends H-6K bombers to Russia for strategic drills Global Times 08 Sep 2019 -- Russia on Saturday held a grand welcoming ceremony upon the arrival of Chinese armed forces, including well-anticipated Type 96A tanks and H-6K bombers, for the upcoming Tsentr-2019 (Center-2019) strategic drills.
Russia's Soyuz Spacecraft With Humanoid Robot Lands in Kazakhstan Sputnik 07 Sep 2019 -- Fedor, Russia's first robot which flew to the International Space Station, returned to Earth on board the Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft, space agency Roscosmos said in the early hours of Saturday.
Russia's Voters Head to Polls Following Summer of Political Turmoil VOA 07 Sep 2019 -- Russians braced for key local elections in Moscow and St. Petersburg Sunday – as the exclusion of opposition candidates and imprisonment of anti-government demonstrators cast doubt on the legitimacy of races that analysts say Kremlin-backed candidates still risk losing.
Putin To Boost Moscow Mayor's Profile Ahead Of Key Elections RFE/RL 07 Sep 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin is expected to use a high-profile visit with Moscow's mayor to lend the ruling party public support on the eve of local and regional elections at the center of weeks of Russian street protests.
US Administration Says Not Considering Purchase of Advanced Missile Technology From Russia Sputnik 07 Sep 2019 -- The United States is not considering purchasing missile technology from Russia, a senior US administration official told Sputnik.
Russia calls Iranian actions strong signal to restore balance to JCPOA IRNA 07 Sep 2019 -- Russia's representative to international organizations in Vienna and the International Atomic Energy Agency implicitly called Iran's third step a strong signal to other members of the JCPOA to restore balance to this international agreement.
Putin Rebukes Russian Space Officials Over Troubled Far Eastern Cosmodrome RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- During a visit to the often-delayed, corruption-plagued space-launch facility in Russia's Far East, President Vladimir Putin has told officials he expects a "more responsible attitude" from them.
'Backed Into A Corner': In Negotiating Prisoner Swap With Russia, Ukraine's Zelenskiy Faces Tough Decision RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- In just over 100 days as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made good on some of his election promises. But to deliver on one major pledge -- to bring dozens of Ukrainians behind bars in Russia back home -- he must make what might be the most difficult decision of his fledgling presidency.
How A Local Vote Rocked Russia: Moscow Election Caps Summer Of Discontent RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Five years in prison for a tweet; four for repeatedly protesting; three for using pepper spray; two for pulling a policeman's arm.
U.S. Lawmakers Condemn Russia's Election 'Failure,' Crackdown Ahead Of Votes RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- Two high-ranking U.S. congressmen have condemned Russia's "failure to hold free" local elections this weekend in Moscow and St. Petersburg and "its crackdown on protesters," according to a joint statement on September 5.
Two Su-34s Collide in Sky Over Russian City of Lipetsk - Reports Sputnik 06 Sep 2019 -- During a training flight in the Lipetsk region, two Su-34 fighter-bomber planes collided; fortunately, the pilots managed to land both planes, the Russian news media outlet REN-TV reported.
China, Russia pledge to deepen military cooperation Global Times 06 Sep 2019 -- Chinese and Russian senior military officials have agreed to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries to jointly maintain global peace and stability.
Putin calls Italy's arrest of Russian executive at US request 'really bad practice' Press TV 06 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the detention of a top executive of Russia's aircraft-engine maker in Italy, which came at the request of the US on charges of espionage.
Russian Defense Executive Arrested On Charges of Stealing U.S. Trade Secrets RFE/RL 06 Sep 2019 -- A Russian defense industry executive has been arrested in Italy at the request of the United States on charges of attempting to steal trade secrets from a unit of General Electric based in Ohio.
Russian and Italian Nationals Charged with Conspiring to Steal Trade Secrets From American Aviation Company US Dept. of Justice 05 Sep 2019 -- A Russian national and an Italian national have been charged in the United States with conspiring and attempting to steal trade secrets from an American aviation company.
Russia will make missiles previously banned under INF : Putin Press TV 05 Sep 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia will develop missiles previously banned under a Cold War-era nuclear pact with the US, known as Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), but Moscow will not deploy them unless Washington does so first.
Putin: Russia To Produce Previously Banned Missiles, Deploy Them Only If U.S. Does RFE/RL 05 Sep 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia will produce missiles banned until last month when a treaty forbidding them ended but would deploy them only if the United States did.
Military Mi-8 Helicopter Crashes in Saratov Region, Russia Sputnik 05 Sep 2019 -- According to the local emergency services, the incident occurred near the town of Sokolovy, which is located 15 km from Saratov.
Moscow Weighing Boost To Iran's Oil Sector, Russian Minister Says RFE/RL 05 Sep 2019 -- Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak says Moscow is weighing efforts to boost support for embattled Iran's oil industry, which is currently the target of crippling U.S. sanctions aimed at forcing Tehran to negotiate new curbs on its nuclear and missile programs.
Russia Offers Joint Development of Submarine With Air-Independent Propulsion to India Sputnik 05 Sep 2019 -- Russia has offered to jointly design and develop submarines for the Indian Navy on the basis of an inter-governmental agreement.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, September 4, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04 Sep 2019
EU Ambassadors Extend Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine RFE/RL 04 Sep 2019 -- EU ambassadors on September 4 agreed to prolong the sanctions against 170 Russian officials and Russian-backed Ukrainian separatists as well as 44 entities by six months.
'Russia ready to invest $10bn in Iran oil sector: Minister Press TV 04 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian says Russia would be ready to invest up to $10 billion in Iran's oil industry despite American sanctions that have hampered Tehran's efforts to involve foreigners in energy projects.
Russian, Indian Leaders Meet Ahead Of Far East Economic Forum RFE/RL 04 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss investment and trade in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, where both men are attending a three-day economic forum.
Russia Military Deployments in Kurils Not Discussed at Peace Deal Talks With Japan - Moscow Sputnik 03 Sep 2019 -- Russia does not discuss possible military deployments on the Kuril Islands during its peace treaty negotiations with Japan, Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said on Tuesday.
Turkey Bracing for New Jihadi Threat VOA 03 Sep 2019 -- Thousands of jihadis are set to seek sanctuary in Turkey with Damascus' forces laying siege to Idlib, the last Syrian rebel enclave. With Damascus determined to take control of all of Syria, analysts warn it's only a matter of time before Turkey faces an exodus of not only refugees, but also the arrival of extremist fighters, posing a significant security threat to the country.
Angry Villagers, Beached Pontoons, Irradiated Flotsam: More Clues To Mysterious Russian Explosion RFE/RL 03 Sep 2019 -- At the meeting in the White Sea village of Nyonoksa, the focus of the anger was again the mysterious explosion last month at a Russian naval test range, an explosion that killed at least five people, sent a plume of radiation drifting over ? nearby city, and sent analysts from Washington to Brussels to Oslo scrambling to figure out what was going on.
Tripping Out? Finland Tightens Rules For Russians Getting Visas RFE/RL 03 Sep 2019 -- For Russians hoping to travel to Finland, the road just got a little bit more bumpy.
Russia, Mongolia Sign New Treaty To Bring Partnership To 'Whole New Level' RFE/RL 03 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Mongolian counterpart, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, have signed a permanent treaty on friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership during the Russian leader's visit to the East Asian country.
Senator Cruz Says U.S. Has Ability To Halt Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 03 Sep 2019 -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said that the United States still has the ability to halt construction of a planned pipeline to send Russian natural gas to Germany even as the project nears completion.
Sukhoi Su-25 Jet Crashes in Russia's Stavropol Region - Defence Ministry Sputnik 03 Sep 2019 -- According to the Russian military, the warplane crashed in a desolate area, causing no damage on the ground. Emergency services are currently searching for the aircraft's two pilots.
Russia to Launch Production of New Mi-171A3 Helicopter for Shelf Operations Soon Sputnik 03 Sep 2019 -- Russia will soon launch production of a new Mi-171A3 helicopter for shelf operations, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (part of Russian Helicopters) Managing Director Leonid Belykh said in an interview.
New Borei-Class Attack Submarine to Join Russian Pacific Fleet - Reports Sputnik 03 Sep 2019 -- The submarine was originally destined to operate in the Russian Northern Fleet, but the Russian Defence Ministry later changed the decision, re-tasking it to the Pacific Ocean.
Turkey May Purchase Additional Batch of Russia's S-400 if US Doesn't Sell Patriot Systems - FM Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- The Turkish Defence Ministry stated on 27 August that the second stage of deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems had begun, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noting that the deliveries would continue until the end of September.
BeiDou-GLONASS synergies will offset dominance of US GPS Global Times 02 Sep 2019 -- China and Russia will soon put in place an agreement involving their respective satellite navigation systems, aiming to promote the compatibility and interoperability of the BeiDou and GLONASS systems.
Russia To Sign Landmark Permanent Treaty With Mongolia RFE/RL 02 Sep 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign a permanent treaty on friendship and extensive strategic partnership with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga on September 3 during a two-day visit to the East Asian country, according to an interview published on the Kremlin's website.
Iran, Russia agree on further nuclear, regional cooperation IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran and Moscow will cooperate on issues related to the nuclear deal and regional security that will benefit the region.
Tehran Welcomes Russia's Concept for Persian Gulf Security - Iranian Foreign Minister Sputnik 02 Sep 2019 -- Iran welcomes Russia's initiative on Persian Gulf security and is ready to sign a non-aggression pact with its neighbours, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday.
Russia welcomes measures preventing JCPOA come to a dead-end IRNA 02 Sep 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia welcomes timely measures to prevent the JCPOA to come to a dead end.
Russia Hopes Su-35 and Su-57 Could Interest Turkey Amid F-35 Row With US Sputnik 01 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, after a visit to an air show in Russia, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Turkey may opt to buy Russia's Su-57 fifth generation fighter, instead of the F-35, after the US kicked Ankara out of the programme earlier this year.
Russia says US strikes in Syria's Idlib breached agreements Press TV 01 Sep 2019 -- The United States has carried out a number of airstrikes in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, where Russia monitors de-escalation efforts, prompting a note of protest from Moscow.
Russian Military Says US Strike in Idlib, Syria Led to Multiple Casualties, Damage Sputnik 01 Sep 2019 -- Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that the US-led coalition had conducted strikes against the leaders of an al-Qaeda*-linked militant group in Syria's Idlib province.
Russia: US Ignores Cease-Fire to Launch Strike on Idlib VOA 01 Sep 2019 -- Russia has accused the U.S. of endangering a cease-fire in the Syrian province of Idlib by conducting an airstrke there.
Russia Is The Focus As Ukrainian, Polish Presidents Meet In Warsaw RFE/RL 01 Sep 2019 -- Russia was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's main topic of discussion during his first official visit to Poland.
Russia successfully launches military satellite Global Times 01 Sep 2019 -- Russia on Friday successfully launched a military satellite from its Plesetsk cosmodrome in the northern Arkhangelsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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September 2019 - Russia Special Weapons News