October 2019 - Russia Special Weapons News

Ukrainian President Says Nord Stream 2 'Strengthens Russia' RFE/RL 31 Oct 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has used Denmark's approval for a controversial pipeline to pump more Russian gas into Europe as an occasion to reiterate Kyiv's position that the project "strengthens Russia and weakens Europe."
US Looks to Block Nord Stream 2 as Denmark Permits Route for Pipeline VOA 31 Oct 2019 -- The United States says it is still looking for ways to block a proposed natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany, after the Danish government this week cleared away one of the last legal obstacles to the project, known as Nord Stream 2.
Former CIA Chief Brennan Says Russia Changed Minds Of Voters In 2016 Presidential Election RFE/RL 31 Oct 2019 -- Former CIA Director John Brennan took findings from his country's intelligence agencies a step further by saying that at least one voter was persuaded as a result of Russia's 2016 presidential election interference machinations, but refrained from concluding that the operation influenced the vote's outcome.
NATO Chief Demands Russia Get Out Of Eastern Ukraine, Stop Supporting Separatists RFE/RL 31 Oct 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has demanded that Russia end its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine and called on it to withdraw all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
Senior U.S. Diplomat Calls Russia 'Malign Influence' That 'Occupied Ukraine' RFE/RL 31 Oct 2019 -- Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker says the citizens of both Russia and Ukraine are "paying a price" for Russia's "malign influence."
Minister: Turkey, Russia Negotiating Return of 18 Captured Syrian Soldiers VOA 31 Oct 2019 -- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday said his country is negotiating with Russia to return 18 people believed to be Syrian government troops.
Facebook Moves to Curb Russian Interference in African Politics VOA 31 Oct 2019 -- This week's takedown of Facebook and Instagram accounts that were used to interfere with African political affairs has provided new insight into the extent to which a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin is engaged in the continent, analysts say.
Turkish Defence Minister: Our Cooperation with Russia Continues Successfully Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar made a few statements before the meeting of the AKP faction in parliament, to discuss the implementation of the Sochi memorandum between Turkey and Russia.
Turkey Rejects Reports Country Close to Reaching Su-35 Deal With Russia Amid S-400 Row With US Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- Turkish media outlets earlier claimed that Moscow and Ankara were in the middle of discussions over the purchase of Su-35 warplanes, following the acquisition of S-400 missile systems that led to Turkey being kicked out of the US-led F-35 programme.
Japanese Fighter Jets Made 135 Emergency Sorties Since April Due to Russian Warplanes Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- Japanese fighter jets made no less than 135 emergency sorties from 1 April to 30 September, 2019 due to the flights of the Russian military aircraft, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said, noting that the amount of the sorties sharply decreased since the same period in 2018.
Iran, Russia condemn US military presence around oil fields in Syria Press TV 30 Oct 2019 -- Iran and Russia have lashed out at US President Donald Trump's plans to keep some American troops in Syria to seize control of the country's oil reserves.
Erdogan: Turkish-Russian Patrols Set to Begin in Syria VOA 30 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish-Russian joint military patrols will begin Friday in notheastern Syria, after the withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish fighters under an agreement between the two countries.
Erdogan Says Turkish-Russian Joint Patrols To Start In Syria RFE/RL 30 Oct 2019 -- Turkish-Russian joint patrols will start in northeast Syria on November 1, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced after the Kremlin said Syrian Kurdish fighters had withdrawn under a deal between Ankara and Moscow.
Extensive Russian submarine operation in North Atlantic: Norway Press TV 30 Oct 2019 -- The Norwegian military says Russia has dispatched 10 submarines to the North Atlantic in the largest such operation since the end of the Cold War.
Russian Nuclear Submarine Fires Intercontinental Missile For First Time RFE/RL 30 Oct 2019 -- Russia's Defense Ministry says it has test-launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from its most advanced nuclear-powered submarine for the first time, striking a target thousands of kilometers away.
Russian Submarine Knyaz Vladimir Test Fired Bulava Missile for First Time Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- The Russian Borei-class nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir carried out the first test-launch of the Bulava ballistic missile, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
Russia Deploys Podsolnukh Radar Systems to Far East, Baltic and Caspian Seas – Manufacturer Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- Russia has deployed its modern over-the-horizon radar systems, called Podsolnukh (Sunflower), to the Far East as well as the Baltic Sea and the Caspian Sea, director-general of the system's manufacturer (the Scientific and Research Institute for Long-Distance Radio Communications) Kirill Makarov explained.
Denmark Allows Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Through Its Territorial Waters RFE/RL 30 Oct 2019 -- Denmark has granted Russia's state-controlled energy company Gazprom permission to build a controversial gas export pipeline through Danish waters.
Facebook Says Russian Disinformation Campaigns Targeted Africa RFE/RL 30 Oct 2019 -- Facebook says it has taken down three networks of nearly 200 accounts that attempted to interfere in the domestic affairs of eight African countries, and were linked to a Kremlin-connected businessman accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Facebook Deletes 35 Accounts, 53 Pages and 5 Instagram Accounts Made in Russia and Targeting Africa Sputnik 30 Oct 2019 -- US social networking giant Facebook announced earlier in October that it was working to make its pages more transparent by showing the confirmed owners of social media accounts, labelling state-controlled media information and making it easier for users to distinguish political advertisements.
Facebook Removes 3 Russian Networks It Says Engaged in Foreign Interference in Africa VOA 30 Oct 2019 -- Less than a week after the Africa-Russia Summit, Facebook has suspended three networks of Russian accounts it says were engaging in foreign interference in Africa.
Bulgaria Declines Visa For Incoming Russian Defense Attache After Expelling Envoy For Spying RFE/RL 30 Oct 2019 -- Bulgaria has denied a long-term visa to the incoming Russian defense attache on October 30, a day after expelling a Russian diplomat on suspicion of espionage.
Cuban Leader Hails Russian Support During Meeting With Putin RFE/RL 29 Oct 2019 -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has praised Moscow for its support in an increasingly bitter standoff between Havana and Washington during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin outside Moscow.
U.S., Russia, China and Pakistan Joint Statement on Peace in Afghanistan US Dept. of State 28 Oct 2019 -- The text of the following statement was cooperatively released by the Governments of the United States of America, Russia, China, and Pakistan on the occasion of the joint meetings on Afghanistan, held in Moscow on October 24 – 25, 2019.
Russia Expects Kurdish Militia to Pullout From Turkish Border on Time - Russian Envoy to Syria Sputnik 29 Oct 2019 -- Russia is hoping that Kurdish militants in Syria will be able to withdraw its forces from the border zone with Turkey on time, Russian special envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev said on Monday.
Fresh EU-Russia-Ukraine Gas Talks To Take Place In Brussels RFE/RL 28 Oct 2019 -- The ongoing Ukrainian-Russian geopolitical tussle once again enters the realm of energy as trilateral gas-transit talks are set to resume in Brussels on October 28 between Moscow and Kyiv.
Russian Military Police Announce Pullout of Kurdish Forces From Syrian-Turkish Border Sputnik 28 Oct 2019 -- The formerly US-backed militia previously struck a deal with Damascus, handing control over several cities to the Syrian Arab Army, but Ankara insisted that they could not remain near the Turkish border.
Microsoft Says Russian Cybercriminals Targeting Sports, Anti-Doping Organizations RFE/RL 28 Oct 2019 -- Microsoft has said that a Russian cybercriminal group has again been targeting sports organizations and anti-doping authorities for attacks.
Russia seeking to bolster Africa presence through military, economic cooperation Press TV 28 Oct 2019 -- Russia – a major defense partner and arms supplier to African countries – has recently stepped up a drive to gain more influence in and restore its Soviet-era ties with the resource-rich continent.
Russian Diplomat Leaves Bulgaria Amid Spying Accusations RFE/RL 28 Oct 2019 -- A Russian diplomat has left Bulgaria after the Eastern European country's prosecutor launched an investigation into potential spying operations.
From Stasi To Bellingcat: Former East German Agent Turns Investigative Reporter RFE/RL 28 Oct 2019 -- Bellingcat researcher Timmi Allen zooms in on Google Earth to a Berlin police station where he once worked for East Germany's feared secret police -- the Stasi.
Trump Reportedly Signs Document Signalling US' Intention to Withdraw From Open Skies Treaty Sputnik 27 Oct 2019 -- The yet-unconfirmed move would mark yet another blow to the framework of confidence building measures that were put in place in the immediate aftermath of the cold war.
Report: Trump Signs Document Moving U.S. Closer To Leaving Open Skies Accord RFE/RL 27 Oct 2019 -- The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a document signaling his administration's intent to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, the latest in a series of major arms control and disarmament accords that are on the verge of collapse.
Russian Ambassador to US Vows Retaliation if Missiles Covered in INF Treaty Deployed in Europe Sputnik 27 Oct 2019 -- The ambassador called the situation "the most dangerous possibility regarding INF [treaty]," adding that this possibility will demand that Russia responds accordingly.
Russian Military Police in Syria Receive Dozens of Armored Vehicles - Defence Ministry Sputnik 27 Oct 2019 -- The Russian Defence Ministry delivered dozens of Tigr and Typhoon-U armored vehicles to the military police at the Khmeymim Air Base in Syria, the ministry's press service said.
Russian Military Police Patrol Syrian-Turkish Border Area Near Qamishlo - Commander Sputnik 26 Oct 2019 -- Russia's military police carried out patrols near Qamishlo, the largest city in northeastern Syria located close to the Turkish border, Ivan Volgin, the commander of the military police unit stationed there, said in the wake of Russian-Turkish agreement to hold joined patrols in the area.
Convicted Russian Agent Butina Arrives In Moscow After Release From U.S. Prison RFE/RL 26 Oct 2019 -- Convicted Russian agent Maria Butina has arrived in Moscow, a day after she was released from a U.S. prison where she was being held on charges of acting as an unregistered foreign agent in the United States.
'Russian Agent' Maria Butina Heads Home VOA 26 Oct 2019 -- For some she was the spy who wasn't - just an eager Russian gun-rights enthusiast keen to improve relations between Russia and America, who was turned into a scapegoat by vengeful U.S. counterintelligence agencies.
Lavrov Says Decision To Come 'Soon' On Pardon For Norwegian Convicted Of Spying RFE/RL 26 Oct 2019 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a decision "will come soon" on whether to pardon a Norwegian man convicted of espionage and sentenced in April to 14 years in prison.
Rwanda Joins African Countries Signing Nuclear Deals with Russia VOA 25 Oct 2019 -- Rwanda is the latest African country to sign a nuclear deal with Russian state atomic company Rosatom. But the deals between Russia and several African countries are raising concerns from environmentalists who say nuclear energy is not always clean and does not come free.
CAR Needs More Arms Deliveries From Russia to Properly Accomplish Army Mission - President Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Russian Business Welcome to Invest in CAR, Country Has Much to Offer
Serbian President Confirms Buying Russia's Pantsir-S Missile System, Delivery Expected Soon Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry said it had dispatched its S-400 and Pantsir-S missile systems to Serbia to participate in their first-ever military drills abroad.
Serbia Thanks Russia For 'Dramatically Boosting' Its Military RFE/RL 25 Oct 2019 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has praised Russia for sending sophisticated antiaircraft missiles to joint air defense drills.
Pakistan, China, Russia, US Agree to Meet for New Afghan Talks - Diplomat Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Envoys from Pakistan, China, Russia and the United States "categorically" agreed at Afghan consultations in Moscow on Friday that the US-Taliban talks should be resumed, Pakistani Additional Foreign Secretary Muhemmed Aejaz revealed.
Russia Hosts 4-Nation Afghan Peace Talks, China to Set Up Intra-Afghan Conference VOA 25 Oct 2019 -- Russia, China and Pakistan have called for an early resumption of negotiations between the United States and the Taliban to reach an agreement about ending the war in Afghanistan.
Russia says all US troops must leave Syria as Pentagon plans to keep them Press TV 25 Oct 2019 -- Russia has called for the withdrawal of all US troops whom it sees as illegitimately deployed to Syria amid reports that the Pentagon plans to send additional troops into northeastern Syria.
More Russian Military Police Arrive In Syria After Moscow-Ankara Deal RFE/RL 25 Oct 2019 -- Russia says some 300 of its military police have arrived in Syria to patrol the Turkish border area, following an accord between Moscow and Ankara that extended a pause in the Turkish military operation aimed at driving Kurdish fighters away from the area.
Moscow on US Idea to Deploy 500 More Troops to Syria: Washington Sending Mixed Signals Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, the US Defence Department has drawn up a plan to send hundreds of soldiers and a tank battalion to guard oil fields in eastern Syria.
About 300 Additional Russian Military Police Arrive in Syria - Defense Ministry Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Some 300 Russian military police personnel have arrived in Syria to help pullout Kurdish militia from the border with Turkey, the Russian Defence Ministry said Friday.
West's hacking allegations aimed at 'driving a wedge' between Iran, Russia: Moscow Press TV 25 Oct 2019 -- Russia has dismissed a report by Western media this week that Russian hackers had used Iranian computer infrastructure to attack dozens of countries across the world.
The Week In Russia: Let Me Tell You About Ukraine, Mr. President RFE/RL 25 Oct 2019 -- First Bush, then Trump: Vladimir Putin has badmouthed Ukraine to a U.S. leader for at least the second time in his long rule, reports say, poisoning the well in a phone call with President Donald Trump back in May.
Russia Will Take NATO's Increased Presence in Norway Into Account in Its Military Planning - Lavrov Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- This comes amid Norway's latest moves to increase its defence budget to meet NATO's 2% of GDP spending target.
US' Withdrawal From INF May Trigger Arms Race in Europe, Asia - Russian Defence Minister Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- Washington's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) may trigger an arms race both in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.
Convicted Russian Agent Butina Released From U.S. Prison, To Be Deported RFE/RL 25 Oct 2019 -- Maria Butina, the Russian gun-rights activist convicted in the United States for acting as an unregistered foreign agent, was released after serving more than 15 months in a Florida prison and is expected to be immediately deported to Russia.
Foreign Intelligence Service Curbing Attempts to Drop Russian Role in Global Affairs - Head Sputnik 25 Oct 2019 -- The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) is counteracting foreign attempts to diminish Russia's role in the international arena as well as attempts to undermine its stability and economy, SVR head Sergey Naryshkin told the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper.
Russia deploys S-400 missile system to Serbia for its first ever drill abroad: Video Press TV 24 Oct 2019 -- Russia has deployed a battalion of its advanced S-400 missile defense systems to Serbia to be used in a joint military drill in the Balkan country, the first time Moscow uses the state-of-the-art air defense interceptors "on the territory of a foreign state", the Russian defense ministry says.
Vucic Confirms Presence Of Russian S-400 Missile Systems In Serbia RFE/RL 24 Oct 2019 -- Serbia's president has confirmed that Russian S-400 and Pantsir-S air-defense missile systems are participating in joint Serbian-Russian military exercises.
Kurdish-led SDF militant group thanks Russia for defusing Turkey's Syria incursion Press TV 24 Oct 2019 -- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militant group has thanked Moscow for striking a deal with Ankara, which ended a Turkish offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, welcoming the deployment of Russian and Syrian troops to the border regions as part of the agreement.
Russia to deploy more military policemen, equipment to Syria Press TV 24 Oct 2019 -- A Russian official says the country will send more military policemen and equipment to Syria under a deal with Turkey that suspended the offensive against Kurdish militants along the border.
Roscosmos Agrees to Reschedule Progress Cargo Craft Launch Following Request From NASA Sputnik 24 Oct 2019 -- Despite tensions between Moscow and Washington on issues ranging from NATO's eastward expansion to the US's recent withdrawal from a key strategic arms treaty, the Russian and US space agencies have continued to enjoy close cooperation, with NASA astronauts continuing to use Russian Soyuz shuttles to get to the International Space Station.
Russia to Continue Strengthening Africa's Stability, Ensuring Regional Security - Putin Sputnik 24 Oct 2019 -- Russia will continue its effort toward international strategic policy for strengthening Africa's stability and ensuring regional security, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at the Russia-Africa Summit.
Russia Deploys S-400, Pantsir-S Missile Systems to Serbia for First Drills Abroad - Defence Ministry Sputnik 24 Oct 2019 -- In September, Moscow and Belgrade held joint drills dubbed "Slavic Shield-2019", involving S-400s and Pantsir-S systems, at the Ashuluk testing area in southern Russia.
Deliveries of 8 Russian SU-30K Fighter Jets to Angola Completed - Defence Cooperation Chief Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia has completed its delivery of SU-30K fighter jets to Angola, Dmitry Shugaev, the director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, said on Wednesday.
Russia, Nigeria Sign Deal for Delivery of 12 MI-35 Attack Helicopters Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Nigerian Ambassador to Russia Steve Davies Ugbah earlier said that Russia had already delivered six Mi-35M attack helicopters to Nigeria under the contract, while the ways of securing the delivery of the remaining six were being discussed.
Moscow in talks with Ankara to clinch new S-400 deal, Russia says Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- A high-ranking Russian military figure says Moscow has completed the deliveries of batteries of the advanced Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems to Ankara, and that a new deal is under discussion.
Report: Turkey, Russia In Talks About More S-400 Sales RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Turkey is discussing buying more S-400 missile-defense systems from Moscow, according to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, despite Washington's repeated warnings against such a move.
Trump hails Russia-Turkey safe zone in northern Syria Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has hailed the safe zone in northern Syria established by Russia and Turkey in the wake of US withdrawal from the Kurdish-controlled region.
Russia: US almost forcing Syria Kurds to confront Turkey Press TV 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia says the United States appears to be encouraging Kurdish militants in Syria to stay close to Turkey's border in defiance of a new Moscow-Ankara deal and keep fighting with the Turkish military, warning the Kurds to either leave those areas or be mauled by the Turks.
Moscow Demands US Stop Occupation of Al-Tanf Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The US established a military base 24 km west of the al-Tanf border crossing in the Syrian desert back in 2016 and used it to train local anti-government militants, who also fought against the Daesh terror group.
Moscow Accuses US of Abandoning Kurds in Syria, Forcing Them to Fight Turkey Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Days before Turkey launched its operation in Syria on 9 October, the United States announced its intention to pull out its military service members from the country. The move has been widely condemned as a "betrayal” of the US-allied Kurds.
Russian Forces Arrive In Syria's Kobani After Moscow-Ankara Deal RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia says a convoy of its military police has crossed the Euphrates River and entered the Syrian border town of Kobani to start patrols under a new agreement with Turkey.
Russian Military Police Begin Patrolling Northeast of Syria's Manbij Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- The Russian military police deployed in the Syrian province of Aleppo have begun patrolling northeast of the town of Manbij, a police representative told reporters.
Russia to Launch New Angara Carrier Rocket in 2024 – Space Research Centre Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia's new Angara-A5M carrier rocket is expected to be launched from the Vostochny space centre in 2024, the chief designer at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre said.
Putin Hosts Sochi Summit As Russia Races For Influence In Africa RFE/RL 23 Oct 2019 -- President Vladimir Putin says Russia will aim to at least double trade with Africa over the next five years as he hosted dozens of African leaders in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Russian Fighter Jet Escorted US B-52H Bomber That Approached Country's Border - Defence Ministry Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- This is not the first time the aircraft of this type have approached the Russian border. In March, a B-52H performed a simulated bombing of a Russian naval base in the Baltic Sea, while two other bombers flew over the Kaliningrad region. The incident forced the Russian military to dispatch its fighter jets into the sky.
Five Countries That May Seek to Procure Russia's State-of-the-Art Armata Tank Revealed Sputnik 23 Oct 2019 -- Russia's advanced T-14 Armata tank, first unveiled to the public in 2015, is a next-generation combat vehicle that has an unmanned remote-controlled turret, while the crew is protected by an armoured capsule. Its weapons include a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon and a 7.62-mm remote-controlled machine gun.
Russia Seeks Stronger, More Positive Ties to Africa at Sochi Summit VOA 23 Oct 2019 -- Dozens of African officials and business leaders will gather in Sochi, Russia, this week for a two-day summit designed to bolster relations between the Russian Federation and all 54 African nations.
RCC "Progress" JSC held a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council on a preliminary design of a superheavy class launch vehicle samspace.ru 22 Oct 2019 -- On October 18, the Progress Rocket and Space Center hosted a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council for the consideration of materials for a draft design of a superheavy class carrier rocket (LV STK).
Russia Sets Out Conditions for Maritime Border Talks with Ukraine Sputnik 22 Oct 2019 -- Crimea reunited with Russia after nearly 96 percent of voters supported the move in a March 2014 referendum. Moscow has repeatedly stated that Crimea's residents decided to rejoin Russia through a democratic procedure, and that the referendum was conducted in compliance with international law.
Putin, Erdogan Did Not Discuss Purchase of Russian Jets or New S-400s - Military Cooperation Service Sputnik 22 Oct 2019 -- Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 systems in December 2017. The deliveries kicked off in mid-summer. Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 prompted the US to suspend Ankara's participation in the F-35 joint strike fighter programme.
Erdogan Meets Putin, Doubles Down on Anti-Kurd Offensive VOA 22 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to plot military strategy along Turkey's Syrian border, with Erdogan vowing to resume his offensive against Kurdish fighters if they do not leave the region before a cease-fire expires in hours.
Russian Helicopters Land at Former US Military Base in Northern Syria Sputnik 22 Oct 2019 -- The American forces had to abandon their facility at the destroyed airfield as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) left the area amid intense clashes with the Turkish Army this month.
Turkey, Russia agree to remove Kurdish militants from NE Syria, launch joint patrols Press TV 22 Oct 2019 -- Russia and Turkey have reached a deal to establish a safe zone long sought by Ankara in northern Syria, which will see Kurdish militants operating in the region removed to beyond 30 kilometers from the Turkish border.
Erdogan, Putin hold talks as withdrawal deadline for Syria Kurds draws near Press TV 22 Oct 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as a deadline draws near for Kurdish militants to withdraw from Syria's northern border areas near Turkey or face a renewed military offensive.
Russia, Turkey Decide On Joint Syria Patrols After Putin-Erdogan Meeting RFE/RL 22 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have made "momentous" decisions regarding Ankara's military offensive in northeast Syria, with both sides saying they had agreed to conduct joint military patrols in the tense region.
Critics Warn Of A Backslide After Putin Reshuffles Human Rights Council RFE/RL 22 Oct 2019 -- Amid uproar over their ouster from President Vladimir Putin's Human Rights Council, several Russian rights activists have warned of a backslide on political freedoms in the wake of a major reshuffle that leaves the advisory body shorn of its most critical voices.
South Korea and Japan Scrambled Fighters for Escorting Russia's Tu-95MS Bombers Sputnik 22 Oct 2019 -- Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers made scheduled flights over the neutral waters of the Japan, Yellow and East China seas, South Korea and Japan scrambled fighter jets to escort them, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
For Putin, All Conspiracy Theories Lead to the West VOA 22 Oct 2019 -- Apparently persuaded by groundless conspiracy theories of foreign meddling, the Kremlin and Russia's security agencies seem impervious to calls for them to adopt a more relaxed approach to their critics and opposition groups.
Submariners fired an Incomplete Program Vedomosti 21 Oct 2019 -- During the Thunder-2019 strategic command-and-staff exercise, the final stage of which was personally led by Russian President Vladimir Putin, an emergency occurred, two people close to the Defense Ministry told Vedomosti.
Putin, Erdogan to Discuss Situation in Syria in Context of Offensive on 22 October - Kremlin Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Putin, Sisi to Discuss Russia-Egypt Charter Flights Resumption 23 October
Russia Will Back Possibility to Amend Syria-Turkey Adana Pact If Sides Deem Necessary - Lavrov Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Earlier in the day, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed that Syrian Kurds had begun leaving the country's safe zones, though they continue to violate a ceasefire regime.
Russian Military Registers 18 Truce Violations in 4 Syrian Provinces Over Past 24 Hours Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The Russian military has registered 18 episodes of fighting in Syria over the past 24 hours, with militants attacking settlements in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama and Idlib, Major General Aleksey Bakin, the head of the Russian reconciliation centre for Syria, said.
Facebook Suspends Russian Instagram Accounts Targeting U.S. Voters RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Facebook says it has suspended a series of Instagram accounts originating in Russia whose operators posed as people inside the United States that targeted Americans with divisive political messages ahead of next year's presidential election.
Facebook Unveils Policies to Protect 2020 US Elections VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Facebook on Monday said it will apply lessons learned from America's 2016 election to prevent manipulation of its platforms in the 2020 presidential contest.
Russian MoD Dismisses Reports About 'Abnormal Situation' During Grom Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- Ballistic and cruise missiles were fired as part of the Grom (Thunder) 2019 strategic exercises led by Russian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, the Defence Ministry said on 17 October.
US May Deploy INF-Banned Missiles in Pacific Rim to Incite Tensions - Russia's Shoigu Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- There is a chance that the United States may deploy in the Pacific Rim its short-medium and intermediate missiles, previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), as a provocation, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.
New START Treaty Should be Extended Even if It Needs to be Revised - Russian Defence Minister Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) was signed between Russia and the United States in April 2010 to replace an old nuclear armaments treaty.
Containment of China, Russia True Reason Behind US INF Treaty Withdrawal - Russian Defence Minister Sputnik 21 Oct 2019 -- The restoring of Russia's defence potential, the growing power of China and the expansion of military-technical cooperation between the two powers forced the United States to unilaterally withdraw from the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Monday.
Russian defense chief says US' Indo-Pacific strategy would hurt Asia-Pacific multilateral cooperation Global Times 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Monday questioned the Trump administration's Indo-Pacific strategy at the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, saying that it would undermine the multilateral cooperation system in the Asia-Pacific region.
Putin Looks To Summit For Leg Up In Race For Influence In Africa RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi this week as he looks to gain an edge in the race against other world powers to increase influence in Africa.
Guns, Mercenaries, Minerals - Russia Embraces Africa VOA 21 Oct 2019 -- Russia has been busy on the African continent in recent years. Russian officials acknowledged Russians were on board an Antonov An-72 transport which crashed last week in a remote Congolese forest.
Putin Pushes Critical Voices Out Of Russia's Human Rights Council RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a major reshuffle of the Human Rights Council, including its chief and others seen as supportive of recent anti-government protests.
Russia says it missed OPEC+ oil production target last month Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- Russian authorities say they have missed a target for curbing daily production of oil set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers, a grouping known as OPEC+, citing preparations for winter months as a main reason.
Czech Intel Chief Says Russian Spy Network Was Meant For Cyberattacks RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- The head of the Czech counterintelligence service says a Russian espionage network that his agency dismantled last year was meant to be used for cyberattacks against the Czech Republic and its foreign allies.
Russian Hackers Hijacked Iranian Group To Hide While Launching Attacks RFE/RL 21 Oct 2019 -- British and U.S. intelligence agencies say Russian hackers hijacked Iran-based cyberspy groups to attack dozens of countries and organizations while pretending to be Iranian.
Estonia To Consider Early Release of Ex-Defense Official Who Spied For Russia RFE/RL 20 Oct 2019 -- A former high-ranking Estonian defense official convicted of spying for Russia may be released early from prison when a court on October 29 is expected to rule on the matter.
Medvedev: Serbia To Sign Trade Deal With Moscow-Led Economic Union RFE/RL 19 Oct 2019 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visited the Serbian capital on October 19, observing a military parade and addressing a special session of the Serbian parliament.
Russia says new deal to supply air defense systems to Turkey highly likely Press TV 19 Oct 2019 -- Russia says it is highly likely that Moscow will sign a new contract with Turkey to supply its military with Russian air defense missile systems.
Turkey May Buy More Russian Air Defence Systems Following S-400 Delivery Sputnik 19 Oct 2019 -- There is a high chance that Russia may get a new contract to deliver air defence systems to Turkey, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said on Saturday.
Russia's response to NATO build-up could be both political, military: Premier Medvedev Press TV 19 Oct 2019 -- Russia views with alarm NATO's expansion toward its western border and it will make not only a political response but a military one as well if need be, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said.
Clinton under attack from Stein, Gabbard, Trump over her 2020 stance Press TV 19 Oct 2019 -- Former 2016 Green Party presidential Jill Stein has lashed out at Hillary Clinton for suggesting that she is a foreign spy.
Hillary Clinton Suggests Democratic Candidate Is 'Favorite Of The Russians' RFE/RL 19 Oct 2019 -- Democrat Hillary Clinton, who lost the presidential election to Donald Trump in 2016, suggested that Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is "the favorite of the Russians" and described 2016 Green Party candidate Jill Stein as "a Russian asset."
"Russian Agent" Gabbard Urges "Queen of Warmongers" Clinton to Face Off With Her Directly in 2020 Sputnik 19 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, two-time Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton intimated that 2020 Democratic contender Tulsi Gabbard and former Green Party candidate Jill Stein were "Russian assets."
'Queen of Warmongers': Tulsi Gabbard Slams Hillary Clinton Over Russian 'Grooming' Claims Sputnik 19 Oct 2019 -- Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard fired back at 2016 failed presidential contender Hillary Clinton on Friday, hours after news surfaced that Clinton had implied that Russians were "grooming" the Hawaii representative ahead of the 2020 election.
Russia's Response to NATO Bases Will Not be Limited to Political Steps - Medvedev Sputnik 19 Oct 2019 -- Moscow will respond politically and "in the military sense" to NATO's drive to deploy military bases near the Russian borders as it threatens the country's national security, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
Russia test launches nuclear capable missile systems in Arctic drill Press TV 18 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has observed live launches of intercontinental ballistic missile systems that can carry thermo-nuclear warheads during a military drill across the country's arctic region.
The Week In Russia: 2019 In The Middle East, 1938 Back Home? RFE/RL 18 Oct 2019 -- As headlines proclaim Russian President Vladimir Putin the Middle East's new "overlord" and the go-to guy for the region, a report about hospital bombings in Syria provides a chilling backstory. Meanwhile, at home, opposition politician Aleksei Navalny says the state campaign against his operations across Russia smacks of 1938.
Clinton Calls Gabbard a Russian Manchurian Candidate as Tulsi Slams DNC, Media Over Debate 'Rigging' Sputnik 18 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, the Hawaii congresswoman accused CNN and the New York Times of "despicable" attempts to "smear" her over her opposition to what she described as the US's "regime-change war" in Syria.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 17, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 17 Oct 2019
Moscow Launched Ballistic, Cruise Missiles During Thunder 2019 Strategic Drills - Russian MoD Sputnik 17 Oct 2019 -- Ballistic and cruise missile launches were held as part of the Thunder-2019 strategic exercises led by Russian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin, the Defence Ministry said.
Analysts: Russia Saying One Thing, Doing Another VOA 17 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is presenting himself as a peacemaker in the Middle East, the go-to arbiter to whom all regional leaders can turn to, secure in the knowledge that he considers incumbency a good thing and regime change bad, analysts say. When it comes to neighboring Ukraine, though, the picture is different.
Russian Duma Commission Accuses Foreign Media Of Breaking Election Law RFE/RL 17 Oct 2019 -- A Russian parliamentary committee has accused six foreign-registered and funded media outlets of violating the country's election law before and during last month's elections to regional and local councils.
Russia Protests After U.S. Diplomats Found Near Restricted Area RFE/RL 17 Oct 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry says it will issue a formal note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow after Russian authorities caught three U.S. diplomats in a restricted area near a secret test site in northern Russia, state-run news agency TASS has reported.
US Diplomats Were Not Detained in Severodvinsk - Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 17 Oct 2019 -- Estonian Interior Minister Mart Helme said Thursday he was concerned that big NATO partners looked elsewhere as cooperation within the alliance came to a standstill.
US Has Recently Assisted Foiling Terror Attacks in Russia by Providing Info - Russia's FSB Sputnik 17 Oct 2019 -- The United States has recently shared with Moscow information about terrorist attacks being prepared in Russia, thus helping to thwart them, the head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, said on Thursday.
Turkey Expects Russia to Complete S-400 Deliveries by End of Year - President Erdogan Vows to Retaliate for 'Unacceptable' US Sanctions, Threats Over Syria Op Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- The last stage of Russia's deliveries of S-400 air defence systems to Turkey is expected to be completed in November-December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.
Moscow Warns Turkey to Limit Syria Offensive VOA 16 Oct 2019 -- Russians officials urged Turkey to limit the duration and scale of its cross-border military incursion into northeast Syria, stressing Turkish troops must at all costs avoid clashing with Syrian government forces, which have moved north and are racing to take over Kurdish border towns ahead of the Turks.
Total of 39 Terrorist Attacks Foiled in Russia in 2019, Federal Security Service Reveals Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Since the beginning of the year, Russian law enforcement agencies have foiled 39 terrorist attacks and eliminated 49 terrorist cells, whose members had planned to carry out attacks in various regions of the country, Alexander Bortnikov, the Director of Russian Federal Security Service, said.
Three U.S. Diplomats Taken Off Train, Briefly Detained Near Sensitive Russian Site RFE/RL 16 Oct 2019 -- Three U.S. diplomats have been removed from a train and briefly questioned by Russian authorities in the sensitive Arctic shipyard city of Severodvinsk, near the site of a mysterious explosion in August that killed five nuclear workers.
US Embassy Says Diplomats Accused of Violating Rules of Stay in Russia Filled Out Required Papers Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Earlier, three employees of the US Embassy in Russia were removed from a train at the Severodvinsk station in Russia's Arkhangelsk region after allegedly attempting to enter a restricted area without permission.
Russian Court Cuts Prison Term Of Ukrainian Jailed For Spying RFE/RL 15 Oct 2019 -- The Russian Supreme Court has cut the prison term of a Ukrainian man who had been sentenced in Russian-occupied Crimea on espionage charges.
Russia's Supreme Court Upholds 14-Year Prison Sentences For 'Ukrainian Saboteurs' RFE/RL 15 Oct 2019 -- Russia's Supreme Court has upheld 14-year prison sentences handed down to two Ukrainian men for plotting sabotage in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia Vows To Prevent Clashes Between Syrian, Turkish Armies RFE/RL 15 Oct 2019 -- Russia says it won't allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces as Turkey pressed its offensive against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
Russia, Damascus Ensure Safe Pullout of Foreign Troops From Syria's North-East Sputnik 15 Oct 2019 -- The Russian military and the Syrian authorities have taken the necessary measures to ensure the safe withdrawal of foreign troops from northeastern Syria as the evacuation of US servicemen continues, the Russian centre for Syrian reconciliation said Tuesday.
Russia's Putin visits Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions Press TV 15 Oct 2019 -- In his first visit to Saudi Arabia in over a decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin has exchanged views with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on a number of sensitive regional issues as well as military and technical cooperation.
Russia Boosts Economic Ties With U.A.E. During Putin's Visit RFE/RL 15 Oct 2019 -- Russia has signed deals worth more than a billion dollars with the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), President Vladimir Putin said as he wrapped up his tour of the Persian Gulf during which he also courted Saudi investments.
Across Russia, Police Raid Offices Of Foundation Run By Kremlin Foe Navalny RFE/RL 15 Oct 2019 -- Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny says Russian law enforcement officers have raided 30 offices of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in cities across the country.
Searches Related to Money Laundering Case Against Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation Underway Across Russia Sputnik 15 Oct 2019 -- Earlier this month, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) founded by Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was included in the foreign agents' list after Russian police searched the apartments of regional coordinators and activists linked with the organisation.
China-Russia missile defense cooperation needed Global Times 14 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 3 spoke of helping "Chinese partners create a missile attack warning system" at the final plenary session of the 16th meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia. The "big secret" has drawn attention of international media due to not only the way Putin revealed it but also the context in which it was revealed.
Moscow, Riyadh Vow To Develop 'Friendly' Ties During Putin's Visit RFE/RL 14 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince in Riyadh as Moscow seeks to increase its presence across the Mideast.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, President of Russian Federation, Witness Saudi-Russian Energy Partnership Event, Co-signing Cooperation Charter, Exchanging Agreements' Ceremonies SPA 14 Oct 2019 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin witnessed here today, the Saudi-Russian Energy Partnership Event, for co-signing of the cooperation charter and exchanging agreements between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Hold Talks with President of the Russian Federation SPA 14 Oct 2019 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held official talks with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
HRH Crown Prince, Russian President Hold Official Talks SPA 14 Oct 2019 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and the visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin, held official talks here today.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Russian President SPA 14 Oct 2019 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh today President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.
HRH Crown Prince and Russian President Co-Chair 1st Meeting of the Saudi-Russian Economic Committee SPA 14 Oct 2019 -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation co-chaired here today the 1st meeting of the Saudi-Russian Economic Committee, in the presence of the delegations of the two countries.
Putin urges U.S. to support extending nuclear arms reduction treaty People's Daily 14 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States that refusing to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) would bring more danger and uncertainties to world security, the Kremlin said Sunday.
Russia Readies Major Strategic-Missile-Forces Drills RFE/RL 14 Oct 2019 -- Russia says it will test its Strategic Missile Forces this week in a three-day exercise set to include ballistic and cruise missiles fired from the land, sea, and air.
Russian Army to Launch Cruise & Ballistic Missiles During Drills on 15-17 October - Defence Ministry Sputnik 14 Oct 2019 -- According to the Russian Defence Ministry, 12,000 servicemen, 213 launch facilities, strategic aviation, and surface vessels will take part in a three-day military exercise that kicks off on Tuesday.
Russia Turns the Screws on Internet Freedom VOA 14 Oct 2019 -- New legislation likely to be introduced next month in Russia's Duma, or lower chamber of parliament, would see tighter restrictions on the internet and on computers, tablets and other devices used to access the internet.
Putin Makes First Visit to Saudi Arabia Since 2007 VOA 14 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin received a cordial welcome Monday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where his limousine was escorted from the airport to the royal palace by a royal horse guard. Both Putin and Saudi King Salman spoke of improving trade ties, and emphasized that their relationship would not be at the expense of their allies and partners.
Russian Wedding Photos Highlight Novichok Suspect's Security Ties RFE/RL 14 Oct 2019
Putin Heads to Saudi Arabia, Offers Himself as Peacemaker VOA 13 Oct 2019 -- Russian leader Vladimir Putin travels to Saudi Arabia, a traditional U.S. ally, Monday, offering to act as a peacemaker between Riyadh and Tehran in a diplomatic offensive aimed at balancing Moscow's relations across the Middle East.
Caspian Sea States Sign Memorandum on Military Cooperation Sputnik 12 Oct 2019 -- In early October, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law ratifying the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, establishing rules for maritime navigation in the sea and distributing the seabed and subsoil between the five Caspian nations on the basis of international law.
Syria Should Be Cleared of Any Foreign Military Presence - Putin Sputnik 12 Oct 2019 -- Earlier this week, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring in Syria's north, targeting the predominantly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Daesh terrorists.
Putin says neighbors should respect Iran's interests as an established power Press TV 12 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Arab countries and others in the Middle East and in the Persian Gulf to begin to recognize Iran's rights as a traditional regional power.
U.S. Concludes White Sea Radiation Explosion Came During Russian Nuclear-Missile Recovery RFE/RL 12 Oct 2019 -- A State Department official says the United States has concluded that a mysterious explosion that occurred at a Russian naval test range in the White Sea in August occurred amid an operation to recover a nuclear-powered missile that had apparently crashed during a test.
Russian Navy Tracks US Destroyer Porter Upon Latter's Entry to Black Sea - Military Sputnik 12 Oct 2019 -- Three vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have taken the Porter destroyer of the US Navy under escort after the latter had entered the Black Sea's southern waters, the Russian National Centre for State Defence Control said on Saturday.
Putin Says Russia to Develop Missile Strike Systems Able to Penetrate Any Missile Defense Sputnik 12 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russia will be working on missile strike systems that would be able to surpass any missile defence system in the world.
Putin Questions Zelenskiy's 'Will' To Ensure Pullback In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 11 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of lacking the "political will" to ensure a pullback of heavy weaponry in eastern Ukraine, in a swipe at the leadership in Kyiv amid recent signs of possible progress toward ending a five-year conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists.
Putin Claims U.S. 'Deliberately' Ignoring Missile Offer, Goads U.S. Allies RFE/RL 11 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States and NATO of intentionally ignoring Moscow's offer of a moratorium on the deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
Russia Used $50 U.S.-Based Donation To Help Brand Navalny Foundation 'Foreign Agent' RFE/RL 11 Oct 2019 -- A Russian citizen living in Florida says he donated $50 to an opposition politician seeking to run for a Moscow city-council seat.
Attempts to Create Tensions at Russian Borders Not Welcome - Putin on NATO Drills Sputnik 11 Oct 2019 -- Earlier in the day, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia have to work on ensuring their national security during NATO's upcoming large-scale military drills near the Belarusian border.
Putin: US Invented Pretext to Withdraw From INF Treaty Over Concerns With Asian Region Sputnik 11 Oct 2019 -- The US formally withdrew from the 1987 agreement on 2 August, months after the Trump administration announced its intention to suspend its obligations under the treaty.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says Russia To Give Back Impounded Navy Vessels Soon RFE/RL 10 Oct 2019 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystayko says he is in the "final stage" of negotiations to return three naval vessels that Russia impounded in November 2018 in the Black Sea after firing on them and taking 24 Ukrainian crewmen captive.
Analysts: Russia Goes Along with Turkey, But Has Red Lines VOA 10 Oct 2019 -- Russian leader Vladimir Putin appears to have endorsed Turkey's military incursion into northeast Syria, but is drawing some red lines of his own, including that the offensive doesn't lead to permanent occupation by the Turks of Syrian territory, say analysts.
Russian Court Jails 72-Year-Old For 12 Years In Treason Case RFE/RL 10 Oct 2019 -- A court in southwestern Russia has sentenced a 72-year-old pensioner to 12 years in a high-security penal colony for high treason.
Russia calls for dialogue between Syrian government, Kurds Press TV 09 Oct 2019 -- Russia has called for dialogue between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces controlling the country's northern region amid Washington's greenlight for Ankara's upcoming military operation against its Kurdish allies.
Putin Dismisses Key Kremlin Aide Sanctioned By West, Wanted In Ukraine For Crimea Takeover RFE/RL 09 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed a key Kremlin aide whom the United States and European Union have sanctioned for his role in coordinating the takeover of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula.
Kalibr Missiles From Kolpino Submarine Hit Targets on Coast Near Opuk Range Sputnik 09 Oct 2019 -- In late August, Russia launched its cruise missile "Kalibr" for the first time during command and staff exercise. The missile was launched from the "Vyshny Volochek" ship belonging to the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet.
Kremlin Labels Opposition-Led Foundation a 'Foreign Agent' VOA 09 Oct 2019 -- Russian authorities say they intend to add an opposition-run anti-corruption foundation to a list of so-called "foreign agents" operating in the country – potentially curtailing the operations of one of the Kremlin's fiercest critics.
NY Times Reports Western Security Officials Believe Secret Russian Unit Responsible For Attacks In Europe RFE/RL 09 Oct 2019 -- Western security officials have identified a secret Russian intelligence unit that has tried to carry out assassinations and destabilization operations in foreign countries, according to The New York Times.
Senate Intel Committee Releases Bipartisan Report on Russia's Use of Social Media Senator Mark Warner 08 Oct 2019 -- "Today, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) released a new report titled, "Russia's Use of Social Media." It is the second volume released in the Committee's bipartisan investigation into Russia's attempts to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election."
U.S. Senate Panel Blasts Russian Election Meddling, Efforts To 'Sow Discord' RFE/RL 08 Oct 2019 -- A bipartisan U.S. Senate report on Russia's use of social media has determined that a Kremlin-backed "troll farm" sought to boost the campaign of Donald Trump and hurt rival Hilary Clinton, largely backing up the conclusions of the U.S. intelligence community.
US Senate Panel Report Calls for Plan to Prevent Meddling in 2020 Presidential Election VOA 08 Oct 2019 -- The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a bipartisan report that calls on the U.S. government and private industry to prevent social media sites from being used to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, as they were in 2016.
Kremlin Sees Role For U.S. In Helping Resolve Conflict With Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Oct 2019 -- The Kremlin says the United States could play a role in helping resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict given Washington's influence in Kyiv.
Ukraine Spy Agency Says Extracted 'Witness' Of Russian Army Presence In Donbas RFE/RL 08 Oct 2019 -- Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) says it extracted a witness of Russia's military presence in the separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine from the city of Sorokyne (formerly Krasnodon) in the Luhansk region into government-controlled territory.
Russia warns actions that could stall peace process in Syria Press TV 08 Oct 2019 -- Russia's Security Council has warned against actions that could endanger the peace process in Syria, after Turkey's Defense Ministry said Ankara was ready for a military operation against Kurdish militants from the People's Protection Units (YPG) to push them away from border areas.
US Has Not Informed Russia On Syria Troop Withdrawal, Russia Not Sure It's Happening - Kremlin Sputnik 08 Oct 2019 -- Earlier on Tuesday, the Turkish Defence Ministry said that all preparations for a military operation in Syria had been completed. Ankara says the establishment of a safe zone is necessary to ensure the peace and stability of the region.
Russia 'closely watching US work on new weapon systems' Press TV 08 Oct 2019 -- Russia says it is closely watching the United States' work on developing new weapon systems, months after Washington abandoned an arms control treaty with Moscow.
'Avalanche Of Lies': Anti-Doping Body's Probe Exposes Bad Blood In Russian Sports RFE/RL 08 Oct 2019 -- Moscow has some explaining to do - and fast - regarding why positive drug-test results were missing from a massive database that is key to an investigation into a doping scandal that has shut Russia out of international sporting competitions.
Russian Armed Forces' New Weapons Share to Grow to 68% by End of 2019 - Defenсe Minister Sputnik 08 Oct 2019 -- The Russian Armed Forces' share of new weapons and technology will increase to 68 percent by the end of 2019, with the government having allocated 1.5 trillion rubles ($23 billion) for rearmament, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday.
U.S. Lawmaker Calls White House Plan To Withdraw From Open Skies Treaty 'Reckless' RFE/RL 08 Oct 2019 -- A top U.S. congressional Democratic lawmaker says President Donald Trump's administration is looking at withdrawing from the Open Skies Treaty, the latest in a series of major arms-control and disarmament accords that are on the verge of collapse.
Senator Engel Concerned Over Reports of White House Plans to Abandon Open Skies Treaty - Letter Sputnik 08 Oct 2019 -- The Treaty on Open Skies allows participants to carry out aerial surveillance as part of a program of scheduled observation flights, with the aim of gathering information about military forces.
Engel Denounces Trump Administration Potential Plans to Withdraw from Open Skies Treaty U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs 07 Oct 2019 -- Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today decried the Trump Administration's reported plans to withdraw the United States from the Open Skies Treaty. In a letter to White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, Chairman Engel underscored that withdrawal would be a gift to Russia and a blow to United States national security interests, endangering Ukraine and other key European allies.
All foreign military forces illegally present in Syria must leave: Kremlin Press TV 07 Oct 2019 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Syria's territorial integrity must be preserved and all foreign troops illegally present in the conflict-plagued Arab country must leave, as the United States announced it was withdrawing troops from northeastern Syria.
Kremlin Appears Unable to Curb Protest Wave VOA 07 Oct 2019 -- Arrests, the threat of long jail terms and the harassment of political and environmental activists doesn't appear to be having the desired effect for the Kremlin in deterring anti-government protests, according to a new study.
Dozens Assemble In Minsk Over Possible Integration With Russia RFE/RL 07 Oct 2019 -- Dozens of people have rallied in Minsk's Freedom Square against their country's possible integration with Russia.
Pompeo Inks New Defense Pact With Greece, Criticizes Russia, Iran, China RFE/RL 06 Oct 2019 -- The United States and Greece have signed an updated defense-cooperation pact, a move Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said was not aimed against any one nation in the region, including Turkey.
Kremlin Aide Sees Chances of Holding Normandy Format Summit in Near Future Rising Sputnik 06 Oct 2019 -- The Normandy Four format comprises France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, who in 2015 agreed on a ceasefire deal between the warring parties in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Despite the agreement, sporadic fighting continues to take place.
Russia Detected Over 30 Missile Launches Globally in 2019 Sputnik 07 Oct 2019 -- Russia detected over 30 missile launches around the globe this year, including those of ballistic missiles, a newspaper affiliated with the Russian Defence Ministry said Sunday.
The Insulted And The Injured: 'Streisand Effect' Dulls Impact Of Law On Dissing Russian Authorities RFE/RL 06 Oct 2019 -- Six months after Russia adopted a controversial law imposing fines for using electronic media to insult officials or state symbols, the number of people facing charges under the measure is in decline.
Trump told May he doubted Russia was involved in Skripal case Press TV 06 Oct 2019 -- US President Donald Trump reportedly told former British Prime Minister Theresa May he was doubtful whether Russia was behind the nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in England.
The Week In Russia: Formats, Formulas, And A Kremlin Growl At Greta's Girl Power RFE/RL 05 Oct 2019 -- Will the "Steinmeier Formula" bring a breakthrough in efforts to end the war in eastern Ukraine, or run up against disputes over the timing of retuning the state border to Kyiv's control? Also, Putin takes aim at Greta Thunberg, sending a signal to Russian protesters in the process, and an anti-Putin shaman is declared unfit to stand trial.
Revealed: How Long It Would Take Russia to Respond to Potential Nuclear Attack Sputnik 05 Oct 2019 -- A Russian Aerospace Forces commander has revealed that their primary goals with regard to upgrading warning systems and extending radiolocation centres is so that it will take less time to intercept a potential attack and make a well-calculated decision.
Pompeo warns of China, Russia influence in Balkans, vows US aid if alliance kept Press TV 05 Oct 2019 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned two tiny Balkan states of North Macedonia and Montenegro against what he calls the risks of Chinese and Russian influence through trade deals, pledging US alliance for "the good of" their citizens.
Philippines' Duterte criticizes US in Russia visit, seeks closer ties with Moscow Press TV 05 Oct 2019 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sought closer ties with Russia in a visit to the country, where he criticized the United States and its Western allies for weaponizing human rights without knowing its damaging consequences.
Medvedev Says Russia Will Help Cuba Find Oil Supplies RFE/RL 05 Oct 2019 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow will help Cuba find other supplies of oil and petroleum products.
Putin's Meeting with Philippine President Signals Bigger, Trickier Russian Role in Disputed South China Sea VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting this week with Vladimir Putin in Russia signals Moscow's interest in playing a tricky but persuasive role in the South China Sea maritime sovereignty dispute now dominated by China and the United States, specialists in the region say.
Reports: Up to 35 Russian Mercenaries Killed in Libya VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- As many as 35 Russian mercenaries are reported to have been killed in Libya while they were fighting for Khalifa Haftar, the military general most associated with the rule of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, who launched an offensive earlier this year on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, home to the country's internationally-recognized government, according to a Russian media.
Pompeo Warns North Macedonia On 'Russian Trolls,' Chinese Investment, Upbeat On NATO RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned against the "malign" influence of Russian trolls and Chinese investment during a visit to North Macedonia.
Russia Rolls Out Missile Early Warning Systems in Arctic Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Two new Voronezh-type missile early warning radars will become operational in 2022 in the Komi Republic and the Murmansk region in northern Russia, the Defence Ministry said.
Russia to Deploy Over 10 Space Monitoring Centres by 2022 Sputnik 04 Oct 2019 -- Russia will deploy more than 10 new laser-optical and radio-technical space monitoring stations on its territory by 2022, the Russian Defence Ministry said.
Reports: Up to 35 Russian Mercenaries Killed in Libya VOA 04 Oct 2019 -- As many as 35 Russian mercenaries are reported to have been killed in Libya while they were fighting for Khalifa Haftar, the military general most associated with the rule of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, who launched an offensive earlier this year on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, home to the country's internationally-recognized government, according to a Russian media.
Second Defendant Arrested in Case Alleging Theft of Trade Secrets from American Aviation Company US Dept. of Justice 04 Oct 2019 -- Indictment unsealed today charges Russian and Italian nationals
Second Suspect Arrested In U.S. Probe Into Russian-Led Theft Of Aviation Secrets RFE/RL 04 Oct 2019 -- A second suspect has been arrested as part of a U.S. criminal case alleging that a Russian defense executive attempted to steal trade secrets from the aviation unit of General Electric.
Putin: I am helping China to build a missile warning system expert: he is sincere SOHU.com 04 Oct 2019 -- According to Russian satellite network news on October 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is helping Beijing to build a missile early warning defense system.
Russia helping China build missile attack warning system: Putin Press TV 04 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed for the first time that his country is assisting China to develop an state-of-the-art missile attack warning system, a technology only owned by Russia and the United States at the moment.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 3, 2019 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Oct 2019
Russia's Rosatom Offers Philippines to Build Small-Capacity Floating Nuclear Power Plants Sputnik 03 Oct 2019 -- Russia is offering to the Philippines to build floating nuclear power plants (NPP) for the island nation in western Pacific, Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation Alexei Likhachev said Thursday following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.
U.S. Welcomes 'Progress Toward Peace' In Eastern Ukraine, Calls On Russia To Show 'Political Will' RFE/RL 03 Oct 2019 -- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has welcomed "progress towards peace" in eastern Ukraine, two days after Kyiv, Moscow, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) agreed to move forward with talks to find lasting peace in the Donbas.
Ukraine President Likely to Face Tough Challenge Selling Peace Deal VOA 03 Oct 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will face an uphill battle selling a peace deal he approved midweek with Russia and pro-Moscow separatists in Donbas, which would see two breakaway republics become self-governing, although still part of Ukraine, say analysts.
Putin: Russia Ready To Prolong Gas Deal With Ukraine If Needed RFE/RL 03 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he is ready to offer Ukraine a temporary contract for the transit of natural gas if talks fail before the current one with Moscow expires on January 1.
Israel's arbitrary airstrikes on Syrian territory lead to escalation in tensions: Russia FM Press TV 03 Oct 2019 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lashed out at the Israeli regime for launching occasional airstrikes on the Syrian territory, noting that such strikes only lead to further escalation of tensions in the region.
US Reportedly Warns Allies of Sanctions as India Defends Its 'Sovereign Right' to Buy Russian S-400s Sputnik 03 Oct 2019 -- Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said this week he was "reasonably convinced" that the United States would understand New Delhi's decision to purchase advanced defence equipment, including the S-400 missile defence system, from Russia.
Russia's Medvedev In Cuba, Signals Accords, Trade Deals Will Be Signed RFE/RL 03 Oct 2019 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in the Cuban capital for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with President Miguel Diaz-Canel, tour an energy project on the outskirts of Havana, and see how the city is overhauling its capitol building, whose golden dome came as a gift from Moscow.
How Russia's Interference In Ukraine Has Altered U.S. Policy Toward Belarus RFE/RL 03 Oct 2019 -- While U.S. relations with Russia remain out in the cold five years after Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, ties with Belarus appear to be quickly thawing.
Steinmeier Deal Sparks Protests in Ukraine, Praise in Moscow VOA 02 Oct 2019 -- The Ukrainian president's support for a deal with pro-Russian rebels that would introduce a special status for Ukraine's breakaway regions drew both outrage and praise across the nation Wednesday.
Explainer: What Is The Steinmeier Formula -- And Did Zelenskiy Just Capitulate To Moscow? RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- In the United States, Ukraine is in spotlight over what some call "Ukrainegate" -- the developments that have led to an impeachment probe involving a phone conversation between the presidents of the two countries in July. In Kyiv, there's been a bigger buzz about a different catchphrase -- the Steinmeier Formula.
Mixed Reactions For Zelenskiy's Eastern Ukraine Election Deal RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- A deal announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to allow local elections in separatist-held parts of eastern Ukraine under certain security conditions has triggered a backlash, including protests, in Ukraine and praise from the Kremlin.
Putin: Russia Ready To Prolong Gas Deal With Ukraine If Needed RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he is ready to offer Ukraine a temporary contract for the transit of gas if talks fail before the current one with Moscow expires on January 1.
Putin Calls U.S. Concerns Of 2020 Election Meddling 'Laughable' RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says it is "laughable" to think that Moscow will attempt to meddle in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, despite conclusions in the United States that it did so in 2016.
US Officials Not Taking Putin Election Comments Lightly VOA 02 Oct 2019 -- U.S. security officials are not laughing at the latest comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Kremlin's attempts to interfere in U.S. elections.
Face Off: Local Council In St. Petersburg Replaces Putin Portrait With Sakharov RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- Putin's off the wall, and Sakharov is on it.
US Senators Press Pompeo, Mnuchin for Russia Human Rights Sanctions VOA 02 Oct 2019 -- A bipartisan group of 11 U.S. senators is calling on the departments of State and Treasury to issue a new round of sanctions under the Magnitsky Act over Russia's targeting of political dissidents within its own borders.
Putin says no proof Iran was behind attack on Saudi Aramco Press TV 02 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is no evidence Iran was responsible for a recent attack on Saudi oil facilities, adding that the United States had not presented any proof of Iran's role.
Iran's Zangeneh: Saudis exaggerating damage from Aramco attack Press TV 02 Oct 2019 -- Iran's Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh says the impact on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities from Yemeni attacks on Sept. 14 has been blown out of proportion.
Putin: U.S. Yet To Produce Evidence Of Iran Involvement In Saudi Attacks RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says that U.S. intelligence agencies have yet to give Saudi Arabia proof that Iran was involved in attacks on the country's oil industry.
Russian President Putin Says No Evidence to Blame Iran for Attacks on Saudi Aramco Sputnik 02 Oct 2019 -- Following the 14 September attacks on Saudi Aramco's oil facilities, the US together with Saudi Arabia and several European countries accused Iran of being behind the attacks.
Tycoon Khodorkovsky Talks Putin, Russia's Problems, And Opposition RFE/RL 02 Oct 2019 -- In a far-ranging interview with RFE/RL, Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky analyzed the Russian president, spoke about the opposition's prospects and Russia's problems, and compared governing systems all from a viewpoint living in self-imposed exile for more than five years.
Russia blasts US "sanctions game", vows retaliation Press TV 01 Oct 2019 -- The Russian foreign ministry has blasted the new US sanctions on several Russians, vowing that the "useless sanctions game" will not "go unanswered."
New Scrutiny For 'Putin's Chef' And Russian Mercenaries In Africa RFE/RL 01 Oct 2019 -- The report, on Russia's flagship weekly news program, was ambitious and exclusive.

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October 2019 - Russia Special Weapons News