January 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russia Confirms First Two Cases Of Coronavirus, Two Chinese Nationals Quarantined RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Russia has reported its first two cases of coronavirus, as governments scrambled to control the spread of a new coronavirus that has already killed more than 200 people in China.
Two First Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in Russia Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- On Thursday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the new coronavirus a global health emergency.
'Something To Hide?' CPJ Urges Russia To Allow Journalists To Travel Freely To Crimea RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Russia to immediately lift a ban imposed on Ukrainian journalist Taras Ibrahimov and allow him to freely report in Ukraine's Russia-occupied region of Crimea.
Watchdog Warns About 'Chilling Effect' Of Russia's Use Of Facial-Recognition Technology RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Amnesty International has criticized Russia's plans to broaden the use of widespread facial-recognition systems, saying their expected deployment during public gatherings will "inevitably have a chilling effect" on protesters.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, January 30, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 30 Jan 2020
Moscow denies reports of attacking civilians in Syria's Idlib Press TV 30 Jan 2020 -- Russia says it did not conduct airstrikes on a bakery and a medical clinic in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, branding foreign media reports as a "provocation."
Russia Denies Involvement In Deadly Syria Air Strikes RFE/RL 30 Jan 2020 -- Russian air strikes have killed at least 10 civilians in Syria's Idlib Province, the opposition's last stronghold, activists say, an allegation quickly rejected by Moscow.
Russia Closes Border With China To Prevent Possible Coronavirus Spread RFE/RL 30 Jan 2020 -- Russia has closed its border with China over the coronavirus as countries across the globe begin isolating hundreds of citizens evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan in an effort to stop the spread of the viral outbreak that has killed at least 170 people.
Russia to Close Border With China Amid Coronavirus Outbreak - Prime Minister Mishustin Sputnik 30 Jan 2020 -- So far, the coronavirus epidemic has left 170 people dead and over 7,700 more infected in China.
Russia Emergency Group Denies Reports Alleging First Person Contracted Wuhan Coronavirus in Moscow Sputnik 30 Jan 2020 -- Russian netizens earlier in the day spread controversial rumors claiming that a person who had allegedly contracted the new Wuhan coronavirus - dubbed 2019-nCoV - was urgently hospitalized in a Moscow clinic.
Russia Closes Parts of Border with China to Combat Spread of Virus VOA 30 Jan 2020 -- Russia joined the list of countries introducing strict measures to combat the spread of the deadly coronavirus from China, in what has emerged as an early test of new Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's government.
Mobile Bal Coastal Defence System Delivered to Russia's Caspian Flotilla Sputnik 30 Jan 2020 -- First entering into service in 2009, the Bal ('Ball', as in the fancy dress party) coastal defence missile complex is designed to take on enemy vessels and strike groups at ranges of up to 160 nautical miles.
Treasury Sanctions Illegitimate Russian-Backed Crimean Officials and Railroad Company Linking Crimea to Russia US Treasury 29 Jan 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated eight individuals and one entity in response to Russia's continued aggression toward Ukraine and attempted occupation of Crimea. Seven of these individuals were also designated yesterday by the European Union (EU).
Russia Joins China In Search For Vaccine As Virus Outbreak Spreads RFE/RL 29 Jan 2020 -- Russia says it has received the genome of the coronavirus from China and is working jointly with its neighbor to develop a vaccine against the illness as the number of deaths and confirmed cases continues to jump.
Supersonic jets v Russian subsonic Yak-130: US military magazine ranking is not a fair exercise RT 29 Jan 2020 -- A review of five of the world's most capable training jets, published by the Military Watch website, has placed Russia's Yak-130 (Mitten), last on that list. But is the judgement well-informed?
Russia's Gazprom Says It Will Complete Nord Stream 2 Alone RFE/RL 29 Jan 2020 -- Russia's state-owned Gazprom says it will complete the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project under the Baltic Sea on its own without the help of foreign companies.
Russia To Devote Extra $67 Billion To Tackle Demographic Crisis RFE/RL 29 Jan 2020 -- Russia plans to allocate an additional 4.13 trillion rubles ($66.7 billion) as part of a nationwide effort to address its dwindling population amid bleak long-term demographic trends.
Putin Fires Chuvashia Governor Who Called For Journalists To Be 'Wiped Out' RFE/RL 29 Jan 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the governor of the Russian region of Chuvashia, Mikhail Ignatyev, who has faced harsh criticism recently for his public behavior.
Athletics Doping Watchdog Recommends Expulsion Of Russia From Global Federation RFE/RL 29 Jan 2020 -- The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has advised World Athletics, global track and field's governing body, to expel Russia's athletics federation (RUSAF) from the global federation over widespread doping and cover-up offenses.
EU Expands Russia Sanctions List Linked To Aggression Toward Ukraine RFE/RL 28 Jan 2020 -- The European Union has added seven names to its list of people facing sanctions for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence.
Russia Ramps Up Safety Measures Over Coronavirus Fears RFE/RL 28 Jan 2020 -- The mayor of Moscow says special safety measures have been put in place at hotels and tourist sites due to fears over the coronavirus outbreak in China.
Why So Few Protests Against Putin's Constitutional Shake-Up? RFE/RL 28 Jan 2020 -- When Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a raft of constitutional changes in his state-of-the-nation speech on January 15, immediately fueling mounting suspicion that he was seeking a way to retain power after his current term ends in 2024, it didn't take long for the country's dissenting voices to make themselves heard.
Ethiopia Wants to Modernise Army in Cooperation With Russia – Ambassador Sputnik 27 Jan 2020 -- Russia finished delivering Pantsir-S1 air defence missile-gun systems to Ethiopia in November. According to the ambassador, the countries held a fruitful defence cooperation meeting that same month.
Ingushetia Leader Sacks Government For Reasons Unclear RFE/RL 27 Jan 2020 -- The leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia has sacked the regional government just four months after it had been formed.
Russia Expels Japanese National Accused of Espionage - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 27 Jan 2020 -- Moscow previously stated that the man had been detained for trying to obtain classified data about Russian military resources.
Funny Money Or Savvy Investing? Critics Want Answers About Source Of Russian PM's Wealth RFE/RL 25 Jan 2020 -- It is a notorious Russian comedy that has been playing now for decades.
Kremlin Denies Top Aide Surkov Stepping Down RFE/RL 25 Jan 2020 -- The Kremlin has denied reports that a longtime key aide to President Vladimir Putin is stepping down.
Lukashenka Accuses Moscow Of Pressuring Belarus Into Russian Merger RFE/RL 25 Jan 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has accused Moscow of pressuring his country to merge with Russia and he vowed he would never let it happen.
Do Putin's Changes Mean An End To 'Integration' With Belarus? RFE/RL 24 Jan 2020 -- In his state-of-the-nation address this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not say a word about Belarus. But the fate and the future of Russia's smaller western neighbor could be affected by the proposals made by Putin.
Bulgaria Considers Expelling Two Russian Diplomats Over Espionage RFE/RL 24 Jan 2020 -- Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva says the government is likely to expel two unnamed Russian diplomats over spying allegations.
Two Russian Diplomats Declared Persona Non Grata in Bulgaria - Embassy Sputnik 24 Jan 2020 -- Earlier in the day, Reuters reported that Bulgaria was likely to expel two Russian diplomats on suspicion of espionage.
The Week In Russia: Options For Putin, Not For The People RFE/RL 24 Jan 2020 -- Prime minister, parliament speaker, party chief, head of a supercharged State Council that would set guidelines for Russia's domestic and foreign policy and goals for the country's development.
Russian Activists Launch 'Public Campaign' Against Putin's 'Constitutional Coup' RFE/RL 24 Jan 2020 -- A group of more than 30 activists, public figures and local Moscow politicians have created an online "manifesto" urging Russian citizens to resist President Vladimir Putin's proposed constitutional amendments.
A Foul-Mouthed Culture Minister Who Hates Museums? Russia May Have One Now -- And Some Say It's An Improvement RFE/RL 24 Jan 2020 -- By her own apparent blog accounts, the Olga Lyubimova of two decades ago had an affinity for drugs, approached life in Russia as she felt a rape victim might, and was admittedly not a "cultural person."
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, January 23, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Jan 2020
Russia's lower house of parl. approves Putin's constitutional amendments Press TV 23 Jan 2020 -- Legislators in the lower house of Russia's parliament have unanimously approved a package of constitutional amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin, in the first of three readings, two days after the Russian leader approved a new government.
Russian Lawmakers Give Rapid First Approval To Putin Reforms RFE/RL 23 Jan 2020 -- Russian lawmakers have unanimously approved in its first reading a sweeping constitutional reform bill put forward by President Vladimir Putin.
Bulgaria Charges Three Russians In Absentia Over Attempted Murders In 2015 RFE/RL 23 Jan 2020 -- Bulgarian prosecutors have charged three Russians in absentia for the attempted murder of a weapons manufacturer, his son, and the production manager of the company.
US troops block Russian forces' way to oil fields in northeastern Syria Press TV 22 Jan 2020 -- US military forces present in areas controlled by militants of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah have reportedly stopped a Russian military convoy from reaching oil fields there.
Russian Parliament's Upper Chamber Approves Krasnov As Top Prosecutor RFE/RL 22 Jan 2020 -- The Russian parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, has appointed Igor Krasnov, President Vladimir Putin's nominee, as the country's new prosecutor-general.
In With The Old, In With (A Few Of) The New: Russia's Government Reshuffle RFE/RL 22 Jan 2020 -- Twenty years ago, a new joke goes, when Russian President Boris Yeltsin stepped down and named Vladimir Putin to succeed him, the aging Yeltsin said, "I'm tired, I'm leaving." But when Putin sent Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's government packing last week, he said, "I'm tired, you're leaving.'"
Moscow Lab's Status Suspended Amid Doping Scandal RFE/RL 22 Jan 2020 -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it has provisionally suspended the status of the national anti-doping laboratory in Moscow as Russia's doping scandal continues.
Swiss Police Suspect Russian 'Plumbers' Of Being Spies In Davos RFE/RL 22 Jan 2020 -- Police in Switzerland suspect a pair of Russians they probed five months ago in Davos were Russian intelligence agents, a detailed report by Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger said on January 21.
Putin appoints new Russian cabinet members People's Daily 22 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed new cabinet members on Tuesday, according to the decrees Kremlin published on its website.
Russia Steps Up Checks At Borders, Airports To Block Virus Spread RFE/RL 21 Jan 2020 -- Russia says it is stepping up checks at borders and airports to prevent the spread of a new virus from China that has killed at least six people and reached areas in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and now has seen the first case reported in the United States.
Russian, Syrian naval forces hold joint drills in eastern Mediterranean Sea Press TV 21 Jan 2020 -- Russian and Syrian naval forces have staged a joint exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Sea with the aim of defending international maritime economic activity at the sea.
The Kremlin Releases Constitutional Amendments: But What Do They Mean For Russia, And Putin's Future? RFE/RL 21 Jan 2020 -- Last week, President Vladimir Putin sent Russia's political elite reeling when he abruptly called for a raft of constitutional changes.
Lavrov, Shoigu Among Key Ministers Staying In Russia's New Government RFE/RL 21 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a new government, keeping key officials in place including the ministers of foreign affairs and defense.
Who's In, Who's Out, Who's Who of Russia's New Government Sputnik 21 Jan 2020 -- The government of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned last week, shortly after President Putin's address to the Federal Assembly, in which a number of "fundamental changes" to Russia's constitution were proposed.
Lukashenka Says Russia Blocking Kazakhstan From Delivering Oil To Belarus RFE/RL 21 Jan 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says Russia is blocking deliveries of Kazakh oil amid a tariff dispute with Moscow, Minsk's regular supplier.
Putin Sends Proposed Constitutional Changes To Parliament RFE/RL 20 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a package of proposed constitutional amendments to parliament, after announcing last week a surprise overhaul of the country's political system.
Russia's Altius-U Drone to Feature Satellite Compatibility - Defence Industry Source Sputnik 20 Jan 2020 -- Russia's new Altius-U long-duration unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been equipped with a satellite communication channel in order to increase its range, an informed source in the Russian military-industrial complex told Sputnik.
'Memory Wars': Polish, Russian Fight Over World War II Shifts To Auschwitz RFE/RL 20 Jan 2020 -- The Nazi death camp in Poland where more than 1 million Jews, Poles, and other people died -- was liberated by the Red Army on January 27, 1945.
Russia repels drone attack on Hmeimim base in Syria Press TV 20 Jan 2020 -- Russian air defenses have repelled a drone attack launched by unidentified militants on the strategic Hmeimim airbase in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia.
Syrian Militants Launch Drone Attack Against Hmeimim Base, Air Defence Repels Strike - Russian MoD Sputnik 19 Jan 2020 -- Unidentified militants using unmanned flying vehicles launched an airstrike on Sunday targeting the Russian Hmeimim airbase in Syria. Air defence systems successfully thwarted the attack, and the military installation suffered no damage, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
U.K. PM Warns Putin Not To Repeat Chemical Attacks On Britain RFE/RL 19 Jan 2020 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told Vladimir Putin in their first official meeting that Moscow must not repeat a chemical attack on Britain like the 2018 nerve agent attack in Salisbury against former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
Medvedev Says He's Hanging On To United Russia Party Chairmanship RFE/RL 19 Jan 2020 -- Russian ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on January 19 that he will continue to chair the ruling United Russia party, which has worked in close concert with President Vladimir Putin to dominate the country's political scene for two decades.
Former Russian Prime Minister Medvedev Says to Remain Chair of United Russia Ruling Party Sputnik 19 Jan 2020 -- On 15 January, Dmitry Medvedev unexpectedly resigned hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced sweeping changes to the Constitution and a revamped approach to managing the country's economy.
Putin Denies He Wants to Remain in Power Indefinitely VOA 19 Jan 2020 -- Russia's Vladimir Putin is denying that he's planning to retain his grip on power when he relinquishes his country's presidency in 2024.
Putin Says He Rejects Soviet-Style Leaders For Life RFE/RL 18 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he would not like to see his country return to the Soviet practice of having lifelong rulers who died without a clear succession procedure.
Lavrov Blames Washington's 'Aggressive' Policies For Rise In Global Tensions RFE/RL 17 Jan 2020 -- Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has blamed "aggressive" U.S. policies for heightened global tensions and called on Washington and Tehran to de-escalate their feud.
Production of S-400 for India Started, Russian Deputy Ambassador Says Sputnik 17 Jan 2020 -- India and Russia signed a $5.43 billion contract in 2018 for the purchase of five S-400 missile defence systems, despite US threats to slap sanctions on any country that buys from Russia's defence sector under the CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).
Putin Speaks, Medvedev Resigns, And Russia's Political World Turns Upside Down RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- About three hours after President Vladimir Putin proposed several eyebrow-raising changes to the Russian Constitution -- changes that could open the door for his staying in power beyond the end of his current term in 2024 -- there was even more substantive change to the Russian political world.
Putin Signs Decree Appointing Mishustin as Russia's Prime Minister - Kremlin Sputnik 16 Jan 2020 -- The entire Russian government resigned on 15 January, with ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev saying this was done to enable President Vladimir Putin to implement the goals outlined in his address to the legislature.
Russian Lawmakers Approve Putin's PM Choice VOA 16 Jan 2020 -- Russian lawmakers have given their approval Thursday to President Vladimir Putin's choice of Mikhail Mishustin as the country's new prime minister.
Russian parliament unanimously approves Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister Press TV 16 Jan 2020 -- The lower house of Russia's parliament has voted overwhelmingly to approve Mikhail Mishustin as the new prime minister, less than a day after President Vladimir Putin announced constitutional reforms.
Russia's ruling party approves Putin's candidate for prime minister Press TV 16 Jan 2020 -- Russia's ruling United Russia Party has unanimously approved the candidacy of President Vladimir Putin's pick, Mikhail Mishustin, for the post of prime minister.
Russian Lawmakers, As Expected, Approve Putin's Choice For PM RFE/RL 16 Jan 2020 -- Russian lawmakers overwhelmingly approved President Vladimir Putin's nominee for prime minister as part of his surprise overhaul of the country's political system.
In Putin Speech, Glimpses Of A New Model For Russia: Isolation RFE/RL 16 Jan 2020 -- Midway through the bombshell speech that Russia analysts were already combing for clues to President Vladimir Putin's political future, he took a small victory lap.
With Sweeping Constitutional Changes, Analysts Say Putin Eyeing New Role At Russia's Helm RFE/RL 16 Jan 2020 -- When Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly announced a raft of constitutional changes during a speech on January 15, Georgy Satarov had few doubts that the declaration concealed ulterior motives.
Meet Russia's New Prime Minister, An 'Enforcer Who Knows Where The Bodies Are Buried' RFE/RL 16 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's new prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, has a reputation for getting things done.
Putin Introduces Post of Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council, Appoints Medvedev Sputnik 16 Jan 2020 -- Dmitry Medvedev, who resigned as Russia's prime minister a day earlier, will remain the leader of the governing party United Russia, according to secretary of the party's General Council Andrey Turchak.
Russian gov't resigns after Putin's annual address People's Daily 16 Jan 2020 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced the resignation of his government, the Kremlin press service said Wednesday.
Border Guards: Fewer Ukrainians Traveled To Russia In 2019 RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- Ukraine's State Border Guard Service (DPSU) says passenger traffic at the Russian-Ukrainian border in 2019 decreased by 10 percent to 10 million people in comparison to the previous year.
Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly President of Russia 15 Jan 2020 -- The President of Russia delivered the Address to the Federal Assembly. The ceremony took place at the Manezh Central Exhibition Hall.

What You Need to Know About Putin-Proposed Candidate for Russian Prime Minister's Office Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- The resignation of the Russian government was announced on 15 January, following President Vladimir Putin's speech to the Federal Assembly.

Head of Russian Federal Tax Service Mishustin Accepts PM Post Proposal Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- This comes after the outgoing Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced the resignation of the government.

Putin Nominates Ex-Tax Chief As New Russian PM RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a surprise constitutional shakeup that could keep him in power beyond the end of his term in 2024, and appointed a new prime minister after Dimitry Medvedev and his cabinet resigned.

Putin Calls For Systemic Change. The 'System' Quickly Responds. RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin called for "serious changes to the political system" during his state-of-the-nation address on January 15, and the "system" didn't take long to respond.

'Putin Is Not Going Anywhere:' Reactions To Russia's Abrupt Political Shake-Up RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- The abrupt resignation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on January 15, which came just hours after President Vladimir Putin's detailed broad proposed changes to the constitution, jolted Russia's political landscape and appears to have taken even senior officials by surprise.

Russian PM Medvedev announces government resignation Press TV 15 Jan 2020 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced his resignation after President Vladimir Putin proposed a series of constitutional reforms.

Prime Minister Medvedev Announces Resignation of Russian Gov't Following Putin's Address to Parliament Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- The Russian president addressed lawmakers, ministers and other high-ranking officials on Wednesday, with this year's address focusing mostly on domestic politics including social policy and the economy, but also proposals to amend the country's basic law.

Russian Prime Minister Resigns as Putin Hints at Constitutional Reforms VOA 15 Jan 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin promoted a little known Cabinet figure to head Russia's government Wednesday – capping an extraordinary day in Kremlin politics that saw Putin propose major constitutional amendments and accept the resignation of the government of his longtime prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev.

Key Takeaways From Vladimir Putin's Address to Federal Assembly Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- Despite a notable foreign policy context, this year Vladimir Putin talked to the Federal Assembly about domestic issues, for the most part. Changes to the Constitution and the economy topped the agenda this year.

Putin Calls For Constitutional Changes, More Social Spending In Annual Address RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to call for broad changes to the constitution that would strengthen parliament's powers ahead of the end of his term in 2024.

Vladimir Putin Proposes That the Russian Parliament Should Choose a Prime Minister Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering the possibility of giving parliament the right to choose prime ministers instead of merely approving one appointed by the head of state.

Putin Orders Creation of Working Group on Preparation of Proposals on Amendments to Constitution Sputnik 15 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier on Wednesday during his annual address to the Federal Assembly that he did not see any need to adopt a new constitution, but did propose bringing up for discussion constitutional amendments.

Chechen Leader 'Temporarily Incapacitated,' Puts PM In Charge RFE/RL 15 Jan 2020 -- The leader of Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has temporarily left office due to what he called his "temporary incapacitation."

US to Fix, Not Scrap Open Skies Treat VOA 14 Jan 2020 -- Washington residents were startled in April 2017 to see a low-flying aircraft transit directly through the normally restricted airspace at the center of the U.S. capital, with all its monuments and iconic government buildings.

European Court Rules Russia's Khodorkovsky Denied Fair Trial RFE/RL 14 Jan 2020 -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and business partner Platon Lebedev were denied their right to a fair trial in the case of their conviction by a Russian court for embezzlement and money laundering.

Russia to Continue Providing Arms and Ammunition to Sri Lankan Army - Foreign Minister Lavrov Sputnik 14 Jan 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov along with a 42-member delegation is on an official two-day visit to the island nation of Sri Lanka. He held a joint press conference with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on their bilateral military and economic cooperation on Tuesday.

Russian Opposition Party Head Says Supreme Court Has Suspended Its Activities RFE/RL 14 Jan 2020 -- The head of the Russian opposition political party Civic Initiative says the country's Supreme Court has suspended its operations for politically motivated reasons and is looking to wipe the party out altogether.

Russia Claims Progress but Falls Short on Libya Cease-Fire Deal VOA 14 Jan 2020 -- Russia said it made progress after hosting indirect peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Libya – despite failing to secure an open ended cease-fire deal between the warring sides in the nine-month war."

'The Magical Powers Of The Con': For Many, Moscow's Defense Of Iran Is Redolent Of Its Denial Over MH17 RFE/RL 14 Jan 2020 -- In the early hours of January 11, as the world awaited information about the tragic crash near Tehran of Ukrainian Airlines Flight PS752, Russia's state-funded news agency RT published an article titled The Demonization Of Iran: How The West Blames Tehran For The Downing Of The Ukrainian Boeing 737.

Report: Russia Hacked Ukrainian Energy Firm Tied To Impeachment Inquiry RFE/RL 14 Jan 2020 -- Hackers from Russia's military intelligence unit, the GRU, have allegedly targeted a Ukrainian energy firm tied to the impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump.

Belarus Scrambles For Oil Amid Supply Standoff With Russia RFE/RL 14 Jan 2020 -- Belarus says it has asked several European countries to sell it oil in the face of a tariff dispute with Russia, its regular supplier.

Russian Space Agency Commits Billions of Rubles More to 'Oryol' Next-Gen Spacecraft Sputnik 13 Jan 2020 -- Currently in development, the Oryol ('Eagle') crewed spacecraft is a crucial element of Russia's plans to land cosmonauts on the Moon. Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin has previously indicated that flight testing of the spaceship should be completed by 2028.

Russian 'Orbital Spy Satellite' Has Broken Up in Space – Harvard Astronomer Sputnik 12 Jan 2020 -- Russia launched the Kosmos-2491 military satellite into orbit in 2013, with few details made available regarding its capabilities and mission, leading to speculation about its true purpose.

Echoes Of War And Collapse: Russia's Demographic Decline As Small 1990s Generation Comes Of Age RFE/RL 12 Jan 2020 -- Russia's demographic turbulence, which stretched the length of the last century, is continuing into the third decade of this one.

Nord Stream 2 pipeline to be completed by first quarter of 2021: Putin Press TV 11 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Nord Stream 2, a system of offshore natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, will be finished by early 2021 at the latest, despite sanctions imposed by the United States on companies involved in the project.

The Week In Russia: Just Enough War, Just Enough Chaos RFE/RL 10 Jan 2020 -- Despite Russia's bad reviews of the U.S. drone strike that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani -- it was a "crude violation of international law," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to a statement -- there is clearly a potential upside for the Kremlin in the spike in tension between the United States and Iran.

Haftar rejects Turkey-Russia's call for Libyan ceasefire Press TV 10 Jan 2020 -- Libyan renegade general Khalifa Haftar has rejected calls for a ceasefire by Turkey and Russia, insisting that he would continue the offensive against forces of the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli.

Libyan Warlord Vows To Continue Fight Amid Cease-Fire Call By Russia, Turkey RFE/RL 10 Jan 2020 -- Forces loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar said they would not halt their campaign to drive the UN-backed government from Tripoli amid calls from Russia and Turkey for a cease-fire in the war-torn North Africa nation.

Libyan Government of National Accord Welcomes Russian-Turkish Statement on Libya Sputnik 09 Jan 2020 -- The Tripoli-based Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) welcomed the Russian-Turkish statement on the situation in Libya.

Erdogan, Putin issue joint statement on Libya, Iran and Syria People's Daily 09 Jan 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday issued a joint statement on the civil war of Libya, crisis in Iran and developments in Syria after their consecutive meetings in Istanbul.

Erdogan, Putin Launch TurkStream Pipeline, Talk Regional Crises RFE/RL 08 Jan 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have inaugurated a dual natural-gas pipeline that will open up a new export route for Russian gas into Turkey and Europe.

Putin, Erdogan Urge Restraint in Iran Crisis, Cease-Fire in Libya VOA 08 Jan 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint call for restraint by Washington and Tehran. The declaration made Wednesday in Istanbul is the latest sign of deepening regional cooperation by the leaders, symbolized by the inauguration of a Russian-Turkish gas pipeline.

Russia, Turkey Call For Cease-Fire In Libya From January 12 RFE/RL 08 Jan 2020 -- The Russian and Turkish presidents have called for a cease-fire in the conflict in Libya where Moscow and Ankara are backing opposing sides.

Putin Visits Damascus For Talks With Syrian President Assad RFE/RL 07 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Syria's capital, Damascus, where he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and held consultations with Russian military officials.

Russian President Putin Makes Visit to Damascus Sputnik 07 Jan 2020 -- Putin's visit to Syria comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the US killing of Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad last week.

Russia Launches Into New Export Territory With TurkStream Natural-Gas Pipeline RFE/RL 07 Jan 2020 -- When Vladimir Putin visits Istanbul on January 8, the Russian president will be doing more than officially opening a new export pipeline -- he will be getting some more closure on his longstanding dream to end Moscow's dependence on archrival Ukraine in getting natural gas to Europe.

Putin's Stagnant Year? Economic Headwinds Challenge Kremlin Ambitions In 2020 And Beyond RFE/RL 07 Jan 2020 -- For 45 years, Ivan Shadryn has waited for the bridge over Siberia's mighty Lena River to be built.

Putin to Visit Istanbul Amid Increasing Differences Over Syria, Libya VOA 07 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Istanbul Wednesday, where he will meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bilateral relations have dramatically improved much to Ankara's western allies' concern, but escalating regional differences threaten to sour those bilateral ties.

Epifaniy: About 600 Parishes Of Moscow-Aligned Church Convert To New Ukrainian Orthodox Church RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- Some 600 parishes in Ukraine belonging to the Orthodox church aligned with the Moscow Patriarchate have in one year switched over to the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the church's leader says.

Russian Anti-Doping Agency Head Sees Little Chance In Appeal Of Ban RFE/RL 06 Jan 2020 -- The head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) says his country has little chance to win its appeal against a ban that prevents Russia from participating in major sporting events during the next four years.

Russia stresses adherence to JCPOA IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday stressed the need to abide by the 2015 nuclear deal officially known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Russia endorses Iran's nuclear program remains under full control of IAEA IRNA 06 Jan 2020 -- Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), noted that Iran's nuclear program remains under full control of the IAEA because of its importance.

North Korean Restaurants in Russia Remain in Business Beyond Worker Withdrawal Deadline Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- North Korean-themed restaurants in Russia remained open on New Year's Day, indicating that many of the employees staffing the restaurants were not repatriated by the Dec. 22 deadline under U.N. sanctions, RFA has learned.

Analysis: A Beneficiary Of The U.S.-Iran Crisis Could Well Be Russia RFE/RL 04 Jan 2020 -- Senior Russian officials have publicly condemned the U.S. killing of Iran's most powerful military commander, joining foreign leaders in warning that it will lead to an escalation of tensions in the already unstable Middle East region.

Russia sympathizes with Iran on martyrdom of Gen Soleimani IRNA 04 Jan 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his condolences on the assassination of the IRGC commander Lieutenant-General Qasem Soleimani by the US.

How Much Is The Russian Military Helping Turkmenistan? RFE/RL 04 Jan 2020 -- There are some indications that Russia might be doing more than simply warning Turkmenistan about the threats spilling across its border with Afghanistan.

Belarus, Russia Officials Reach Deal To Reopen Oil Deliveries RFE/RL 04 Jan 2020 -- Oil executives say they have reached agreement to restart Russian crude-oil supplies to Belarus following a cutoff over transit fees on January 1.

The Week In Russia: War And (The Supply Of) Peace RFE/RL 03 Jan 2020 -- Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Moscow is picking fights over the causes of the conflict and the events of the bitter decades that followed, when the Soviet Union imposed communism on a captive Eastern Europe.

Secretary Michael R. Pompeo's Call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov US Dept. of State 03 Jan 2020

Putin: US assassination of Soleimani 'aggravates' situation in region Press TV 03 Jan 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has told French President Emmanuel Macron that the United States' assassination of Iranian Commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani risks "seriously aggravating" regional tensions.

Russia Condemns US Killing of Iranian Commander VOA 03 Jan 2020 -- Russia condemned U.S. airstrikes that killed a powerful Iranian commander in neighboring Iraq on Friday local time as a "reckless step" that risked "regional peace and stability" in the Middle East.

Russia Halts Oil Supply To Belarus Amid New Contract Dispute RFE/RL 03 Jan 2020 -- Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus amid a disagreement over tariffs, according to officials at a Belarusian oil refinery in the northern city of Navapolatsak.

Russia foils militant rocket attack on its airbase in Syria's Latakia Press TV 01 Jan 2020 -- The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian surface-to-air missile systems have managed to foil an attack by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants against the strategic Hmeimim airbase in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia.

Cost Of Vodka, Cigarettes Climb As Russia Rings In 2020 RFE/RL 01 Jan 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase in payments aimed at encouraging Russians to have more children, the second welfare initiative he has signed into law to usher in 2020.

German, U.S. Envoys Join Poland In War Of Words With Russia Over Who Started WWII RFE/RL 01 Jan 2020 -- The U.S. and German ambassadors to Poland have taken to social media to defend Warsaw in its spat with Russia over who was to blame for starting World War II.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

January 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News