February 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russian COVID Deaths In 2020 Two Times Higher Than Earlier Estimate RFE/RL 08 Feb 2021 -- The number of Russians killed by the COVID-19 last year was twice as high as previously thought, amounting to the world's third-highest death toll for 2020, according to figures released by the country's national statistics agency.
Kremlin defends Russia's expulsion of EU diplomats Press TV 08 Feb 2021 -- The Kremlin has thrown its weight behind Russia's expulsion of European Union diplomats during their high-profile visit to the country, but insisted that Moscow remained interested in reviving relations with Brussels.
Germany, Sweden, Poland Expel Russian Diplomats In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 08 Feb 2021 -- Germany, Sweden, and Poland are each expelling a Russian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Moscow's expulsion last week of diplomats from the three EU countries for allegedly taking part in protests in support of Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.
Germany, Poland, and Sweden Expel Russian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Moves Sputnik 08 Feb 2021 -- Previously, three diplomats from Poland, Germany and Sweden were expelled from Russia after participating in unauthorised rallies to support jailed Russian blogger Alexei Navalny.
Russia Expels Albanian Diplomat In Tit-For-Tat Move RFE/RL 08 Feb 2021 -- Russia says it is expelling an Albanian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Tirana told a Russian diplomat to leave for allegedly violating lockdown rules instituted for the coronavirus pandemic.
Russia Expels Albanian Diplomat in Tit-for-Tat Move Sputnik 08 Feb 2021 -- According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the expulsion of an Albanian diplomat is in response to Albania ousting a Russian diplomat for allegedly violating coronavirus measures on 21 January 2021.
Putin, Kremlin Critic Navalny Set Battle Plans for Next Phase in Struggle for Mastery VOA 08 Feb 2021 -- "Who cares about him?" Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a December news conference when asked about Alexey Navalny, the Kremlin critic who survived a near-fatal poisoning and was arrested last month in Moscow on his return following life-saving treatment in Germany.
EU's Borrell Says Relations With Russia 'At A Crossroads' RFE/RL 07 Feb 2021 -- European Union foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell has said that relations between the European Union and Russia are "at a crossroads" following a visit to Moscow that the diplomat described as "very complicated."
Pakistan to Host Russia, NATO Members for Joint Naval Drill VOA 08 Feb 2021 -- Pakistan announced Monday it will host navies from 45 countries, including the United States, China and Russia, for a joint military exercise in the North Arabian Sea later this month.
Russia says agreed with Turkey to reduce tensions in Syria's Idlib Press TV 29 Feb 2020 -- Russia says it has agreed with Turkey to ease tensions in Syria's embattled Idlib province, the last major terrorist stronghold in the war-torn country.
Putin, Erdogan Look To Ease Soaring Tensions After Deadly Syrian Air Strike RFE/RL 29 Feb 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have held crisis talks amid rising tensions after 33 Turkish soldiers died in an air strike by Moscow-backed Syrian government warplanes.
China's Coronavirus Crisis Hits Russian Energy Sector Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2020 -- While China's economy struggles to recover from the coronavirus epidemic, the Russian energy sector is anxiously awaiting the results.
The Week In Russia: 'A Specific Disorder Of The Mind' RFE/RL 28 Feb 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin suggested that Russia and Ukraine should unite, seeming to ignore the six-year war and gloss over Kremlin actions that make even the notion of substantial cooperation seem highly improbable for the foreseeable future. Days later, Putin's former point man on Ukraine unleashed a provocative diatribe in which he claimed that country does not exist. He also suggested Putin should be permitted to serve two more terms.
Russia says Turkish troops killed among terrorists, warns against op Press TV 28 Feb 2020 -- A senior Russian lawmaker has warned that a full-scale Turkish operation in Syria will end badly for Ankara after Russia's Defense Ministry said Turkish soldiers killed in Syria were targeted after being deployed alongside terrorists.
Russia, Turkey Are on the Edge in Syria VOA 28 Feb 2020 -- Tensions between Russia and Turkey over their sometimes allied and often dueling military campaigns in Syria broke into the open Friday, with Moscow blaming Ankara for the deaths of 33 Turkish troops in Syria's Idlib region during airstrikes.
Turkish, Russian Leaders Talk as Fighting Continues in Syria VOA 28 Feb 2020 -- Fears of an escalating conflict in Syria grew Friday as Turkish forces pounded Syria's military in retaliation for the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers. Meanwhile, Russia's and Turkey's presidents spoke, as Ankara threatens to launch even more assaults on Russian-backed Syrian forces.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 27, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 27 Feb 2020
U.S. Will Not Let China, Russia Deny Its Space Superiority, DOD Officials Say DoD News 27 Feb 2020 -- Space systems underpin virtually every weapon system in the Defense Department's arsenal, a senior DOD official told Congress.
Russia's Far Eastern City Of Khabarovsk Appears Unfazed By Coronavirus Hysteria, But Look Deeper RFE/RL 27 Feb 2020 -- Just kilometers from the border with China, ground zero of the new coronavirus spreading across the globe, the Far East Russian region of Khabarovsk shows few outward signs of being in the grip of panic.
Hunt for Russian Black Ops Specialist Ranges From Spain to Bulgaria VOA 27 Feb 2020 -- An international manhunt for a Russian spy chief accused of plotting assassinations and coups in several countries is shedding light on how Russia's covert activities have been increasing throughout Europe, according to Western intelligence analysts.
In First Interview Since Departure, Russia's Former 'Gray Cardinal' Questions Existence Of Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Feb 2020 -- Vladislav Surkov was once "the man" in the Kremlin - the "gray cardinal" and ideologist and who oversaw Ukraine policy during the now six-year war that has killed more than 13,000, displaced more than 1 million, and ruptured ties between Moscow and the West.
White House Extends Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Situation For One Year RFE/RL 26 Feb 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has extended for one year a series of previously imposed sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, in particular, forcibly annexing the Crimean Peninsula and further destabilizing the country.
Russia says Turkey helping foreign militants enter Libya Press TV 26 Feb 2020 -- Russia says Turkey is helping foreign militants cross into Libya, where rebel forces are attempting to unseat the internationally-recognized government.
Trump Campaign Sues New York Times For Libel Over Russia Story RFE/RL 26 Feb 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's reelection campaign has filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times (NYT), accusing it of falsely asserting a trade-off between Russian officials and the president's 2016 campaign.
Was A Russian Diplomat In Geneva An Agent Overseeing A Secret Hit Squad? Bellingcat Says Yes RFE/RL 25 Feb 2020 -- A Russian man who had diplomatic credentials in Geneva was in fact a military intelligence officer linked to a secret hit squad accused of a spate of poisonings in Europe, according to a new report by the open-source investigative organization Bellingcat.
Senior U.S. Democrats Demand Russia Sanctions Over 2020 Election Interference RFE/RL 25 Feb 2020 -- U.S. Senate Democratic leaders have urged the administration of President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia after U.S. intelligence officials briefed members of Congress that Russia was again trying to interfere in a national election.
Several Turkish forces killed in Syrian-Russian strikes in Idlib: SOHR Press TV 24 Feb 2020 -- At least 10 Turkish army soldiers have reportedly been killed or injured following joint airstrikes launched by the Syrian and Russian air forces in Syria's embattled northwestern province of Idlib.
Turkish Casualties Rise in Syria, but Ankara Wary of Confronting Russia VOA 24 Feb 2020 -- Turkish forces have suffered more casualties in the latest round of fighting in Syria's northwestern Idlib province. But despite Russia backing Syrian government forces in the ongoing attacks on Turkish forces, Ankara has refrained from confronting Moscow – a sign, analysts suggest, of the considerable economic leverage Russia retains over Turkey.
Russia Denies Its Air Forces Hit Villages of Kansafra and Al-Bara in Idlib Sputnik 24 Feb 2020 -- The London based monitor claimed on Monday that air strikes by the Russian Air Force resulted in the deaths of five civilians.
New Russian PM's Rise Shines Spotlight On Purported Friend's Mysterious Wealth RFE/RL 24 Feb 2020 -- Russia has a rising business star in Aleksandr Udodov, an entrepreneur whose apparent success is driven by savvy investments, financial smarts, and a sense of patriotism.
Trump Says Would Be 'Great Thing' For Russia, Ukraine To Reconcile RFE/RL 24 Feb 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would like to see rivals Russia and Ukraine mend ties in their ongoing geopolitical feud, which includes accusations by Kyiv that Moscow is fomenting a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine by leading, supplying, and fighting alongside proxy forces.
Serbia Receives Delivery Of Russian Antiaircraft Systems Despite U.S. Sanction Threats RFE/RL 24 Feb 2020 -- Serbia has over the weekend received a delivery of Russian-made Pantsir S1 air-defense systems, despite warnings of possible U.S. sanctions against the Balkan state, which is seeking membership to the European Union.
Russian, Turkish defense ministers discuss situation in Syria's Idlib People's Daily 23 Feb 2020 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed the situation in the Syrian city of Idlib with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar during a phone conversation, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday.
U.S. Officials Link COVID-19 Disinformation Campaign To Russian Proxy Accounts RFE/RL 22 Feb 2020 -- Officials in the United States have said that thousands of Russia-linked social media accounts have launched a coordinated effort to spread alarm and misinformation about the COVID-19 crisis.
U.S. Candidate Sanders Blasts Russia Amid Reports Moscow Trying To Aid Campaign RFE/RL 22 Feb 2020 -- Russia has once again taken a prominent role in the U.S. presidential campaign, with intelligence officials warning lawmakers that Moscow is meddling in the process to support President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.
'Russia, Turkey to intensify consultations on Syria's Idlib' Press TV 22 Feb 2020 -- The Russian and Turkish heads of state agree during a phone call to step up their bilateral consultations concerning the situation in the terrorists-infested northwestern Syrian province of Idlib.
Russia says Turkey sends large amounts of ammo to Syria's Idlib ahead of large-scale op Press TV 21 Feb 2020 -- Russia says Turkey has sent large amounts of ammunition and armored vehicles into Syria's Idlib province, apparently in preparation for its anticipated large-scale operation in the Arab country.
Kremlin Scrambles to Avoid Open Conflict With Turkey VOA 21 Feb 2020 -- The Kremlin was scrambling Friday to reach a stopgap agreement with Ankara to halt fighting in northwest Syria amid growing fears that Russia and Turkey are on the brink of open warfare.
Russia rejects claims of meddling in 2020 US election Press TV 21 Feb 2020 -- The Kremlin has rejected "paranoid" claims that Moscow is seeking to meddle in the 2020 presidential election in the United States.
US intelligence told lawmakers of Russian effort to boost Trump Press TV 21 Feb 2020 -- US intelligence officials claim that Russia is interfering in the 2020 presidential campaign by trying to boost President Donald Trump's reelection, a report says.
Trump Dismisses U.S. Intelligence Reports Warning Of Russian Help In His 2020 Relection Bid RFE/RL 21 Feb 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected reported assertions by U.S. intelligence officials that Russia was interfering in the 2020 presidential election in a bid to help his reelection campaign.
Bulgarian Prosecutors Identify Three Russians Suspected In 2015 Poisoning Case RFE/RL 21 Feb 2020 -- Prosecutors in Bulgaria have filed criminal charges against three Russian citizens in connection with the attempted poisoning in 2015 of arms dealer Emilian Gebrev.
The Week In Russia: 'Not Telling' (Or How The Kremlin Holds Back Information) RFE/RL 21 Feb 2020 -- The architect of "managed democracy" is managed out, and President Vladimir Putin reveals almost zero about the motives for Vladislav Surkov's departure. Same goes for the dismissal of Dmitry Medvedev's cabinet, with Putin's telling remark about the timing of the move being, "Not telling."
Russia-backed Syrian troops repel attacks of Turkey-supported militants: Russian military People's Daily 21 Feb 2020 -- Syrian government troops covered by Russian warplanes on Thursday repelled several massive attacks of militants supported by Turkey in Syria's Idlib, according to the Russian military.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 20, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Feb 2020
Tbilisi And Washington Blame Russia For October Cyberattack On Georgian Websites RFE/RL 20 Feb 2020 -- Georgia and the United States have blamed Russia for a massive coordinated cyberattack that took thousands of Georgian websites offline in October.
The United States Condemns Russian Cyber Attack Against the Country of Georgia US Dept. of State 20 Feb 2020 -- On October 28, 2019, the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) Main Center for Special Technologies (GTsST, also known as Unit 74455 and Sandworm) carried out a widespread disruptive cyber attack against the country of Georgia.
UK condemns Russia's GRU over Georgia cyber-attacks UK FCO 20 Feb 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab calls out Russia's campaign of unacceptable cyber-attacks against Georgia.
Moscow Bus Drivers Told To Report Suspected Chinese Passengers, Amid Coronavirus Fears RFE/RL 20 Feb 2020 -- A public transport worker in Moscow has told RFE/RL that all drivers of buses, trams, and trolley buses in the Russian capital have been instructed to stop their vehicles and make all passengers disembark if they suspect any of their passengers are from China.
Russia urges Turkey to halt support of 'terrorists' in Syria's flashpoint Idlib province Press TV 20 Feb 2020 -- Russia has called on Turkey to stop "supporting terrorists" in northern Syria, as Russian warplanes conducted airstrikes against targets of Turkey-backed militants and Syrian army troops repelled an attack by terror outfits in flashpoint Idlib province.
Russian Air Strikes In Syria Kill Two Turkish Troops, Prompting Retaliation RFE/RL 20 Feb 2020 -- Turkey has said two of its soldiers were killed and another five were wounded in Russian air strikes near the northwestern region of Idlib in Syria on February 20, signifying an escalation in the civil war in which Ankara and Moscow support opposing sides.
Turkey's Erdogan 'Determined to Transform Idlib Into a Safe Place' VOA 20 Feb 2020 -- Less than a day after Russian warplanes continued their bombing campaign in northwest Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his party's parliamentary group in Ankara Wednesday that he is "is determined to transform Idlib into a safe place at any cost for the sake of both Turkey and the region's people."
UN envoy urges Turkey, Russia to de-escalate situation in Syria's Idlib Press TV 19 Feb 2020 -- UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen has called on Moscow and Ankara to de-escalate the situation in the Arab country's Idlib province after the Turkish president threatened "imminent" operation in the last stronghold of terrorists in northern Syria.
Turkey's Erdogan threatens 'imminent' Syria operation, sparks Russian warning Press TV 19 Feb 2020 -- Turkey has threatened to launch an "imminent" operation in Syria's Idlib Province if Damascus fails to withdraw behind Ankara's military positions, sparking a warning from Russia.
Erdogan Says Talks With Russia Unsatisfactory, Turkish Offensive 'Matter Of Time' RFE/RL 19 Feb 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that a military operation in the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib was a "matter of time" if President Bashar al-Assad's forces fail to withdraw behind Turkish military positions - prompting criticism from Moscow.
Turkish Soldiers' Deaths Ramp Up Tensions With Moscow VOA 20 Feb 2020 -- Tensions between Turkey and Russia escalated Thursday with the killing of the two Turkish soldiers in a Syrian airstrike. Moscow, which backs the Damascus government, accused Ankara of supporting terrorists in Syria.
OSCE Calls For 'New And Full' Investigation Into Nemtsov Murder RFE/RL 20 Feb 2020 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on February 20 called for "a new and full investigation" into the murder of Boris Nemtsov, the former Russian opposition politician who was killed almost five years ago near the Kremlin.
The 'Gray Cardinal' Has Left The Kremlin. What Does That Mean For The War In Ukraine? RFE/RL 19 Feb 2020 -- After seven years overseeing the Kremlin's policy regarding Ukraine – a period which included Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea region and the unleashing of a conflict in parts of eastern Ukraine that has left more than 13,000 people dead -- Vladislav Surkov has been dismissed.
Trump offered Assange pardon to cover up Russia alleged hacking Press TV 19 Feb 2020 -- US President Donald Trump sent someone to the Ecuadorian embassy to tell Julian Assange that he would be pardoned if he denied that Russia leaked emails of his 2016 election rival's campaign, says the lawyer of the WikiLeaks founder.
Russia Temporarily Bans Chinese Citizens From Entry Amid Virus Fears RFE/RL 18 Feb 2020 -- Russia says it will temporarily block Chinese citizens from entering its territory as authorities look to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Putin Fires Longtime Aide, Ex-Ukraine Peace Negotiator Surkov RFE/RL 18 Feb 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has fired influential longtime aide Vladislav Surkov following weeks of speculation that the 55-year-old was leaving the Kremlin amid a change in its Ukraine policy.
US Imposes New Venezuela-Related Sanctions on Rosneft Trading, Its Head - Treasury Sputnik 18 Feb 2020 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia's Rosneft Trading S.A. and its head Didier Casimiro over their collaboration with Venezuela, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced in a notice on its website on Tuesday.
The United States Sanctions Rosneft Trading S.A. to Secure Venezuela's Natural Resources US Dept. of State 18 Feb 2020 -- On February 18, the United States took action to halt the former Maduro regime's theft of Venezuela's assets and continued usurpation of democracy by sanctioning Rosneft Trading S.A., a Swiss-incorporated, Russian-owned oil brokerage firm, for operating in Venezuela's oil sector.
Treasury Targets Russian Oil Brokerage Firm for Supporting Illegitimate Maduro Regime US Treasury 18 Feb 2020 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated Rosneft Trading S.A., the Swiss-incorporated, Russian-controlled oil brokerage firm pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13850, as amended, for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy. OFAC also designated the chairman of the board of directors and president of Rosneft Trading S.A., Didier Casimiro, for purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rosneft Trading S.A.
U.S. Sanctions Unit Of Russia's Rosneft For Aiding Venezuela's 'Dictatorial' Leader RFE/RL 18 Feb 2020 -- The United States has imposed financial penalties on Rosneft Trading, a Russian-owned oil brokerage firm, for operating in Venezuela's energy sector in violation of U.S. sanctions on the South American country.
Analysis: Phantom Foe? Russia To Upgrade Kyrgyzstan's Air-Defense System RFE/RL 18 Feb 2020 -- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Pankov announced on February 11 that a modern air-defense system would be sent to the Russian military base in northern Kyrgyzstan.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu Visits Serbia Amid Heightened Tensions In the Balkans RFE/RL 18 Feb 2020 -- Serbian-Russian military cooperation is on an "upward trend" and both countries are committed to "further enhancing" it, Serbia's Defense Ministry said on its website after hosting a delegation led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on February 17.
Individual Arrested for Acting Within the U.S. on Behalf of the Russian Government Without Notifying the Attorney General US Dept. of Justice 18 Feb 2020 -- Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, a Mexican citizen residing in Singapore, was arrested based on a Complaint charging him with acting within the United States on behalf of a foreign government (Russia), without notifying the Attorney General, and conspiracy to do the same.
Trump Calls For Russia To Stop Backing Syrian 'Atrocities' On Eve Of Ankara-Moscow Talks RFE/RL 17 Feb 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on February 16, "expressing concern over the violence in Idlib, Syria," according to White House press secretary Judd Deere.
Russian, Turkish Military Conduct Patrol in Syria's Hasakah Province Sputnik 17 Feb 2020 -- The Russian military police are continuing to patrol the Syrian-Turkish border at several routes in the provinces of Aleppo, Hasakah and Raqqa, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syria reconciliation, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev said on Monday.
Russia says US causes irreparable damage to security balance by deploying weapons to space Press TV 17 Feb 2020 -- The United States will deal an irreversible blow to the existing security balance in space, Russia has warned, in the wake of an announcement by Washington about plans to deploy weapons to space.
Bellingcat Says FSB Behind 2019 Berlin Killing Of Former Chechen Separatist Commander RFE/RL 17 Feb 2020 -- The investigative journalism group Bellingcat says an investigation into the 2019 killing of a former Chechen separatist commander in Berlin shows the attack was planned and organized by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
Russia's USC Unveils Commissioning Timeline For Cutting-Edge Admiral Kasatonov Warship Sputnik 17 Feb 2020 -- Russia's first Project 22350 frigate Admiral Flota Kasatonov will be commissioned to the Russian Navy in the first quarter of 2020, according to the head of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Alexey Rakhmanov.
Kremlin Refutes Claims That There Are Russian Troops in Libya Sputnik 17 Feb 2020 -- Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with the broadcaster NTV that "Russia is currently managing the war there [in Libya] at the highest level".
Building A Fortune On Misfortune: Pyramid Schemes Still A Bane In Russian Hinterland RFE/RL 15 Feb 2020 -- Posters outside the Veliky Ustyug Cultural-Entertainment Center advertise a concert on February 23 to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day and, a couple weeks later, a performance of Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin.
Lavrov Accuses NATO, Europe Of Stoking Tensions RFE/RL 15 Feb 2020 -- Russia's foreign minister has accused NATO, and Europe more broadly, of stoking tensions on the continent, as he called on leaders to "abandon the phantom of the Russian threat."
Macron Calls For New Russian Policy Despite Ongoing Kremlin Efforts To Destabilize West RFE/RL 15 Feb 2020 -- France's president has said that Russia would continue trying to destabilize Western democracies, but he called for Europe to adopt a new approach toward Moscow.
Russia Halts All Charter Flights To And From China Due To Coronavirus RFE/RL 14 Feb 2020 -- All charter flights from Russia to China have been stopped as of February 14 due to the spread of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
The Week In Russia: 2020 Or 1937: Show Trials, Torture, And The Emperor In The Elevator RFE/RL 14 Feb 2020 -- Opinion polls pointed to declining trust in Vladimir Putin at home and abroad, while a less formal survey -- a prank involving a portrait in an elevator -- provided a laugh-inducing lesson on shifting attitudes toward the Russian president. On the darker side, long prison terms for defendants who alleged they were tortured in a trumped-up terrorism case drew comparisons to Stalin's show trials.
Belarus Threatens To Tap Oil From Russian Pipeline RFE/RL 14 Feb 2020 -- President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has said Belarus would start taking oil from a transit pipeline if Russia does not supply its neighbor with the required volumes of crude, the state news agency BelTA reports.
Less Russia, More Europe On Belarus's New Symbol-To-Be RFE/RL 13 Feb 2020 -- Amid a push from Russia for closer ties, Belarus is considering adopting a new national coat of arms that pointedly looks west.
Russia To Deploy New Air-Defense Equipment To Base In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 13 Feb 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan says Russia plans to install new air- and missile-defense equipment and drones at its air base near the former Soviet republic's northern city of Kant.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, February 12, 2020 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 Feb 2020
Two Russian Space Probes Stalk U.S. Spy Satellite RFE/RL 12 Feb 2020 -- The newly-created U.S. Space Force has accused Russia of using a pair of its satellites to tail a U.S. spy satellite, calling it "disturbing behavior" while prompting a reserved response from Moscow on February 11.
Report: Russian Couple Faces Charges For Wedding Photos That Include FSB Officer RFE/RL 11 Feb 2020 -- A Russian newspaper says that a married couple faces criminal charges for photographs taken at their wedding five years ago and published online that reveal the identity of a counterintelligence officer with Russia's main security agency.
Belarus To Buy Russian Oil At 'Global Market' Prices RFE/RL 09 Feb 2020 -- Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Dzmitry Krutoy has been quoted as saying Minsk will pay "global market" prices for oil from Russia this year.
Russian FM decries US sanctions on Venezuela as being 'illegal' Press TV 08 Feb 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has condemned US sanctions against Venezuela as being "illegal" as Washington ramps up pressure on the South American nation.
Russian Foreign Minister Holds Talks With Venezuelan President Amid U.S. Sanctions Warning RFE/RL 07 Feb 2020 -- Russia's foreign minister is visiting Venezuela in a show of support for Nicolas Maduro, as Moscow tries to bolster the South American country's president amid a collapsing economy and the threat of more U.S. sanctions.
Dim The Lights And Cue The Revisionism: Russia Turns Holocaust Remembrance Into Political Theater RFE/RL 07 Feb 2020 -- The lights dimmed, more than 40 world leaders took their seats, and the screens cut to black. The scene was set for Russia to sell its revisionist take on World War II to a global audience.
Lukashenka, Putin Meet For Tense Talks Over Integration, Oil Supplies RFE/RL 07 Feb 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for talks expected to focus on Belarus's recent overtures to the United States and Russia's increasing economic pressure on Minsk.
Russian Defence Ministry Says Turkey Skipped Joint Patrol With Russian Forces in Syria Sputnik 07 Feb 2020 -- Units of the Russian military police carried out a patrol in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Thursday on their own, as their Turkish counterparts failed to arrive at the mission starting point, Major General Yuri Borenkov, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's Reconciliation Centre in Syria, said.
U.S., Russia In War Of Words Over Competing Interests In Venezuela RFE/RL 07 Feb 2020 -- The United States and Russia exchanged harsh words over Venezuela, where Moscow supports a president considered illegitimate by the United States and some 50 other countries.
Iraq, Russia Discuss Heightened Military Cooperation Amid U.S. Strains RFE/RL 07 Feb 2020 -- Iraq's Defense Ministry says it has discussed the possibilities for deepening military cooperation with Russia, as ties between Baghdad and Washington fray following a U.S. air strike that killed a top Iranian general in the country.
Russian FM Lavrov slams US policies toward crisis-plagued Venezuela Press TV 06 Feb 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has condemned the United States for seeking "regime change" in Venezuela by imposing sanctions on the country's state energy giant Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido and attempting to create a pretext for military intervention there.
Court In Russian-Occupied Crimea Extends Pretrial Arrest For Pro-Ukrainian Activist RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- A court in Crimea has extended the pretrial detention of pro-Ukrainian activist Oleh Prykhodko.
Kremlin Says It Has No Part In Russian Citizen Becoming 'Prime Minister' In Ukraine's Separatist Region RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- The Kremlin has distanced itself from the naming of a Russian citizen as the separatist prime minister in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
God, Gays, And 'Victorious Power': Other Proposed Amendments To Russia's Constitution RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- When President Vladimir Putin dropped his bombshell announcement calling for changing Russia's constitution, the immediate focus was on what it meant for his future.
Russian Police Detain Man Suspected In 2009 Killing Of Notorious Crime Boss RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- Russian police have detained a person suspected of being involved in the 2009 high-profile killing of Russia's most notorious crime boss, Vyacheslav Ivankov, also known as Yaponchik (The Little Japanese).
Russia objects to UN draft resolution on Libya Press TV 06 Feb 2020 -- Russia has blocked a United Nations Security Council draft resolution on the Libyan conflict, insisting that any foreign militants in Libya be labeled "foreign terrorist fighters," not just "mercenaries," as the draft text proposed.
FBI: Russia engaged in 'information warfare' ahead of 2020 presidential election Press TV 06 Feb 2020 -- The FBI has accused Russia of being engaged in "information warfare" heading into the 2020 presidential election, repeating allegations that Moscow conducted a "cyberattack on election infrastructure" in 2016 presidential vote.
FBI Chief Says Russia's 'Information Warfare' Against U.S. Has Not Eased RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- The chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says Russia is conducting an "information warfare" operation against the United States ahead of the 2020 presidential election, although he says he has not seen signs that Russian actors have attempted to breach election infrastructure.
Russia Negotiating Manufacture of 'Igla-S' Air Defence Systems in India - Military Sputnik 06 Feb 2020 -- Contracts are under negotiation to supply India with Russian-made Igla-S man-portable air defence missiles and to organize their production on Indian soil, an official representative of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation told reporters on Thursday.
Lukashenka Complains About Halt On Russian Oil Supplies Ahead Of Putin Talks RFE/RL 06 Feb 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has arrived in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, state news agency BelTA reported, for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that are expected to focus on disagreements over tariffs for Russian oil.
Russia alarmed by US deployment of low-yield nuclear missiles on submarines Press TV 05 Feb 2020 -- A Russian official says Moscow is alarmed by the US Navy's decision to deploy low-yield nuclear missiles on submarines since they heighten the risk of a limited nuclear war.
Official: Russia To Begin S-400 Missile Delivery To India By End Of 2021 RFE/RL 05 Feb 2020 -- Russia will begin delivering surface-to-air missile systems to India by the end of 2021, state news agency RIA Novosti quoted a Russian official as saying on February 5.
Russia Wants Talks On Norway's 'Restrictions' To Its Activities On Arctic Islands RFE/RL 04 Feb 2020 -- Russia has asked Norway for talks to address what it called illegal restrictions of its activities on the Arctic Svalbard archipelago.
Russia Establishes Siberian Quarantine Center for Coronavirus VOA 04 Feb 2020 -- Russia's government took additional measures to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus across the border from China, with a Kremlin task force announcing a quarantine location for at-risk patients just days after two cases were reported. Both of the infected are Chinese nationals living inside Russia.
Turkish-Russian Tension Over Syria Opens Door to Washington VOA 04 Feb 2020 -- Questions about the future of Turkey's rapprochement with Russia are growing as fallout continues from Monday's killing of at least five Turkish soldiers by Russia-backed Syrian government forces.
Turkey takes up its Syria accusations with Russia Press TV 04 Feb 2020 -- Turkey accuses the Syrian military of targeting its observation posts in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, claiming it is up to Russia to "stop" Damascus.
Erdogan, Putin Discuss Recent Attack on Turkish Military in Syria's Idlib Over Phone Sputnik 04 Feb 2020 -- The Turkish Defence Ministry said on Monday that five Turkish military officers and a civilian staffer had been killed in an attack by the Syrian army in the province of Idlib.
Russia, India Extend Licensed Manufacturing of T-90S Tanks Until 2028 - Trade Minister Sputnik 04 Feb 2020 -- Russia and India signed a deal extending the licensed manufacturing of T-90s tanks until 2028, Denis Manturov, the Russian minister of industry and trade, told Sputnik.
Russia starts production of S-400 systems for India Press TV 04 Feb 2020 -- Russia says it has started the production of a batch of S-400 missile defense systems for India under a deal the two countries reached two years ago, despite threats of sanctions made by the United States against New Delhi over the purchase of the advanced Russian systems.
Russia Begins Production of S-400 Air Defence Systems for India Sputnik 04 Feb 2020 -- Russia has begun production of S-400 air defence missile systems for India, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said.
Lukashenka Says Possible Talks With Putin Will Be 'Moment Of Truth' RFE/RL 04 Feb 2020 -- Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to discuss ongoing disagreements over tariffs for Russian oil.
Russian Firm Seeks To Recover $11 Million Loan From French Far-Right Leader's Party RFE/RL 04 Feb 2020 -- An obscure Russian aircraft parts company is suing the political party led by French far-right politician Marine Le Pen to recover a $10.8 million that was lent in 2014 to help fund election campaigns in France.
Kremlin Says Putin-Erdogan Talks Can Be Arranged After Turkish Strikes In Syria RFE/RL 03 Feb 2020 -- The Kremlin says talks between President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can be arranged if "necessary" after Turkish forces killed dozens of Russian-backed Syrian government troops.
The Kremlin Tries Keynes: Putin's New Cabinet Looks To Spur Economy With (Big) Spending RFE/RL 03 Feb 2020 -- Moscow's stock markets hit new highs in the first half of January, drawing plaudits from investment managers around the world. Russia's budget is the envy of many Western countries, with a surplus equal to 1.8 percent of the economy. Foreign currency reserves are among the largest in the world.
Experts: Russia Skirts Sanctions on N. Korean Workers to Defy US-led Pressure VOA 01 Feb 2020 -- Russia has been dodging U.N. sanctions and hiring North Korean workers to push back against the U.S.-led maximum-pressure policy, while supplementing the shrinking labor supply in its Far East, experts say.

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February 2020 - Russia Special Weapons News