Separatists arrest Russian battalion leader

Russian journalist, Marina Akhmedova, has confirmed that the so-called Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has arrested Alexei Smirnov. He is the commander of the so-called Angel battalion. She posted this on her Facebook page.

“Alexei Smirnov, also known as Angel, was arrested. He is now in the custody of the MGB of the DPR. The charges are theft of humanitarian aid. It's hard to do it, but at this point I will refrain from making angry …


Ukraine to receive $500 million loan from World Bank

The World Bank will provide $500 million worth of credit guarantees to Ukraine for natural gas purchases for heating in the near future, reported Satu Kahkonen, the World Bank Country Director for Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine.

“Yes, we’ve got some projects that are being prepared for Ukraine. One of them is a $500 million project – a guarantee for the government of Ukraine for gas purchasing,” she said.

Satu Kahkonen noted that the guarantee could come “in the nearest future,” taking into …


Ukraine has requested that the UK make efforts to halt activities of pro-Kremlin journalist Graham Phillips

The Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Natalia Galibarenko, has requested that the United Kingdom make every possible effort to halt the activity of pro-Russian propagandist and British citizen, Graham Phillips.

An open letter from the Ukrainian diplomat states that Graham Phillips arrived in eastern Ukraine in 2014-2015, where he had been working for pro-Russian separatists. This letter was published by the press service of the Embassy of …


Despite sanctions, European supermarkets operate in Crimea

According to Reuters, the Metro and Auchan European supermarket chains are operating in the annexed Crimea despite EU sanctions.

Products exported to these shops from Russia come through the port of Kerch, even though the European sanctions prohibit this, sources at the agency says.

According to these sanctions, EU companies cannot do business in the Crimea. Reuters reports that the representatives of Metro and Auchan have stated that they are not violating the sanctions as their stores are …


US officials begin to see cracks in Russia's Syria strategy

Experts believe that Moscow's chances to benefit from intervention in Syria via the lifting of European sanctions has been reduced due to the collapse of the ceasefire.

According to some representatives of the U.S. government, the cracks in Moscow’s strategy began to emerge on Wednesday, September 21st during the United Nations Security Council high level meeting when Russia changed its explanations about the attack on a humanitarian convoy that resulted in 20 deaths.

The Russian officials …