European Court of Human Rights calls for an end to Sentsov’s hunger strike

In a statement made on July 25, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) called on the Russian Federation to provide convicted Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov with treatment in a medical institution appropriate to his condition.

"The Court today decided to apply an interim measure and to indicate to the Russian Government that Mr Sentsov should receive treatment appropriate to his condition in an institutionalized medical setting without delay. The Court also invited the applicant to end …


A group of Slovak MPs is set to visit annexed Crimea

Several deputies from Slovakia have decided to visit the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed, from Ukraine by the Russian Federation, despite the ambassador’s warning that this would violate the law, reported Slovak SME (The Slovak Spectator) news outlet.

Last week, a group of deputies, led by the independent MP Peter Marcek, announced that they are going to visit the Crimea in August. They also informed that they are planning to travel to the Crimean peninsula from Moscow.

In response, …


Russia protests against Israel’s downing of Syrian aircraft

Russia has voiced its protest after Israeli forces shot down a Syrian combat aircraft, according to a source from Maariv daily newspaper.

The publication claims that Israel has provided Russia with proof that the Syrian aircraft crossed the border into Israel.

On June 24 Israeli forces reported that they shot down a Syrian combat aircraft, allegedly a Su-22 or Su-24. According to Reuters, the aircraft’s pilot was killed. The plane ventured approximately 1.6 km into Israeli airspace. Israel …


Noble Partner 2018 multinational military exercises to be held in Georgia

More than 3000 soldiers from NATO member and partner states will take part in the annual Noble Partner drills, which will be held from August 1-15 in Georgia, at the Vaziani military airport and training ground and the Norio training base.

This year the drills will involve 1300 Georgians and 1170 US soldiers, as well as 500 soldiers from 11 other countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.

140 units of military equipment …


Russia's Gazprom borrows pension money to pay off debt

Gazprom, which has been cut off from international capital markets as a result of a gas dispute with Ukraine, has turned to Russians’ pension savings in order to make large foreign debt repayments.

On Tuesday, for the second time since the start of the year, the Russian gas company has entered the Russian debt market and borrowed 40 billion rubles. Investors were offered three bond placements – a 15-year bond of 10 billion rubles, and two tranches of 15 billion rubles 30-year securities. …