Gorbachev explains that Russians support Putin 'to insure themselves' from events in the world

President Vladimir Putin enjoys the support of Russians because they have a "natural desire to insure themselves” from the complex international situation, said first President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev,   in conversation with RIA Novosti while commenting on Putin's decision to take part in the presidential elections.

"The situation is such that Russia has many problems, and a very complicated international [situation]. Hence, the people have a natural desire to insure themselves and not …


Russia started delivery of aviation fuel to separatist-held areas of Ukraine

In November 2017, Russia began supplying aviation kerosene to the separatist-controlled territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, LIGA.net reports, citing data from the Russian railway.

From November 15 to 28, the Promsyrieimoprt company, owned by the Russian Ministry of Energy, transported by rail two batches of aviation kerosene with a total volume of about 65,000 kg.

This amount is enough for a 20-hour flight for an Airbus A321 or Boeing 737-800, or a 5-hour flight for a Ruslan An-124 …


Ukraine: DHL Express, Adidas and Puma illegally operate in annexed Crimea

Ukrainian Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons notes that the German companies DHL Express, Adidas and Puma are illegally working in Russian-annexed Crimea, the ministry's website reports.

"While monitoring compliance with the legal regime of the temporarily occupied territory, the Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons found evidence of activities by German companies DHL Express, Adidas AG, Puma SE on the …


Kremlin: Russian military bases in Syria will continue to operate

The head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Vladimir Shamanov said that Russian military bases in Syria will continue to function after the end of the military operation and that they will prepare to stay for the long term, Interfax reports.

"Both bases in Syria, Khmeimim, and Tartus will not only continue to function but will constantly improve their quality and capabilities, having ahead of us the long-term perspective of our presence in this far-from-tranquil region," Shamanov said. …


International Criminal Tribunal confirms Russia’s military involvement in the armed conflict in the Donbas

The Prosecutor's Office of the International Criminal Court (The Hague Tribunal, the Netherlands) established a series of facts concerning the military confrontation between the Ukrainian military and the armed forces of the Russian Federation in the Donbass, as stated in a report by the ICC chief prosecutor, Fatu Bensouda, the Novosti Donbassa (Donbas News) reports.

In their 2016 report, it was established by the preliminary investigation that armed groups, including militants of the Donetsk …