Bellingcat names retired Russian military intelligence officer involved in downing of MH-17
On Wednesday, February 14, independent expert and journalist group Bellingcat released a new report about the investigation of the downing of the Malaysian Boeing aircraft, which had been operating Malaysian Airlines flight MH-17 in the airspace above the Donbas. The document establishes the identity of an individual officer, nicknamed ‘Gloomy’, who had apparently been involved in the carriage of ‘Buk’ anti-aircraft missile system that caused the Boeing to crash.
The report’s authors noted …
Peskov denies contacts between Russian intelligence and Trump campaign team
The Press Secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Vladimir Putin didn’t discuss the Crimean issue during a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, RIA Novosti reported. “No, the Crimean issue wasn’t raised,” Peskov told journalists in response to the question.
“We have said everything we want to say about the results of the telephone conversation that you mentioned,” the Press Secretary added. “As for the return of the Crimea, this …
Moscow responds to US statements on the Crimea
Commenting on the White House's statements on the Crimea, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that Moscow “will not give back her own territories”.
“We will not give back our own territories. The Crimea is the territory of the Russian Federation. That’s all,” Zakharova stated.
She also remarked that bilateral relations between Russia and America “were brought to an impasse by the previous US administration, which they need to be brought out of”.
“The Obama administration was in power …
Ukrainian government declares a state of emergency due to energy situation
On the 15th of February, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine declared a state of emergency with respect to the country’s energy situation, by issuing an order “to adopt temporary extreme measures in the electric energy market”. According to the authorities, due to the trade blockade in the uncontrolled territories of the Donbas which war veterans have been imposing since the end of January, there is a shortage of the anthracite coal used by the thermal power plants in Ukraine.
Prime Minister …
Russia to sell three Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates to India after failing to acquire Ukrainian engines
Three Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) frigates originally intended for use by the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet will be sold to India, the Assistant Director to the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Vladimir Drozhov, stated, RIA Novosti reported.
The sale of the naval vessels was the result of an agreement signed in October 2016 after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The agreement assumes that two frigates …