The Acting Head of the OSCE, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, expressed concerns over the increase in ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine including incidents involving OSCE observers.

“The SMM is a civil, unarmed mission. It plays an important role in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. SMM observers’ security should be guaranteed by both sides. The persons responsible for threats and use of force against observers must be brought to justice,” …

The Minister of National Defense of Poland, Antoni Macierewicz, signed the documents necessary for the creation of territorial defense forces. The first units will be created in 2016 and will be placed in the east of the country. As he stated on April 25th, 18,000 people will be integrated into three brigades of territorial forces.

It is expected that they will not have weapons and that their mission will be to assist in the implementation of security measures during public events, protection …

Smolensk customs officials have destroyed 97.7 tons of Polish apples and pears that were smuggled into the region. This was reported to Interfax by the department’s Chief State Inspector, Vladimir Safonov. According to him, the fruit was buried at the RudnyaKomUslugi waste disposal site.

Safonov also reported that the department had destroyed a total of 189 tons of sanctioned goods in April. These consisted of apples, pears and cabbages.

"All of these Polish items were officially imported as …

The Presnensky District Court of Moscow has extended the detainment of the Director of the Library of Ukrainian Literature, Natalya Sharina, until July 29th, 2016. Sharina is accused of distributing extremist literature and embezzlement.

This update was posted on Facebook by Sharina’s lawyer, Ivan Pavlov.

The court has also denied the request that Sharina be allowed to take short outside walks during her detainment.

Investigators had searched the Library of Ukrainian Literature on the 28th …

Well-known Russian media manager, journalist and public figure, Anton Nosik, was indicted for "inciting hatred or hostility, resulting in the humiliation of human dignity" on Tuesday, April 26, in Moscow. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered not to leave the country, reports Interfax.

According to investigators, on October 1, 2015, Nosik, "using his personal computer posted on a blogging platforms, with the aim of arousing hatred and hostility towards a group of people on a …