Ukraine will transform Chernobyl zone into biosphere reserve

The President of Ukraine has signed a law transforming the Chernobyl zone into a biosphere reserve. The new document defines the specifics of land-use and town-planning activities.

Thirty years after the Chernobyl disaster, a law was signed to transform the 30km zone around the emergency reactor. The document defines the specifics of land-use, special water-use, town-planning activities, air protection, mandatory resettlement of people to ecologically safe systems and the recovery of the …


National Bank of Ukraine's international reserves increased by $100 million in July

According to tentative data from the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Ukraine's international reserves in July 2016 rose by $100 million, or 0.7%, to $14.82 billion.

Since the beginning of the year, the reserves have increased by 5.9%, or by 782 million dollars. 

As noted in the report by the NBU, the increase in reserves in July happened mainly thanks to currency purchases made by the NBU in the interbank market in the amount of 257.8 million dollars. An additional $98 million was received …


Russia's gas export revenues fell by 31 percent

Revenue from Russian gas exports in January-June 2016 amounted to 14.975 billion dollars, which is 31.6% less than in the same period of 2015 as indicated in the data from the Russian Federal Customs Service, reports Prime business news outlet.

In January-June of 2016, Russia exported 95.4 billion cubic meters of gas (a 6.95% growth in comparison with January-June 2015), including the far abroad countries - 78.3 billion cubic meters (14.6% growth) and the CIS (former Soviet Union) countries - 1 …


Ukrainian Intelligence: Russia deployed naval ship carrying cruise missiles to the Crimea

On the 5th of August, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine released data indicating the strengthening of the naval component of the Russian Armed Forces in the annexed Crimea. In particular, the Agency reported on the addition of ships with powerful missile complexes.

According to the press service of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the inclusion of the Admiral Makarov frigate, which is armed with a Caliber-NK …


Ukrainian Ambassador to the US criticizes Trump for his stance towards Russia

The Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, Valeriy Chaly, said that the statements of the Republican Party nominee for President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding Ukraine and the Crimea have caused considerable concern in Kyiv.

In the article in The Hill newspaper, Chaly emphasized that Trump sends the wrong signal to the world by his statements which call for the violation of international law. The Ambassador also noted that Trump’s statements run counter to the platform of …