General Pavel: NATO will respond to future Russian aggression in Ukraine
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Petr Pavel, has said that if Russia takes any aggressive action against NATO members in the East, the Alliance will have to respond. Pavel was referencing Russia’s actions against Crimea and Ukraine.
On the 24th of May, Pavel told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the increase of the Alliance’s military forces on its eastern flank is in direct response to Russia’s military actions towards Georgia, Ukraine and Syria.
General Pavel, who …
Russian Supreme Court signs bill making it illegal to dishonor the national anthem
The Russian Supreme Court approved a bill criminalizing any dishonor of the national anthem. The document indicates that insulting the Russian anthem is equated to insulting the national coat of arms or the flag. According to the bill, any violation is punishable by up to one year in prison.
“As specified in Article 9 of the Federal Constitutional Law ‘On the National Anthem of the Russian Federation’, it contains a direct stipulation for punishment in accordance with Russian legislation in …
Lawyer: Pressure is being exerted on imprisoned Crimean Tatars
Enver Mamutov, an imprisoned Crimean Tatar, lives in unacceptable conditions and is subject to psychological pressure, according to his lawyer, Emile Kurbedinov.
“Enver Mamutov has said that he is being held in solitary confinement. He has also not received pen and paper to write a statement, or approved books from the library. Just imagine spending all of your days in solitary confinement. To be imprisoned in such conditions and without any communication amounts to psychological pressure,” …
Separatists attempt to overtake Ukraine positions near Novotroitske
On Tuesday evening, Russian-backed separatists attempted to break through the Ukrainian defenses near Novotroitske, but the government forces were able to repel the attack, as reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the post, separatists used infantry fighting vehicles, snipers, and grenade launchers as part of their assault on the Ukrainian positions.
“Ukrainian soldiers opened fire and shot an infantry combat vehicle of the …
Nadiya Savchenko freed as part of prisoner exchange
Russia has released Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko. She arrived in Kiev from Rostov-on-Don aboard Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s airplane, Rosbalt reported.
“I am free,” Savchenko told a crowd in Kiev when she arrived at the airport.
"The presidential plane with Hero of Ukraine Nadiya Savchenko has landed!" Poroshenko wrote on Twitter.
Two Russians who were held in Ukraine, Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Alexander Alexandrov, were exchanged for Savchenko, and were earlier flown from Kiev to …