• Russian troops take over equipped military base in Syria left by US

    Russian Armed Forces have taken under control the airfield near the Syrian city of Kobanî, where previously US troops were deployed, reports Interfax.

    The Russian Defense Ministry reported that, after the departure of the American troops, the Russian military plan to use the facility to create a branch of the center for reconciliation of the warring parties to help the local population. Now the airfield is patrolled by soldiers of the Russian Military Police.

    Interfax notes that the US army …

  • Berlin: new accusations against Russia in MH17 aircraft crash are 'very serious'

    German Federal Foreign Office spokesperson, Maria Adebar, said that the accusations brought against Russia in the MH17 aircraft crash by the Joint investigation team (JIT) on Thursday are "very serious," reports Deutsche Welle.

    The German government once again called on Russia to actively contribute to the investigation into the of MH-17 aircraft crash over the Donbas in 2014.

    "Those responsible for this crime, the destruction of MH17 flight aircraft, must be identified and brought to justice, …

  • Russia intends to discuss Donbas special status at next Normandy Four meeting

    During the upcoming Normandy Four Summit on December 9 in Paris, the special status of the territories controlled by the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, with its inclusion in the Constitution of Ukraine, will be discussed, reports Kommersant, citing its source in Russian government. Other topics would involve security issues, amnesty, and elections.

    Security issues are related to the further withdrawal of forces and equipment in other areas of the demarcation line in the Donbas. …

  • Turkey announces disagreements with Russia and delays in delivery of S-400 missile systems

    The delivery of the next batch of Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system to Turkey may be delayed due to disagreements between the parties regarding the issue of technology transfer, reports Defense News publication, citing the statement of the Head of the Turkish Secretariat for Defense Industries, İsmail Demir.

    "Technical work continues. We are making plans for the next year. Unlike the first [batch], we plan to participate in co-production and transfer technology with the second …

  • Putin proposes to use ruble as BRICS currency

    The Russian ruble could be a way for BRICS countries to make reciprocal trade payments, because the macroeconomic situation in Russia is “characterized by stability”, and the national currency can be converted easily to any other global currency, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS summit in Brazil on Thursday.

    He believes that national currencies should be actively used to finance projects, instead of traditional reserves.

    “This will help to increase the weight of association …