The Simple Strike 2016 joint military exercises have begun on the Adazi training ground in Latvia, Delfi reported, citing the country’s Ministry of Defense.

Servicemen from Latvia, the US, and several other NATO member states are participating in the exercises that last until August 5th.

The joint training operations will include a unit of US Black Hawk helicopters that are stationed at the Lielvarde airbase in Latvia, as well as a unit of A-10 attack aircraft, which are stationed in Estonia. …

As reported by the press-service of law firm Ilyashev & Partners, which represents the interests of the company in court, the Antonov State Company won a suit against Russian company Aviakor Aviation Plant for $2.9 million.

“Pursuant to the court judgment of July 4, 2016, the claims of the State Enterprise Antonov for more than USD 2.9 million were satisfied and shall be recovered in favor of our client,” the statement read.

The subject of the dispute was the payment of royalties for use of …

The head of Naftogaz, Andriy Kobolyev, has reported on the low volumes of Russian gas transit and explained that this a result of the pressure that Moscow is exerting on Kiev. He said this while on air with Channel 5.

“Transit volumes have continued to decrease and are now at a record low. This is related to the pressure that Russia exerts on Ukraine and Naftogaz. Its goals are to firstly minimize the revenue from this type of business and secondly, I think, it is part of a tactic to promote …

A separatist of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People`s Republic, Yegor Russian (Kozin), is running for Mayor of the Russian city of Ukhta in the Komi Republic. After the capture of Lutuhyne by separatists, he was commandant of the city.

As the Fourth Estate reports, he applied to the Competition Commission, which must determine the Head of the Municipal Administration of the urban district Ukhta (the mayor here is not elected, but appointed). On the 3rd of August, local deputies will make the …

Recently, the cases of detentions and arrests of Ukrainian citizens in the Russian Federation has increased.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that the citizens of Ukraine realistically assess the existing risks and threats and carefully weigh the need for travel to the Russian Federation, as reported in the statement of the Department of the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Facebook.

The Ministry received reports of groundless detentions and arrests …

Plotnitsky offered to hold a meeting in the occupied territory.

The leader of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR,) Igor Plotnitsky, ordered the establishment of a workgroup to hold negotiations with a member of the Ukrainian parliament, Nadiya Savchenko, as reported by the separatist website, Luhansk Information Center.

"It’s not a secret that Savchenko asked and continues to ask for a meeting. I’ve already tried to explain that nobody is against talking about peace issues. But she …

Washington has criticized the fact that Russia has strengthened their military forces in the south-west region of the country and in the Crimea. This increase in forces was previously announced by Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu.

While at a press briefing on the 27th of July, the US State Department Spokesman, John Kirby, said that these actions prevent the cessation of violence as well as any efforts to de-escalate the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Kirby stressed that the Crimea is a …

The former Prime Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoğlu, has said that he gave the order which resulted in the downing of a Russian Su-24 aircraft in November last year. Hurriyet Daily News reported that Davutoğlu said this while on air with private news channel, NTV. He added that it was not a specific order, but a general instruction.

“According to the customs of our country, the Prime Minister gives the rules of conduct to the General Staff in a written directive. I gave such an order on the 10 …