The anti-aircraft missile defense regiment of the Russian army in the Crimea has received S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft systems, the Russian BBC service reported, citing the Russian Southern Military District press service.

“After the completion of preparations and redeployment, the newly equipped regiment will take part in the Kavkaz 2016 strategic command and staff military exercises,” the statement reads.

Before redeployment, the S-400 air defense missile system was tested on the Kaban …

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on Ukraine and Russia to avoid a further escalation of the conflict in Crimea, according to a statement posted on the EU’s website.

 “Any actions that could lead to a further escalation of the conflict must be avoided by all sides; a peaceful resolution of the conflict is the only possible solution. This includes eastern Ukraine, where we urge all parties to fully engage in the complete …

On August 15, a Russian surface action group will hold tactical exercises in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. As reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense's press service, the agency is planning to test the ability of their fleet to counter terrorist threats.

Russian Naval ships based in the Mediterranean Sea will take part in the tactical exercises. Serpukhov and Zeleny Dol small missile ships, which are already en route from the stationing port in Sevastopol in the Black Sea to …

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview with Stuttgarter Nachrichten that it is too early to cancel the EU sanctions against Russia.

"Sanctions are not our final purpose. Our aim is not to maintain sanctions but to resolve the conflict in Ukraine," he stressed.

We consciously connect them with progress towards the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. If there is tangible progress, we will be able to think about easing the sanctions," the German Minister said.

" …

Ukrainian forces commented on the statements regarding shelling along the border

Ukraine has reinforced their military grouping on the border with the Crimea, as reported by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Viktor Muzhenko.

"The divisions and military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine which perform tasks in the area along the border with the occupied Crimea, are being placed in high operational readiness. The necessary grouping has been reinforced," he wrote …

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have begun large-scale exercises. As the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reports, the exercise will take place in the ranges, airfields and training facilities of the Southern Military District and in the Black Sea.

"Logistical support, engineering, moral and psychological security, communications security, radio-electronic warfare and nuclear, chemical and biological (NBC) protection issues will be worked out in practice. The plan …

The aggravation of the situation in the Crimea and the actions of the Russian Armed Forces along the line of demarcation will not impact the planned military exercises of the Ukrainian Air Forces, Sky Shield 2016, that began on August 10th, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated.

"The ongoing military exercises of the Air Force will be not cancelled due to the actions of the Russian military in the region," the head of the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces …

The Russian military have been implementing demonstrative and provocative actions on the administrative border of the Crimea. This was reported to ZN.UA by the chief of the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Vladislav Seleznyov.

According to him, starting on the morning of the 11th of August, Russian troops began strengthening their military positions near several checkpoints of the administrative border. This was particularly evident in the direction of the …