• Loans and visa-free regime for Ukraine can be considered 'advanced fees' for implementation of Minsk Agreements

    The billion-dollar loan guarantee received from the United States, as well as the provision of a tranche from the IMF and the promise of a visa-free regime with the EU, can be considered an “advance fee” for Ukraine for the implementation of the political part of the Minsk agreements. This was the opinion expressed by Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Strategies of Global Development and Adaptation (UISGA) Victor Levitsky.

    “Many people talked about ‘Putin’s insidious plan’ to make Europe …

  • An American reconnaissance plane flew over Russian warships near the Syrian shores

    An anti-submarine warfare plane from the US Navy P-8A Poseidon made a reconnaissance flight on Friday morning in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where Russian ships from the permanent task force in the region are supposedly deployed. Another US reconnaissance plane approached the coast of the Crimea.

    According to Interfax, which refers to websites that track the movement of military aviation, the Poseidon, tail number 168 761, circled for more than two and a half hours over the eastern …

  • Transnistrian head says the question of the self-declared republic joining Russia depends on Moscow

    The question of whether Transnistria joins the Russian Federation depends on political decisions made in Moscow, according to the head of the self-declared republic, Yevgeny Shevchuk, RIA Novosti reported.

    “The decision… is a political decision by the competent authorities. Transnistrians decided for themselves through a referendum. It was obvious, it was transparent and open. The results of the referendum were considered by the State Duma, and a statement was released saying the people …

  • Activist: Corruption in Russia and the Crimea poses a threat to Russia's national security

    The Deputy Director of the Crimean Anti-Corruption Front movement and Head of the Foundation of the Self-Organization of the Crimean population, Alexander Zabara, notes that the level of corruption in the Crimea is causing serious concerns and poses a threat to the national security of the Russian Federation.

    “The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, said that it is necessary to fight corruption and all its forms without fear. These issues should be actively addressed in the Crimea. People …

  • Separatists arrest Russian battalion leader

    Russian journalist, Marina Akhmedova, has confirmed that the so-called Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has arrested Alexei Smirnov. He is the commander of the so-called Angel battalion. She posted this on her Facebook page.

    “Alexei Smirnov, also known as Angel, was arrested. He is now in the custody of the MGB of the DPR. The charges are theft of humanitarian aid. It's hard to do it, but at this point I will refrain from making angry …