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Kremlin: Russia increased its military presence in annexed Crimea
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu stated at a meeting of the State’s Duma Committee on Defense that Russia strengthened its military presence in annexed Crimea to provide security for the peninsula, TASS reports.
“Our military position has been strengthened in the Crimea. We maintain the territorial security of the peninsula and the interests of Russia in the Black Sea,” said Shoygu. He recalled that the Operational Command was also created in the far maritime zone. It controls ships that …
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OSCE expresses regret that Russian observers are banned from monitoring Ukraine's presidential elections
OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger, expressed regret and concern regarding decision to ban Russian citizens from being official observers at the 2019 elections in Ukraine, reports Interfax-Ukraine.
“I share the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) director's regret and concern because it is not very good not to follow the structure of the monitoring methodology,” he said.
Greminger noted that he follows with interest what is happening in Ukraine. However, he …
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Estonia puts forward territorial claims against Russia
The city of Ivangorod in Russia’s Leningrad region and part of the Pskov region belonged to the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, and should be returned to Estonia, said Henn Polluaas, deputy chairperson of Estonia’s Conservative People’s Party, as reported by Sputnik.Estonia.
“Russia took these territories from us by force. Of course, we would not be able to take them back by force. But we have waited 50 years for the restoration of our independence, and we can wait longer and longer. …
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Russian FSB ships escort Ukrainian tugboat through the Sea of Azov
Three ships from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) escorted the Ukrainian tugboat Korets that entered the Sea of Azov for exercises, reported the website of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.
“After approaching our tugboat on the port side at about three nautical miles, the [Russian] ship went at full speed and rapidly increased distance, and then accompanied Korets [tugboat]. At the same time, the second ship [positioned itself] on the starboard side, and the third one went a great …
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Artist who created a mock grave of Putin detained in Russia
In Naberezhnye Chelny City in Russia, activist Karim Yamadayev has been detained for creating a mock gravestone of Russian President Vladimir Putin, MBKh media reports, citing human rights activist Ruzil Mingalimov. The mock gravestone was installed not far from the entrance to the local Investigative Committee.
The activist is accused of repeatedly violating the ban on holding a protest. He can be detained for 30 days or fined up to three hundred thousand rubles, the equivalent of $4,500. “ …