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. …

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 …