In 2017, the Russian military will relocate three Varshavyanka -class submarines, armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, Interfax reports.

"By the end of the year, we plan to complete the tests and transfer from the Baltic to the Black Sea Fleet three other submarines of the same type: the Krasnodar, the Kolpino and the Velikiy Novgorod," the Black Sea Fleet information department reported.

According to the department, the first three Varshavyanka-class …

Residents of Grozny said that they were forced to participate in a rally dedicated to the third anniversary of the annexation of the Crimea. The Caucasian Knot online news site did the main coverage for the story.

"This was another 'obligatory' event. The rally took place in the center of the city, next to the 'Press House.’ We were handed flags of Russia and Chechnya, as well as United Russia banners. We had to stay at the rally for more than an hour," an employee of one of the local agencies, …

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) will analyze information regarding politicians from Europe and other countries who travel to the Crimea and decide whether to impose sanctions against them, as stated by the Secretary of the NSDC (National Security and Defense Council) of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, according to his press service.

“The SBU will prepare and submit to the NSDC of Ukraine a list of officials from the European Parliament, as well as politicians from European Union countries, …

The fighting near the city of Mariupol has intensified, as reported by Ukrainian volunteers organization “Come back alive” on their Facebook page.

“The enemy continues intensive shelling of Ukrainian front line positions using large caliber mortars and artillery. According to confirmed information, at around 12:00 am [Kyiv time] the enemy used MLRS Grad systems. The shelling is so intensive that the sound of explosions can be heard in Mariupol. The first ambulances bringing wounded started to …

On Saturday March 18, a rally concert was held in Moscow, dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine. According the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was attended by around 150 000 people.

According to the Russian newspaper “Meduza”, attendance at the rally was remunerated. Willing attendees were gathered through the website massovki.net, where each person was promised 300 rubles for attending.

“The group members, acting as representatives of the ‘Independent …

During a broadcast on the Inter TV channel, Acting Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Kateryna Rozhkova reported  that all the banks with state-owned Russian capital in Ukraine have been put up for sale.

"We know for certain that all banks with state-owned Russian capital that are currently operating in Ukraine are negotiating a potential sale. As a regulator of the banking market, we believe that this is the best way to leave the Ukrainian market, as in today’s conditions it is …

The allocation of money to Ukraine has disappeared from the meeting agenda of the executive board of the International Monetary Fund, the fund’s website shows. The provision of the next tranche had been scheduled for March 20.

The IMF issued a press release regarding the postponement of the session, saying: “A short delay is necessary to assess the developments and policy measures affecting the financial sector and wider economic prospects”.

The Ukrainski Novyny news agency, citing a source …

Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday that Syria’s air defense systems will be destroyed if they fire on Israeli planes.

“The next time the Syrians use their air defense systems against our planes we will destroy them without the slightest hesitation,” Lieberman said while speaking to new military recruits at a military base in the central part of the country, as reported by the Israeli radio station Reshet Bet.

According to a press release by the Israeli Defense Forces, …