• Media: repairs to Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to cost almost $700 million

    Four boilers of the primary power unit will be replaced during repairs to the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. The Granit missile system will most likely remain on the ship as before. The cost of upgrading could amount to as much as 40 billion rubles ($700 million), a source familiar with the situation told Interfax news agency.

    The source pointed out that the Granit system will not be replaced “due to financial reasons”. As for the boilers of the primary power unit, two of the four …

  • Russia to strengthen its Black Sea fleet with another frigate and two submarines

    In 2017, the Russian Black Sea fleet will receive another new frigate and two submarines, as stated by the Commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Admiral Alexander Vitko, TASS news agency reported.

    "By the end of the current year, we are expecting the addition to the Black Sea Fleet of another “Admiral series" frigate and two more 636.3-Kolpino and Novgorod project submarines  , “ said Vitko in Sevastopol at the celebration event of the 234 anniversary of the Black Sea Fleet.

    Vitko noted that " …

  • The outflow of capital from Russia almost doubled in 2017

    The Bank of Russia announced a significant increase in the capital flight from Russia in January-April 2017. According to the regulator, net amount of transfer of capital by the private sector during this period was $21 billion. This is more than double that of the first four months of the previous year ($9.8 billion).

    "In contrast to the situation a year ago, the main factor in the net outflow was the transfer of the funds by the banking sector overseas following the continued increase of …

  • Separatist leader: the goal of DPR is reunification with Russia

    At the meeting of the Russia-Donbass Integration Committee which took place on May 12 in Donetsk, the head of the self-proclaimed DPR (Donetsk People’s Republic), Alexander Zakharchenko, stated that the purpose of “the republic" is to join Russia, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

    "We have one goal, reunification with the motherland, and the motherland is Russia. The ultimate objective of this Committee, all of its work, is to return to our only homeland," stated Zakharchenko.

    Previously, the …

  • The Kremlin threatened the US with a response to last year's closure of Russian diplomatic compounds

    The Kremlin's chief foreign policy adviser threatened Washington in response to last year's closure of Russia's diplomatic compounds in the United States if they are not reopened.

    As the Russian Presidential aide on Foreign policy issues, Yuri Ushakov, said, "We have shown patience and sensibility, but this patience is, of course, not without limits."

    He reiterated that Moscow did not immediately respond to Washington's move, but added that "the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy has not …

  • Ukraine awarded the sailors who prevented the capture of their vessel by Russian warship

    The Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Volodymyr Omelyan, awarded employees of the Marine Search and Rescue Service and the crew of the Ukrainian boat for their actions in an incident that occurred near the Crimean coast on April 24th, as reported on Friday by the press service of the department.

    The report says that the seamen were awarded for "having repelled the unlawful actions of the Russian vessel in the Black Sea." Six people were awarded.

    "Our sailors did not give up, they saved …

  • Russian fighter jet approched US reconnaissance aircraft at distance of 6 meters over the Black Sea

    A Russian fighter flew six meters from an American reconnaissance aircraft in the skies above the Black Sea, as reported by NBC News citing a representative of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Pamela Kunze.

    The incident occurred on May 9th. The Russian Su-27 approached the American P-8A Poseidon when it was performing routine operations in international airspace, NBC notes. According to Kunze, the commander of the American aircraft considered the actions of the Russian fighter safe and …

  • Six NATO warships arrived in Estonia

    On Friday, six NATO warships entered the port of Tallinn, reported ERR.ee news website with reference to Estonian Defense Force.

    The warships of the North Atlantic Alliance made a planned entry into the port of Tallinn to participate in various defense-related activities, to replenish the ships supplies stocks and to rest.

    The ships are part of two permanent NATO naval units. The first mine clearing group consists of four ships -Estonian minesweeper EML Wambola, Norwegian HNoMS Hinnoey, …

  • Media: Russia allocates $180 million to supply ore to the Donbas

    In 2017, the Russian government allocated 10 billion rubles ($180 million) to the Federal Agency for State Reserves (Rosrezerv) for the purchase of raw materials and other materials for the metallurgical industry. As RBC news agency reports, Rosrezerv acts as an intermediary in the supply of raw materials to metallurgical plants in the DPR (Donetsk People’s Republic) and LPR (Luhansk People’s Republic).

    The order, which was signed by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, does not specify the …

  • Media: In May, Putin will meet with heads of defense companies to discuss development of Russia's military industry

    Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a number of special meetings in Sochi from May 16th to 20th on the development of the armed forces in Russia, reports the newspaper Kommersant, citing as its sources top managers of companies in the military industry.

    “A different topic will be discussed each of the five days, and the talks will focus on armaments and military equipment, after which, while the president is still there, the manufacturers and the military will discuss the problems which …