The Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE SMM) announced several instances of the use of multiple launch rocket systems and also an increase in the presence of other kinds of weapons in the security zone.

"We observed a decrease in the number and use of artillery and mortars. But – and this provokes concern – we noticed an increase in the use of multiple launch rocket systems," the Ukrainian News quoted the head of OSCE SMM, Alexander Hug, …

Since the beginning of this year, 94 tanks have been delivered to the Lugansk and Donetsk regions.  This means that the amount of arms and military equipment available to separatists in these areas is increasing.  This information was reported by the Deputy Director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Vadim Skibitskiy.

“According to our data, 94 tanks have been delivered to the Lugansk and Donetsk regions since the beginning of the year.  Please note that …

Ukraine and Japan have ratified a loan agreement in the amount of $300 million. The credit funds should go to Ukraine in April, 2016.

This is the second Japanese loan to Ukraine for economic reforms, said Natalia Jaresko, Minister of Finance of Ukraine, during a joint press conference in Kiev on March 4th with Japanese Ambassador Shigeki Sumi. Interfax-Ukraine quoted Minister Yaresko as saying “In April we hope to receive the loan funds in one tranche, which will be directed to the General …

The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt recently voiced his indignation at the trial of Ukrainian pilot Nadezhda Savchenko. “I was glad to see [her] yesterday. Nadezhda’s trial is farcical and outrageous. She has to be released,” Pyatt tweeted.

In Russia, Savchenko was accused of murdering two employees of Russian state television who had stayed illegally in Ukraine while providing intelligence support to armed, pro-Russian separatists. She was also accused of the attempted murder of a …

The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, has signed law No. 1005-VIII: "On amendments to some laws of Ukraine concerning improvement of the privatization process." The President’s press service reports that the law was adopted by Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) on February 16, 2016. It will improve provisions of an existing law, “On privatization of the state property,” to achieve transparency and openness in the privatization process and strengthen the protection of national interests …

On the 3rd of March, the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance filed an intention with the High Court of England to deny Russia’s claim for a 3-billion-dollar loan.

This was reported by the Ukrainian News in reference to statements made by the Ministry of Finance.

“Today, Ukraine has filed an acknowledgment of procedural documents with the High Court of England.  We have declared our intention to oppose all claims brought against us by the Law Debenture Trust Corporation Plc with regard to the so- …

The Estonian Defense Minister, Hannes Hanso, refused to grant permission to enter the country to the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army, named after Alexandrov, on Friday March 4th. The group plans to perform in Estonia in May.

The Ministry of Defense explained its position stating that due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, military cooperation between Estonia and Russia has been discontinued. Under Estonian law, employees of foreign military forces, during the performance …

In North Rhine-Westphalia, police have detained a Russian who was collecting money and military equipment for the so-called Islamic State, as reported on Friday, March 4th, by the Neue Westfälische newspaper, citing a source from the prosecutor's office of the city of Hamm.

According to the report, a 27-year-old Russian citizen was detained the day before in Kirchlengern near the district center of Herford. He supposedly raised funds for the so-called Islamic State and tried to get military …