Ukrainian intelligence has received indications that Russia is ready to expand the scope of the armed conflict in the Donbas region, and open hostilities may resume as early as the end of December, reported Ukrinform.

"The situation in eastern Ukraine is extremely complicated.  An increase in the number and the scale of enemy provocations is leading to a deterioration of the situation in the Donbas region.  This includes attacks on Ukrainian Army positions by rebel soldiers… reinforced by …

The Central Bank set a record U.S. Dollar rate against the Ruble. The American currency has reached an historic high. On Tuesday, December 15th, the Central Bank of Russia set the Dollar exchange rate against the Ruble at around 70.82 rubles. This was the highest rate for the U.S. currency since 1998. Compared to the previous trading day, the Dollar rose more than 60 cents.

The Euro exchange rate of the Central Bank was set at 78.23 rubles. The European currency has not yet exceeded its …

A Russian FSB ship has been tasked with ensuring the safety of the drilling rig "Tavrida" to protect "the economic interests of the Russian Federation." On Tuesday, December 15, the Border Service of the FSB in annexed Crimea sent a patrol ship, the "Amethyst," to protect from Ukrainian Navy the drilling rig "Chernomorneftegaz,” as reported by the Press Service of the Ministry.

On the morning of December 15, the ship of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine came to the floating drilling …

At a briefing with the President of Poland, Petro Poroshenko stated that it’s important to prevent the annexed Crimea from becoming a Russian military base. The President of Ukraine thanked him for Poland’s firm position in support of Ukrainian sovereignty, independency and territorial integrity.

He indicated that he and Duda have discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine including strategies to resolve the issue of non-recognition of the annexation and the continued illegal occupation of …

Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, stated that the turnover of goods and services between Crimea and Ukraine will completely cease within 30 days. Yatsenyuk stated that Ukrainian law prohibits the exchange of jobs, goods, and services between temporarily occupied Crimea and the other territories of Ukraine. Humanitarian aid and personal belongings of Ukrainian citizens are the only exceptions to this law.

Prime Minister Yatsenyuk disclosed this information to the Ukrainian public, …

Effective January 1st, 2016, Russia is suspending its free-trade treaty with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have signed a decree citing "exceptional circumstances, which impact the interests and economic security of the Russian Federation."

Currently, Russia and Ukraine are engaged in trade in accordance with the free trade agreement between CIS countries. However, starting next year the economic part of Kiev's Association Agreement with the EU comes into force, …

At a press-conference in Kiev with the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, the Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that Poland wanted Ukraine to attend the next NATO summit in Warsaw.

According to Duda, Poland believes that cooperation with Ukraine will bring peace and security to Europe. “Warsaw will be the host of NATO’s summit in 2016. I will make an effort to allow Ukraine to attend the NATO summit”, Duda stated.

Poroshenko stated that drills undertaken with Polish and Lithuanian …

Ukrainian intelligence reports have suggested that the commander of the pro-Russian 2nd Motorized Rifle Brigade in eastern Ukraine, Colonel Nefedov, is in fact Russian Army Colonel Andrey Ruzinskiy. This information was disclosed in the Chief Directorate of Intelligence's report on Tuesday.

Colonel Ruzinskiy was previously stationed with the Russian Armed Force contingent in Gumri, Armenia. 

“In his capacity as the commander of Russia’s 102nd army based in Gumri, Ruzinskiy provoked the …