The combat readiness of military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be strengthened during weekends and holidays, reads the statement of the press service of the Ukrainian General Staff published on its Facebook page.

"By the order of the Chief of the General Staff, the Ukrainian Armed Forces strengthen the combat readiness during weekends and holidays in the places of permanent deployment and in areas of combat operations," reads the message.

The security of military facilities has …

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, in an interview with Ukrinform, provided the reasons for the failure to withdraw forces in the Donbas.

Prystaiko admitted that in Ukrainian society withdrawal of the troops deeper into Ukraine is perceived as a retreat. "To move away deeper into our territory is painful," he said. The Minister noted that now it is "a hot topic that causes a lot of emotions" in Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces were withdrawing, but the Ukrainian government, …

The Russian Black Sea Fleet started escorting the US Navy destroyer USS Porter, which entered the southern part of the Black Sea, reports TASS news agency, citing the Russian National Defense Management Center.

The Center notes that constant monitoring of the American battleship is carried out by the forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Admiral Essen frigate, small rocket ships Vyshny Volochyok and Orekhovo-Zuyevo, are involved in direct monitoring l of the ship's maneuvers. …

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said that Ukraine is in a crucial stage of preparing an exchange of three groups of prisoners with Russia, reports Radio Liberty.

"This process is at a crucial stage. But I can't report either how many people or the dates of the exchange," said Prystaiko.

Prystaiko added that he does not talk about the dates and number of citizens for exchange because, in such a process, any word can "play a dramatic role," not in favor of the prisoners. Answering …

A member of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences Konstantin Sivkov said that the United States might soon adopt a new medium-range missile designed to defeat the control centers of Russian Strategic Missile Forces, reports RIA Novosti.

"We should expect the adoption of medium-range missiles of the Pershing II type soon, the so-called weapon of counter-force potential. It is intended to strike at the Russian Strategic Missile Forces control centers to deprive our country of the …

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is "calm," answering the question of how Moscow intends to respond to NATO exercises near Russian borders. According to Putin, Russia does not welcome "attempts to escalate" the tension at its border, but Moscow's reaction will be calm, reports the Kremlin's press service. During a meeting at the Council of Heads of  the CIS courties in Ashgabat, Putin also said that Moscow will still speak with NATO on this issue.

Putin recalled that Russia …

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko urged the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to support the new Ukrainian government, reports the Belarusian BelTA news agency.

"Recently, we spoke about Ukraine. I want to express my position because both the Russian President [Putin] and I are very concerned about the situation in Ukraine because it's happening so close to us. Speaking about the new Ukrainian government, I would like to urge you to support them. There is already …

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will start creating new medium-range weapons because the United States already has them, reports Interfax news agency.

"I sent a corresponding appeal to the leaders of many countries of the world, that we are not going to deploy medium-range missile systems if we have them. And now, of course, we will work on their development, because the Americans already have them," said Putin, speaking at the Council of the heads the CIS countries (former …