The largest dam in Syria partially collapsed as a result of the fighting near Raqqa

The Tabqa dam on the Euphrates, Syria’s largest dam has been partially destroyed by the fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF coalition and the Islamic State terrorist group, as reported by RIA Novosti with a reference to the Lebanese TV channel Al Mayadeen.

The Tabqa hydroelectric power station was built in the early 1970s with the assistance of Soviet specialists. It keeps in check the Al-Assad, the largest reservoir in the country.

Al Mayadeen reported, citing informed …


Polish President disappointed with Lukashenko’s handling of the protests

President of Poland Andrzej Duda is disappointed with the reaction of Belarusian authorities toward participants of a protest rally held on Freedom Day, March 25th.

He said this at a meeting with the presidents of Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as reported by Onet, with reference to Polish Press Agency.

“I watched with great disappointment how the Belarusian authorities dealt with the protesters,” Duda said.

He also said that he is concerned about the detention of Polish citizens in …


Russia will not provide explanation to NATO about Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad

Russia will not give a report to NATO about the deployment of Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad, said Andrei Kelin, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's European Cooperation Department as reported by RIA Novosti.

 “There will be no report at the upcoming Russia-NATO Council (RNC),” said Kelin in response to a question about an article in Spiegel.

Spiegel reporters wrote that at the Russia-NATO council, Brussels will require an explanation from Moscow about why the Iskander missile …


Media: Chinese companies are actively investing in the Crimea

Chinese companies (including state-owned enterprises) are secretly entering the annexed Crimea as investors, providing services for the Crimean authorities and supplying the peninsula with the latest industrial equipment, according to an article written by Valentina Samar for ZN.UA.

According to Samar, the Kherson office of the Security Service of Ukraine has not yet completed the pre-trial investigation into the participation of the Chinese vessel JIAN JI 3001 in the construction of the so- …


Russia transfers Su-25 fighter aircraft to Tajikistan for exercises

Russian SU 25 SM fighter aircraft have been relocated from the Kant Air Base in Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan, where they will take part in joint anti-terrorist exercises. The aircraft are to support the Special Forces and mechanized infantry while carrying out operations in mountainous terrain.

“The aircraft will reinforce the aviation group at the Ayni Air Base, 30 km from Dushanbe,” Russia's TASS news agency reported citing the Central Military District’s press report.

The joint exercise will …