Ukrainian government official: 30 percent of separatist troops in the Donbas are Russian

If Russia decides to withdraw its troops from the Donbas, it will be 30 percent of all the separatist troops fighting there against Ukrainian forces. The rest are the groups not subordinate to anyone. This was stated by Deputy Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories George Tuka on the air of 112 Ukraine channel.

"According to various estimates, about 30% of the soldiers, who are in the territory of Ukraine, are Russian soldiers. The other 30% are the so-called "Cossacks" and various …


Russian landing ship arrived in Sevastopol as part of troop reduction in Syria

A large landing ship of the Baltic Fleet, Korolev, arrived at Sevastopol as part of the operation to reduce the Russian military contingent in Syria; the ship will be unloaded and repaired, according to a source in Russian military, RIA Novosti reported.

Earlier, it was reported that according to the decision of the Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygu, the Russian military contingent in Syria will be reduced. Following the Minister’s decision, the ships, which are a part of the grouping in …


Peskov: Russia will not withdraw Iskanders from Kaliningrad until Europe's plan for anti-Russian missile system is cancelled

The Press Secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, stated in his interview with BBC TV that Moscow will not withdraw its Iskander missile systems from Kaliningrad for as long as there are missile systems in Europe targeted against Russia.

“It is a very difficult issue. We can’t just withdraw these missile systems from Kaliningrad without knowing that plans to create anti-Russian missile systems on the European continent will be cancelled,” Peskov said. Last year, …


Poltorak urges Trump to continue supporting Ukraine

The Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Stepan Poltorak, urged the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to continue providing political and military assistance to Ukraine and to maintain sanctions against Russia to deter further escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Poltorak stated this in his interview with Radio Svoboda on the day after Trump’s inauguration.

“It is extremely important for Ukraine to have the political support of the United States and maintain sanctions imposed …


Kremlin spokesman expects changes in Washington's position toward Eastern Ukraine

Press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview with Vesti.ru on January 21 that the Kremlin expects changes of “modality” in the USA’s position regarding settlement of the conflict in the East of Ukraine.

“In what direction will it change, how it will transform, will the new modality of the USA’s position regarding Ukraine contribute to the settlement - we will see very soon,” Peskov said.

He expressed hope for “a constructive position” of the …