Ukrainian minister reveals coal-for-electricity exchange with separatist republics

Vadym Chernysh, the Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories of the Donbas, said in an interview with Hromadske radio that Ukraine supplies electricity to the occupied territories of the Donbas in exchange for coal.

"Yes, it continues. Both in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The situation in the Luhansk regions is complicated again. Technically, the Luhansk thermal power plant located almost at the contact line is supplying electricity to the uncontrolled territory. However, coal for …


The EU, France and the USA call on Russia to unlock Amnesty International’s office

The EU expects Russian authorities to urgently reconsider their decision to block a human rights organization’s access to its office. Employees of Amnesty International (AI) in Moscow have no access to their place of work, as reported on Thursday, November 3rd in the statement published on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

EU diplomats are "in contact with Amnesty International, both with the European headquarters and with staff in Moscow who claim that …


Hackers publish emails from account of Putin's aide

Hackers from the group Cyberjunta published correspondence from a hacked e-mail which, according to them, was used by the aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladislav Surkov.

According to these emails, Surkov allegedly took part in appointing the heads of the ministries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic. Moreover, hackers note that many letters were focused on the situation in Kharkiv and the opportunity to stabilize the area. Another curious finding was a plan on …


Ukraine has begun extracting shale gas

The chief executive officer of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz, Andriy Kobolyev, stated in his interview with Bloomberg that the Ukrgasdobycha, a subsidiary of Ukraine’s Naftogaz, began extracting shale gas using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in October 2016.

According to him, the drilling of the first well was performed in cooperation with European partners. Kobolyev didn’t specify the names of these companies or the location where the well will be drilled.

The chief executive …


Montenegro could join NATO by spring 2017

In spite of strong resistance from Russia, Montenegro is on its way of establishing closer ties with NATO. “The country can become a NATO member by spring 2017,”  stated the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Rose Gottemoeller.

Montenegro will become a NATO member after all 28 NATO member countries ratify the agreement in their parliaments, said Gottemoeller, adding that the process is moving along very smoothly.

Previously, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, accused Russia of …