Russia stated that  it is holding the final stage of the sudden readiness check of its troops in the Crimea and in the southern part of the country. According to the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry, the final stage of the readiness check took place on 30-31st of August.

“Tactical and special-tactical drills, including live fire, training in troops’ practical actions, training on countering sabotage and reconnaissance groups, exercises on driving combat vehicles and tanks, weapons, …

EU ambassadors will make a decision about extending targeted sanctions against Russian citizens involved in the violation of Ukrainian territorial integrity. In particular, 146 people and 37 companies could have their visas restricted and accounts frozen.

As Radio Svoboda reports, citing its own sources in the EU, a decision about extending the sanctions for another six months is expected to be adopted without much discussion by September 15. The parties in question include companies in the …

France, Germany and the United States do not acknowledge the fact of the presence of the Russian troops in the Donbass region. In his article for Apostrophe news portal, Ambassador Oleh Shamshur claims that these countries hope for a return to the prewar order of things.

According to Shamshur, who is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France, Western countries realize that Russian troops are in the Donbas region but this position is not public and will not be made …