• Poland demands return of paintings taken to Russia during WWII

    The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has sent new restitution requests to Russia, the ministry announced on its website.

    “The Polish artworks taken away by the authorities of the Soviet Union or its armed forces during World War II or immediately after it ended cannot be considered compensation for the Soviet Union’s military losses. They remain the property of Poland,” the department remarked.

    The restitution requests sent by the Polish ministry in 2004, 2012 and 2014 include …

  • WADA strips Moscow Anti-Doping Lab of license

    The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory’s license. According to the organization’s website, the decision will remain in effect until the end of the disciplinary proceedings. Until then, the Moscow laboratory is banned from doing any work related to the analysis of blood samples in the athlete biological passport program.

    Yuri Ganus, head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), has already said that WADA’s decision will not affect athletes, …

  • Kremlin confirms that Zelensky and Putin could meet in Israel

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could meet in Israel on the sidelines of the Holocaust memorial forum, said Alexey Venediktov, editor-in-chief of the Echo of Moscow radio station, on his Telegram channel.

    The Office of the President of Ukraine responded that no meeting between the leaders has been planned. The Kremlin confirmed that a meeting is possible.

    “[Putin’s] program is very full, and, if there are separate meetings, they will be ‘ …

  • U.S. troops block Russian military from using major road in northeastern Syria

    U.S. military prevented a Russian military convoy from using an important highway in northeastern Syria, local sources said. The incident came amid growing tensions between the two sides.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors military operations with the help of observers on the ground, said Tuesday that the U.S. forces did not allow Russian military to use the main route between the two cities, Al-Hasakah and Qamishli, in northeastern Syria, which are controlled by the Kurds. …

  • Russia delivers another batch of T-72B1 tanks and BRDM-2M armored vehicles to Laos

    Russia is continuing to strengthen its ties to Laos, especially in the military sphere. The press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reported that, ahead of the 71st anniversary of the formation of the Lao People’s Armed Forces, Russia delivered a batch of tanks and armored vehicles to the Lao military. Russia also handed over an upgraded airport.

    According to the report, on January 20-21, a delegation from the Russian Defense Ministry took part in the events commemorating the 71st …