Section: War & conflict
Macron, Putin to continue Ukraine, Syria talks despite disagreements
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in a phone call to continue discussions on regional crises in Ukraine and Syria despite their conflicting views, a French presidency official said on Thursday, according to Reuters. ”Despite diverging positions on a number of subjects, they noted the old and singular...
U.S. strikes Syria militia threatening U.S.-backed forces
The U.S. military carried out an air strike on Thursday against militia supported by the Syrian government that posed a threat to U.S. and U.S.-backed Syrian fighters in the country`s south, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday. The militia, who numbered in the dozens and drove a tank and a small number of construction vehicles, ignored...
Ukraine accuses Russia of attack on president`s website after web sanctions
Ukraine accused Russia on Tuesday of carrying out an organized cyber attack on President Petro Poroshenko`s website in response to Kyiv`s decision to impose sanctions on a number of major Russian internet businesses, according to Reuters. See also: Ukrainian President ordered internet-providers to block access to Russia social networks, Yandex...
No plans to retake Donbas militarily – Ukraine`s defense minister
Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak assures there are no plans to retake Russian-occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, using military means, according to the Ukrainian-language service of Germany`s Deutsche Welle. ”We do not consider the use of force to address the problem of occupation in Donetsk and Luhansk. But every Ukrainian...
Attackers storm Afghan state television building, civilians killed – media
Attackers stormed the state television building in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, triggering an hours-long gunbattle with security forces that left at least two civilians dead, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, RFE/RL reported. Four attackers and two...
Over 500 homes in Avdiyivka damaged by militants since year`s start
Over 500 homes –private houses and flats belonging to civilian residents in the Ukrainian-controlled town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region – have been damaged by attacks mounted by Russia`s hybrid military forces since the beginning of the year, according to local police. ”Since the beginning of the year, over 500 (!) homes – private houses and...
Ukraine adds more Russian, Crimean transport enterprises to sanction list
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, by his decree No. 133 of May 15, 2017, has enacted a resolution dated April 28 of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to extend sanctions for one year against Crimean-based and Russian legal entities, according to which the Simferopol airport, Crimean Railways and the Federal Freight company...
Terrorists plotting breakthrough near Pavlopil – Defense Ministry
Russian-backed militants are preparing for an offensive near the village of Pavlopil, Donetsk region, according to the report on the website of Ukraine`s Defense Ministry. The Ukrainian military intercepted enemy communications, revealing that a breakthrough is being prepared near Pavlopil. ”To this end, the enemy has been amassing live force and...
Dutch prosecutors: Russia, Ukraine making MH17 probe ”difficult”
The investigation into the MH17 disaster is in a difficult phase and far from over, the Public Prosecutor wrote in a digital magazine meant to keep the victims` relatives informed about what is happening in the MH17 file, according to NLTimes. The investigators are having trouble getting data from the Ukrainian secret service and cooperation with...
Is Russia getting ready to invade Ukraine again? – Atlantic Council
Recent Russian actions suggest a new stage of the Russian threat to Ukraine — and potentially to the Caucasus, Belarus, or the Baltic States as well — that could presage a new large-scale military operation, according to the Atlantic Council. First, in 2016, Russia created twenty-five division formations and fifteen brigades, while raising...