Russian Defence Ministry on Thursday (April 11) published a video showing military drills in the annexed Crimean peninsula involving a battalion of S-400 missile defence systems.

Russia stages S-400 drills in annexed Crimea

A good number of the 15 Indian seafarers who are on-board the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/20-may-have-died-after-fire-engulfs-two-ships-near-crimea-indian-nationals-also-affected-192010">two ill-fated ships which caught fire off the Russian waters</a> Monday have survived the accident, officials at the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) here said Tuesday.

But the exact details, including the number of those who have made it, are not immediately available as information flow from the site is very limited, they explained.

The 15 sailors hail from different parts of the country but more details of them are awaited.

According to media reports, 14 sailors have died in the blaze on the two Tanzanian flagged vessels, but the nationalities of the victims are yet to be established.

A senior DGS official told PTI that dozens of vessels are looking for survivors in the vicinity of the accident site — the Kerch Strait separating the Crimea from Russia — and wreckage is very scattered.

"Some of our sailors have contacted their families back home about making it, while a few have been rescued after they jumped out of the blazing ships," the official said, declining to give an exact number.

The DGS has given a list containing all the details of the 15 Indian sailors who are on board these ships when they caught fire while transferring fuel Monday.

The DGS is in touch with both the foreign ministry in New Delhi, which is coordinating with the embassy in Moscow, while the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre is in touch with its Russian counterparts, the official said.

The two ships have Indian, Turkish and Libyan crew and caught fire in the Kerch Strait that separates the Crimea from Russia, killing at least 14 sailors Monday, according to international media reports.

Both the vessels are Tanzanian flagged, and one of is an LNG carrier, the other is an oil tanker.

One of the ships, the Candy, has a 17-member crew, including nine Turks and eight Indians, while the other, the Maestro, is powered by a 15-member crew, including seven each Indian and Turkish nationals and an intern from Libya, Russian news agency Tass quoted maritime authority as saying.

Fourteen people were killed in the accident, while 12 have been rescued, Sergei Aksyonov, an official of Crimean administration told reporters Tuesday adding while six are still missing.

The Kerch Strait is a key waterway that holds strategic importance for both Russia and Ukraine. It is an economic lifeline for Ukraine that allows ships leaving the port city of Mariupol to access the Black Sea.

It is also the closest access point for Russia to the Crimea, a peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014. A Russian-built bridge over the Kerch Strait was opened last May.

A good number of the 15 Indian seafarers who are on-board the two ill-fated ships which caught fire off the Russian waters Monday have survived the accident, officials at the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) here said Tuesday.

A good number of the 15 Indian seafarers who are on-board the two ill-fated ships which caught fire off the Russian waters Monday have survived the accident, officials at the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) here said Tuesday. But the exact details, including the number of those who have made it, are not immediately available as information flow from the site is very limited, they explained. The 15 sailors hail from different parts of the country but more details of them are awaited. According to media reports, 14 sailors have died in the blaze on the two Tanzanian flagged vessels, but the nationalities of the victims are yet to be established. A senior DGS official told PTI that dozens of vessels are looking for survivors in the vicinity of the accident site — the Kerch Strait separating the Crimea from Russia — and wreckage is very scattered. "Some of our sailors have contacted their families back home about making it, while a few have been rescued after they jumped out of the blazing ships," the official said, declining to give an exact number. The DGS has given a list containing all the details of the 15 Indian sailors who are on board these ships when they caught fire while transferring fuel Monday. The DGS is in touch with both the foreign ministry in New Delhi, which is coordinating with the embassy in Moscow, while the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre is in touch with its Russian counterparts, the official said. The two ships have Indian, Turkish and Libyan crew and caught fire in the Kerch Strait that separates the Crimea from Russia, killing at least 14 sailors Monday, according to international media reports. Both the vessels are Tanzanian flagged, and one of is an LNG carrier, the other is an oil tanker. One of the ships, the Candy, has a 17-member crew, including nine Turks and eight Indians, while the other, the Maestro, is powered by a 15-member crew, including seven each Indian and Turkish nationals and an intern from Libya, Russian news agency Tass quoted maritime authority as saying. Fourteen people were killed in the accident, while 12 have been rescued, Sergei Aksyonov, an official of Crimean administration told reporters Tuesday adding while six are still missing. The Kerch Strait is a key waterway that holds strategic importance for both Russia and Ukraine. It is an economic lifeline for Ukraine that allows ships leaving the port city of Mariupol to access the Black Sea. It is also the closest access point for Russia to the Crimea, a peninsula Moscow annexed in 2014. A Russian-built bridge over the Kerch Strait was opened last May.

Crimea ship fire: Most Indian sailors safe, say Directorate General of Shipping officials

Eleven sailors have been found dead and 14 rescued after two ships caught fire in the Kerch Strait near Crimea. Indian crewmen may be among the dead.&nbsp;

Both ships were flying the Tanzanian flag.&nbsp;

PTI quoted the Russian news agency Tass as saying one of the ships, the Candy, had a 17-member crew, including nine Turkish citizens and eight Indian nationals.&nbsp;

The other ship, the Maestro, had a 15-member crew, including seven Turkish nationals, seven Indian citizens and an intern from Libya.

Reuters meanwhile quoted Russia's transport ministry as saying the two ships had a combined total of 31 crew members, 16 of whom were Turkish nationals, and 15 Indian.&nbsp;

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Another video of a fire on two ships in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerch</a> Strait on January 21, 2019. <a href="https://t.co/mF8imSnYzJ">pic.twitter.com/mF8imSnYzJ</a>
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One of the ships was a liquefied natural gas carrier, the other a tanker. News reports Tuesday said the fire probably broke out as the ships were transferring fuel from one to the other.

"Presumably, an explosion occurred (on one of the vessels). Then the fire spread to another vessel. A rescue tug is en route," PTI quoted a spokesman for the Russian Maritime Agency as saying.

Reuters reported Russia's transport ministry as saying earlier that crew members jumped into the sea to escape the fire.

Reuters reported an industry source as saying the sea had been stormy when the fire broke out.&nbsp;

Reuters added that the severe weather conditions had prevented rescue ships from taking the victims to shore for medical treatment.

The Kerch Strait between Russian-annexed Crimea and southern Russia controls access from the Black Sea to the Azov Sea, where there are both Russian and Ukrainian ports.

In November, Russia detained three Ukrainian navy vessels and their crews in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait, fuelling tensions between the two countries. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Eleven sailors have been found dead and 14 rescued after two ships caught fire in the Kerch Strait near Crimea. Indian crewmen may be among the dead. Both ships were flying the Tanzanian flag.

Eleven sailors have been found dead and 14 rescued after two ships caught fire in the Kerch Strait near Crimea. Indian crewmen may be among the dead. Both ships were flying the Tanzanian flag. PTI quoted the Russian news agency Tass as saying one of the ships, the Candy, had a 17-member crew, including nine Turkish citizens and eight Indian nationals. The other ship, the Maestro, had a 15-member crew, including seven Turkish nationals, seven Indian citizens and an intern from Libya. Reuters meanwhile quoted Russia's transport ministry as saying the two ships had a combined total of 31 crew members, 16 of whom were Turkish nationals, and 15 Indian. Another video of a fire on two ships in the #Kerch Strait on January 21, 2019. pic.twitter.com/mF8imSnYzJ — Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) January 21, 2019 × One of the ships was a liquefied natural gas carrier, the other a tanker. News reports Tuesday said the fire probably broke out as the ships were transferring fuel from one to the other. "Presumably, an explosion occurred (on one of the vessels). Then the fire spread to another vessel. A rescue tug is en route," PTI quoted a spokesman for the Russian Maritime Agency as saying. Reuters reported Russia's transport ministry as saying earlier that crew members jumped into the sea to escape the fire. Reuters reported an industry source as saying the sea had been stormy when the fire broke out. Reuters added that the severe weather conditions had prevented rescue ships from taking the victims to shore for medical treatment. The Kerch Strait between Russian-annexed Crimea and southern Russia controls access from the Black Sea to the Azov Sea, where there are both Russian and Ukrainian ports. In November, Russia detained three Ukrainian navy vessels and their crews in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait, fuelling tensions between the two countries. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: 11 sailors dead after 2 ships catch fire near Crimea; Indian crewmen may be among casualties 

A court in Moscow ruled on Wednesday that four Ukrainian sailors seized by Russia last year off the coast of Crimea should be kept in pre-trial detention until April 24, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia seized three Ukrainian navy vessels and their combined crew of 24 on November 25 near Russian-annexed Crimea. Moscow accuses them of illegally entering Russian waters, something Kiev denies.

In similar rulings on Tuesday, the court extended the detention of the other 20 Ukrainians until April 24 and, in the case of four of them, until April 26.

The United States and European Union have called on Russia to release the men, but the Kremlin has said they must be put on trial. No date has been set for a trial.

Moscow could hand over the men as part of a prisoner swap deal with Ukraine later this year, a Russian diplomatic source was quoted as saying last week by the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper.

A court in Moscow ruled on Wednesday that four Ukrainian sailors seized by Russia last year off the coast of Crimea should be kept in pre-trial detention until April 24, Russian news agencies reported.

A court in Moscow ruled on Wednesday that four Ukrainian sailors seized by Russia last year off the coast of Crimea should be kept in pre-trial detention until April 24, Russian news agencies reported. Russia seized three Ukrainian navy vessels and their combined crew of 24 on November 25 near Russian-annexed Crimea. Moscow accuses them of illegally entering Russian waters, something Kiev denies. In similar rulings on Tuesday, the court extended the detention of the other 20 Ukrainians until April 24 and, in the case of four of them, until April 26. The United States and European Union have called on Russia to release the men, but the Kremlin has said they must be put on trial. No date has been set for a trial. Moscow could hand over the men as part of a prisoner swap deal with Ukraine later this year, a Russian diplomatic source was quoted as saying last week by the pro-Kremlin Izvestia newspaper.

Russia rules to hold jailed Ukrainian sailors until April 24: Agencies

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-tests-new-anti-ship-cruise-missile-and-s-125-air-defence-system-181743">arrived in the port of Sevastopol</a> on Friday&nbsp;to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea.

Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Her sister ship - corvette Vyshny Volochek has already joined the fleet in June.

In 2016 two other ships of the same class took part in military action in Syria. The Black Sea Fleet is expected to get two more corvettes armed with Kalibr missiles next year, the spokesman of the fleet Aleksei Rulev told journalists last month.

Earlier this week,&nbsp;two patrol ships Dmitry Rogachev and Vassiy Bykov had also arrived in Sevastopol.

The enforcement of the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, follows Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels off the coast of the peninsula on November 25.

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo arrived in the port of Sevastopol on Friday to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea. Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

A new corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo arrived in the port of Sevastopol on Friday to join the Russian Black Sea Fleet in annexed Crimea. Orekhovo-Zuyevo is a Buyan-M class corvette armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles with a claimed range of 2000 km, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. Her sister ship - corvette Vyshny Volochek has already joined the fleet in June. In 2016 two other ships of the same class took part in military action in Syria. The Black Sea Fleet is expected to get two more corvettes armed with Kalibr missiles next year, the spokesman of the fleet Aleksei Rulev told journalists last month. Earlier this week, two patrol ships Dmitry Rogachev and Vassiy Bykov had also arrived in Sevastopol. The enforcement of the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, follows Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels off the coast of the peninsula on November 25.

Watch: New missile carrier ship joins Russian fleet in Crimea

The recent tensions between Russia and Ukraine near the Crimean peninsula has hit a number of industries there. One major victim of rising disturbances across the Black Sea is the tourism industry.

George is one of very few English speaking people in Crimea. He is a guide and had learnt English for this profession, but now his language skill is getting wasted.

While rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia have kept foreign tourists away, the winter season is also leading to less domestic tourists now venturing out for leisure or travel.

"Politics is bad in every country. It is bad in India, it is bad in Crimea also," said George.

Crimea has been witnessing a steady fall in number of tourists visiting the peninsula since its annexation by Russia in 2014. Moscow claims 5.5 million tourists visited Crimea in 2016 as compared to 6.1 million in 2012 when Ukraine controlled the peninsula, though the numbers are contested by the Ukrainian government. The latest stand-off has further led to decline in the number of foreign tourists, however, Russia maintains that the number is rising.

Apart from Black Sea beaches and mountains, Crimea is famous for its palaces including this Livadia Palace in Yalta. This summer palace was designed in the Italian style and ended up being the last residence built for the Russian imperial family, the Romanovs. In 1861, Tsar Alexander II bought land in Livadia and had the grand palace built there as a gift to his wife. It was the site of many significant events, such as the Yalta Conference, where leaders of the allied forces met in 1945.

The Vorontsov Palace in Alupka is also very popular among tourists. It is a historic palace situated at the foot of the Crimean mountains near the town of Alupka. The Vorontsov Palace is one of the oldest and largest palaces in Crimea and is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Crimea's southern coast. Also, Hitler wanted this palace for himself during the Second World War so the German army didn't touch the palace during their assault.

But visiting these places is not easy, especially for foreign tourists as foreign-registered SIM cards don't work in Crimea. The economy works only on cash as foreign cards are not accepted by machines. There is also the ban imposed by Kiev on foreigners entering Crimea through its border with Ukraine and the sanction imposed by the European Union which bans importing goods from Crimea and prohibits EU members to invest there or provide tourism services.

Till the time the tensions between Ukraine and Russia die down and these the logistic problems for foreign tourists are solved, getting back the days of the sun shining bright on tourism industry in Crimea will remain a dream.

The recent tensions between Russia and Ukraine near the Crimean peninsula has hit a number of industries there. One major victim of rising disturbances across the Black Sea is the tourism industry.

The recent tensions between Russia and Ukraine near the Crimean peninsula has hit a number of industries there. One major victim of rising disturbances across the Black Sea is the tourism industry. George is one of very few English speaking people in Crimea. He is a guide and had learnt English for this profession, but now his language skill is getting wasted. While rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia have kept foreign tourists away, the winter season is also leading to less domestic tourists now venturing out for leisure or travel. "Politics is bad in every country. It is bad in India, it is bad in Crimea also," said George. Crimea has been witnessing a steady fall in number of tourists visiting the peninsula since its annexation by Russia in 2014. Moscow claims 5.5 million tourists visited Crimea in 2016 as compared to 6.1 million in 2012 when Ukraine controlled the peninsula, though the numbers are contested by the Ukrainian government. The latest stand-off has further led to decline in the number of foreign tourists, however, Russia maintains that the number is rising. Apart from Black Sea beaches and mountains, Crimea is famous for its palaces including this Livadia Palace in Yalta. This summer palace was designed in the Italian style and ended up being the last residence built for the Russian imperial family, the Romanovs. In 1861, Tsar Alexander II bought land in Livadia and had the grand palace built there as a gift to his wife. It was the site of many significant events, such as the Yalta Conference, where leaders of the allied forces met in 1945. The Vorontsov Palace in Alupka is also very popular among tourists. It is a historic palace situated at the foot of the Crimean mountains near the town of Alupka. The Vorontsov Palace is one of the oldest and largest palaces in Crimea and is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Crimea's southern coast. Also, Hitler wanted this palace for himself during the Second World War so the German army didn't touch the palace during their assault. But visiting these places is not easy, especially for foreign tourists as foreign-registered SIM cards don't work in Crimea. The economy works only on cash as foreign cards are not accepted by machines. There is also the ban imposed by Kiev on foreigners entering Crimea through its border with Ukraine and the sanction imposed by the European Union which bans importing goods from Crimea and prohibits EU members to invest there or provide tourism services. Till the time the tensions between Ukraine and Russia die down and these the logistic problems for foreign tourists are solved, getting back the days of the sun shining bright on tourism industry in Crimea will remain a dream.

Rising tension between Russia and Ukraine keeps tourists away from Crimea

Amid tensions with Russia, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-conflict-putin-explains-his-side-of-the-story-to-trump-180807">Ukraine today tested a new anti-ship </a>cruise missile even as it conducted military drill on Russia's border.

Ukraine test launched the S-125 air defence system and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-bans-entry-to-russian-men-border-service-chief-180423">Neptune subsonic cruise missile</a>. The test launch comes as Russia last week deployed the S-400 missile defence system in Crimea.

"Today, we tested the ability of the cruise missile to hit surface targets at long distances. It is important that the missile could destroy the target accurately at a distance of 280 km. This is a very good result," chief of national security and defence council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov said.

Ukranian forces undertook military exercise on the northern part of its capital Kiev bordering Russia as relations between the two countries continued to go&nbsp;downhill.

Ukraine had imposed martial law on November 26th after its ships were earlier seized by Russian Navy in the Sea of Azov in a clash which was criticsed by Western powers.

"Test launches of Ukrainian missiles proved its ability to secure our country's borders along the Black Sea and the Azov Sea," Turchynov added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with families of the sailors caputured by Russia and vowed to bring them back. "For me there's nothing more important than getting them out," Poroshenko told the relatives.

At least 24 saloirs have been arrested by Russia, and it has refused to free them despite international pressure. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed any move to send back the sailors to Ukraine.

On Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights, acting on a request from Kiev, called on Moscow to provide "appropriate medical treatment" to the soldiers who were wounded during the clash at sea.

The standoff led Ukraine to call for NATO's help as it requested the European military organization to come up with a "comprehensive answer" to Russian aggression in the Black Sea.

However, Ukraine also said Russia had allowed the partial opening of Sea of Azov allowing Ukrainian ships to dock in its ports.

Amid tensions with Russia, Ukraine today tested a new anti-ship cruise missile even as it conducted military drill on Russia's border. Ukraine test launched the S-125 air defence system and Neptune subsonic cruise missile.

Amid tensions with Russia, Ukraine today tested a new anti-ship cruise missile even as it conducted military drill on Russia's border. Ukraine test launched the S-125 air defence system and Neptune subsonic cruise missile. The test launch comes as Russia last week deployed the S-400 missile defence system in Crimea. "Today, we tested the ability of the cruise missile to hit surface targets at long distances. It is important that the missile could destroy the target accurately at a distance of 280 km. This is a very good result," chief of national security and defence council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov said. Ukranian forces undertook military exercise on the northern part of its capital Kiev bordering Russia as relations between the two countries continued to go downhill. Ukraine had imposed martial law on November 26th after its ships were earlier seized by Russian Navy in the Sea of Azov in a clash which was criticsed by Western powers. "Test launches of Ukrainian missiles proved its ability to secure our country's borders along the Black Sea and the Azov Sea," Turchynov added. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with families of the sailors caputured by Russia and vowed to bring them back. "For me there's nothing more important than getting them out," Poroshenko told the relatives. At least 24 saloirs have been arrested by Russia, and it has refused to free them despite international pressure. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed any move to send back the sailors to Ukraine. On Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights, acting on a request from Kiev, called on Moscow to provide "appropriate medical treatment" to the soldiers who were wounded during the clash at sea. The standoff led Ukraine to call for NATO's help as it requested the European military organization to come up with a "comprehensive answer" to Russian aggression in the Black Sea. However, Ukraine also said Russia had allowed the partial opening of Sea of Azov allowing Ukrainian ships to dock in its ports.

Ukraine tests new anti-ship cruise missile and S-125 air defence system

Ukraine today officially imposed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-warns-against-reckless-moves-after-ukraine-declares-martial-law-179834">martial law as its tension with Russia</a> continued days after Ukranian ships were seized by the Russian navy in the Sea of Azov.

President Vladimir Putin said that border guards "fulfilled their military duty" and protected Russia's border even as Western powers criticised the Russian government's latest move.

Putin said the Ukranian's had "provoked" the incident, "These territorial waters were always ours, even before Crimea joined Russia," Putin said, referring to Moscow's 2014 annexation of the peninsula.

President Petro Poroshenko's government imposed martial law in 10 regions bordering Russia, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea for the next 30 days as the standoff with Russia continued. Russia seized three ships and captured 24 Ukranian soldiers during the skirmish at sea.

A court in Crimea ordered seven of the Ukrainian sailors to be detained for two months pending a possible trial.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine has been rising since Putin's regime annexed Crimea in 2014 despite international condemnation.

US President Donald Trump siding with Ukraine said he may cancel summit with Putin at the G20 this week as a result of the confrontation. Several European countries called for new sanctions against Russia.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that other countries should do more in support of Ukraine with the US taking a strong position. Europen Union foreign ministers are due to discuss the crisis on December 10th.

Meanwhile, Russia's &nbsp;Interfax news agency citing Russian defence ministry said it had deployed the new S-400 surface-to-air missile systems on the Crimean peninsula. RIA news agency said the new S-400 systems would be operational by the end of the year. 
&nbsp;

Ukraine today officially imposed martial law as its tension with Russia continued days after Ukranian ships were seized by the Russian navy in the Sea of Azov. President Vladimir Putin said that border guards "fulfilled their military duty" and protected Russia's border even as Western powers criticised the Russian government's latest move.

Ukraine today officially imposed martial law as its tension with Russia continued days after Ukranian ships were seized by the Russian navy in the Sea of Azov. President Vladimir Putin said that border guards "fulfilled their military duty" and protected Russia's border even as Western powers criticised the Russian government's latest move. Putin said the Ukranian's had "provoked" the incident, "These territorial waters were always ours, even before Crimea joined Russia," Putin said, referring to Moscow's 2014 annexation of the peninsula. President Petro Poroshenko's government imposed martial law in 10 regions bordering Russia, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea for the next 30 days as the standoff with Russia continued. Russia seized three ships and captured 24 Ukranian soldiers during the skirmish at sea. A court in Crimea ordered seven of the Ukrainian sailors to be detained for two months pending a possible trial. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine has been rising since Putin's regime annexed Crimea in 2014 despite international condemnation. US President Donald Trump siding with Ukraine said he may cancel summit with Putin at the G20 this week as a result of the confrontation. Several European countries called for new sanctions against Russia. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that other countries should do more in support of Ukraine with the US taking a strong position. Europen Union foreign ministers are due to discuss the crisis on December 10th. Meanwhile, Russia's Interfax news agency citing Russian defence ministry said it had deployed the new S-400 surface-to-air missile systems on the Crimean peninsula. RIA news agency said the new S-400 systems would be operational by the end of the year.

Russia has deployed S-400 missiles in Crimea after martial law in Ukraine: Report

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its&nbsp;tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions."

Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries.

Russia accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict.&nbsp;

Russia claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014.

A Russian border guard ship, the Don, "rammed into our tugboat," the Ukrainian navy said, adding that this caused damage to its engine, outer shell and guardrail.

Russia's ships "carried out openly aggressive actions against Ukrainian naval ships," it said.

It said the ships were continuing on their way "despite Russia's counteraction."

Russia's FSB security service, which oversees the border guard service, said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies that the Ukrainian ships "illegally entered a temporarily closed area of Russian territorial waters."

It said Ukraine's ships were carrying out "provocative actions" and "their aim is clear: to create a conflict situation in this region."

Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, however. Its ships are obliged to take this route to reach the Sea of Azov.&nbsp; 
The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained of "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route.

Ukraine has increased the number of navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov, which is reached via the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia.

Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping.

Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region.

Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.&nbsp;

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions." Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries.

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions." Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries. Russia accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict. Russia claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014. A Russian border guard ship, the Don, "rammed into our tugboat," the Ukrainian navy said, adding that this caused damage to its engine, outer shell and guardrail. Russia's ships "carried out openly aggressive actions against Ukrainian naval ships," it said. It said the ships were continuing on their way "despite Russia's counteraction." Russia's FSB security service, which oversees the border guard service, said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies that the Ukrainian ships "illegally entered a temporarily closed area of Russian territorial waters." It said Ukraine's ships were carrying out "provocative actions" and "their aim is clear: to create a conflict situation in this region." Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, however. Its ships are obliged to take this route to reach the Sea of Azov. The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained of "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov, which is reached via the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia. Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping. Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region. Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.

Ukraine says Russia rams navy tugboat off Crimea

Students in the Crimean college where at least 17 people died on Wednesday said they heard shooting and chaos as students fled from a gunman or multiple gunmen in the building.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ten-dead-in-gas-blast-at-crimean-college-reports-171933">Also Read:&nbsp;Death toll rises in Crimea college blast</a>

"I was at a class when I heard shooting on the first floor," said one student in the Kerch Polytechnical College on the Crimean peninsula, who asked not to by identified.

"When we all ran out into the corridor, there were others running and shouting that some guy with a machine gun was randomly shooting everyone in turn," the student told AFP.

Crimea's regional leader Sergei Aksyonov said the perpetrator of the attack was a 22-year-old student in the school who lives in Kerch and shot himself afterwards.

Investigators, however, identified the attacker as 18-year-old Vladislav Roslyakov, a fourth-year student whose body was found "with a gunshot wound" on the premises.

The nature of the attack remained unclear after Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said that there was an explosion and investigators initially said an "unidentified explosive device" had gone off.&nbsp;

Witnesses said that they heard an explosion as well as shots.

"Then a strong explosion went off, but thank God, I was already outside and saw our guys being thrown out of the windows by the explosive wave," said the student.

"There's a lot of them, the ambulances did not have enough stretchers," he said, adding that more bodies could be buried under the rubble from a part of the building that collapsed.

Another student, Semyon Gavrilov, told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper that he saw "a young man with a gun walking around shooting everybody" and hid in a classroom.&nbsp;

"After 10 minutes police with automatic rifles arrived," he said. "I don't know what happened to the shooter."

The college's head Olga Grebennikova told local website Kerch. TV that she was called away on business and came back to the school to witness complete chaos, including reports of multiple shooters.

"They blew up the corridor, they ran around, throwing explosives, ran around with automatic rifles, opening classes and killing anybody they could find," she said sobbing.

At least 17 people were killed in the college, with dozens more injured.

Students in the Crimean college where at least 17 people died on Wednesday said they heard shooting and chaos as students fled from a gunman or multiple gunmen in the building.

Students in the Crimean college where at least 17 people died on Wednesday said they heard shooting and chaos as students fled from a gunman or multiple gunmen in the building. Also Read: Death toll rises in Crimea college blast "I was at a class when I heard shooting on the first floor," said one student in the Kerch Polytechnical College on the Crimean peninsula, who asked not to by identified. "When we all ran out into the corridor, there were others running and shouting that some guy with a machine gun was randomly shooting everyone in turn," the student told AFP. Crimea's regional leader Sergei Aksyonov said the perpetrator of the attack was a 22-year-old student in the school who lives in Kerch and shot himself afterwards. Investigators, however, identified the attacker as 18-year-old Vladislav Roslyakov, a fourth-year student whose body was found "with a gunshot wound" on the premises. The nature of the attack remained unclear after Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said that there was an explosion and investigators initially said an "unidentified explosive device" had gone off. Witnesses said that they heard an explosion as well as shots. "Then a strong explosion went off, but thank God, I was already outside and saw our guys being thrown out of the windows by the explosive wave," said the student. "There's a lot of them, the ambulances did not have enough stretchers," he said, adding that more bodies could be buried under the rubble from a part of the building that collapsed. Another student, Semyon Gavrilov, told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper that he saw "a young man with a gun walking around shooting everybody" and hid in a classroom. "After 10 minutes police with automatic rifles arrived," he said. "I don't know what happened to the shooter." The college's head Olga Grebennikova told local website Kerch. TV that she was called away on business and came back to the school to witness complete chaos, including reports of multiple shooters. "They blew up the corridor, they ran around, throwing explosives, ran around with automatic rifles, opening classes and killing anybody they could find," she said sobbing. At least 17 people were killed in the college, with dozens more injured.

22-year-old Crimean student shoots 17 students, kills himself later

The teenager who killed at least <a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/22-year-old-crimean-student-shoots-17-students-kills-himself-later-172044">20 people and himself</a> in a school massacre that has rocked Russian-annexed Crimea had spoken about taking revenge for bullying, his ex-girlfriend told Russian media on Thursday.

"He would say that he lost trust in people when his classmates began humiliating him for not being like everyone else," a 15-year-old named as Zlata told the Kremlin-funded RT television of Vladislav Roslyakov.

"Vladislav was always telling me about his frequent fights with people around him," she said.

The 18-year-old had spoken to her about taking revenge for this bullying, RT reported Zlata as saying.

"He didn't want to live" because of it, said the girl, who broke up with Roslyakov at an unspecified time before the killing.

She said Roslyakov was a shooting enthusiast whose favourite type of knife was the "butterfly".&nbsp;

But she also described him as a good person.&nbsp;

"When we started going out, everything was fine. He was kind and considerate, he helped me when things were bad.

"I'm sorry for the people he shot and I'm very sorry that he killed himself. He was a very good friend."

Russian investigators and residents of the peninsula are looking to understand what motivated the killer and how he was able to carry out a massacre of this scale.

The teenager who killed at least 20 people and himself in a school massacre that has rocked Russian-annexed Crimea had spoken about taking revenge for bullying, his ex-girlfriend told Russian media on Thursday.

The teenager who killed at least 20 people and himself in a school massacre that has rocked Russian-annexed Crimea had spoken about taking revenge for bullying, his ex-girlfriend told Russian media on Thursday. "He would say that he lost trust in people when his classmates began humiliating him for not being like everyone else," a 15-year-old named as Zlata told the Kremlin-funded RT television of Vladislav Roslyakov. "Vladislav was always telling me about his frequent fights with people around him," she said. The 18-year-old had spoken to her about taking revenge for this bullying, RT reported Zlata as saying. "He didn't want to live" because of it, said the girl, who broke up with Roslyakov at an unspecified time before the killing. She said Roslyakov was a shooting enthusiast whose favourite type of knife was the "butterfly". But she also described him as a good person. "When we started going out, everything was fine. He was kind and considerate, he helped me when things were bad. "I'm sorry for the people he shot and I'm very sorry that he killed himself. He was a very good friend." Russian investigators and residents of the peninsula are looking to understand what motivated the killer and how he was able to carry out a massacre of this scale.

Crimea gunman was 'bullied': Ex-girlfriend to Russian media

Russia said Wednesday it had opened a criminal investigation into a "terrorist attack" after an unidentified explosive device went off in a technical college in the city of Kerch in Moscow-annexed Crimea, killing at least 10 and injuring around 50.

The Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, said in a statement that it had "opened a criminal case into a terrorist attack over the explosion in a college in Kerch."

A blast at a college in the Crimean port city of Kerch killed 10 people and injured dozens on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported, citing sources.

"Initial information is that a gas canister blew up," the TASS news agency quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying.

Photographs from the scene of the blast posted by local media outlet Kerch.FM showed ground floor windows of the two-storey building had been blown out, and debris from the building was lying on the floor outside.

Ambulances and firefighters were at the scene. One person could be seen on a stretcher being carried onto a bus.

Russia said Wednesday it had opened a criminal investigation into a "terrorist attack" after an unidentified explosive device went off in a technical college in the city of Kerch in Moscow-annexed Crimea, killing at least 10 and injuring around 50.

Russia said Wednesday it had opened a criminal investigation into a "terrorist attack" after an unidentified explosive device went off in a technical college in the city of Kerch in Moscow-annexed Crimea, killing at least 10 and injuring around 50. The Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, said in a statement that it had "opened a criminal case into a terrorist attack over the explosion in a college in Kerch." A blast at a college in the Crimean port city of Kerch killed 10 people and injured dozens on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported, citing sources. "Initial information is that a gas canister blew up," the TASS news agency quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying. Photographs from the scene of the blast posted by local media outlet Kerch.FM showed ground floor windows of the two-storey building had been blown out, and debris from the building was lying on the floor outside. Ambulances and firefighters were at the scene. One person could be seen on a stretcher being carried onto a bus.

Russia opens probe into 'terrorist attack' over Crimea explosion: Investigators

Russian President Vladimir Putin, driving a truck, unveiled the auto section of a new road-and-rail bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula on Tuesday, defying Ukraine which said the move showed cynical disregard for international law.

Putin, at the wheel of an orange heavy KAMAZ dump-truck, drove the full 19 km (12 miles) across the bridge from the Kerch Strait. Some Russians are calling it "Putin's bridge", designed to link Crimea into Russia's transport network.

At a ceremony broadcast live on state TV, Putin, dressed in blue jeans, was met by cheering workers on the Crimean side after driving the truck across the bridge in a convoy of vehicles.

"At last, thanks to your talent, this project, this miracle, has happened," Putin told the workers.

In Kiev, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said: "The illegal construction of the Kerch bridge is the latest evidence of the Kremlin's disregard for international law.

"It is particularly cynical that its opening is happening on the eve of the latest anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean-Tatar people by the Stalin regime."

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, drawing sanctions and prompting a deterioration in ties with the West. Many in Russia saw the move as restoring Moscow's rule over a historically Russian region.

Built at a cost of 223 billion roubles ($3.60 billion), the bridge will be the longest dual-purpose span in Europe. The Kremlin said it would be opened to cars on Wednesday and the rail section was due to be completed at the end of 2019.

"Putin initiated this project himself. Many didn't believe these plans were possible," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony.

"This is an extremely important day from this point of view and in a practical sense and in symbolic terms."

The road stretch of the bridge was due to be completed by the end of 2018, but the opening was brought forward at Putin's request.

Putin inspected the bridge in March ahead of the presidential election he won by a landslide, saying it was important to have the link to the Black Sea peninsula open for the summer tourist season.

The opening ceremony drew criticism from the West.

"France condemns the construction by Russia of the Kerch Bridge, which deprives Ukraine of full access and the use of its internationally recognised territorial waters," a French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

The spokesperson of the European External Action Service said in a statement on Tuesday the bridge was "another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"The European Union continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and will not recognise this violation of international law," the spokesperson said.

Putin, at the wheel of an orange heavy KAMAZ dump-truck, drove the full 19 km (12 miles) across the bridge from the Kerch Strait

Russian President Vladimir Putin, driving a truck, unveiled the auto section of a new road-and-rail bridge linking Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula on Tuesday, defying Ukraine which said the move showed cynical disregard for international law. Putin, at the wheel of an orange heavy KAMAZ dump-truck, drove the full 19 km (12 miles) across the bridge from the Kerch Strait. Some Russians are calling it "Putin's bridge", designed to link Crimea into Russia's transport network. At a ceremony broadcast live on state TV, Putin, dressed in blue jeans, was met by cheering workers on the Crimean side after driving the truck across the bridge in a convoy of vehicles. "At last, thanks to your talent, this project, this miracle, has happened," Putin told the workers. In Kiev, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said: "The illegal construction of the Kerch bridge is the latest evidence of the Kremlin's disregard for international law. "It is particularly cynical that its opening is happening on the eve of the latest anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean-Tatar people by the Stalin regime." Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, drawing sanctions and prompting a deterioration in ties with the West. Many in Russia saw the move as restoring Moscow's rule over a historically Russian region. Built at a cost of 223 billion roubles ($3.60 billion), the bridge will be the longest dual-purpose span in Europe. The Kremlin said it would be opened to cars on Wednesday and the rail section was due to be completed at the end of 2019. "Putin initiated this project himself. Many didn't believe these plans were possible," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony. "This is an extremely important day from this point of view and in a practical sense and in symbolic terms." The road stretch of the bridge was due to be completed by the end of 2018, but the opening was brought forward at Putin's request. Putin inspected the bridge in March ahead of the presidential election he won by a landslide, saying it was important to have the link to the Black Sea peninsula open for the summer tourist season. The opening ceremony drew criticism from the West. "France condemns the construction by Russia of the Kerch Bridge, which deprives Ukraine of full access and the use of its internationally recognised territorial waters," a French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. The spokesperson of the European External Action Service said in a statement on Tuesday the bridge was "another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." "The European Union continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and will not recognise this violation of international law," the spokesperson said.

'Trucker' Putin opens Russia bridge link with annexed Crimea

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's children last year visited a holiday camp in Russian-annexed Crimea, the RIA news agency cited a Russian lawmaker as saying on Sunday.

Assad met a group of Russian lawmakers in Damascus on Sunday after the West launched missile strikes against Syria over a suspected poison gas attack.

Lawmaker Dmitry Sablin told RIA that Assad had said his children visited the Artek holiday camp in Crimea last year. Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, a move that prompted US&nbspand European sanctions.

"My children were at Artek last year. After the trip they began to understand Russia better," Sablin quoted Assad as saying.&nbsp

Assad has two sons and a daughter, born between 2001 and 2004. Syria's ambassador to Moscow said last year that the children had started learning to speak Russian, according to Russian media reports.

Assad met a group of Russian lawmakers in Damascus on Sunday after the West launched missile strikes against Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's children last year visited a holiday camp in Russian-annexed Crimea, the RIA news agency cited a Russian lawmaker as saying on Sunday. Assad met a group of Russian lawmakers in Damascus on Sunday after the West launched missile strikes against Syria over a suspected poison gas attack. Lawmaker Dmitry Sablin told RIA that Assad had said his children visited the Artek holiday camp in Crimea last year. Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, a move that prompted US&nbspand European sanctions. "My children were at Artek last year. After the trip they began to understand Russia better," Sablin quoted Assad as saying. Assad has two sons and a daughter, born between 2001 and 2004. Syria's ambassador to Moscow said last year that the children had started learning to speak Russian, according to Russian media reports.

Assad's children visited Crimean holiday camp: Russian lawmaker

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that under no circumstances would he give Crimea back to Ukraine, speaking in a new documentary released Sunday ahead of his expected re-election in next week&#39;s poll.

&quot;What, have you gone mad?&quot; he told a journalist who asked him if there were any circumstances under which the Russian leader would be ready to give up Crimea.

&quot;There are no such circumstances and never will be,&quot; he said in the new two-hour documentary &quot;Putin&quot;.

It was published on the social media accounts of notorious pro-Kremlin TV host Dmitry Kiselev ahead of a presidential election on March 18.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and supported Russian-speaking insurgents in the east of the ex-Soviet country after a Western-backed popular uprising ousted a Kremlin-backed regime from power in Kiev.

The peninsula&#39;s annexation led to European and US sanctions against Moscow amid the most serious crisis in ties with the West since the end of the Cold War.

The documentary -- produced by journalist Andrei Kondrashov, who is a spokesman for Putin&#39;s campaign -- features interviews with a number of the Russian leader&#39;s allies including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and childhood friend cellist Sergei Roldugin.

The secretive chief executive of oil giant Rosneft, Igor Sechin, said he had served under Putin in various capacities for nearly 30 years and that the president was &quot;a very careful person&quot;.

&quot;Honestly speaking, I don&#39;t know a single mistake he has made over these years,&quot; Sechin said in rare public comments.

&quot;He is very careful at making decisions.&quot;

Speaking on everything from his family to childhood to love and happiness, Putin said he was capable of forgiving.

&quot;But not everything,&quot; he quickly added, noting he could not forgive a betrayal.

&quot;Generally speaking, I cannot complain that I&#39;ve come across any serious events that could be called a betrayal,&quot; Putin said.

Running against a motley crew of seven challengers, Putin is expected to take nearly 70 percent of the vote with a turnout of more than 60 percent, according to state-run pollsters.

The peninsula's annexation led to European and US sanctions against Moscow amid the most serious crisis in ties with the West since the end of the Cold War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that under no circumstances would he give Crimea back to Ukraine, speaking in a new documentary released Sunday ahead of his expected re-election in next week's poll. "What, have you gone mad?" he told a journalist who asked him if there were any circumstances under which the Russian leader would be ready to give up Crimea. "There are no such circumstances and never will be," he said in the new two-hour documentary "Putin". It was published on the social media accounts of notorious pro-Kremlin TV host Dmitry Kiselev ahead of a presidential election on March 18. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and supported Russian-speaking insurgents in the east of the ex-Soviet country after a Western-backed popular uprising ousted a Kremlin-backed regime from power in Kiev. The peninsula's annexation led to European and US sanctions against Moscow amid the most serious crisis in ties with the West since the end of the Cold War. The documentary -- produced by journalist Andrei Kondrashov, who is a spokesman for Putin's campaign -- features interviews with a number of the Russian leader's allies including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and childhood friend cellist Sergei Roldugin. The secretive chief executive of oil giant Rosneft, Igor Sechin, said he had served under Putin in various capacities for nearly 30 years and that the president was "a very careful person". "Honestly speaking, I don't know a single mistake he has made over these years," Sechin said in rare public comments. "He is very careful at making decisions." Speaking on everything from his family to childhood to love and happiness, Putin said he was capable of forgiving. "But not everything," he quickly added, noting he could not forgive a betrayal. "Generally speaking, I cannot complain that I've come across any serious events that could be called a betrayal," Putin said. Running against a motley crew of seven challengers, Putin is expected to take nearly 70 percent of the vote with a turnout of more than 60 percent, according to state-run pollsters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will 'never' give Crimea back to Ukraine

In a bid to counter escalating military tensions in the Crimean peninsula, Russia deployed a new division of S-400 surface-to-air missiles in Crimea this Saturday.&nbsp;

The latest deployment is the second division armed with S-400 air defence systems on the peninsula.

The first of the similar kind to be deployed was in the spring of 2017 near the port town of Fedosia.

The new deployment would be based next to the town of Sevastopol.

According to reports, the new division will control the airspace over the Russian border with Ukraine.&nbsp;

The new air defence system is designed to defend Russia&#39;s borders and can also be turned into combat mode in under five minutes. &nbsp;

The S-400 systems, also known as &#39;Triumph&#39;, were first introduced in the Russian military in 2007.

The systems are capable of bringing down airborne targets at a range of 400 kilometres and ballistic missiles at a range of 60 kilometres.&nbsp;

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

The annexation led to economic sanctions by the European Union and the United States.

The Trump administration in December said that it planned to provide Ukraine with &quot;enhanced defensive capabilities&quot; including Javelin anti-tank missiles.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Russia deployed a new division of S-400 surface-to-air missiles in Crimea this Saturday

In a bid to counter escalating military tensions in the Crimean peninsula, Russia deployed a new division of S-400 surface-to-air missiles in Crimea this Saturday. The latest deployment is the second division armed with S-400 air defence systems on the peninsula. The first of the similar kind to be deployed was in the spring of 2017 near the port town of Fedosia. The new deployment would be based next to the town of Sevastopol. According to reports, the new division will control the airspace over the Russian border with Ukraine. The new air defence system is designed to defend Russia's borders and can also be turned into combat mode in under five minutes. The S-400 systems, also known as 'Triumph', were first introduced in the Russian military in 2007. The systems are capable of bringing down airborne targets at a range of 400 kilometres and ballistic missiles at a range of 60 kilometres. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The annexation led to economic sanctions by the European Union and the United States. The Trump administration in December said that it planned to provide Ukraine with "enhanced defensive capabilities" including Javelin anti-tank missiles. (With inputs from Reuters)

Russia deploys more surface-to-air missiles as tensions grip Crimea

Russia&#39;s foreign ministry today ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic staff after the US Senate voted overwhelmingly late on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia even though President Trump was against the legislation. The bill also imposed sanctions against Iran and North Korea.&nbsp;

Russia ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 diplomats. The ministry said that this was in response to the passing of a new bill on sanctions by the Senate.&nbsp;

The US House of Representatives had earlier voted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-approves-new-russia-sanctions-defying-trump-18282">419 to 3 in the House to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine</a> and over conclusions by US intelligence agencies that it interfered in the US election. Russia, however, has consistently denied it interfered in the US election, President Trump on his part has always been adamant that his campaign never colluded with the Russians.

The US Senate voted almost unanimously 98-2 on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia. The vote had bipartisan support with both Republicans and Democrats voting on Russia sanctions in huge numbers.

The bill will be sent President Trump who can either sign it or veto, a move which will have huge foreign policy ramifications.

Former President Barack Obama had barred Russian diplomats access to two compounds in the US last December after US intelligence services suspected Russia meddled in the US election. In fact, Obama had taken a tough stand expelling 35 Russian diplomats for spying, a move which was heavily criticised by President Putin.

The Russian foreign ministry said: &quot;We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff&quot; working in Russia &quot;in exact accordance&quot; with the number of Russian diplomats and support staff in the United States by September 1.&quot;.

The ministry also said it would bar access to a summer house and storage facilities in Moscow used by the US embassy from August 1.

The Russian foreign ministry said the move was in response to the passing of a new bill on sanctions by the Senate

Russia's foreign ministry today ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic staff after the US Senate voted overwhelmingly late on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia even though President Trump was against the legislation. The bill also imposed sanctions against Iran and North Korea. Russia ordered the US to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 diplomats. The ministry said that this was in response to the passing of a new bill on sanctions by the Senate. The US House of Representatives had earlier voted 419 to 3 in the House to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and over conclusions by US intelligence agencies that it interfered in the US election. Russia, however, has consistently denied it interfered in the US election, President Trump on his part has always been adamant that his campaign never colluded with the Russians. The US Senate voted almost unanimously 98-2 on Thursday to slap new sanctions on Russia. The vote had bipartisan support with both Republicans and Democrats voting on Russia sanctions in huge numbers. The bill will be sent President Trump who can either sign it or veto, a move which will have huge foreign policy ramifications. Former President Barack Obama had barred Russian diplomats access to two compounds in the US last December after US intelligence services suspected Russia meddled in the US election. In fact, Obama had taken a tough stand expelling 35 Russian diplomats for spying, a move which was heavily criticised by President Putin. The Russian foreign ministry said: "We propose to the US side to bring the number of diplomatic and technical staff" working in Russia "in exact accordance" with the number of Russian diplomats and support staff in the United States by September 1.". The ministry also said it would bar access to a summer house and storage facilities in Moscow used by the US embassy from August 1.

Russia orders US to cut down diplomatic staff over sanctions row

India&#39;s SREI Infrastructure Finance hopes to sign a $500 million joint venture this week with Russian state lender Vnesheconombank, or&nbsp;VEB, to finance exports of equipment to India, managing director Hemant Kanoria said on Thursday.

Kanoria was speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the St Petersburg economic forum where Russian and foreign businessmen gather every year in June.

&quot;We are looking at a joint venture with VEB which will be trying to support equipment exports from Russia into India. This would be heavy equipment going into the mining, construction and other industry in India,&quot; Kanoria said, adding that the machinery could be leased or purchased in India.

&quot;We are looking at half a billion dollars to do a memorandum of understanding with them.&quot; Asked if the venture could be announced at the St Petersburg forum, Kanoria said: &quot;Yes&quot;.

He said SREI had also mooted creating a joint infrastructure fund together with the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) but progress had been slow so far.

SREI&#39;s projects in Russia have stalled since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow after its 2014 annexation of Ukraine&#39;s Crimea region, forcing partners in its Russian venture to pull back. These include the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) and Development and Germany&#39;s DEG.

In early December 2016 Sergey Gorkov, the head of VEB, secretly met with US President Donald Trump&#39;s son in law&nbsp;Jared Kushner, who is also now a senior white house adviser. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/jared-kushner-now-a-focus-in-russia-investigation/2017/05/25/f078db74-40c7-11e7-8c25-44d09ff5a4a8_story.html?utm_term=.5ba3b2057406" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported that the federal investigation into Trump&#39;s Russia probe is looking at&nbsp;Kushner, because of &quot;the extent and nature of his interactions&quot; with the ambassador and Gorkov.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending this year&#39;s St Petersburg forum and also holding a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The Indian company's projects in Russia have stalled since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow for annexing Crimea

India's SREI Infrastructure Finance hopes to sign a $500 million joint venture this week with Russian state lender Vnesheconombank, or VEB, to finance exports of equipment to India, managing director Hemant Kanoria said on Thursday. Kanoria was speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the St Petersburg economic forum where Russian and foreign businessmen gather every year in June. "We are looking at a joint venture with VEB which will be trying to support equipment exports from Russia into India. This would be heavy equipment going into the mining, construction and other industry in India," Kanoria said, adding that the machinery could be leased or purchased in India. "We are looking at half a billion dollars to do a memorandum of understanding with them." Asked if the venture could be announced at the St Petersburg forum, Kanoria said: "Yes". He said SREI had also mooted creating a joint infrastructure fund together with the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) but progress had been slow so far. SREI's projects in Russia have stalled since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow after its 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region, forcing partners in its Russian venture to pull back. These include the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) and Development and Germany's DEG. In early December 2016 Sergey Gorkov, the head of VEB, secretly met with US President Donald Trump's son in law Jared Kushner, who is also now a senior white house adviser. The Washington Post reported that the federal investigation into Trump's Russia probe is looking at Kushner, because of "the extent and nature of his interactions" with the ambassador and Gorkov. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending this year's St Petersburg forum and also holding a bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

SREI says to ink $500 million venture with Russia's state lender VEB

Canada&#39;s new foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland has rejected an offer from Russia to lift their travel ban against her, if Canada removes economic sanctions&nbsp;imposed over Russia&#39;s annexation of Crimea, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/russia-hints-it-could-lift-freeland-ban/article33575833/">the Globe and Mail reports</a>.

Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent and fluent in Russian, was made Canada&#39;s top foreign diplomat as part of a major cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Freeland worked in Moscow as a financial journalist, and is a strong supporter of Ukraine.

Canada&#39;s previous Conservative government had blacklisted many Russian officials to punish the country for its Crimea action. Russia then banned Freeland, an opposition leader in Parliament, including several parliament members as part of retaliatory sanctions. After Moscow imposed sanctions on her, Freeland posted on Twitter at the time declaring it &ldquo;an honour to be on Putin&rsquo;s sanction list.&quot;

&ldquo;There is no quid pro quo for aggression and illegal action on their part,&rdquo; Freeland&rsquo;s communications director Joe Pickerill told The Globe and Mail, one of Canada&#39;s largest&nbsp;newspapers.

Russia on its part has been working through various channels in trying to convince&nbsp;foreign governments to waive the sanctions. According to&nbsp;The Globe and Mail, Russian news agency Sputnik quoted an unidentified Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying the Kremlin was open to allowing Freeland to travel to Russia, but only if Canada lifted economic sanctions and travel bans against Russia.

Canada has however decided to stick to its stand. Soon after being sworn in as foreign affairs minister, Freeland told reporters whether she will be able to travel to Russia was not up to her.

&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a question for Moscow,&rdquo; she told reporters. &ldquo;I am a very strong supporter of our government&rsquo;s view that it is important to engage with all countries around the world, very much including Russia.&rdquo;

Freeland&#39;s appointment to the foreign affairs post is being seen as a bold move by the current Trudeau government, given the fact that US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Putin, is set to take over the presidency on January 20. The incoming US president might remove US sanctions, which would potentially&nbsp;leave Canada in a difficult situation.&nbsp;

However, the Trump administration may&nbsp;maintain sanctions on Russia in the near future, as Trump&rsquo;s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson said during his Senate confirmation hearing that he would recommend maintaining &quot;status quo&quot; on Russia.

But&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-mccain-has-concerns-about-tillerson-nomination-10714">Tillerson has raised alarm</a> bells among Democrats and Republicans for his various ties to Russia, including being CEO of ExxonMobil while the company found billions of dollars worth of oil in northern Russia, and personally being awarded the &quot;Order of Friendship&quot; award by none other than Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

Trump himself has praised Putin for months, even after&nbsp;allegations released only yesterday that the Kremlin has &quot;compromised&quot; Trump by gaining personal and financial information over him.&nbsp;

In a press conference after the explosive story broke,&nbsp;<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/11/politics/donald-trump-press-conference-highlights/">Trump conceded for the first time</a> that he believes it was&nbsp;Russia who hacked the Democrats&#39; computers ahead of the election. However,&nbsp;Putin, he said, &quot;should not be doing it. He won&#39;t be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I am leading it than when other people have led it&quot;.

On October 19, during a&nbsp;Presidential debate on live television, Donald Trump explicitly&nbsp;encouraged&nbsp;the Russians to hack his rival, Hillary Clinton.

&quot;Russia, if you&#39;re listening, I hope you&#39;re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing&quot;, he said, referencing Clinton&#39;s email.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gNa2B5zHfbQ" width="560"></iframe>

(WION)

'There is no quid pro quo for aggression and illegal action on their part' Freeland's office said about Russia annexing Crimea

Canada's new foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland has rejected an offer from Russia to lift their travel ban against her, if Canada removes economic sanctions imposed over Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Globe and Mail reports. Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent and fluent in Russian, was made Canada's top foreign diplomat as part of a major cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Freeland worked in Moscow as a financial journalist, and is a strong supporter of Ukraine. Canada's previous Conservative government had blacklisted many Russian officials to punish the country for its Crimea action. Russia then banned Freeland, an opposition leader in Parliament, including several parliament members as part of retaliatory sanctions. After Moscow imposed sanctions on her, Freeland posted on Twitter at the time declaring it “an honour to be on Putin’s sanction list." “There is no quid pro quo for aggression and illegal action on their part,” Freeland’s communications director Joe Pickerill told The Globe and Mail, one of Canada's largest newspapers. Russia on its part has been working through various channels in trying to convince foreign governments to waive the sanctions. According to The Globe and Mail, Russian news agency Sputnik quoted an unidentified Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying the Kremlin was open to allowing Freeland to travel to Russia, but only if Canada lifted economic sanctions and travel bans against Russia. Canada has however decided to stick to its stand. Soon after being sworn in as foreign affairs minister, Freeland told reporters whether she will be able to travel to Russia was not up to her. “That’s a question for Moscow,” she told reporters. “I am a very strong supporter of our government’s view that it is important to engage with all countries around the world, very much including Russia.” Freeland's appointment to the foreign affairs post is being seen as a bold move by the current Trudeau government, given the fact that US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Putin, is set to take over the presidency on January 20. The incoming US president might remove US sanctions, which would potentially leave Canada in a difficult situation. However, the Trump administration may maintain sanctions on Russia in the near future, as Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson said during his Senate confirmation hearing that he would recommend maintaining "status quo" on Russia. But Tillerson has raised alarm bells among Democrats and Republicans for his various ties to Russia, including being CEO of ExxonMobil while the company found billions of dollars worth of oil in northern Russia, and personally being awarded the "Order of Friendship" award by none other than Vladimir Putin. Trump himself has praised Putin for months, even after allegations released only yesterday that the Kremlin has "compromised" Trump by gaining personal and financial information over him. In a press conference after the explosive story broke, Trump conceded for the first time that he believes it was Russia who hacked the Democrats' computers ahead of the election. However, Putin, he said, "should not be doing it. He won't be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I am leading it than when other people have led it". On October 19, during a Presidential debate on live television, Donald Trump explicitly encouraged the Russians to hack his rival, Hillary Clinton. "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing", he said, referencing Clinton's email. (WION)

Canada's new foreign minister refuses Russia's offer to lift travel ban

US President Barack Obama said he told Vladimir Putin on Sunday that he wants to reach a settlement that solves the Ukraine crisis before he leaves office in January.

&quot;I talked to him about Ukraine and the need for us to get things done,&quot; Obama told a press conference in Peru, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.&nbsp;

&quot;I urged him to instruct his negotiators to work with ourselves, with France, with Germany, with Ukraine to see if we can get that done before my term is up.&quot;

Russia backs a separatist, pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has claimed nearly 10,000 lives.

Moscow, which annexed Crimea from pro-Western Ukraine in 2014, denies either sending troops or weapons across its border to fuel the conflict, despite eyewitness testimony to the contrary.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande launched efforts in October to revive a stalled peace process during talks with Putin and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko in Berlin.

Those involved are trying to draw up a roadmap for applying the frayed 2015 Minsk peace accords following months of impasse.

The shock election victory of Donald Trump in the United States has been met with trepidation in Kiev because of the mogul&#39;s praise for Putin.

(AFP)

'I talked to him about Ukraine and the need for us to get things done,' he told a press conference in Peru, on the sidelines of APEC summi

US President Barack Obama said he told Vladimir Putin on Sunday that he wants to reach a settlement that solves the Ukraine crisis before he leaves office in January. "I talked to him about Ukraine and the need for us to get things done," Obama told a press conference in Peru, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. "I urged him to instruct his negotiators to work with ourselves, with France, with Germany, with Ukraine to see if we can get that done before my term is up." Russia backs a separatist, pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has claimed nearly 10,000 lives. Moscow, which annexed Crimea from pro-Western Ukraine in 2014, denies either sending troops or weapons across its border to fuel the conflict, despite eyewitness testimony to the contrary. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande launched efforts in October to revive a stalled peace process during talks with Putin and Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko in Berlin. Those involved are trying to draw up a roadmap for applying the frayed 2015 Minsk peace accords following months of impasse. The shock election victory of Donald Trump in the United States has been met with trepidation in Kiev because of the mogul's praise for Putin. (AFP)

Obama wants Ukraine deal 'before term is up'

After Ukraine launched a bid at the United Nations to condemn rights abuses in Crimea by Russian troops, the European Union today added six Russian MPs from Crimea to its sanctions blacklist.&nbsp;

The Union accused the MPs who were recently elected to the Russian Parliament for supporting Moscow&#39;s seizure of the region from Ukraine.&nbsp;

The EU refuses to recognise Moscow&#39;s 2014 annexation of Crimea and said it the &quot;persons who become members of the State Duma as a result of the elections in Crimea are placed under sanctions&quot; as per their policy. &nbsp;

The statement issued by the 28-member Council said, &quot;these sanctions consist of an asset freeze and a travel ban which will now apply to a total of 152 persons and 37 entities.&quot;

Over the last year, the bloc has repeatedly extended sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian individuals and companies said to have aided Russia&#39;s takeover of the Black Sea peninsula.&nbsp;

The leaders will review the effectiveness of the economic sanctions at a summit in December.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
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In line with its non-recognition policy, the EU placed six Russian MPs under economic sanctions for backing Moscow's seizure of Crimea

After Ukraine launched a bid at the United Nations to condemn rights abuses in Crimea by Russian troops, the European Union today added six Russian MPs from Crimea to its sanctions blacklist. The Union accused the MPs who were recently elected to the Russian Parliament for supporting Moscow's seizure of the region from Ukraine. The EU refuses to recognise Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea and said it the "persons who become members of the State Duma as a result of the elections in Crimea are placed under sanctions" as per their policy. The statement issued by the 28-member Council said, "these sanctions consist of an asset freeze and a travel ban which will now apply to a total of 152 persons and 37 entities." Over the last year, the bloc has repeatedly extended sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian individuals and companies said to have aided Russia's takeover of the Black Sea peninsula. The leaders will review the effectiveness of the economic sanctions at a summit in December. (WION with inputs from agencies)

European Union sanctions six Russian MPs from Crimea

Ukraine on Tuesday launched a bid at the United Nations to condemn rights abuses in Crimea and press Russia to allow UN monitors to visit the territory.

Backed by 38 countries including the United States, France, and Britain, Ukraine presented a draft resolution that for the first time puts Crimea under scrutiny by the General Assembly&#39;s human rights committee.

&quot;Crimea is not just a Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia,&quot; said Ukrainian ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko.

&quot;Crimea is 2.5 million people suffering from the authoritarian regime, frightened and helpless without any chance to defend their rights.&quot;

The measure condemns abuses and discrimination in Crimea, which was seized by Russia in February 2014 and later annexed in a move that was not recognised by the United Nations.

It urges Russia to reverse its decision to shut down the Crimean Tatars&#39; governing body, the Mejlis, and to allow cultural and religious institutions to reopen.

Rights groups have raised alarm over the plight of Crimea&#39;s Muslim Tatars, who have been subjected to repression for their opposition to Russian rule of the territory.

The text calls on Russia to &quot;take all necessary measures to bring an immediate end to all abuses against residents of Crimea&quot; and to cooperate with the UN rights office seeking to report on the situation in the peninsula.

A UN monitoring mission on human rights set up in Ukraine in 2014 has not been allowed in Crimea.

The draft resolution is expected to come up for a vote on Tuesday.

Taking the floor, Russia&#39;s deputy UN ambassador dismissed the measure as &quot;one-sided&quot;, saying it ignored Ukraine&#39;s decision to cut off trade, electrical power, and banking services to Crimeans.

Russian deputy ambassador Evgeniy Zagaynov accused Ukraine of &quot;stepping up the information campaign against Russia in an attempt to exert pressure on our country&quot;.

Last month, Russia suffered a diplomatic setback at the United Nations when it failed to win re-election to the Human Rights Council during a vote that rights groups said was linked to Moscow&#39;s bombing campaign in Syria.

(AFP)

A draft resolution presented by it condemns rights abuses in Crimea and presses Russia to allow UN monitors into the territory

Ukraine on Tuesday launched a bid at the United Nations to condemn rights abuses in Crimea and press Russia to allow UN monitors to visit the territory. Backed by 38 countries including the United States, France, and Britain, Ukraine presented a draft resolution that for the first time puts Crimea under scrutiny by the General Assembly's human rights committee. "Crimea is not just a Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia," said Ukrainian ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko. "Crimea is 2.5 million people suffering from the authoritarian regime, frightened and helpless without any chance to defend their rights." The measure condemns abuses and discrimination in Crimea, which was seized by Russia in February 2014 and later annexed in a move that was not recognised by the United Nations. It urges Russia to reverse its decision to shut down the Crimean Tatars' governing body, the Mejlis, and to allow cultural and religious institutions to reopen. Rights groups have raised alarm over the plight of Crimea's Muslim Tatars, who have been subjected to repression for their opposition to Russian rule of the territory. The text calls on Russia to "take all necessary measures to bring an immediate end to all abuses against residents of Crimea" and to cooperate with the UN rights office seeking to report on the situation in the peninsula. A UN monitoring mission on human rights set up in Ukraine in 2014 has not been allowed in Crimea. The draft resolution is expected to come up for a vote on Tuesday. Taking the floor, Russia's deputy UN ambassador dismissed the measure as "one-sided", saying it ignored Ukraine's decision to cut off trade, electrical power, and banking services to Crimeans. Russian deputy ambassador Evgeniy Zagaynov accused Ukraine of "stepping up the information campaign against Russia in an attempt to exert pressure on our country". Last month, Russia suffered a diplomatic setback at the United Nations when it failed to win re-election to the Human Rights Council during a vote that rights groups said was linked to Moscow's bombing campaign in Syria. (AFP)

Ukraine pushes UN to step up scrutiny of Crimea

US state department spokesman, John Kirby, on Friday said the&nbsp;United States &quot;does not recognise the legitimacy&quot; of Russian Parliamentary elections in Crimea.&nbsp; 
 
While addressing his daily conference, Kirby said: &quot;The United States does not recognise the legitimacy, and will not recognise the outcome of the Russian Duma elections planned for Russian-occupied Crimea on September 18th.&quot; 
 
He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear, it is a part of Ukraine and &quot;Crimea-related sanctions against Russia will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine.&quot; 
 
Kirby also expressed concern over human rights violations taking place, &quot;including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and widespread reports of missing persons and human rights abuses.&quot; 
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Ukraine reacts 
 
Ukraine&#39;s foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin reiterated that the elections in Crimea were &quot;absolutely unacceptable.&quot; 
 
&quot;These elections are completely illegitimate. They are illegitimate in the political sense but they are also illegitimate in the purely legal sense and actually it&#39;s the Russian side now (that) opened up a kind of Pandora box because for me it puts a question mark on the whole issue of democratic legitimacy for the Russian Parliament,&quot; Reuters quoted him as saying.&nbsp; 
 
Despite Ukraine&#39;s opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday, according to media reports.&nbsp; 
 
Ukraine, along with Western countries has accused Russia of providing military support to Eastern Ukrainian insurgency after Russia annexed Crimea.&nbsp; 
 
However, Russia denied the charges and said it played no direct role in the conflict.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear that it is a part of Ukraine

US state department spokesman, John Kirby, on Friday said the United States "does not recognise the legitimacy" of Russian Parliamentary elections in Crimea. While addressing his daily conference, Kirby said: "The United States does not recognise the legitimacy, and will not recognise the outcome of the Russian Duma elections planned for Russian-occupied Crimea on September 18th." He maintained that US position concerning Crimea was clear, it is a part of Ukraine and "Crimea-related sanctions against Russia will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine." Kirby also expressed concern over human rights violations taking place, "including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and widespread reports of missing persons and human rights abuses." Despite Ukraine's opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday. Ukraine reacts Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin reiterated that the elections in Crimea were "absolutely unacceptable." "These elections are completely illegitimate. They are illegitimate in the political sense but they are also illegitimate in the purely legal sense and actually it's the Russian side now (that) opened up a kind of Pandora box because for me it puts a question mark on the whole issue of democratic legitimacy for the Russian Parliament," Reuters quoted him as saying. Despite Ukraine's opposition, Russia is holding the elections in Crimea, where for the first time in two-and-a-half years, local residents are getting ready to cast their votes on Sunday, according to media reports. Ukraine, along with Western countries has accused Russia of providing military support to Eastern Ukrainian insurgency after Russia annexed Crimea. However, Russia denied the charges and said it played no direct role in the conflict. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US: Will not recognise legitimacy of Russian polls in Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday visited annexed Crimea to boost security measures there, just days after accusing Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. 
 
Putin chaired a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea as he made his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. 
 
&quot;We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory,&quot; he said during the meeting whose aim was to &quot;discuss and implement additional security measures.&quot; 
 
Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of &quot;practising terror&quot; and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. 
 
Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. 
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Putin, however, continued his accusations Friday, saying &quot;our partners in Kiev have decided to exacerbate the situation&quot; because they did not want to uphold their end of the European-brokered truce agreement signed in Belarussian capital Minsk last year. 
 
Ukraine&#39;s President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation &quot;high&quot; and could not rule out a &quot;full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts.&quot; 
 
Kiev said Thursday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. 
 
Western leaders have expressed alarm over the possibility of an escalation. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of 'practising terror'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday visited annexed Crimea to boost security measures there, just days after accusing Kiev of attempting an armed incursion into the peninsula. Putin chaired a meeting of his powerful security council in Crimea as he made his fifth visit to the strategic Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine in March 2014. "We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory," he said during the meeting whose aim was to "discuss and implement additional security measures." Last week, Putin lashed out at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea and Ukraine, accusing it of "practising terror" and sending a group of saboteurs into Crimea ahead of the elections. Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. "We have gathered because of the well-known incident, after stopping an attempt by Ukrainian army sabotage groups to stage an incursion into Crimean territory" Putin, however, continued his accusations Friday, saying "our partners in Kiev have decided to exacerbate the situation" because they did not want to uphold their end of the European-brokered truce agreement signed in Belarussian capital Minsk last year. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday said he considered the likelihood of an escalation "high" and could not rule out a "full-scale Russian invasion along all fronts." Kiev said Thursday heavy rebel shelling killed three soldiers in its east, where the government has been battling pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Western leaders have expressed alarm over the possibility of an escalation. (AFP)

Putin visits Crimea to boost security measures days after Ukraine incursion claim

Russia should allow observers, including Western journalists, to attend upcoming military drills that could again put Ukraine on edge just as Russian President Vlamidir Putin has sharpened his rhetoric, the commander of the US&nbsp;Army in Europe told Reuters.

The comments by lieutenant general Ben Hodges came as Ukraine accuses Russia of amassing more than 40,000 troops in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014, and on the Ukrainian border.

Ukraine&#39;s UN&nbsp;ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect &quot;some very bad intentions&quot;.

Hodges declined to offer estimates of Russian forces or speculate about Putin&#39;s intentions ahead of pre-announced, large-scale exercises in Russia&#39;s south that are expected to include Crimea.

But he said Russia could help address concerns by following the example of military drills led by the United States and its allies in Europe, to which Russia was allowed to send observers.

&quot;The Russians could really help alleviate and provide some stability if they had invited observers,&quot; Hodges said. &quot;That would do a lot, frankly, to lower anxiety.&quot;

A US&nbsp;intelligence official called the absence of observers at the Russian exercises &quot;a worrisome development that we hope is just an oversight.&quot;

A spokeswoman at US&nbsp;Army in Europe said Russia sent observers to the &quot;Anakonda&quot; exercises in Poland in June, which include some 31,000 forces from countries including Poland, the United States and other NATO allies and partners.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in December that its main military exercise for 2016 would test its Southern Military District troops, which now includes Crimea and Russia&#39;s Black Sea Fleet. It said the drills,&nbsp;called Caucasus-2016 would take place in September.

The Russian Army&#39;s Red Star newspaper in January quoted Colonel-General Alexander Galkin as saying the exercise would check combat readiness and test how air, sea and land forces collaborated together. 
 
&quot;There&#39;s nothing wrong with an exercise. It&#39;s ... the lack of transparency,&quot; Hodges said.

The September exercises appear poised to take place at a moment of rising tensions. Putin this week pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine after accusing it of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts.

At the Pentagon, spokesman Gordon Trowbridge dismissed Russian accusations about Ukrainian saboteurs, saying the United States had no information to support them. He added Washington was less concerned about Russian troop movements than about the rhetoric from Moscow.

&quot;We don&rsquo;t necessarily see any evidence of troop movements that are so large that we are concerned about those on their own,&quot; Trowbridge said.

US&nbsp;officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they saw no firm indications of any new Russian military activity pointing to fresh intervention in Ukraine.

One US&nbsp;official noted a recent rotation of several divisions of Russian forces into Crimea to relieve an equal number, which have since departed.

Pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government&#39;s forces in the eastern Ukraine region despite a fragile ceasefire. Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations&#39; human rights chief has said.

A peace plan for the eastern Donbass region of Ukraine, negotiated in Minsk between Ukraine and Russia by Germany and France some 18-month ago, has stalled for months.

The Pentagon voiced alarm this week about escalating violence, noting attacks by Pro-Russian separatists killed 40 Ukrainians and wounded 170 in July alone.

Hodges cautioned that Moscow had &quot;no incentive&quot; on its own to see things stabilise in Ukraine. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s why ... the OSCE and the rest of the West and the EU and all have got to maintain pressure,&quot; Hodges said, praising commitments by the United States and its allies during the NATO summit in Warsaw last month. 
 
(Reuters)

Ukraine's UN?ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect 'some very bad intentions'

Russia should allow observers, including Western journalists, to attend upcoming military drills that could again put Ukraine on edge just as Russian President Vlamidir Putin has sharpened his rhetoric, the commander of the US Army in Europe told Reuters. The comments by lieutenant general Ben Hodges came as Ukraine accuses Russia of amassing more than 40,000 troops in Crimea, a Ukrainian peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014, and on the Ukrainian border. Ukraine's UN ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko warned this week the Russian forces could reflect "some very bad intentions". Hodges declined to offer estimates of Russian forces or speculate about Putin's intentions ahead of pre-announced, large-scale exercises in Russia's south that are expected to include Crimea. But he said Russia could help address concerns by following the example of military drills led by the United States and its allies in Europe, to which Russia was allowed to send observers. "The Russians could really help alleviate and provide some stability if they had invited observers," Hodges said. "That would do a lot, frankly, to lower anxiety." A US intelligence official called the absence of observers at the Russian exercises "a worrisome development that we hope is just an oversight." A spokeswoman at US Army in Europe said Russia sent observers to the "Anakonda" exercises in Poland in June, which include some 31,000 forces from countries including Poland, the United States and other NATO allies and partners. The Russian Defense Ministry said in December that its main military exercise for 2016 would test its Southern Military District troops, which now includes Crimea and Russia's Black Sea Fleet. It said the drills, called Caucasus-2016 would take place in September. The Russian Army's Red Star newspaper in January quoted Colonel-General Alexander Galkin as saying the exercise would check combat readiness and test how air, sea and land forces collaborated together. "There's nothing wrong with an exercise. It's ... the lack of transparency," Hodges said. The September exercises appear poised to take place at a moment of rising tensions. Putin this week pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine after accusing it of sending saboteurs into Crimea to carry out terrorist acts. At the Pentagon, spokesman Gordon Trowbridge dismissed Russian accusations about Ukrainian saboteurs, saying the United States had no information to support them. He added Washington was less concerned about Russian troop movements than about the rhetoric from Moscow. "We don’t necessarily see any evidence of troop movements that are so large that we are concerned about those on their own," Trowbridge said. US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they saw no firm indications of any new Russian military activity pointing to fresh intervention in Ukraine. One US official noted a recent rotation of several divisions of Russian forces into Crimea to relieve an equal number, which have since departed. Pro-Russian separatists are fighting the Kiev government's forces in the eastern Ukraine region despite a fragile ceasefire. Civilian casualties from shelling, mines and booby traps in eastern Ukraine are at their highest in a year, the United Nations' human rights chief has said. A peace plan for the eastern Donbass region of Ukraine, negotiated in Minsk between Ukraine and Russia by Germany and France some 18-month ago, has stalled for months. The Pentagon voiced alarm this week about escalating violence, noting attacks by Pro-Russian separatists killed 40 Ukrainians and wounded 170 in July alone. Hodges cautioned that Moscow had "no incentive" on its own to see things stabilise in Ukraine. "That's why ... the OSCE and the rest of the West and the EU and all have got to maintain pressure," Hodges said, praising commitments by the United States and its allies during the NATO summit in Warsaw last month. (Reuters)

US general calls on Russia to allow observers at military drills

Russia&#39;s accusation of Ukraine plotting terror attacks in Crimea was &quot;absolutely ridiculous&quot;, said permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko at the UN Headquarters on Wednesday. 
 
&quot;Today President Putin has made a statement in which he accused Ukraine of making provocations along the border with Crimea and turning to terror instead of seeking the peaceful solutions to the conflict, which sounds absolutely ridiculous,&quot; said Yelchenko. 
 
Ukraine condemns any form of terrorism, and will not resort to military means on the issue of Crimea, Yelchenko stressed. 
 
&quot;As you will know, first to the act was the minister of defense of Ukraine, which very clearly stated that there was absolutely no military activity along the border with Crimea&nbsp;and that Ukraine never sought to solve any issues with Russia by military means. Instead, this was called as a fake provocation by the Russian Federation,&quot; he said. 
 
Ukraine may submit the issue of east Ukraine for discussion at the United Nations Security Council based on the development of the situation, Yelchenko added. 
 
&quot;We still hope that it will not bring the conflict to another level. But it seems that it is quite possible, unfortunately,&quot; he said. 
 
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would take additional measures to ensure safety in Crimea after it has succeeded in preventing a series of terrorist attacks on the peninsula. He accused the Kiev authorities of turning to &quot;terror&quot; instead of solving problems through negotiations while calling for attention from Western countries. 
 
Earlier in the day, the Russian Federal Security Bureau (FSB) said that Russia has prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Crimea planned by the Ukraine military intelligence service. 
 
An Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a group of Russian and Ukrainian citizens who were suspected to be Ukrainian military intelligence agents and assisted in preparing for terrorist acts were detained and interrogated, the FSB said in a statement. 
 
The claims made by the FSB were immediately rejected by the Ukrainian side. 
 
The autonomous republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev. 
 
(Reuters)

Will not use military means on Crimea issue, says Yelchenko, permanent representative of Ukraine to UN

Russia's accusation of Ukraine plotting terror attacks in Crimea was "absolutely ridiculous", said permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko at the UN Headquarters on Wednesday. "Today President Putin has made a statement in which he accused Ukraine of making provocations along the border with Crimea and turning to terror instead of seeking the peaceful solutions to the conflict, which sounds absolutely ridiculous," said Yelchenko. Ukraine condemns any form of terrorism, and will not resort to military means on the issue of Crimea, Yelchenko stressed. "As you will know, first to the act was the minister of defense of Ukraine, which very clearly stated that there was absolutely no military activity along the border with Crimea and that Ukraine never sought to solve any issues with Russia by military means. Instead, this was called as a fake provocation by the Russian Federation," he said. Ukraine may submit the issue of east Ukraine for discussion at the United Nations Security Council based on the development of the situation, Yelchenko added. "We still hope that it will not bring the conflict to another level. But it seems that it is quite possible, unfortunately," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would take additional measures to ensure safety in Crimea after it has succeeded in preventing a series of terrorist attacks on the peninsula. He accused the Kiev authorities of turning to "terror" instead of solving problems through negotiations while calling for attention from Western countries. Earlier in the day, the Russian Federal Security Bureau (FSB) said that Russia has prevented a series of terrorist attacks in Crimea planned by the Ukraine military intelligence service. An Ukrainian military intelligence officer and a group of Russian and Ukrainian citizens who were suspected to be Ukrainian military intelligence agents and assisted in preparing for terrorist acts were detained and interrogated, the FSB said in a statement. The claims made by the FSB were immediately rejected by the Ukrainian side. The autonomous republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were absorbed into Russia in March 2014 following a referendum, which was recognized by Moscow but rejected by Kiev. (Reuters)

Ukraine rubbishes Russian accusations of resorting to terror

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