<p>A Russian gay couple has requested asylum in the United States after authorities launched a criminal investigation over their adopted children, their lawyer said Thursday.</p>

<p>The two men, Andrei Vaganov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev, and their two adopted sons are now in Seattle and requested asylum in the US this month, lawyer Maksim Olenichev said.</p>

<p>"They like it there," said Olenichev, a lawyer with Vykhod (Coming Out) support group based in the northwestern Russian city of Saint Petersburg, which has been helping the family.</p>

<p>He said the boys, aged 12 and 13 are going to school in the US and "the initial period of adaptation is going well."</p>

<p>The pair fled Russia this summer under huge pressure after the authorities opened an unprecedented criminal case accusing social workers of negligence for allowing the family to bring up the children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The case was opened after one of the boys told doctors that his adoptive father, Vaganov, lived with a male partner.</p>

<p>The Investigative Committee said Moscow social workers were suspected of criminal negligence for allowing the two boys to live in the family from 2010.</p>

<p>This was the first such case ever launched in Russia.</p>

<p>The men are being treated as witnesses in the case and their supporters say they risked losing the children.</p>

<p>The Investigative Committee has accused the men of giving the children "distorted ideas about family values, harming their health and moral and spiritual growth."</p>

<p>The authorities questioned the couple's relatives and also searched their flat after they had left the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even though Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, it remains a deeply homophobic society.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A rise in violence against gay people has been seen since 2013, when Russia passed a law banning gay "propaganda" to minors.</p>

<p>Russia has banned adoption by single-sex married couples or unmarried people from foreign countries where gay marriage is allowed, but since legalized unions are not possible in Russia, there is no law banning adoption by a gay couple.</p>

<p>Andrei Petrov, head of Stimul, a legal aid service for LGBT people in Moscow, said he hoped the family would be able to start a new life in the United States.</p>

<p>"I am convinced that a loving family is always better than growing up even in the best orphanage," Petrov said in a statement.</p>

<p>He condemned "attempts to destroy the family" by the Russian authorities, saying these were "based on prejudice."</p>

<p>In recent months, Russian LGBT rights groups have reported a new wave of purges and pressure against gay people.</p>

<p>In July, a 41-year-old LGBT activist, Yelena Grigoryeva, was found dead in Saint Petersburg after she received repeated threats.</p>


A Russian gay couple has requested asylum in the United States after authorities launched a criminal investigation over their adopted children, their lawyer said Thursday.

A Russian gay couple has requested asylum in the United States after authorities launched a criminal investigation over their adopted children, their lawyer said Thursday. The two men, Andrei Vaganov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev, and their two adopted sons are now in Seattle and requested asylum in the US this month, lawyer Maksim Olenichev said. "They like it there," said Olenichev, a lawyer with Vykhod (Coming Out) support group based in the northwestern Russian city of Saint Petersburg, which has been helping the family. He said the boys, aged 12 and 13 are going to school in the US and "the initial period of adaptation is going well." The pair fled Russia this summer under huge pressure after the authorities opened an unprecedented criminal case accusing social workers of negligence for allowing the family to bring up the children. The case was opened after one of the boys told doctors that his adoptive father, Vaganov, lived with a male partner. The Investigative Committee said Moscow social workers were suspected of criminal negligence for allowing the two boys to live in the family from 2010. This was the first such case ever launched in Russia. The men are being treated as witnesses in the case and their supporters say they risked losing the children. The Investigative Committee has accused the men of giving the children "distorted ideas about family values, harming their health and moral and spiritual growth." The authorities questioned the couple's relatives and also searched their flat after they had left the country. Even though Russia decriminalized homosexuality in 1993, it remains a deeply homophobic society. A rise in violence against gay people has been seen since 2013, when Russia passed a law banning gay "propaganda" to minors. Russia has banned adoption by single-sex married couples or unmarried people from foreign countries where gay marriage is allowed, but since legalized unions are not possible in Russia, there is no law banning adoption by a gay couple. Andrei Petrov, head of Stimul, a legal aid service for LGBT people in Moscow, said he hoped the family would be able to start a new life in the United States. "I am convinced that a loving family is always better than growing up even in the best orphanage," Petrov said in a statement. He condemned "attempts to destroy the family" by the Russian authorities, saying these were "based on prejudice." In recent months, Russian LGBT rights groups have reported a new wave of purges and pressure against gay people. In July, a 41-year-old LGBT activist, Yelena Grigoryeva, was found dead in Saint Petersburg after she received repeated threats.

Russian gay couple under investigation for adoption request United States asylum

<p>A popular Russian rapper on Tuesday deleted a music video singing the praises of Moscow authorities ahead of contentious elections after it gathered almost 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube.</p>

<p>Timati, a 36-year-old rapper known for his fervent support of President Vladimir Putin, posted the video, titled simply "Moscow", shortly before Muscovites were set to vote in elections for city parliament on Sunday that had caused mass protests.</p>

<p>"I don't go to rallies, I don't bullshit," the song goes, apparently referring to weeks of protests in Moscow after the authorities barred opposition candidates from running in the polls.</p>

<p>Lyrics in the clip praise the Russian capital as a wealthy city that has become "world standard" and "doesn't hold gay parades."</p>

<p>"I will down a burger for Sobyanin," the song says, referring to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally who has been in charge since 2010 and is detested by the opposition for refusing permission for rallies and cracking down on protesters.</p>

<p>Timati, who is ranked the seventh wealthiest celebrity under 40 in Russia by Forbes magazine, made the video together with another rapper, Guf.</p>

<p>The video had gained 1.48 million dislikes when Timati took it down on Tuesday, writing on Instagram that he did not intend any offence.</p>

<p>"I'm deleting the video to stop this wave of negativity," he wrote. "I made a record. Only I didn't have such a goal."</p>

<p>In Instagram comments, Russians mocked Timati, accusing him of being a sellout and getting paid by the authorities to make propaganda.</p>

<p>"The world's first government rapper. I'm sorry for his fans," one commentator wrote.</p>

<p>"Did you also return the money to those who ordered (the video)?" asked another.</p>

<p>"I am proud of our young people who understand politics," he says.</p>

<p>"I'm sorry that I don't follow the political situation in the country."</p>

<p>According to Wikipedia, the video is the 30th most disliked in YouTube history and the most disliked Russian music video.</p>

<p>The Russian opposition has accused celebrities of engaging in paid propaganda before.</p>

<p>Last year a wave of nearly identical messages praising the positive changes in Moscow appeared on celebrities' social media ahead of the mayoral polls swept by Sobyanin.</p>

<p>Other Russian rappers have performed at opposition protests and expressed solidarity with people arrested over the summer.</p>


A popular Russian rapper on Tuesday deleted a music video singing the praises of Moscow authorities ahead of contentious elections after it gathered almost 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube.

A popular Russian rapper on Tuesday deleted a music video singing the praises of Moscow authorities ahead of contentious elections after it gathered almost 1.5 million dislikes on YouTube. Timati, a 36-year-old rapper known for his fervent support of President Vladimir Putin, posted the video, titled simply "Moscow", shortly before Muscovites were set to vote in elections for city parliament on Sunday that had caused mass protests. "I don't go to rallies, I don't bullshit," the song goes, apparently referring to weeks of protests in Moscow after the authorities barred opposition candidates from running in the polls. Lyrics in the clip praise the Russian capital as a wealthy city that has become "world standard" and "doesn't hold gay parades." "I will down a burger for Sobyanin," the song says, referring to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Putin ally who has been in charge since 2010 and is detested by the opposition for refusing permission for rallies and cracking down on protesters. Timati, who is ranked the seventh wealthiest celebrity under 40 in Russia by Forbes magazine, made the video together with another rapper, Guf. The video had gained 1.48 million dislikes when Timati took it down on Tuesday, writing on Instagram that he did not intend any offence. "I'm deleting the video to stop this wave of negativity," he wrote. "I made a record. Only I didn't have such a goal." In Instagram comments, Russians mocked Timati, accusing him of being a sellout and getting paid by the authorities to make propaganda. "The world's first government rapper. I'm sorry for his fans," one commentator wrote. "Did you also return the money to those who ordered (the video)?" asked another. "I am proud of our young people who understand politics," he says. "I'm sorry that I don't follow the political situation in the country." According to Wikipedia, the video is the 30th most disliked in YouTube history and the most disliked Russian music video. The Russian opposition has accused celebrities of engaging in paid propaganda before. Last year a wave of nearly identical messages praising the positive changes in Moscow appeared on celebrities' social media ahead of the mayoral polls swept by Sobyanin. Other Russian rappers have performed at opposition protests and expressed solidarity with people arrested over the summer.

Russian rapper deletes pro-Moscow video with 1.5 million dislikes

The Kremlin on Tuesday played down U.S. media reports of a CIA spy inside Russia's presidential administration, calling them "pulp fiction", but said a low-level official who Russian media suggested was the agent had worked there before being fired. WION speaks to Ross Cullen, WION Correspondent from Moscow for more on this.

WION Dispatch: Kremlin plays down media reports of U.S. spy in Russian president's office

<p>Russians vote Sunday in local elections after weeks of opposition protests that led to the biggest police crackdown on dissent in nearly a decade.</p>

<p>Elections take place after Moscow and Kiev carried out a long-awaited swap of 70 prisoners on Saturday, a deal hailed as a first step towards ending five years of conflict after Moscow's annexation of Crimea.</p>

<p>Municipal and regional polls will be held across the country, but most attention will be focused on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-to-hold-new-protest-march-246854">Moscow</a> parliament vote following the arrests and jailings of independent would-be candidates and their supporters.</p>

<p>Analysts say the results of the vote will be keenly watched ahead of parliamentary elections in 2021 and will help shape Russia's political future, as President Vladimir Putin enters his third decade in power.</p>

<p>In recent weeks, tens of thousands have taken part in Moscow protests demanding a fair vote after allies of opposition leader Alexei Navalny were barred from the election. Rap stars and prominent bloggers backed the demonstrations.</p>

<p>Authorities responded with a police crackdown the biggest since a wave of protests in 2011-12 against Putin's return to the Kremlin after a stint as prime minister.</p>

<p>Tatyana Stanovaya, head of the R.Politik analysis firm, said the campaign exposed a growing rift between authorities bent on preserving the status quo and Russians wanting political change.</p>

<p>"The Moscow parliament elections have become a litmus test of the authorities' ability to accept this new reality," Stanovaya told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Authorities briefly jailed nearly all opposition politicians seeking to get on the ballot in Moscow.</p>

<p>Several people were also imprisoned for alleged violence against police, even though opposition supporters said their rallies were peaceful.</p>

<p><strong>Smart voting</strong></p>

<p>Some 7.2 million people are eligible to elect 45 lawmakers in the Moscow parliament, which is dominated by the ruling United Russia party.</p>

<p>But not a single candidate is formally running on the United Russia ticket as the party's popularity hits rock bottom.</p>

<p>Navalny has put forward a "Smart Voting" plan urging Muscovites to support those who have the highest chances of beating pro-Kremlin candidates. Most of them are Communists.</p>

<p>The 43-year-old lawyer described the vote as a referendum on whether Russians trust authorities and the ruling party.</p>

<p>"The only way to say 'NO' is coordinated voting for the strongest competitors of the United Russia candidates," he wrote.</p>

<p>"'Smart voting' is a protest," said Lyubov Sobol, a lawyer for Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund who refused food for more than a month after her exclusion from the ballot.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old has emerged as the brightest star in a new generation of political challengers, with videos of her resisting authorities going viral.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief of the central election commission, Ella Pamfilova, said that a dozen opposition candidates were disqualified because they did not provide the right papers or faked some of their supporters' signatures.</p>

<p>Russians will elect governors in 16 regions, and elections to legislative assemblies will take place in 13 regions.</p>

<p>The race for the governor's seat in Saint Petersburg has become the most controversial campaign outside Moscow, with the Kremlin backing the unpopular acting city chief Alexander Beglov.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Polling stations in Moscow will be open from 0500 GMT to 1700 GMT.</p>


Russians vote Sunday in local elections after weeks of opposition protests that led to the biggest police crackdown on dissent in nearly a decade. Elections take place after Moscow and Kiev carried out a long-awaited swap of 70 prisoners on Saturday, a deal hailed as a first step towards ending five years of conflict after Moscow's annexation of Crimea.

Russians vote Sunday in local elections after weeks of opposition protests that led to the biggest police crackdown on dissent in nearly a decade. Elections take place after Moscow and Kiev carried out a long-awaited swap of 70 prisoners on Saturday, a deal hailed as a first step towards ending five years of conflict after Moscow's annexation of Crimea. Municipal and regional polls will be held across the country, but most attention will be focused on the Moscow parliament vote following the arrests and jailings of independent would-be candidates and their supporters. Analysts say the results of the vote will be keenly watched ahead of parliamentary elections in 2021 and will help shape Russia's political future, as President Vladimir Putin enters his third decade in power. In recent weeks, tens of thousands have taken part in Moscow protests demanding a fair vote after allies of opposition leader Alexei Navalny were barred from the election. Rap stars and prominent bloggers backed the demonstrations. Authorities responded with a police crackdown the biggest since a wave of protests in 2011-12 against Putin's return to the Kremlin after a stint as prime minister. Tatyana Stanovaya, head of the R.Politik analysis firm, said the campaign exposed a growing rift between authorities bent on preserving the status quo and Russians wanting political change. "The Moscow parliament elections have become a litmus test of the authorities' ability to accept this new reality," Stanovaya told AFP. Authorities briefly jailed nearly all opposition politicians seeking to get on the ballot in Moscow. Several people were also imprisoned for alleged violence against police, even though opposition supporters said their rallies were peaceful. Smart voting Some 7.2 million people are eligible to elect 45 lawmakers in the Moscow parliament, which is dominated by the ruling United Russia party. But not a single candidate is formally running on the United Russia ticket as the party's popularity hits rock bottom. Navalny has put forward a "Smart Voting" plan urging Muscovites to support those who have the highest chances of beating pro-Kremlin candidates. Most of them are Communists. The 43-year-old lawyer described the vote as a referendum on whether Russians trust authorities and the ruling party. "The only way to say 'NO' is coordinated voting for the strongest competitors of the United Russia candidates," he wrote. "'Smart voting' is a protest," said Lyubov Sobol, a lawyer for Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund who refused food for more than a month after her exclusion from the ballot. The 31-year-old has emerged as the brightest star in a new generation of political challengers, with videos of her resisting authorities going viral. The chief of the central election commission, Ella Pamfilova, said that a dozen opposition candidates were disqualified because they did not provide the right papers or faked some of their supporters' signatures. Russians will elect governors in 16 regions, and elections to legislative assemblies will take place in 13 regions. The race for the governor's seat in Saint Petersburg has become the most controversial campaign outside Moscow, with the Kremlin backing the unpopular acting city chief Alexander Beglov. Polling stations in Moscow will be open from 0500 GMT to 1700 GMT.

Russians go to polls after summer of protests

<p>A man gathering firewood in Alaska discovered a bottle with a handwritten message inside wishing the finder "happy sailing" more than 50 years after it was dropped into the sea by a Russian sailor.</p>

<p>"Sincere greetings! From<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/chechen-women-go-places-with-female-only-taxi-service-225959&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi05dLbjo_kAhXx4XMBHfi0CSYQFjAFegQIDBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3O32uCuXo6bDlZehRTt6hz"> the Russian Far East Fleet mother ship VRXF Sulak</a>," it read. "We wish you good health and long years of life and happy sailing. 20 June 1969."</p>

<p>Tyler Ivanoff, a teacher's aide in Shishmaref, Alaska, spotted the bottle on the shore near his village and pried off the plastic stopper with his teeth.</p>

<p>"It was still dry on the inside and still smelled like wine or whatever, old alcohol. The note was dry," he told the Nome Nugget newspaper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ivanoff posted a picture of the bottle and the note on Facebook on August 5.</p>

<p>But the yarn doesn't end there.</p>

<p>Rossiya 1, a Russian television network, tracked it by its return address in Vladivostok to a retired Soviet ship captain now living in Crimea.</p>

<p>Anatoly Botsanenko, interviewed by the station in a naval uniform, said he served on the Sulak in 1969 when he was 35.</p>

<p>Peering at the message on the reporter's smartphone, Botsanenko said, "That's not my handwriting." But he then recognized the return address as his old home in Vladivostok.</p>

<p>"It's pretty cool how a small photo grew into a story," Ivanoff posted on Facebook.</p>


A man gathering firewood in Alaska discovered a bottle with a handwritten message inside wishing the finder "happy sailing" more than 50 years after it was dropped into the sea by a Russian sailor.

A man gathering firewood in Alaska discovered a bottle with a handwritten message inside wishing the finder "happy sailing" more than 50 years after it was dropped into the sea by a Russian sailor. "Sincere greetings! From the Russian Far East Fleet mother ship VRXF Sulak," it read. "We wish you good health and long years of life and happy sailing. 20 June 1969." Tyler Ivanoff, a teacher's aide in Shishmaref, Alaska, spotted the bottle on the shore near his village and pried off the plastic stopper with his teeth. "It was still dry on the inside and still smelled like wine or whatever, old alcohol. The note was dry," he told the Nome Nugget newspaper. Ivanoff posted a picture of the bottle and the note on Facebook on August 5. But the yarn doesn't end there. Rossiya 1, a Russian television network, tracked it by its return address in Vladivostok to a retired Soviet ship captain now living in Crimea. Anatoly Botsanenko, interviewed by the station in a naval uniform, said he served on the Sulak in 1969 when he was 35. Peering at the message on the reporter's smartphone, Botsanenko said, "That's not my handwriting." But he then recognized the return address as his old home in Vladivostok. "It's pretty cool how a small photo grew into a story," Ivanoff posted on Facebook.

Russian sailor's message in bottle found 50 years later in Alaska

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, serving time in jail for calling for unauthorized protests, was hospitalized after suffering an acute allergic reaction on Sunday (July 28), his spokeswoman said. Navalny was jailed this week for 30 days for calling for an unauthorized march to protest against the exclusion of several opposition candidates from a local election later this year. Authorities say the opposition candidates were barred because they failed to collect enough genuine signatures backing them, an allegation they reject as false. Police rounded up more than 1,000 people in the Russian capital at the rally on Saturday in one of the biggest crackdowns in recent years against the opposition, drawing international criticism.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny hospitalized for allergic reaction

<p>The Russian deputy chief of mission in Delhi, Roman Babushkin has said that BRICS groupings have a common approach when it comes to unilateral sanctions.</p>

<p>BRICS members such as Russia are under American sanctions and countries like India face the prospects of these sanctions when it comes to deals such as S400 defence deal, he told WION.</p>

<p>He also spoke on the relevance of BRICS, trade-in national currencies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>The relevance of BRICS in the current world order?</p>

<p><strong>Roman Babushkin: </strong>BRICS is a very important mechanism in terms of its continued efforts, to support international community activities in shaping new multipolar world order. BRICS is doing its best to provide and propose the international community a unifying agenda. It is not against anybody, it is standing for bringing developing countries to the decision-making process when it comes to global economic governance and we stand for collective efforts while we are dealing with the global and regional issues.</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>How much is terror an issue for BRICS. India has been raising the issue of counter-terror?</p>

<p><strong>Roman Babushkin: </strong>We do support Indian measures and Indian approach to make this issue in the framework of BRICS more practical. This is in a way general process, we have just started practical cooperation in the framework of BRICS. During Indian contribution, we established a dedicated group against terrorism and the current president is bringing this cooperation to the new level. We do hope our relevant experts who will meet next month will have an opportunity to discuss in more details and work out something specific for the next summit to be held in brazil.</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>How much trade is currently happening in national currencies?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Roman Babushkin: </strong>BRICS is also to give more opportunity for member states to use national currencies in their trade. The volume of trade in national currencies is increasing. its a common tendency and BRICS is just following it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>Unilateral Sanctions an issue, what is BRICS approach?</p>

<p><strong>Roman Babushkin: </strong>In fact, BRICS approach on unilateral sanctions is already there. We have quite a similar position that we do not accept unilateral sanctions, extraterritorial sanctions. We do support, new multipolar world order and it should be based on the central role of united nations and avoiding unilateral and politically motivated approach in global and regional affairs and against double standards. This is part of the BRICS agenda and unacceptability of unilateral sanctions. If we succeed in our efforts, to stable financial systems and national currencies stronger, it will help us overcome restrictions.</p>


The Russian deputy chief of mission in Delhi, Roman Babushkin has said that BRICS groupings have a common approach when it comes to unilateral sanctions. BRICS members such as Russia are under American sanctions and countries like India face the prospects of these sanctions when it comes to deals such as S400 defence deal, he told WION.

The Russian deputy chief of mission in Delhi, Roman Babushkin has said that BRICS groupings have a common approach when it comes to unilateral sanctions. BRICS members such as Russia are under American sanctions and countries like India face the prospects of these sanctions when it comes to deals such as S400 defence deal, he told WION. He also spoke on the relevance of BRICS, trade-in national currencies. WION: The relevance of BRICS in the current world order? Roman Babushkin: BRICS is a very important mechanism in terms of its continued efforts, to support international community activities in shaping new multipolar world order. BRICS is doing its best to provide and propose the international community a unifying agenda. It is not against anybody, it is standing for bringing developing countries to the decision-making process when it comes to global economic governance and we stand for collective efforts while we are dealing with the global and regional issues. WION: How much is terror an issue for BRICS. India has been raising the issue of counter-terror? Roman Babushkin: We do support Indian measures and Indian approach to make this issue in the framework of BRICS more practical. This is in a way general process, we have just started practical cooperation in the framework of BRICS. During Indian contribution, we established a dedicated group against terrorism and the current president is bringing this cooperation to the new level. We do hope our relevant experts who will meet next month will have an opportunity to discuss in more details and work out something specific for the next summit to be held in brazil. WION: How much trade is currently happening in national currencies? Roman Babushkin: BRICS is also to give more opportunity for member states to use national currencies in their trade. The volume of trade in national currencies is increasing. its a common tendency and BRICS is just following it. WION: Unilateral Sanctions an issue, what is BRICS approach? Roman Babushkin: In fact, BRICS approach on unilateral sanctions is already there. We have quite a similar position that we do not accept unilateral sanctions, extraterritorial sanctions. We do support, new multipolar world order and it should be based on the central role of united nations and avoiding unilateral and politically motivated approach in global and regional affairs and against double standards. This is part of the BRICS agenda and unacceptability of unilateral sanctions. If we succeed in our efforts, to stable financial systems and national currencies stronger, it will help us overcome restrictions.

BRICS has a common approach against unilateral sanctions: Russian deputy chief of mission

<p>Investigators today named three Russian suspects and one Ukranian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-years-after-mh17-downing-airline-conflict-alert-system-remains-patchy-224198">behind the MH17 flight </a>which crashed over Ukraine in July, 2014.</p>

<p>All 298 passengers on board the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/family-of-mh17-victim-sues-russia-banks-us-money-transfer-companies-208054"> Malaysia Airlines plane </a>were killed which included 15 crew members.</p>

<p>The authorities have opened criminal proceedings against the suspects behind the crash.</p>

<p>The Dutch-led probe said it was going to prosecute Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane.</p>

<p>"Today we will send out international arrest warrants for the first suspects that we will prosecute. They will also be placed on national and international wanted lists," Wilbert Paulissen, chief constable of the Netherlands National Police, told a press conference.</p>

<p>Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke said they were the "four who will be held accountable for bringing the deadly weapon, the BUK Telar, into eastern Ukraine".</p>

<p>The same investigation team said in May 2018 that the BUK anti-aircraft missile which hit the Boeing 777 had originated from the 53rd Russian military brigade based in Russia's southwestern city of Kursk.</p>

<p>Relatives of the victims earlier said they had been told the trial of the four men would begin in the Netherlands in March 2020.</p>

<p>However, the suspects are likely to be tried in absentia as Russia does not allow its nationals to be sent abroad for prosecution, while investigators said Kharchenko's whereabouts were currently unknown.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Investigators today named three Russian suspects and one Ukranian behind the MH17 flight which crashed over Ukraine in July, 2014. All 298 passengers on board the Malaysia Airlines plane were killed which included 15 crew members.

Investigators today named three Russian suspects and one Ukranian behind the MH17 flight which crashed over Ukraine in July, 2014. All 298 passengers on board the Malaysia Airlines plane were killed which included 15 crew members. The authorities have opened criminal proceedings against the suspects behind the crash. The Dutch-led probe said it was going to prosecute Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Oleg Pulatov as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane. "Today we will send out international arrest warrants for the first suspects that we will prosecute. They will also be placed on national and international wanted lists," Wilbert Paulissen, chief constable of the Netherlands National Police, told a press conference. Dutch prosecutor Fred Westerbeke said they were the "four who will be held accountable for bringing the deadly weapon, the BUK Telar, into eastern Ukraine". The same investigation team said in May 2018 that the BUK anti-aircraft missile which hit the Boeing 777 had originated from the 53rd Russian military brigade based in Russia's southwestern city of Kursk. Relatives of the victims earlier said they had been told the trial of the four men would begin in the Netherlands in March 2020. However, the suspects are likely to be tried in absentia as Russia does not allow its nationals to be sent abroad for prosecution, while investigators said Kharchenko's whereabouts were currently unknown.

3 Russians, 1 Ukrainian behind MH17 flight crash over Ukraine in 2014: Investigators

<p>Russian police detained at least 94 people on Wednesday, including opposition politician <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-detained-in-moscow-report-161502">Alexei Navalny</a>, at a protest in Moscow calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist, monitors said.</p>

<p>Police abruptly dropped drugs charges a day earlier against journalist Ivan Golunov, a rare U-turn by the authorities in the face of anger from his supporters who said he was framed for his reporting.</p>

<p>Golunov, a 36-year-old journalist known for exposing corruption among Moscow city officials, was detained by police last Thursday and accused of dealing drugs, an allegation he flatly denied.</p>

<p>The crude way supporters said Golunov was set up and detained triggered an unusual show of media unity and an uncharacteristically swift reversal from authorities nervous about social unrest at a time when President Vladimir Putin already faces disquiet over living standards.</p>

<p>The authorities had hoped freeing Golunov and promising punishment for those who allegedly framed him would appease his supporters' anger, but his colleagues decided to go ahead with a protest on Wednesday, a public holiday in Russia, regardless.</p>

<p>The authorities had warned them in advance that the demonstration would be illegal and could pose a risk to public safety.</p>

<p>Under Russian law, the time and place of protests involving more than one person needs to be agreed with the authorities in advance. Organisers of Wednesday's event had demanded that Moscow city officials negotiate those terms with them during a live broadcast, something officials refused to do.</p>

<p>OVD-Info, a monitoring group, said police had detained at least 94 people, some of them by force.</p>

<p>A Reuters witness saw at least three police officers bundle opposition politician Alexei Navalny into a truck.</p>


Russian police detained at least 94 people on Wednesday, including opposition politician Alexei Navalny, at a protest in Moscow calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist, monitors said.

Russian police detained at least 94 people on Wednesday, including opposition politician Alexei Navalny, at a protest in Moscow calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist, monitors said. Police abruptly dropped drugs charges a day earlier against journalist Ivan Golunov, a rare U-turn by the authorities in the face of anger from his supporters who said he was framed for his reporting. Golunov, a 36-year-old journalist known for exposing corruption among Moscow city officials, was detained by police last Thursday and accused of dealing drugs, an allegation he flatly denied. The crude way supporters said Golunov was set up and detained triggered an unusual show of media unity and an uncharacteristically swift reversal from authorities nervous about social unrest at a time when President Vladimir Putin already faces disquiet over living standards. The authorities had hoped freeing Golunov and promising punishment for those who allegedly framed him would appease his supporters' anger, but his colleagues decided to go ahead with a protest on Wednesday, a public holiday in Russia, regardless. The authorities had warned them in advance that the demonstration would be illegal and could pose a risk to public safety. Under Russian law, the time and place of protests involving more than one person needs to be agreed with the authorities in advance. Organisers of Wednesday's event had demanded that Moscow city officials negotiate those terms with them during a live broadcast, something officials refused to do. OVD-Info, a monitoring group, said police had detained at least 94 people, some of them by force. A Reuters witness saw at least three police officers bundle opposition politician Alexei Navalny into a truck.

Russian police detain at least 94 including opposition leader Alexei Navalny at Moscow journalist protest

<p>Enrique Iglesias posted an adorable video of his 17-month-old twins Nicholas and Lucy on Sunday.</p>

<p>In the video posted on Instagram, aptly captioned "Three children in this video", Enrique can be seen merrily playing with his giggly munchkins.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5zQ5KB-6D/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Three children in this video 😁</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enriqueiglesias/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Enrique Iglesias</a> (@enriqueiglesias) on <time datetime="2019-05-25T23:01:27+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 25, 2019 at 4:01pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>While adorable Nicholas can be seen wearing a plain white T-shirt with American flag shorts in the clip, his sister Lucy is seen wearing a white top, red skirt and grey printed leggings.</p>

<p>Daddy Enrique sports a grey T-shirt along with brown trousers and black sunnies in the video. Enrique and his longtime partner, former Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, welcomed the twins two years ago in December 2017.</p>

<p>A month ago, the 43-year-old singer shared another cute video of his son imitating his voice.</p>

<p>He captioned it "Serious Talk".&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv69M9NhSUa/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Serious Talk 😂😜😁🤪</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enriqueiglesias/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Enrique Iglesias</a> (@enriqueiglesias) on <time datetime="2019-04-06T16:47:59+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 6, 2019 at 9:47am PDT</time></p>
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Enrique Iglesias posted an adorable video of his 17-month-old twins Nicholas and Lucy on Sunday. In the video posted on Instagram, aptly captioned "Three children in this video", Enrique can be seen merrily playing with his giggly munchkins.

Enrique Iglesias posted an adorable video of his 17-month-old twins Nicholas and Lucy on Sunday. In the video posted on Instagram, aptly captioned "Three children in this video", Enrique can be seen merrily playing with his giggly munchkins. View this post on Instagram Three children in this video 😁 A post shared by Enrique Iglesias (@enriqueiglesias) on May 25, 2019 at 4:01pm PDT × While adorable Nicholas can be seen wearing a plain white T-shirt with American flag shorts in the clip, his sister Lucy is seen wearing a white top, red skirt and grey printed leggings. Daddy Enrique sports a grey T-shirt along with brown trousers and black sunnies in the video. Enrique and his longtime partner, former Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, welcomed the twins two years ago in December 2017. A month ago, the 43-year-old singer shared another cute video of his son imitating his voice. He captioned it "Serious Talk". View this post on Instagram Serious Talk 😂😜😁🤪 A post shared by Enrique Iglesias (@enriqueiglesias) on Apr 6, 2019 at 9:47am PDT ×

Enrique Iglesias shares adorable video with his twin babies

<p>A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beluga-whale-with-russian-harness-raises-alarm-in-norway-214660">beluga whale</a> from the coast of Norway is making headlines on social media for an unusual act.</p>

<p>The whale helped a woman in getting back her phone which she had dropped in the water.</p>

<p>In a video posted on Instagram, the whale is seen coming out of the sea with a phone in its mouth. The woman then takes over the phone and greets the whale.</p>

<p>The video&nbsp;captioned, "when animals are kinder than humans" was posted on the social networking site by Isa Opdahl on May 5.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFlIZpAT7a/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">when animals are kinder than humans 💖🐳 #beluga #whale This video is being represented by LADbible Group. To use or license this video please email&nbsp;licensing@ladbiblegroup.com</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/isa.opdahl/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> ISA OPDAHL LARSSON | 21</a> (@isa.opdahl) on <time datetime="2019-05-05T16:20:23+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">May 5, 2019 at 9:20am PDT</time></p>
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<p>Some reports are also speculating that the whale is the same animal&nbsp;who was accused of spying for Russia.</p>

<p>Some fishermen in Norway had stumbled upon a white beluga whale with a tight harness, which they said&nbsp;appeared to be Russian made. The captured whale had&nbsp;raised alarm in Norway and prompted speculation that the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility.</p>

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A beluga whale from the coast of Norway is making headlines on social media for an unusual act. The whale helped a woman in getting back her phone which she had dropped in the water.

A beluga whale from the coast of Norway is making headlines on social media for an unusual act. The whale helped a woman in getting back her phone which she had dropped in the water. In a video posted on Instagram, the whale is seen coming out of the sea with a phone in its mouth. The woman then takes over the phone and greets the whale. The video captioned, "when animals are kinder than humans" was posted on the social networking site by Isa Opdahl on May 5. View this post on Instagram when animals are kinder than humans 💖🐳 #beluga #whale This video is being represented by LADbible Group. To use or license this video please email licensing@ladbiblegroup.com A post shared by ISA OPDAHL LARSSON | 21 (@isa.opdahl) on May 5, 2019 at 9:20am PDT × Some reports are also speculating that the whale is the same animal who was accused of spying for Russia. Some fishermen in Norway had stumbled upon a white beluga whale with a tight harness, which they said appeared to be Russian made. The captured whale had raised alarm in Norway and prompted speculation that the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility.

Watch: Beluga whale dives into sea to get phone dropped by owner in Norway

Cossacks in Russia showcased their skills in horse riding, swordplay and wrestling on Saturday (May 4) at a traditional festival in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.

Swordplay on horseback - Russian cossacks show off traditional skills

A beluga whale found with a tight harness that appeared to be Russian made has raised the alarm of Norwegian officials and prompted speculation that the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility. Watch this video to know more.

Norway fisherman removes harness from whale

Ford to exit Russian passenger car market

Russian air force planes carrying troops landed in Venezuela

<p>Russia's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-does-russia-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-global-superpower-33363">arms export</a> to India fell by a whopping 42 per cent between 2014-18 and 2009-2013, according to a new report.</p>

<p>As a result, Russia accounted for 58 per cent of total Indian arms imports in 2014-2018, compared with 76 per cent in 2009-2013, according to the report "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018" released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).</p>

<p>In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to reduce country's dependence on foreign arms, India's import of arms decreased by 24 per cent between 2009-2013 and 2014-2018, according to the figures released by the report.</p>

<p>This decline in India's import is also partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under license from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008.</p>

<p>Still, India was the world's second largest importer of major arms in 2014-18 and accounted for 9.5 per cent of the global total.</p>

<p>Israel, the USA and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014-18.</p>

<p>Pakistan's arms imports decreased by 39 per cent between 2009-13 and 2014-18. The US has become increasingly reluctant to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan. US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81 per cent between 2009-13 and 2014-18, it said.</p>

<p>Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered 4 frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey, it added.</p>

<p>The decrease in India's arms import is significant given that the volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014-18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009-13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004-2008.</p>

<p>The five largest exporters in 2014-18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. The five largest importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria.</p>

<p>The US was the top arms exporter in 2014-18 and 2009-13. Its exports of major arms grew by 29 per cent between the two periods and its share of total global exports rose from 30 per cent to 36 per cent. As a result, the gap between the USA and Russia - the second largest exporter - continued to widen.</p>

<p>In 2009-13, US exports of major arms were 12 per cent higher than those of Russia, whereas in 2014-18 they were 75 per cent higher.</p>

<p>Russian exports of major arms decreased by 17 per cent between the same periods.</p>

<p>The fall was partly due to general reductions in Indian and Venezuelan arms imports - two countries that have been among the main recipients of Russian arms exports in previous years, the SIPRI said.</p>

<p>"Although India remained the chief recipient of Russian arms in 2014-18, Russian arms exports to India fell by 42 per cent between 2014-18 and 2009-13. Arms exports to Venezuela, which was the fifth largest recipient of Russian arms in 2009-13, decreased by 96 per cent between the two periods," it said.</p>


Russia's arms export to India fell by a whopping 42 per cent between 2014-18 and 2009-2013, according to a new report. As a result, Russia accounted for 58 per cent of total Indian arms imports in 2014-2018, compared with 76 per cent in 2009-2013, according to the report "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018" released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Russia's arms export to India fell by a whopping 42 per cent between 2014-18 and 2009-2013, according to a new report. As a result, Russia accounted for 58 per cent of total Indian arms imports in 2014-2018, compared with 76 per cent in 2009-2013, according to the report "Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2018" released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effort to reduce country's dependence on foreign arms, India's import of arms decreased by 24 per cent between 2009-2013 and 2014-2018, according to the figures released by the report. This decline in India's import is also partly due to delays in deliveries of arms produced under license from foreign suppliers, such as combat aircraft ordered from Russia in 2001 and submarines ordered from France in 2008. Still, India was the world's second largest importer of major arms in 2014-18 and accounted for 9.5 per cent of the global total. Israel, the USA and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014-18. Pakistan's arms imports decreased by 39 per cent between 2009-13 and 2014-18. The US has become increasingly reluctant to provide military aid or sell arms to Pakistan. US arms exports to Pakistan fell by 81 per cent between 2009-13 and 2014-18, it said. Pakistan has instead turned to other suppliers. For example, in 2018 it ordered 4 frigates and 30 combat helicopters from Turkey, it added. The decrease in India's arms import is significant given that the volume of international transfers of major arms in 2014-18 was 7.8 per cent higher than in 2009-13 and 23 per cent higher than in 2004-2008. The five largest exporters in 2014-18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China. The five largest importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and Algeria. The US was the top arms exporter in 2014-18 and 2009-13. Its exports of major arms grew by 29 per cent between the two periods and its share of total global exports rose from 30 per cent to 36 per cent. As a result, the gap between the USA and Russia - the second largest exporter - continued to widen. In 2009-13, US exports of major arms were 12 per cent higher than those of Russia, whereas in 2014-18 they were 75 per cent higher. Russian exports of major arms decreased by 17 per cent between the same periods. The fall was partly due to general reductions in Indian and Venezuelan arms imports - two countries that have been among the main recipients of Russian arms exports in previous years, the SIPRI said. "Although India remained the chief recipient of Russian arms in 2014-18, Russian arms exports to India fell by 42 per cent between 2014-18 and 2009-13. Arms exports to Venezuela, which was the fifth largest recipient of Russian arms in 2009-13, decreased by 96 per cent between the two periods," it said.

Russian arms exports to India fell by 42% between 2014-18 and 2009-13: Report

<p>The head of the Russian doping agency, RUSADA, has written to WADA before the global body's executive committee meets on Tuesday when recommendations on Russia's compliance in the long-running doping saga are set to be discussed.</p>

<p>In the letter dated January 18, a copy of which was issued to the media Saturday, director Yury Ganus said it was not his agency's fault that a key deadline was missed to hand over data from a drug-tainted Moscow lab to WADA investigators.</p>

<p>"I assure you that although RUSADA has no authority and rights to provide access (to the lab's data)... The agency made and is making efforts to ensure fulfilment of the WADA Executive Committee requirements under September 20, 2018 by the deadline," it says.</p>

<p>WADA had demanded in September that the data be handed over by the end of 2018. But the transfer did not happen as planned last month due to Russian authorities raising objections to the WADA experts' equipment.</p>

<p>WADA said Friday its representatives had finally "successfully retrieved" the data during a visit earlier this week.</p>

<p>It will be examined in a bid to shed light on which Russian competitors were guilty of doping and who can be cleared to compete.</p>

<p>Richard McLaren, the Canadian lawyer whose 2016 report exposed state-sponsored doping in Russia, said the December data hold-up was "puzzling" and suggested it was caused by a "power struggle" within the country.</p>

<p>In his letter, Ganus listed the various strides his agency made to be fully reinstated following its suspension in 2016 over McLaren's findings.</p>

<p>"The agency underwent substantial, full and profound transformation... Having replaced more than 90 percent of its staff and dismissed 100 percent of doping control officers," the letter said.</p>

<p>RUSADA's funding "was transferred from the Ministry of Sport since 2017" to ensure independence, and cooperation was stepped up both with international organisations and Russian law enforcement agencies, it said.</p>

<p>The new RUSADA "shares the values of clean sport," the letter says.</p>

<p>"We are doing our best to bring RUSADA to compliance... Within the scope of our authorities," it says.</p>

<p>Ganus previously pleaded with the Kremlin to allow WADA access to the Moscow lab in late December in order to ensure WADA's deadline was met. But his request was rebuked by President Vladimir Putin's spokesman who said Ganus "doesn't know the details".</p>


The head of the Russian doping agency, RUSADA, has written to WADA before the global body's executive committee meets on Tuesday when recommendations on Russia's compliance in the long-running doping saga are set to be discussed.

The head of the Russian doping agency, RUSADA, has written to WADA before the global body's executive committee meets on Tuesday when recommendations on Russia's compliance in the long-running doping saga are set to be discussed. In the letter dated January 18, a copy of which was issued to the media Saturday, director Yury Ganus said it was not his agency's fault that a key deadline was missed to hand over data from a drug-tainted Moscow lab to WADA investigators. "I assure you that although RUSADA has no authority and rights to provide access (to the lab's data)... The agency made and is making efforts to ensure fulfilment of the WADA Executive Committee requirements under September 20, 2018 by the deadline," it says. WADA had demanded in September that the data be handed over by the end of 2018. But the transfer did not happen as planned last month due to Russian authorities raising objections to the WADA experts' equipment. WADA said Friday its representatives had finally "successfully retrieved" the data during a visit earlier this week. It will be examined in a bid to shed light on which Russian competitors were guilty of doping and who can be cleared to compete. Richard McLaren, the Canadian lawyer whose 2016 report exposed state-sponsored doping in Russia, said the December data hold-up was "puzzling" and suggested it was caused by a "power struggle" within the country. In his letter, Ganus listed the various strides his agency made to be fully reinstated following its suspension in 2016 over McLaren's findings. "The agency underwent substantial, full and profound transformation... Having replaced more than 90 percent of its staff and dismissed 100 percent of doping control officers," the letter said. RUSADA's funding "was transferred from the Ministry of Sport since 2017" to ensure independence, and cooperation was stepped up both with international organisations and Russian law enforcement agencies, it said. The new RUSADA "shares the values of clean sport," the letter says. "We are doing our best to bring RUSADA to compliance... Within the scope of our authorities," it says. Ganus previously pleaded with the Kremlin to allow WADA access to the Moscow lab in late December in order to ensure WADA's deadline was met. But his request was rebuked by President Vladimir Putin's spokesman who said Ganus "doesn't know the details".

Russian anti-doping agency pleads case ahead of WADA meeting

<p>EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday.</p>

<p>"<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-israel-officially-quit-unesco-187809&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwivq9zi1_TfAhUPfCsKHariAWEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ryCrvUzdakUknCxnmwWAh">(The United States)</a> was apprehensive after the incident, and this may be normal for it, but security procedures and precautions are greater now. It saw there is no (more) need for it (suspension of air freight)," the source told Reuters.</p>

<p>A bomb spirited aboard the Russian airliner brought it down in Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 on board. The attack prompted Russia to halt all flights to Egypt and Britain to cease flights to Sinai.</p>

<p>EgyptAir resumed taking freight on its commercial flights to New York on Wednesday, the source said. There would be one freight-bearing flight each day of the week with a capacity of 10-15 tonnes of cargo per flight.</p>

<p>He said EgyptAir also had preliminary plans to start freight service to Washington DC.</p>

<p>EgyptAir had continued US-bound flights carrying passenger luggage throughout the suspension of freight service.</p>

<p>Sources told Reuters last year that US authorities had suspended cargo transports due to a lack of confidence in security measures at Cairo airport.</p>


EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday.

EgyptAir has resumed air freight service to New York after a three-year halt following the downing of a Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in an Islamist bomb attack, a source at the flagship carrier said on Thursday. "(The United States) was apprehensive after the incident, and this may be normal for it, but security procedures and precautions are greater now. It saw there is no (more) need for it (suspension of air freight)," the source told Reuters. A bomb spirited aboard the Russian airliner brought it down in Sinai in October 2015, killing all 224 on board. The attack prompted Russia to halt all flights to Egypt and Britain to cease flights to Sinai. EgyptAir resumed taking freight on its commercial flights to New York on Wednesday, the source said. There would be one freight-bearing flight each day of the week with a capacity of 10-15 tonnes of cargo per flight. He said EgyptAir also had preliminary plans to start freight service to Washington DC. EgyptAir had continued US-bound flights carrying passenger luggage throughout the suspension of freight service. Sources told Reuters last year that US authorities had suspended cargo transports due to a lack of confidence in security measures at Cairo airport.

Egypt resumes air freight service to United States after 2015 halt

<p>Russian Bobsleigh Federation president Alexander Zubkov has been suspended from any activities related to the sport for two years for doping violations, the International Bobsleigh &amp; Skeleton Federation (IBSF) said on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Former bobsledder Zubkov, who carried Russia's flag at the opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Games, was stripped of his two Sochi gold medals by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017 on doping grounds.</p>

<p>He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the court upheld the IOC decision.</p>

<p>Stanislav Pozdnyakov, head of Russia's Olympic Committee, said in a statement that it would request that Zubkov leave his position immediately.</p>

<p>"This is a very unpleasant situation for bobsleigh overall (in Russia)," Pozdnyakov said. "It requires rapid, clear and understandable action."</p>

<p>Zubkov, who has denied any wrongdoing, did not answer Reuters phone calls on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The IBSF also said Russian bobsledders Ilvir Khuzin, Aleksei Pushkarev and Alexander Kasjanov have been suspended from competition until 2020 for violating anti-doping rules.</p>

<p>"There are no circumstances that will lead to an elimination or reduction of the standard period of ineligibility," the IBSF said in a statement.</p>

<p>Zubkov had been provisionally suspended from Dec. 19 last year, while Khuzin, Pushkarev and Kasjanov were provisionally suspended from Dec. 13, 2018.</p>


Russian Bobsleigh Federation president Alexander Zubkov has been suspended from any activities related to the sport for two years for doping violations, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) said on Wednesday.

Russian Bobsleigh Federation president Alexander Zubkov has been suspended from any activities related to the sport for two years for doping violations, the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) said on Wednesday. Former bobsledder Zubkov, who carried Russia's flag at the opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Games, was stripped of his two Sochi gold medals by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017 on doping grounds. He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the court upheld the IOC decision. Stanislav Pozdnyakov, head of Russia's Olympic Committee, said in a statement that it would request that Zubkov leave his position immediately. "This is a very unpleasant situation for bobsleigh overall (in Russia)," Pozdnyakov said. "It requires rapid, clear and understandable action." Zubkov, who has denied any wrongdoing, did not answer Reuters phone calls on Wednesday. The IBSF also said Russian bobsledders Ilvir Khuzin, Aleksei Pushkarev and Alexander Kasjanov have been suspended from competition until 2020 for violating anti-doping rules. "There are no circumstances that will lead to an elimination or reduction of the standard period of ineligibility," the IBSF said in a statement. Zubkov had been provisionally suspended from Dec. 19 last year, while Khuzin, Pushkarev and Kasjanov were provisionally suspended from Dec. 13, 2018.

Russian bobsleigh chief Alexander Zubkov banned for two years for doping violations: IBSF

<p>New York prosecutors unveiled an indictment Tuesday of the Russian lawyer whose participation in a June 2016 meeting with top officials of President Donald Trump's election campaign has given rise to allegations of collusion.</p>

<p>Natalya Veselnitskaya was charged with fabricating evidence in a separate 2013 money laundering case the US filed against a Russian company, Prevezon Holdings, which was allegedly involved in a $230 million tax fraud scheme in Moscow.</p>

<p>Veselnitskaya "is now a wanted person in the United States for intentionally misleading US investigators," said Homeland Security investigator Angel Melendez.</p>


New York prosecutors unveiled an indictment Tuesday of the Russian lawyer whose participation in a June 2016 meeting with top officials of President Donald Trump's election campaign has given rise to allegations of collusion.

New York prosecutors unveiled an indictment Tuesday of the Russian lawyer whose participation in a June 2016 meeting with top officials of President Donald Trump's election campaign has given rise to allegations of collusion. Natalya Veselnitskaya was charged with fabricating evidence in a separate 2013 money laundering case the US filed against a Russian company, Prevezon Holdings, which was allegedly involved in a $230 million tax fraud scheme in Moscow. Veselnitskaya "is now a wanted person in the United States for intentionally misleading US investigators," said Homeland Security investigator Angel Melendez.

US indicts Russian lawyer who joined 2016 Trump Tower meeting

<p>US President Donald Trump could face impeachment and jail time if hush money payments reported by his former lawyer are proven to be campaign finance violations, Democratic lawmakers said on Sunday.</p>

<p>Court filings on Friday in cases that stemmed from a federal probe into Russian activities during the 2016 presidential election pointed to potential problem areas for Trump, including whether he instructed six-figure payments to two women during the campaign to keep quiet about affairs.</p>

<p>Federal prosecutors sought prison time for longtime Trump "fixer" Michael Cohen for paying off an adult film star and a former Playboy model at Trump's behest, evading taxes and lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization building in Moscow.</p>

<p>If the payments are proven to be felony campaign finance violations, Democratic US&nbsp;Representative Jerrold Nadler told CNN those would be grounds for impeachment.</p>

<p>"Well, they would be impeachable offences. Whether they are important enough to justify an impeachment is a different question," said Nadler, who will lead the Judiciary Committee when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in January.</p>

<p>Under US&nbsp;law, campaign contributions, defined as things of value given to a campaign to influence an election, must be disclosed. Such payments are also limited to $2,700 per person.</p>

<p>The White House did not immediately return a request for comment. Press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Friday that Cohen has lied repeatedly and that the filing was insignificant.</p>

<p>Friday's court filings also revealed new information about contacts between people working for Trump and Russians in the cases of Cohen, Trump's former longtime personal lawyer, and Paul Manafort, Trump's short-lived campaign chairman who was convicted in August on tax and bank fraud charges.</p>

<p>Special Counsel Robert Mueller said Manafort lied to investigators about his interactions with a Russian tied to Russian intelligence services. Mueller's office said the lying prompted prosecutors last week to retract a plea agreement with Manafort on two separate conspiracy charges.</p>

<p>"I think what these indictments and filings show is that the president was at the centre of a massive fraud - several massive frauds - against the American people," Nadler told CNN.</p>

<p>Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to sway the election. Russia denies interfering in the 2016 election and Trump has denied any collusion occurred.</p>

<p>The investigation has cast a shadow over Trump's presidency, with its implication Moscow may have had a hand in his White House victory. The Republican president repeatedly has expressed his impatience with the probe that Mueller took over in March 2017, saying it was politically motivated.</p>

<p><strong>PROSPECT OF JAIL TIME</strong></p>

<p>Trump said the filings did not prove any collusion with Russia and called for an end to the investigation.</p>

<p>"Time for the Witch Hunt to END!" Trump said in a Twitter post on Saturday.</p>

<p>However, the end of the Mueller probe could be the beginning of bigger problems for Trump.</p>

<p>"There's a very real prospect that on the day Donald Trump leaves office the Justice Department may indict him, that he may be the first president in quite some time to face the real prospect of jail time," Representative Adam Schiff, the Democrat who will lead the House Intelligence Committee next year, told CBS' "Face the Nation."</p>

<p>Legal experts are divided over whether a sitting president can be charged with a crime, as well as on whether a violation of campaign finance law would be an impeachable offence.</p>

<p>Republican Senator Rand Paul warned against over-criminalizing campaign finance violations, telling NBC's "Meet the Press" that errors in disclosures should be punished with fines, not jail.</p>

<p>Republican Senator Marco Rubio told CNN he was waiting for the results of the Russia investigation and related federal probes. However, he cautioned that "no one should be above the law."</p>

<p>Rubio said it would be a "terrible mistake" if Trump pardoned Manafort, saying that "could trigger a debate about whether the pardon powers should be amended."</p>

<p>Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Manafort, praising him as a good man. In contrast, he has said Cohen, who has cooperated with federal prosecutors, should go to jail.</p>

<p>Schiff said Trump may end up needing to seek a pardon for himself from the next US&nbsp;president. House Democrats have promised an array of investigations into Trump's activities.</p>

<p>"What is clear also is that the Republican Congress absolutely tried to shield the president," Nadler said. "The new Congress will not try to shield the president."</p>


US President Donald Trump could face impeachment and jail time if hush money payments reported by his former lawyer are proven to be campaign finance violations, Democratic lawmakers said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump could face impeachment and jail time if hush money payments reported by his former lawyer are proven to be campaign finance violations, Democratic lawmakers said on Sunday. Court filings on Friday in cases that stemmed from a federal probe into Russian activities during the 2016 presidential election pointed to potential problem areas for Trump, including whether he instructed six-figure payments to two women during the campaign to keep quiet about affairs. Federal prosecutors sought prison time for longtime Trump "fixer" Michael Cohen for paying off an adult film star and a former Playboy model at Trump's behest, evading taxes and lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Organization building in Moscow. If the payments are proven to be felony campaign finance violations, Democratic US Representative Jerrold Nadler told CNN those would be grounds for impeachment. "Well, they would be impeachable offences. Whether they are important enough to justify an impeachment is a different question," said Nadler, who will lead the Judiciary Committee when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in January. Under US law, campaign contributions, defined as things of value given to a campaign to influence an election, must be disclosed. Such payments are also limited to $2,700 per person. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment. Press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Friday that Cohen has lied repeatedly and that the filing was insignificant. Friday's court filings also revealed new information about contacts between people working for Trump and Russians in the cases of Cohen, Trump's former longtime personal lawyer, and Paul Manafort, Trump's short-lived campaign chairman who was convicted in August on tax and bank fraud charges. Special Counsel Robert Mueller said Manafort lied to investigators about his interactions with a Russian tied to Russian intelligence services. Mueller's office said the lying prompted prosecutors last week to retract a plea agreement with Manafort on two separate conspiracy charges. "I think what these indictments and filings show is that the president was at the centre of a massive fraud - several massive frauds - against the American people," Nadler told CNN. Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow to sway the election. Russia denies interfering in the 2016 election and Trump has denied any collusion occurred. The investigation has cast a shadow over Trump's presidency, with its implication Moscow may have had a hand in his White House victory. The Republican president repeatedly has expressed his impatience with the probe that Mueller took over in March 2017, saying it was politically motivated. PROSPECT OF JAIL TIME Trump said the filings did not prove any collusion with Russia and called for an end to the investigation. "Time for the Witch Hunt to END!" Trump said in a Twitter post on Saturday. However, the end of the Mueller probe could be the beginning of bigger problems for Trump. "There's a very real prospect that on the day Donald Trump leaves office the Justice Department may indict him, that he may be the first president in quite some time to face the real prospect of jail time," Representative Adam Schiff, the Democrat who will lead the House Intelligence Committee next year, told CBS' "Face the Nation." Legal experts are divided over whether a sitting president can be charged with a crime, as well as on whether a violation of campaign finance law would be an impeachable offence. Republican Senator Rand Paul warned against over-criminalizing campaign finance violations, telling NBC's "Meet the Press" that errors in disclosures should be punished with fines, not jail. Republican Senator Marco Rubio told CNN he was waiting for the results of the Russia investigation and related federal probes. However, he cautioned that "no one should be above the law." Rubio said it would be a "terrible mistake" if Trump pardoned Manafort, saying that "could trigger a debate about whether the pardon powers should be amended." Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Manafort, praising him as a good man. In contrast, he has said Cohen, who has cooperated with federal prosecutors, should go to jail. Schiff said Trump may end up needing to seek a pardon for himself from the next US president. House Democrats have promised an array of investigations into Trump's activities. "What is clear also is that the Republican Congress absolutely tried to shield the president," Nadler said. "The new Congress will not try to shield the president."

Top Democrats say Trump may face impeachment, jail over hush money

<p>&nbsp;Russian navy divers practised submarine rescue operations in the Sea of Japan at a record-breaking depth of 416 metres.</p>

<p>The crew spent three days on preparations and then used a submersible vessel to get to the sea floor from board of Igor Belousov rescue ship.</p>

<p>The crew left the capsule, inspected the bottom, practised rescue activities and unfolded the national flag.</p>

<p>Igor Belousov is a rescue vessel belonging to Russia's navy in the Pacific, which is capable of bringing up to 60 people to the surface from the depth of up to 450 metres, according to the defence ministry.</p>

<p>The largest submarine accident in recent Russian history happened almost one month after the first inauguration of President Vladimir Putin.</p>

<p>On Aug. 12, 2000, the Russian guided missile submarine K-141 Kursk, sank to the floor of Barents Sea after two explosions in its bow. All 118 men aboard the nuclear-powered sub died.</p>

<p>After recovering the remains of the dead from the sub, officials determined that 23 crew members, including the Kursk's commander, had survived the initial accident before suffocating.</p>


Russian navy divers practised submarine rescue operations in the Sea of Japan at a record-breaking depth of 416 metres. The crew spent three days on preparations and then used a submersible vessel to get to the sea floor from board of Igor Belousov rescue ship.

Russian navy divers practised submarine rescue operations in the Sea of Japan at a record-breaking depth of 416 metres. The crew spent three days on preparations and then used a submersible vessel to get to the sea floor from board of Igor Belousov rescue ship. The crew left the capsule, inspected the bottom, practised rescue activities and unfolded the national flag. Igor Belousov is a rescue vessel belonging to Russia's navy in the Pacific, which is capable of bringing up to 60 people to the surface from the depth of up to 450 metres, according to the defence ministry. The largest submarine accident in recent Russian history happened almost one month after the first inauguration of President Vladimir Putin. On Aug. 12, 2000, the Russian guided missile submarine K-141 Kursk, sank to the floor of Barents Sea after two explosions in its bow. All 118 men aboard the nuclear-powered sub died. After recovering the remains of the dead from the sub, officials determined that 23 crew members, including the Kursk's commander, had survived the initial accident before suffocating.

Watch: Russian navy divers set record with 416 metre dive

<p>The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.</p>

<p>A synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, the former Constantinople.</p>

<p>Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed the decision despite protests from Russia.</p>

<p>"A decision to grant Ukraine autocephaly has been made," Poroshenko said in televised remarks. "This is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness," he said, adding Ukraine has been waiting for this "historic event" for more than 330 years.</p>

<p>Moscow had earlier opposed the country's bid to establish an independent church outside Russia's control. It said that the step may lead to a split in orthodox Christianity.</p>

<p>Russia strongly warned against the move, with the powerful head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill travelling to Istanbul earlier this year in a bid to dissuade the patriarchate from taking the step.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from AFP)</em></p>


The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. A synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, the former Constantinople.

The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. A synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, the former Constantinople. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hailed the decision despite protests from Russia. "A decision to grant Ukraine autocephaly has been made," Poroshenko said in televised remarks. "This is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness," he said, adding Ukraine has been waiting for this "historic event" for more than 330 years. Moscow had earlier opposed the country's bid to establish an independent church outside Russia's control. It said that the step may lead to a split in orthodox Christianity. Russia strongly warned against the move, with the powerful head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill travelling to Istanbul earlier this year in a bid to dissuade the patriarchate from taking the step. (With inputs from AFP)

Patriarchate recognises Ukrainian Church independence, risking Russian ire

<p>The air-superiority fighter jet MiG-29 has gained in strength and ferocity after the latest upgrade, giving the Air Force that has been battling a shortage of warplanes a much-needed boost, officials have said.</p>

<p>The Russian origin aircraft is now capable of mid-air refuelling, compatible with the latest missiles and can launch multi-dimensional attacks, said Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, who is deployed at Adampur Air Force Station.</p>

<p>Even in the previous legacy version, the aircraft played an important role as the Air Force stamped its supremacy over the Pakistani Air Force during the Kargil War in 1999.</p>

<p>Last week, the upgraded MiG-29 showcased its combat capabilities at Admapur Air Force Station. The country will celebrate the Air Force Day on Monday.</p>

<p>"With the upgrade, as compared to previous legacy version of the MiG-29 bought under emergency clause in early 1980s, the fighter jets are capable of giving a befitting response," said an official, asking not to be named, on how the warplane would perform in the event of a two-front war.</p>

<p>Flight Lieutenant Kohli said the upgraded MiG-29 also has multi-functional display or MFD, which shows critical flight details on a glass screen in front of the pilot.</p>

<p>On September 12, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said the force was reeling under a severe shortage of fighter aircraft. The IAF chief had said it currently has 31 squadrons of fighter jets against the sanctioned strength of 42.</p>

<p>"Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries," he had said.</p>

<p>The strategically important Adampur Air Force Station, 100 km from Pakistan and 250 km from the border with China, is now home to the upgraded MiG-29s.</p>

<p>The Air Force has three squadrons of MiG-29s, two of them at Adampur Air Force Station. One squadron comprises 16-18 aircraft.</p>

<p>Flight Lieutenant Kohli said the MiG-29 is a flexible aircraft and can take off almost vertically in full power. The upgraded MiG-29 can take off within five minutes of spotting a hostile jet trying to enter the Indian airspace and destroy it, he said.</p>

<p>"With air-to-air refuelling feature, the upgraded MiG-29 can cover larger distance as compared to the previous legacy aircraft and destroy the enemy," said another IAF officer, who did not wish to be named.</p>

<p>"With the upgraded version, the range of the aircraft has improved a lot. Moreover, in the legacy aircraft, we were restricted to the certain dimension, but we can now do air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-shipping operation," said a pilot who flies the MiG aircraft.</p>


The air-superiority fighter jet MiG-29 has gained in strength and ferocity after the latest upgrade, giving the Air Force that has been battling a shortage of warplanes a much-needed boost, officials have said.

The air-superiority fighter jet MiG-29 has gained in strength and ferocity after the latest upgrade, giving the Air Force that has been battling a shortage of warplanes a much-needed boost, officials have said. The Russian origin aircraft is now capable of mid-air refuelling, compatible with the latest missiles and can launch multi-dimensional attacks, said Flight Lieutenant Karan Kohli, who is deployed at Adampur Air Force Station. Even in the previous legacy version, the aircraft played an important role as the Air Force stamped its supremacy over the Pakistani Air Force during the Kargil War in 1999. Last week, the upgraded MiG-29 showcased its combat capabilities at Admapur Air Force Station. The country will celebrate the Air Force Day on Monday. "With the upgrade, as compared to previous legacy version of the MiG-29 bought under emergency clause in early 1980s, the fighter jets are capable of giving a befitting response," said an official, asking not to be named, on how the warplane would perform in the event of a two-front war. Flight Lieutenant Kohli said the upgraded MiG-29 also has multi-functional display or MFD, which shows critical flight details on a glass screen in front of the pilot. On September 12, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said the force was reeling under a severe shortage of fighter aircraft. The IAF chief had said it currently has 31 squadrons of fighter jets against the sanctioned strength of 42. "Even when we do have 42 squadrons, we will be below the combined numbers of two of our regional adversaries," he had said. The strategically important Adampur Air Force Station, 100 km from Pakistan and 250 km from the border with China, is now home to the upgraded MiG-29s. The Air Force has three squadrons of MiG-29s, two of them at Adampur Air Force Station. One squadron comprises 16-18 aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Kohli said the MiG-29 is a flexible aircraft and can take off almost vertically in full power. The upgraded MiG-29 can take off within five minutes of spotting a hostile jet trying to enter the Indian airspace and destroy it, he said. "With air-to-air refuelling feature, the upgraded MiG-29 can cover larger distance as compared to the previous legacy aircraft and destroy the enemy," said another IAF officer, who did not wish to be named. "With the upgraded version, the range of the aircraft has improved a lot. Moreover, in the legacy aircraft, we were restricted to the certain dimension, but we can now do air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-shipping operation," said a pilot who flies the MiG aircraft.

After upgrade, decades-old MiG-29s ready to strike in modern warfare

<p>Saudi Arabia's King Salman has threatened to take military action if Qatar installs a Russian air defence system, France's Le Monde newspaper reported.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar last year, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, which it denies.</p>

<p>Qatar and Russia signed an agreement on military and technical cooperation last year. Qatar's ambassador to Russia was quoted as saying in January that it was in talks to buy the Russian S-400 missile air defence systems.</p>

<p>Le Monde said that Saudi King Salman had written a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, expressing his profound concern over negotiations between Doha and Moscow and the possibility that Qatar could deploy the missiles.</p>

<p>"The kingdom would be ready to take all necessary measures to eliminate this defence system, including military action," Le Monde quoted the letter to Macron as saying. It said the letter had been sent "recently", but was not more specific.</p>

<p>Salman asked Macron for his assistance to prevent the sale of the missiles and preserve peace in the region, Le Monde said.</p>

<p>The French president's office and the Saudi government's communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>


Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar last year, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, which it denies

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has threatened to take military action if Qatar installs a Russian air defence system, France's Le Monde newspaper reported. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar last year, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism, which it denies. Qatar and Russia signed an agreement on military and technical cooperation last year. Qatar's ambassador to Russia was quoted as saying in January that it was in talks to buy the Russian S-400 missile air defence systems. Le Monde said that Saudi King Salman had written a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, expressing his profound concern over negotiations between Doha and Moscow and the possibility that Qatar could deploy the missiles. "The kingdom would be ready to take all necessary measures to eliminate this defence system, including military action," Le Monde quoted the letter to Macron as saying. It said the letter had been sent "recently", but was not more specific. Salman asked Macron for his assistance to prevent the sale of the missiles and preserve peace in the region, Le Monde said. The French president's office and the Saudi government's communications office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia threatens military action if Qatar deploys Russian anti-aircraft missiles: Report

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Sochi as part of his informal summit with the Russian President. The two leaders also held a meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi also congratulated Russian President on his fourth term and thanked him for the invite.</p>

<p>"India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi," said PM Narendra Modi in Russia's Sochi.</p>

<p>After meeting President Putin, PM Modi said,<strong>&nbsp;"</strong>Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS."</p>

<p>Yesterday, PM Modi had said that he had hoped that the talks between the two leaders would&nbsp;strengthen "special and privileged" partnership between India and Russia.</p>

<p>The summit is being held on the lines of the Wuhan informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The meeting between the two leaders is the first since the re-election of Putin as the President of Russia.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VladimirPutin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VladimirPutin</a> in Russia's Sochi <a href="https://t.co/LKy98uiPc7">pic.twitter.com/LKy98uiPc7</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998510778842927105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The two leaders also held a meeting. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://t.co/5X5ckcRIL2">pic.twitter.com/5X5ckcRIL2</a></p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Sochi as part of his informal summit with the Russian President. The two leaders also held a meeting. PM Modi also congratulated Russian President on his fourth term and thanked him for the invite. "India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi," said PM Narendra Modi in Russia's Sochi. After meeting President Putin, PM Modi said, "Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS." Yesterday, PM Modi had said that he had hoped that the talks between the two leaders would strengthen "special and privileged" partnership between India and Russia. The summit is being held on the lines of the Wuhan informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The meeting between the two leaders is the first since the re-election of Putin as the President of Russia. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President #VladimirPutin in Russia's Sochi pic.twitter.com/LKy98uiPc7 — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The two leaders also held a meeting. #Russia pic.twitter.com/5X5ckcRIL2 — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018 ×

PM Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, hails 'friendship'

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. This will be an informal summit, so expect no joint communique, guard of honour, joint statements or any other protocol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, this will be Modi's second informal summit in just one month, the first being with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan.</p>

<p>An MEA press release said: “This will be an important occasion for the two leaders to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective with the objective of further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Both leaders will also discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters.”</p>

<p>Speaking to news agency ANI, the Indian Ambassador to Russia said that the informal summit is a great opportunity for Modi and Putin to discuss different issues. Talks will begin May 21 at 3.30 PM IST in Sochi in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Putin.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Pres just for PM. We expect them to be together for a few hrs. It's great opportunity for personal chemistry b/w them to discuss different ssues: Pankaj Saran, Indian Envoy to Russia <a href="https://t.co/GEscu6cXRY">pic.twitter.com/GEscu6cXRY</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/998054906564096000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>FOCUS: IRAN DEAL</strong></p>

<p>On the cards will be global and regional issues. From Iran, Afghanistan to Syria, everything will be on the table.</p>

<p>The informal summit comes just after the US withdrawing from the Iran deal, sparking global outrage. Speaking to agency ANI, Ambassador Saran confirmed that the impact of the US withdrawal will be discussed. “Iran is very important subject. There's been recent development with regard to nuclear agreement with Iran. I'm sure it'll come up for discussion between Russia and India because they have relations with Iran of different kinds and have big stakes in Iran,” said Saran.</p>

<p>But terror is likely to dominate the agenda. “ISIS threat, international terrorism, how we need to tackle it, will come up for discussion. Besides India being victim of terrorism from so many years, Russia also has been a victim and is concerned about spread of terrorism within its own country," said Saran.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>INDIA, RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMITS</strong></p>

<p>India and Russia have annual summits. The last summit took place at St Petersberg 2017. During the summit, Modi also participated in the St Petersburg International Economic forum as guest of honour. Subsequently, Modi and Putin also met on the sidelines of the Astana SCO summit in June 2017 and the G20 summit in Hamburg in July 2017. In a few months, Putin himself will be travelling to India for the regular summit.</p>

<p><strong>NUCLEAR POWER: AREA OF COOPERATION</strong></p>

<p>India and Russia are important defence partners and Moscow has been helping in building nuclear power plants not only in India but in south Asia also. Russia is already participating in the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear plant and has committed to building six plants in Kudankulam. India has signed an agreement with Russia to construct more units in India. The agreement for Kudankulam's units 5 and 6 was concluded during the 18th Annual Bilateral Summit in St&nbsp;Petersburg in June. Besides this, an emerging area of cooperation in the nuclear sector is possible co-operation between India and Russia in third countries.</p>

<p>In Bangladesh, Moscow and New Delhi are pooling their expertise to build the Rooppur nuclear plant.</p>

<p><strong>THE CAATSA QUESTION</strong></p>

<p>India and Russia have been long-term defence allies. But the West vs Russia tussle now threatens to impact India. According to the US legislation CAATSA — Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act — any country trading with the Russian defence sector can be placed under sanctions. India will be impacted by this legislation. Indian government sources told WION that we “won't allow our defence requirements to be dictated by other countries. India has been lobbying with US administration. Russia has been reliable and trusted partner."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, US Pacific commander Harry Harris has already pitched for India being put on an exception list.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Harry Harris commander of the US Pacific Command say India shd be put under exception list of CAATSA law. CAATSA puts sanctions on countries that do trade with Russian defence sector.<br />
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PS: India-US biz cud be impacted by sanctions on Russia. <a href="https://t.co/xixQvnXs8T">pic.twitter.com/xixQvnXs8T</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/974572495696150529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Interestingly, just ahead of his summit with the Indian PM, Putin met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Sochi.</p>


This will be Modi's second informal summit in less than a month. He recently met 'informally' with China's Xi Jinping

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. This will be an informal summit, so expect no joint communique, guard of honour, joint statements or any other protocol. Interestingly, this will be Modi's second informal summit in just one month, the first being with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan. An MEA press release said: “This will be an important occasion for the two leaders to exchange views on international matters in a broad and long-term perspective with the objective of further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Both leaders will also discuss their respective national developmental priorities and bilateral matters.” Speaking to news agency ANI, the Indian Ambassador to Russia said that the informal summit is a great opportunity for Modi and Putin to discuss different issues. Talks will begin May 21 at 3.30 PM IST in Sochi in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Putin. We expect talks to begin at 1 o'clock local time in delegation format followed by lunch hosted by Pres just for PM. We expect them to be together for a few hrs. It's great opportunity for personal chemistry b/w them to discuss different ssues: Pankaj Saran, Indian Envoy to Russia pic.twitter.com/GEscu6cXRY — ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2018 × FOCUS: IRAN DEAL On the cards will be global and regional issues. From Iran, Afghanistan to Syria, everything will be on the table. The informal summit comes just after the US withdrawing from the Iran deal, sparking global outrage. Speaking to agency ANI, Ambassador Saran confirmed that the impact of the US withdrawal will be discussed. “Iran is very important subject. There's been recent development with regard to nuclear agreement with Iran. I'm sure it'll come up for discussion between Russia and India because they have relations with Iran of different kinds and have big stakes in Iran,” said Saran. But terror is likely to dominate the agenda. “ISIS threat, international terrorism, how we need to tackle it, will come up for discussion. Besides India being victim of terrorism from so many years, Russia also has been a victim and is concerned about spread of terrorism within its own country," said Saran. INDIA, RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMITS India and Russia have annual summits. The last summit took place at St Petersberg 2017. During the summit, Modi also participated in the St Petersburg International Economic forum as guest of honour. Subsequently, Modi and Putin also met on the sidelines of the Astana SCO summit in June 2017 and the G20 summit in Hamburg in July 2017. In a few months, Putin himself will be travelling to India for the regular summit. NUCLEAR POWER: AREA OF COOPERATION India and Russia are important defence partners and Moscow has been helping in building nuclear power plants not only in India but in south Asia also. Russia is already participating in the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear plant and has committed to building six plants in Kudankulam. India has signed an agreement with Russia to construct more units in India. The agreement for Kudankulam's units 5 and 6 was concluded during the 18th Annual Bilateral Summit in St Petersburg in June. Besides this, an emerging area of cooperation in the nuclear sector is possible co-operation between India and Russia in third countries. In Bangladesh, Moscow and New Delhi are pooling their expertise to build the Rooppur nuclear plant. THE CAATSA QUESTION India and Russia have been long-term defence allies. But the West vs Russia tussle now threatens to impact India. According to the US legislation CAATSA — Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act — any country trading with the Russian defence sector can be placed under sanctions. India will be impacted by this legislation. Indian government sources told WION that we “won't allow our defence requirements to be dictated by other countries. India has been lobbying with US administration. Russia has been reliable and trusted partner." Meanwhile, US Pacific commander Harry Harris has already pitched for India being put on an exception list. Harry Harris commander of the US Pacific Command say India shd be put under exception list of CAATSA law. CAATSA puts sanctions on countries that do trade with Russian defence sector. PS: India-US biz cud be impacted by sanctions on Russia. pic.twitter.com/xixQvnXs8T — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 16, 2018 × Interestingly, just ahead of his summit with the Indian PM, Putin met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Sochi.

At Modi's informal summit with Putin in Russia, everything will be up for discussion

<p>The assailant who killed a 29-year-old man in a central Paris knife attack on Saturday night was born in 1997 in the Chechnya region of Russia, a judicial source said on Sunday.</p>

<p>The assailant shouted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," as he killed the passer-by and wounded four other people before being shot dead by police.</p>

<p>The father and mother of the attacker are being held for questioning by police, the source said.</p>

<p>The source did not say what the attacker's nationality was. BFM TV said he was Russian.</p>

<p>Earlier, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told reporters the injured were out of danger.</p>

<p>"I have seen the person who was seriously injured and is now better," he said after visiting the victims in hospital.</p>

<p>France has been on high alert amid a series of attacks commissioned or inspired by the Islamic State militant group that have killed more than 240 people since 2015.</p>

<p>France "will not yield an inch to the enemies of freedom," President Emmanuel Macron said shortly after the attack, praising police officers for "neutralizing the terrorist".</p>

<p>Police union representative Rocco Contento told Reuters that the assailant, after attacking bystanders with a knife, rushed at police shouting "I will kill you, I will kill you!"</p>

<p>He was then shot by the officers.</p>

<p>The attack took place in the heart of the French capital, in a district popular with tourists for its many restaurants and cafes, landmark retail stores, and the Paris opera.</p>

<p>A picture seen by Reuters, which a source said showed the attacker, showed a bare-chested and bearded young man dressed in black trousers. A source told Reuters the attacker was not previously known to police.</p>

<p>Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq news agency, but provided no proof for its claim.</p>

<p>Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the person killed in Saturday's attack, but the judicial source said he was a man aged 29.</p>


The source did not say what the attacker's nationality was. A television news channel however said he was Russian

The assailant who killed a 29-year-old man in a central Paris knife attack on Saturday night was born in 1997 in the Chechnya region of Russia, a judicial source said on Sunday. The assailant shouted "Allahu akbar (God is greatest)," as he killed the passer-by and wounded four other people before being shot dead by police. The father and mother of the attacker are being held for questioning by police, the source said. The source did not say what the attacker's nationality was. BFM TV said he was Russian. Earlier, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told reporters the injured were out of danger. "I have seen the person who was seriously injured and is now better," he said after visiting the victims in hospital. France has been on high alert amid a series of attacks commissioned or inspired by the Islamic State militant group that have killed more than 240 people since 2015. France "will not yield an inch to the enemies of freedom," President Emmanuel Macron said shortly after the attack, praising police officers for "neutralizing the terrorist". Police union representative Rocco Contento told Reuters that the assailant, after attacking bystanders with a knife, rushed at police shouting "I will kill you, I will kill you!" He was then shot by the officers. The attack took place in the heart of the French capital, in a district popular with tourists for its many restaurants and cafes, landmark retail stores, and the Paris opera. A picture seen by Reuters, which a source said showed the attacker, showed a bare-chested and bearded young man dressed in black trousers. A source told Reuters the attacker was not previously known to police. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack via its Amaq news agency, but provided no proof for its claim. Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the person killed in Saturday's attack, but the judicial source said he was a man aged 29.

Paris knife attacker was born in Chechnya, parents in custody: Source

<p>Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and more than 1,000 anti-Kremlin activists were detained by police on Saturday during street protests against Vladimir Putin ahead of his inauguration for a fourth term as president.</p>

<p>Navalny had called for demonstrations in more than 90 towns and cities across Russia against what he says is Putin's autocratic, tsar-like rule.</p>

<p>"We will force the authorities, made up of swindlers and thieves, to take into account the millions of citizens who did not vote for Putin," Navalny said beforehand.</p>

<p>Putin overwhelmingly won re-election in March, extending his grip over Russia for six more years - a tenure of 24 years that would make him Moscow's longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.</p>

<p>Navalny, who was barred from running in the election on what he says was a false pretext, was detained soon after showing up on Moscow's Pushkin Square, where young people chanted "Russia without Putin!" and "Down with the Tsar!".</p>

<p>Video footage showed five policemen hauling him to a waiting van by his arms and legs, a scene that was repeated dozens of times with his supporters. Moscow police said he had been detained for organising an unsanctioned rally.</p>

<p><strong>"Nothing Will Change"</strong></p>

<p>Navalny, who has been detained and jailed numerous times for organising similar protests, had managed to address his supporters briefly, saying he was glad they had shown up.</p>

<p>One protester in Moscow, donning a rabbit's mask with the legend "Tsar of the Animals" said he was unsure what the protest would achieve.</p>

<p>"I have the feeling that people are gathering just to let off steam and that nothing will change," said the 31-year-old man called Alexander, who declined to give his surname.</p>

<p>OVD-Info, a rights organisation that monitors detentions, said it had received reports of police detaining over 1,000 people across Russia, nearly 500 of them in Moscow. It cited its own sources at the Moscow protest as saying pro-Kremlin Cossacks had beaten protesters with leather whips, sparking a fight.</p>

<p>A police spokesman said around 1,500 people had protested in Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported. Reuters reporters estimated the crowd numbered several thousand.</p>

<p>Protests also took place in the Far East, Siberia and St Petersburg. In the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, around 1,500 km (900 miles) east of Moscow, a Reuters reporter saw more than 1,000 people protesting, some shouting "Down with the Tsar!"</p>

<p><strong>Father Of The Nation</strong></p>

<p>Putin, 65, has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000.<br />
Backed by state TV and the ruling party, and credited with an approval rating of around 80 percent, he is lauded by supporters as a father-of-the-nation figure who has restored national pride and expanded Moscow's global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine.</p>

<p>The authorities regard most of the protests as illegal, arguing that their time and place was not approved beforehand and that the police have a duty to protect public order.</p>

<p>Putin has dismissed Navalny as a troublemaker bent on sowing chaos on behalf of Washington. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a close Putin ally, has called Navalny a political charlatan.</p>

<p>Putin is due to be inaugurated on Monday in a Kremlin ceremony heavy on pomp.</p>

<p>With more than 56 million votes, almost 77 percent of the total, his March election win was his biggest ever and the largest by any post-Soviet Russian leader, something he and his allies say gave him an unequivocal mandate to govern.</p>

<p>European observers said there had been no real choice in the election, and complained of unfair pressure on critical voices. Critics like Navalny accuse Putin of overseeing a corrupt authoritarian system and of annexing Ukraine's Crimea illegally in 2014, a move that isolated Russia internationally.</p>


Alexei Navalny had called for demonstrations in more than 90 towns and cities across Russia against what he says is Putin's autocratic, tsar-like rule.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and more than 1,000 anti-Kremlin activists were detained by police on Saturday during street protests against Vladimir Putin ahead of his inauguration for a fourth term as president. Navalny had called for demonstrations in more than 90 towns and cities across Russia against what he says is Putin's autocratic, tsar-like rule. "We will force the authorities, made up of swindlers and thieves, to take into account the millions of citizens who did not vote for Putin," Navalny said beforehand. Putin overwhelmingly won re-election in March, extending his grip over Russia for six more years - a tenure of 24 years that would make him Moscow's longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Navalny, who was barred from running in the election on what he says was a false pretext, was detained soon after showing up on Moscow's Pushkin Square, where young people chanted "Russia without Putin!" and "Down with the Tsar!". Video footage showed five policemen hauling him to a waiting van by his arms and legs, a scene that was repeated dozens of times with his supporters. Moscow police said he had been detained for organising an unsanctioned rally. "Nothing Will Change" Navalny, who has been detained and jailed numerous times for organising similar protests, had managed to address his supporters briefly, saying he was glad they had shown up. One protester in Moscow, donning a rabbit's mask with the legend "Tsar of the Animals" said he was unsure what the protest would achieve. "I have the feeling that people are gathering just to let off steam and that nothing will change," said the 31-year-old man called Alexander, who declined to give his surname. OVD-Info, a rights organisation that monitors detentions, said it had received reports of police detaining over 1,000 people across Russia, nearly 500 of them in Moscow. It cited its own sources at the Moscow protest as saying pro-Kremlin Cossacks had beaten protesters with leather whips, sparking a fight. A police spokesman said around 1,500 people had protested in Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported. Reuters reporters estimated the crowd numbered several thousand. Protests also took place in the Far East, Siberia and St Petersburg. In the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, around 1,500 km (900 miles) east of Moscow, a Reuters reporter saw more than 1,000 people protesting, some shouting "Down with the Tsar!" Father Of The Nation Putin, 65, has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000. Backed by state TV and the ruling party, and credited with an approval rating of around 80 percent, he is lauded by supporters as a father-of-the-nation figure who has restored national pride and expanded Moscow's global clout with interventions in Syria and Ukraine. The authorities regard most of the protests as illegal, arguing that their time and place was not approved beforehand and that the police have a duty to protect public order. Putin has dismissed Navalny as a troublemaker bent on sowing chaos on behalf of Washington. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, a close Putin ally, has called Navalny a political charlatan. Putin is due to be inaugurated on Monday in a Kremlin ceremony heavy on pomp. With more than 56 million votes, almost 77 percent of the total, his March election win was his biggest ever and the largest by any post-Soviet Russian leader, something he and his allies say gave him an unequivocal mandate to govern. European observers said there had been no real choice in the election, and complained of unfair pressure on critical voices. Critics like Navalny accuse Putin of overseeing a corrupt authoritarian system and of annexing Ukraine's Crimea illegally in 2014, a move that isolated Russia internationally.

Russian police detain over 1,000 people at anti-Putin protests

<p>An advanced Russian multi-role fighter plane crashed in Syria on Thursday morning shortly after take-off, killing both members of its crew, the Russian military was cited as saying by Russian news agencies.</p>

<p>The two-seater Sukhoi-30SM jet crashed after taking off from Russia’s Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province. Agencies cited the Ministry of Defence in Moscow as saying its two crew members had tried in vain to save the plane until the last moment.</p>

<p>“According to preliminary information, the reason for the aviation disaster could have been birds getting into the engine,” the RIA news agency cited the ministry as saying. The plane was not struck by any projectile.”</p>

<p>The plane was among Russia’s most advanced and performed its maiden flight in 2012. In Syria, it was used to launch air-to-ground missiles at rebel targets and to escort attack jets and strategic bombers.</p>


The two-seater Sukhoi-30SM jet crashed after taking off from Russia’s Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province.

An advanced Russian multi-role fighter plane crashed in Syria on Thursday morning shortly after take-off, killing both members of its crew, the Russian military was cited as saying by Russian news agencies. The two-seater Sukhoi-30SM jet crashed after taking off from Russia’s Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province. Agencies cited the Ministry of Defence in Moscow as saying its two crew members had tried in vain to save the plane until the last moment. “According to preliminary information, the reason for the aviation disaster could have been birds getting into the engine,” the RIA news agency cited the ministry as saying. The plane was not struck by any projectile.” The plane was among Russia’s most advanced and performed its maiden flight in 2012. In Syria, it was used to launch air-to-ground missiles at rebel targets and to escort attack jets and strategic bombers.

Russian war plane crashes in Syria, killing two crew

<p>The Kremlin says it has nothing to do with Russian civilians fighting in Syria but on three recent occasions groups of men flying in from Damascus headed straight to a defence ministry base in Molkino, Reuters reporters witnessed.</p>

<p>Molkino in southwestern Russia is where the Russian 10th Special Forces Brigade is based, according to information on the Kremlin website.</p>

<p>The destination of the Russians arriving from Syria provides rare evidence of a covert Russian mission in Syria beyond the air strikes, training of Syrian forces and small numbers of special forces troops acknowledged by Moscow.</p>

<p>Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 14 Russians may be in Syria but "they are not part of the armed forces of the Russian Federation". He referred Reuters to the defence ministry when asked why civilians fighting in Syria return to a military base. The ministry did not immediately respond.</p>

<p>A duty officer at the 10th special forces brigade, asked why non-military people were entering the military base, said: "Nobody enters it, as far as I am aware ... You've seen them, okay. But you should not believe everything ... You can maybe. But how can we comment on what other organisations do?"</p>

<p>More than 2,000 Russian contractors are fighting to help Syrian forces recapture land from their opponents, several sources, including one contractor, have said.</p>

<p>The contractors are transferred by Syrian airline Cham Wings, the sources said.</p>

<p>Reuters reporters saw a Syrian Cham Wings charter flight from Damascus land at the civilian airport in Rostov-on-Don on April 17 and watched groups of men leave the terminal through an exit separate from the one used by ordinary passengers.</p>

<p>They boarded three buses, which took them to an area mainly used by airport staff. A luggage carrier brought numerous oversized bags and the men, dressed in civilian clothes, got off the buses, loaded the bags and got back on.</p>

<p>The three buses then left the airport in convoy and headed south two made stops near cafes along the way and one on the roadside. All three reached the village of Molkino, 350 km (220 miles) south, shortly before midnight.</p>

<p>In the village, each bus paused for a minute or two at a checkpoint manned by at least two servicemen, before driving on. About 15-20 minutes later the buses drove back through the checkpoint empty. Publicly available satellite maps show the road leads to the military facility.</p>

<p>The buses took men along the same route from the airport to Molkino on Mar. 25 and Apr. 6, a Reuters reporter saw.</p>

<p>Several relatives, friends and recruiters of fighters told Reuters Russian private contractors have had a training camp in Molkino since the time they fought in eastern Ukraine alongside pro-Russian separatists.</p>

<p>The military facility is known for its recently renovated firing range, where the military trains for counter terrorist operations, tank battles and sniper shooting, the Russian defence ministry website says.</p>

<p>Reuters contacted the owners of some of the buses transporting the groups of men from the airport. They said they rent out their buses but declined to say who to: one said a trip to Molkino could have been an excursion.</p>

<p>One of the buses, a white 33-year-old Neoplan with a slogan of a tourist company on its boards, was imported into Russia in 2007 and initially registered in the town of Pechory. Dmitry Utkin, identified by three sources as leader of the contractors, previously commanded a special forces unit based in Pechory.</p>


Molkino in southwestern Russia is where the Russian 10th Special Forces Brigade is based, according to information on the Kremlin website

The Kremlin says it has nothing to do with Russian civilians fighting in Syria but on three recent occasions groups of men flying in from Damascus headed straight to a defence ministry base in Molkino, Reuters reporters witnessed. Molkino in southwestern Russia is where the Russian 10th Special Forces Brigade is based, according to information on the Kremlin website. The destination of the Russians arriving from Syria provides rare evidence of a covert Russian mission in Syria beyond the air strikes, training of Syrian forces and small numbers of special forces troops acknowledged by Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 14 Russians may be in Syria but "they are not part of the armed forces of the Russian Federation". He referred Reuters to the defence ministry when asked why civilians fighting in Syria return to a military base. The ministry did not immediately respond. A duty officer at the 10th special forces brigade, asked why non-military people were entering the military base, said: "Nobody enters it, as far as I am aware ... You've seen them, okay. But you should not believe everything ... You can maybe. But how can we comment on what other organisations do?" More than 2,000 Russian contractors are fighting to help Syrian forces recapture land from their opponents, several sources, including one contractor, have said. The contractors are transferred by Syrian airline Cham Wings, the sources said. Reuters reporters saw a Syrian Cham Wings charter flight from Damascus land at the civilian airport in Rostov-on-Don on April 17 and watched groups of men leave the terminal through an exit separate from the one used by ordinary passengers. They boarded three buses, which took them to an area mainly used by airport staff. A luggage carrier brought numerous oversized bags and the men, dressed in civilian clothes, got off the buses, loaded the bags and got back on. The three buses then left the airport in convoy and headed south two made stops near cafes along the way and one on the roadside. All three reached the village of Molkino, 350 km (220 miles) south, shortly before midnight. In the village, each bus paused for a minute or two at a checkpoint manned by at least two servicemen, before driving on. About 15-20 minutes later the buses drove back through the checkpoint empty. Publicly available satellite maps show the road leads to the military facility. The buses took men along the same route from the airport to Molkino on Mar. 25 and Apr. 6, a Reuters reporter saw. Several relatives, friends and recruiters of fighters told Reuters Russian private contractors have had a training camp in Molkino since the time they fought in eastern Ukraine alongside pro-Russian separatists. The military facility is known for its recently renovated firing range, where the military trains for counter terrorist operations, tank battles and sniper shooting, the Russian defence ministry website says. Reuters contacted the owners of some of the buses transporting the groups of men from the airport. They said they rent out their buses but declined to say who to: one said a trip to Molkino could have been an excursion. One of the buses, a white 33-year-old Neoplan with a slogan of a tourist company on its boards, was imported into Russia in 2007 and initially registered in the town of Pechory. Dmitry Utkin, identified by three sources as leader of the contractors, previously commanded a special forces unit based in Pechory.

Russian civilians helping Assad use military base back home - Witnesses

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