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BOEING 777 CRASH IN DONBASS

2 Ukrainian fighters seen following Malaysian jet minutes before crash

MOSCOW, July 18, /ITAR-TASS/. Two Ukrainian fighters were following the passenger Boeing-777 of Malaysian Airlines several minutes before the crash, Russia’s television Channel One said on Friday, citing a tweet made a Spanish air traffic controller of Kiev’s airport Borispol.

According to the Spanish air traffic controller, two Ukrainian fighters had been seen near the Malaysian jet three minutes before it disappeared from radars.

This information is confirmed by eyewitnesses in the Donetsk region who saw Ukrainian warplanes near the passenger jet. They say they heard sounds of powerful blasts and saw a Ukraine warplane shortly before the crash.

A Boeing-777 of the Malaysian Airlines that was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, disappeared from the radars and crashed on Thursday evening near the settlement of Grabovo in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. All those who were onboard the plane - 280 passengers and 15 crew members - died. According to preliminary data, passengers included citizens of the Netherlands, the United States, Great Britain, France, and Malaysia. According to Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov, there were no Russians among the passengers.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Afghan Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow

The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

The tragedy occurred near the village of Priyutnoye located on the border of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Zaporozhye Region

US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

Bentley came to Donbass from the United States in 2014

Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

According to the president, this step will help strengthen his country’s defense potential and contribute to bolstering the national armed forces’ capabilities

Ukrainian drones continue to fly over Zaporozhye NPP — press service

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Participation in ‘Columbine’ movement may result in life sentence — Prosecutor General

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 19th

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

A power test of a super-large warhead designed for "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile was held as well

World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

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Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

The man set himself on fire

American Abrams tanks vulnerable even to Soviet-era weapons, says expert

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