Donetsk militias encircle Ukrainian troops near Ilovaisk

The Ukrainian army earlier announced it had gained control of Ilovaisk

Ukrainian troops seen near the town of Ilovaisk

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Belarus and US expand cooperation in combating terrorism, crime — diplomat

The diplomat was asked whether efforts were being made to expand ties between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies and special services in light of the emerging thaw in relations between Minsk and Washington

Bastion coastal defense missile systems deployed on Franz Joseph Land in Russian Arctic

The Bastion coastal defense missile systems have proven their high efficiency during high-latitude drills

Russian Defense Ministry surprised by Turkey's statement about resuming Syria operation

The Russian top brass believe such statements can only exacerbate tensions in the region

Ukraine not interested in one-year transit contract with Gazprom — premier

The current contracts on gas supplies to and transit via Ukraine expire on December 31

Turkey orders arrest of over 130 military allegedly linked to coup — TV

On July 15, 2016, a group of Turkish soldiers and officers attempted to stage a coup d’etat and overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey not considering plans to sign new S-400 deal, Ankara says

Turkish presidential spokesman informed that batteries' delivery, staff training and systems deployment will be underway in the period ahead

Russia slams US threats to Egypt for purchasing Su-35 fighters as ‘aggressive behavior’

The United States is promoting its geopolitical interests by imposing ready-made solutions on other countries rather than by using the principles of free competition, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

Press review: Turkey plays patrols against Kurdish militias and Kim shows hostility to US

Top stories in the Russian press on Wednesday, November 20

Turkey assures Russia it won’t resume military operation in northern Syria, says Lavrov

Russia’s top diplomat commented on a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that the United States and Russia allegedly had not done everything to withdraw Kurdish forces from the Turkish-Syrian border

Nord Stream 2 to start operations in mid-2020 — Russia’s Deputy PM

To date, Nord Stream 2 has been more than 80% complete

Russian court arrests serviceman on charges of espionage for Ukraine

According to the existing information, the serviceman was collecting confidential information on the Russian Armed Forces on assignment of the Ukrainian intelligence

Putin says Russian threat myth was invented by those seeking to make profit out of it

According to the Russian leader, the United States will have to take some steps to change the nature of relations with European NATO allies

Putin: US ‘shoots itself in foot’ by banning own firms from working on Russian shelf

The United States barred its companies from working on the Russian shelf, the Russian leader said

Outcome of USSR's collapse was worse than most negative expectations, says Putin

The inefficient economic policy in the then Soviet Union "actually led to a collapse in the social sphere and had prolonged consequences in the political sphere," the president said

Islam, Orthodox Christianity based on fundamental humanistic values — Putin

According to the Russian president, joint efforts by religious organizations will contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening "civil peace and accord" in Kyrgyzstan and Russia

Russian alternative to Wikipedia to be fully launched by summer of 2022, says publisher

According to the executive editor, creators plan to translate Russian alternative to Wikipedia into other languages

Northern Fleet’s large amphibious assault ship wraps up dockside trials

According to the top brass, the large amphibious assault ship Olenegorsky Gornyak will rejoin the Fleet by the end of 2019

Some equipment missing on ships returned by Russia to Ukraine — media citing Zelensky

The ships will resume their service after repairs, expected to take about three months

Kremlin dismisses Estonia’s territorial claims against Russia as unacceptable

Earlier, Estonian parliamentary speaker voiced a statement that Russia must return the territories mentioned in the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty to Estonia

Russian-made Pantsyr anti-aircraft systems provide security for Dubai Airshow

Russia delivered 50 Pantsyr-S systems in their export configuration and 1,000 missiles to the UAE in 2009-2013. The deal was worth $800 million

Joe Biden’s son and his partners received $16.5 million from Burisma — Ukrainian MP

According to the politician, Hunter Biden was paid by laundered money for his services for Ukraine's Burisma Holdings energy company

Washington imposes restrictions because Chinese economy is more efficient — Putin

Putin also said that the Chinese currency "has been gaining the position it deserves on the global financial market"

Russia condemns Israel’s air strikes against Syria — senior diplomat

The Israeli army’s press service said the strikes came in retaliation for an earlier attack against Israel

Russia ready to deliver both Su-35 and Su-57 fighters to Turkey

The Dubai Airshow 2019 opened in Dubai on Monday, November 17, and will be running until November 21

Russia completes 1st stage of delivering T-90S main battle tanks to Iraq

Both sides are currently discussing the procedure and the terms of supplies under the second phase

Syrian air defense systems destroy several missiles over Damascus — SANA

The missiles were fired by Israel, according to the agency

Roscosmos vows to make decision on Soyuz seats for US astronauts soon

Head of the Russian space corporation welcomed a "warm letter" from NASA's chief, who said that the US space agency would most likely need 1-2 seats on Russian Soyuz spaceships to deliver astronauts to the ISS in 2020-2021

Russia will not take part in Miss Universe 2019

The prospective participant Alina Sanko does not have enough time to get a US visa and prepare for the Miss Universe pageant, director of the Miss Russia contest Anastasia Belyak said

Russia’s next-generation combat outfit to get latest ammunition and small arms

The Sotnik third-generation combat outfit is set to replace the Ratnik gear already in 2025

Russia receives first applications for Su-34 deliveries from foreign customers

According to the developer, several partners even flew aboard these aircraft

Israeli jets strike dozens of IRGC, Syrian army positions

Earlier, the SANA news agency reported that Syrian air defense systems destroyed a few missiles on the outskirts of Damascus, citing a source in the Syrian Armed Forces

Toll road connecting Russia’s two largest cities to be unveiled next week — source

The route from Moscow to St. Petersburg via the new highway is expected to take about 5.5 hours or less

Russian Northern Fleet’s latest frigate sails to White Sea for trials

The frigate’s crew will hold a series of trials to test-fire new missile armament and practice planned combat training measures

Russia’s import substitution effort produced ‘serious’ results — Putin

In this sense, Russia’s economy benefitted from trade restrictions imposed by the West, Putin said

Press review: Russia won’t meddle in Iran-Israel conflict and S-400s may give India boost

Top stories in the Russian press on Thursday, November 21

Gazprom completes welding of pipeline in Russia to supply gas to Nord Stream 2

The project is to be completed before the end of 2019

Back to the caves? Putin warns ditching hydrocarbons would end civilization

Russia as a responsible country works to make its energy balance as green as possible, the head of state pointed out

Kiev pledges to respond to Russia’s unveiling of railroad bridge to Crimea

Russia will launch regular rail services to Crimea across Crimean Bridge in late December 2019

Medvedev hopes political solutions on integration with Belarus will be found

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that "we will do our best to agree on a common set of solutions, our work by December 8"

Rostec admits localization of components production for Su-57 fighters abroad

The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities

Turkey to use S-400 systems as independent units, says presidential spokesman

He reiterated that Ankara had no intention to abandon the S-400 purchase

Second squadron of latest Su-34 fighter-bombers starts training flights in Urals

In October, the composite aviation regiment of Russia’s Central Military District stationed in the Chelyabinsk Region completed its rearmament with Su-34 generation 4++ fighter-bombers

White Helmets involved in human organ trafficking in Syria — survey

First Project 636.3 sub to enter service with Russia’s Pacific Fleet on November 25

The submarine has completed shipbuilders’ and state trials in the Baltic Sea, thus confirming its performance characteristics, the Defense Ministry informed

Russian latest Borei-A nuclear-powered sub completes state trials

The most advanced nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir has arrived at the Northern Fleet’s Belomorsk naval base

Five Syrians, six Iranians die in Syria after Israeli attacks on Damascus suburb — TV

One of the missiles hit a residential building and razed it, a local doctor informed

Russia, China coordinate new plan on settlement on Korean Peninsula — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said that the new draft will be presented to North Korea's first vice foreign minister who is currently on an official visit to Moscow

Senior Russian diplomat slams US plans to build up military presence in Saudi Arabia

Washington earlier announced plans to send additional forces to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks

US to quit ISS project after testing its manned spacecraft — cosmonaut Ryazansky

The United States plans to create a satellite of the Moon called Lunar Orbital Gateway, to be used for missions in the Moon’s orbit and as a platform for providing support for works on the Moon’s surface and as a springboard for deep space missions

Russian embassy reminds Estonia that it agreed to its current borders

At the same time, the embassy reiterated that the 1920 Treaty of Tartu had receded into history

First batch of next-generation Armata tanks to arrive for Russian troops in late 2019

The developer informed that an experimental batch had been manufactured