Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to do everything to stop the ongoing violence in eastern parts of neighboring Ukraine. Speaking in Crimea on Thursday, the Russian president described the violence in eastern Ukraine as fratricide. “The country has sunk into bloody chaos in a fratricidal conflict,” Putin said, adding, “We will do our best to end this conflict as soon... 

A Russian convoy of 262 trucks packed with humanitarian aid is approaching the Ukrainian border amid fears that it might escalate the already tense situation in the war-ravaged east of the country. The aid convoy was expected on Wednesday at the volatile Ukraine’s border where pro-Russian forces and Ukrainian troops are engaged in fierce battles. Russian media say some 2,000 tons of aid, from baby... 

Ukraine has rejected Russia’s humanitarian aid convoy headed for the war-torn people in the country’s east, saying it is an excuse for invasion. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Danylo Lubkivsky told reporters on Tuesday that there would be no need for humanitarian aid if Russia stopped supporting the pro-Russia protesters. “The Red Cross is responsible and is coordinating the delivery of humanitarian... 

A residential building in downtown Donetsk damaged during the city’s artillery shelling by Ukrainian forces. Moscow and Kiev have agreed on a humanitarian mission under the authority of the Red Cross, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated. “With careful optimism, I can now say that, I think, all possible and impossible pretexts have been dismissed. I hope that in the very nearest... 

There is growing dissent in the EU over policies that led to a de fact trade war with Russia. Meanwhile the countries not toeing the line are reaping the benefits, irritating those who jumped on the sanctions bandwagon. Greek members of the European Parliament demanded Sunday that the EU cancel sanctions against Russia. MEPs Kostantinos Papadakis and Sotiris Zarianopoulos said in a letter to some... 

Canada has launched a scientific mission to map the seabed surrounding the North Pole, aimed at claiming the area. The Canadian government said in a statement issued on Friday that two ice-breakers will be sent to the Arctic waters to gather scientific information to support a plan to extend Canadian territory up to the North Pole. The coast guard vessel Terry Fox reportedly set sail from St. John’s,... 

A massive Canadian transport plane has arrived in Kharkov carrying US$4.5 million worth of non-lethal military equipment to help Ukraine “protect its eastern border against Russian aggression.” The equipment includes “helmets, ballistic eyewear, protective vests, first aid kits, tents, and sleeping bags,” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement on Thursday. Canada said it... 

Australia says it is planning to impose tougher sanctions on Russia after Moscow announced food bans that will affect Australian food makers. “We are working towards stronger sanctions” against Russia, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday. Abbott also warned Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to pull back Russian troops from the country’s border with Ukraine. “I say... 

Edward Snowden has received a residence permit in Russia, which is valid for three years, starting on August 1, the former NSA contractor’s lawyer announced. “On the first of August he received a three-year residence permit,” lawyer Anatoly Kucherena told reporters. He added that Snowden had not asked for political asylum. “He will be able to travel freely within the country and go abroad.... 

Russian strategic nuclear bombers and other military aircraft entered US air defense identification zones (ADIZs) at least 16 times over the past ten days, American defense officials confirmed on Thursday. “Over the past week, NORAD has visually identified Russian aircraft operating in and around the US air defense identification zones,” said Maj. Beth Smith, spokeswoman for US Northern Command... 

An ominous report issued by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) says that President Putin’s order today to move thousands of more troops and military equipment to the Ukrainian border, coupled with his order yesterday to all state organs to begin retaliation against the West for their imposing unjust sanctions on the Federation, is, in fact, a “Global War Order” against the Obama regime blamed by... 

A one-year ban has been imposed on certain agricultural produce, foods and raw materials from countries that have sanctioned Russia. An order on economic measures to protect the country’s security has been signed by President Putin. The decree “on the use of specific economic measures” has been signed in response to sanctions imposed on Russia by a number of states over the Ukrainian crisis,... 

The Ukrainian government has called on people in the country’s east to leave the flashpoint area as government troops close in on pro-Russia forces in the region. The Ukraine military called on pro-Russia forces in the eastern cities of Donetsk and Lugansk to open corridors to allow civilians to leave the area. The military also said its troops had already taken control of a checkpoint on the western... 

The command in Kiev has blatantly abandoned a group of more than 400 soldiers encircled by the self-defense forces, the senior Ukrainian officer who requested sanctuary in Russia with his men has revealed. Lack of ammunition, food, fuel and clear orders from the command on how to act in the condition of encirclement has made the Ukrainian troops cross the border, Major Vitaly Dubinyak, a battalion... 

A stunning new report issued by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) on the mysterious “holes” recently discovered in two Siberian regions states that President Putin earlier today “administratively informed” both the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) and Institute of the Earth Cryosphere (IEC) that all information relating to this phenomenon is now classified as “Of Special Importance”...