Russia in case Ukraine’s refusal from cooperation on combat missiles will create its own enterprises in 2-3 months, says the Russian Space Agency

If Ukraine curtails cooperation with Russia on combat missile issues – in particular, the program “Dnepr” – the domestic industry will be able to compensate for this unfriendly move within 2-3 months. Such an opinion was expressed in an interview with Itar- Tass by deputy head of Roscosmos Sergey Ponomarev.

“We have actually studied the composition of funds, the documentation. Our enterprises are developers as well, and if there is a refusal, we will terminate contracts with the Ukrainian side and move all the activities to Russian cooperation”, – said Ponomarev.

Baltic Fleet naval aviation fighters conducted combat firings at air targets

Crews of Su-27s of naval aviation of the Baltic Fleet (BF) conducted combat firings at air targets, simulating conditional enemy’s aircraft, said Thursday the head of the department of information support of the press service of the Western Military District for the BF Captain 2nd Rank Vladimir Matveyev.

According to him, missile launches at aviation targets were performed by crews of Fighter Squadron of the BF naval aviation airbase. “As part of the planned flights, the pilots had to find a target themselves at a distance of several kilometers using thermal and visual imaging, to hit it, and maneuvering to get away from retaliation,” – said Matveev, noting that pilots practiced the individual firings as well as pair firings both in the daytime and at night.

The launches were carried out in a well-defined area for aerial gunnery – above the sea polygon of the Baltic Fleet.

Foreign Ministers of Russia and Argentina signed a statement on non-deployment of weapons in space

Foreign Ministers of Russia and Argentina Sergei Lavrov and Hector Timerman signed a joint statement on non-deployment of weapons in space. The document was signed after the talks between the Ministers.

According to Lavrov, during the meeting the foreign ministers discussed preparations for the signing of the document on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The activities of states in space exploration are regulated by a number of international documents, the main of which is the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which entered into force on 10 October 1967. Currently, its members are about a hundred countries.

Kazakhstan approved the creation of a unified air defense zone with Russia

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on May 26, 2014 signed a law on ratification of the agreement with Russia on a unified regional air defense system, said a statement on the website of the President of Kazakhstan.

As expected, the full text of the law on ratification will soon be published in the local official press. The agreement on the establishment of a common air-defense zone was signed by Moscow and Astana in January 2013.

According to this document, the forces of the unified air defense system will be led by a person appointed by the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan on the proposal of the defense ministers of both countries. In addition, it is planned to establish rules of combat duty and exchange of information.

The Northern Fleet conducted unannounced inspections of readiness of naval aviation antisubmarine forces

Today, the Northern Fleet (NF) conducted unannounced inspections in order to test the readiness of naval aviation antisubmarine forces of the Northern Fleet to perform assigned tasks, the press service of the Defense Ministry said.

On decision of NF commander Admiral Vladimir Korolev the actions on sudden conditions were worked out by the crews of 4 anti-submarine aircraft Il-38 and Tu-142 of the NF Naval Aviation. The exercise also employed 3 supersonic all-weather fighter-interceptors MiG-31 of the air base of the 1st Air Force Command, which carried out the cover of anti-submarine forces in the area of ​​exercise.

Such unannounced inspections of the combat readiness are conducted in the Northern Fleet on a regular basis. During the previous inspection the crews of small NF antisubmarine ships “Snezhnogorsk” and “Brest” successfully completed the search activities and combat training against anti-submarines at the ranges in the Barents Sea.

Competitions “Aviadarts-2014” opened today in Voronezh

Competitions in piloting skills “Aviadarts-2014” started today in Russia. The opening ceremony took place in Voronezh, where all participants, guests and spectators of the contest were greeted by Air Force Commander of the Russian Federation Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondarev.

The Russian army holds the competition for the second time and includes all branches the Air Force aviation. The best pilots that were selected in military  units and formations of the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, North Caucasus and the Arctic – 71 crews – arrived in Voronezh.

Pilots for 6 days will compete for the title of the best.

Planes and helicopters participating in the competition are based at airfields in Voronezh, Lipetsk and Ryazan.

Defense Ministry: the Defense Ministries of the Russian Federation and the United States openly discuss crisis in Ukraine

Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the United States are in constant contact relating the Ukrainian crisis. The Chiefs of Staff and the heads of ministries of the two countries hold detailed discussions that take place exclusively in a frank atmosphere, said Wednesday on the TV channel “Russia 24” Head of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Koshelev.

“There is a narrow scope of activities of the Ministry of Defense and we are ready to explain the logic of Russian actions, including the activities of the Russian troops in the zone adjacent to the Ukrainian borders, – he said. – Head of the Russian General Staff, Army General Valery Gerasimov holds talks with the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. General Martin Dempsey. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel three times during the active phase of the Ukrainian crisis. Detailed conversations lasting up to an hour are held exclusively in a frank atmosphere, where there are no taboo subjects.”

Deputy Defense Minister: military equipment will be transferred from the Crimea to Ukraine this year

All Ukrainian military equipment will be transferred from the Crimea to Ukraine this year, said Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Dmitry Bulgakov at the “Integrated Safety-2014”, which opened in the Russian capital.

Initially it was assumed that the Ukrainian military equipment would be withdrawn from the Crimea until June, however, as Dmitry Bulgakov stated earlier, the process was going on at a too slow pace, as the Ukrainian side didn’t meet the deadlines for delivery of rolling stock.

Russia’s Defense Ministry on April 15 suspended the transfer of equipment from the Crimea, so that it could not be used by the Ukrainian side against the civilian population in the east and south-east of Ukraine. By that time, there had been transferred to Kiev 389 armored vehicles, including eight helicopters and three warships.

Defense Ministry: Russian troops to return to the places their of permanent deployment in a few days

Russian armed forces units are already returning to their permanent deployment sites after the exercise held in the border areas of Ukraine, it will take a few days, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told BBC.

The Kremlin on May 19 reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the command to return troops holding exercises in Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, to the places of permanent deployment.

“In connection with the planned completion of the spring phase of troops exercise, which provided for their relocation and took place on the grounds in Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, the Russian president gave the command to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to return troops participating in the exercise, to their permanent deployment places and continue combat training at nearby landfills”, – the press-service said.

Aerospace forces to be officially established on December 1, 2014

A new branch of the armed forces of Russia – aerospace forces that combine air force and Aerospace Defense force – will appear on Dec. 1, a senior representative of the Defense Ministry told ITAR- TASS on May 19.

The source in the ministry added that Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitsky being Chief of operational control of the General Staff was discussed as a candidate for the post of Commander of the new branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

It-s highly probable that new forces will include artillery and rocket forces, including missile complexes “Iskander”, which are able to hit elements of the European missile defense more effectively than assault and bomber aviation.