Russia

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Moscow could adequately respond to the downing of Russia’s Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea by closing Syria’s air space, Science Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Science Vitaly Naumkin told TASS, commenting on the information released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday.

RUSSIA LAUNCHES BIGGEST EVER WAR GAMES WITH CHINA. Military vehicles in entering in eastern Siberia take part in "Vostok-2018", on September 11, 2018. Russia has launched its biggest military exercise since the Cold War, involving about 300,000 service personnel, in eastern Siberia. China is sending 3,200 troops to take part in "Vostok-2018", with many Chinese armoured vehicles and aircraft. Mongolia is also sending some units. The week-long manoeuvres come at a time of heightened Nato-Russia tensions. Photo courtesy Agencies 

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. Russia plans to export live frogs to China for eating purposes, the Russian agriculture safety watchdog (Rosselkhoznadzor) said on Wednesday.

In line with China’s demands, the Russian agency has drafted a veterinary certificate for edible live frogs exported from Russia.

"Live frogs are recognized as safe for human consumption," the document says.

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The drilled hole in its hull patched, Russia’s Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft, currently attached to the International Space Station, has been authorized for further flight and re-entry as a rescue capsule, which will take the space crew back to Earth if need be, the manufacturer, space rocket corporation Energia, said after a meeting of the council of chief designers.

"The manned spacecraft Soyuz MS-09 has been authorized for further flight as part of Russia’s segment of the ISS and for being used as a rescue capsule," the company said in a news release.

PATRIOT PARK /Moscow region/, September 19. /TASS/. Russian Defense Ministry is making steps to upgrade security on Russian military bases in Syria and installation of automated control instruments is one of the technical solutions it is currently working at, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The chief military investigation department of the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case into the crash of Russia’s Il-20 plane above the Mediterranean Sea, committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko told reporters.

"Russian Investigative Committee investigators and forensic experts work at the accident scene together with representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry," she said.

All circumstances surrounding the accident are being established.

SOCHI, September 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin expects that Ankara will create favorable conditions for the advancement of Russian products to the Turkish market.

"Russia, in accordance with the wishes of the Turkish partners, has lifted restrictions on the supply of a number of agricultural products from Turkey. In turn, we are counting on creation of favorable conditions for the advancement of Russian products in the Turkish market," Putin said after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. The Israeli embassy in Russia does not comment on an incident involving a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft downed in Syria on the night of September 17, an embassy spokesman told TASS.

"We don’t comment on this incident," the spokesman said.

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. Moscow views Israeli steps, which led to the downing of Russian military jet Il-20 over the Mediterranean Sea, as hostile and reserves the right to retaliate, Defense Ministry Spokesman Maj.-Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday.

"We view these provocative steps by Israel as hostile. Due to the Israeli military’s irresponsible actions 15 Russian servicemen were killed. This is absolutely against the spirit of the Russian-Israeli partnership," Konashenkov said.

MOSCOW, September 18. /TASS/. A Russian military Ilyushin-20 aircraft was shot down by Syria’s air defense over the Mediterranean Sea because Israel’s F-16 fighters used it as cover, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told the media on Tuesday.