Armenia and Russia sign agreement on joint troops of two countries

November 30, 2016 By administrator

armenia-russia-join-troops Today an agreement on joint troops of the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation has been signed in Moscow, TASS news agency of Russia reports. According to the report the agreement has been signed by Defence Minister of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan and Russian Defence Minister, General of the Army Sergei Shoygu. Vigen Sargsyan has noted that the troops will include the 102nd Russian military base located in Armenia and Armenia’s armed forces units. The Defence Ministers have also signed the 2017 cooperation program. To note, the delegation headed by Vigen Sargsyan has paid an official visit to the RF. The RA Defence Ministry informed earlier that the above mentioned agreement was to be signed within this visit.

On 14 November Russia’s President Vladimir Putin approved and assigned to sign the agreement. According to the document the establishment of the joint troops of the two countries aims at “undertaking adequate countermeasures to the possible armed attack in the Caucasus, as well as other security threats and challenges.”

Russia, Armenia inch closer in collective defense with upgraded joint task force

November 29, 2016 By administrator

Armenia and Russia are set to sign a treaty on a joint task force, which would give legal grounds for Russia to use its military to protect Armenia from foreign aggression. Armenia is among the few nations hosting Russian troops on its territory.

The new Joint Task Force (JTF) agreement set to be signed this later week between Moscow and Yerevan upgrades an existing military cooperation mechanism, going into far greater detail about how troops would be used in case of a hypothetical attack. For instance, it marks the Russian military base in Armenia as a key component for the JTF deployment, gives Russian command and communication systems a priority in the force’s operation, and states that the JTF commander, who remains in the Armenian chain-of-command during peacetime, may become subordinate to the commander of Russia’s Southern Military District in wartime.

“If Armenia is attacked, the Russian military base in Gyumri would be involved in our defense, but this requires legal grounds. This international agreement will provide such grounds,” Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sarkisyan told Armenian media.

Sarkisyan’s comment came ahead of a visit to Russia this week, during which he and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu are to sign the new agreement. It will be his first foreign trip since his appointment in October.

The Gyumri base is one of a handful of Russian military faculties on foreign soil and is a legacy of the Soviet Union. Armenia is to host it until at least 2044, according to the standing agreement. The base is home to about 5,000 Russian troops as well as air defense systems, Mig-29 fighter jets and Mi-24 helicopter gunships.

Russia and Armenia also joined their air defense systems in December 2015.

Armenia, a predominantly-Christian country, is locked in a long-time conflict with its neighbor Azerbaijan, which has mostly Muslim population and has close cultural and political ties with NATO member Turkey. The Turkish-Armenian border is also closed. Yerevan and Baku have a conflict dispute over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which seceded from Azerbaijan in a bloody war in the early 1990s and declared independence. Armenia supports the self-proclaimed republic, including militarily.

In April, the frozen conflict flared into violence as Azeri troops raided Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming to be responding to attacks. The hostilities quickly escalated, with tanks, strike helicopters and artillery used by both sides.

Russia: Armenian Ivan Mikoyan Famed aircraft designer, iconic MiG-29 co-creator dies at 89

November 25, 2016 By administrator

Ivan Mikoyan, Russian aircraft designer and one of the minds behind the MiG-29 fighter jet, the staple of the Soviet and Russian Air Forces, has died at the age of 89, RT reports.

Mikoyan spent the majority of his career as a leading engineer at the ‘MiG’ Aircraft Corporation’s design bureau, which was founded by his uncle Artyom Mikoyan. Twice awarded the USSR State Prize for the project of the multipurpose fighter jet, Mikoyan remained a company adviser right up until his death.

The MiG-29 fighter jet (NATO reporting name of Fulcrum) and its various modifications were developed in the USSR in the 1970s. Its creators wanted to achieve reliability indicators superior to those that existed throughout the world at the time.

To date, more than 1,600 MiG-29s of various modifications have been built. More than 800 jets of the type have been exported to some 30 countries.

Lavrov: Russian jets striking Idlib & Homs to prevent ISIS exodus from Mosul to Syria

November 18, 2016 By administrator

bombing-syria (RT) Russian bombers are striking terrorist targets in Syria’s Idlib and Homs provinces so that Islamic State militants retreating from Iraq’s Mosul do not cross into Syria, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after “constructive” talks with his US counterpart, John Kerry.

“Our aviation and the aviation of Syria work only in the provinces of Idlib and Homs in order to prevent the IS from crossing into Syria from Mosul,” Lavrov explained after meeting Secretary of State Kerry on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders week in Peru’s Lima.

While both diplomats regarded the talks, which touched on Syria, Yemen and Ukraine, as “productive” and “constructive,” Lavrov also alluded to the allegations made by US State Department that Russian jets were behind the reported bombings of 5 hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib. The Russian Defense Ministry repeatedly said that Russian jets have not been flying sorties in Aleppo during the last 30 days, while targets in Idlib and Homs, said to be terrorist arms factories and warehouses, are carefully selected.

Lavrov also commented on the incident at Wednesday’s State Department briefing, in which spokesman John Kirby dismissed RT’s Gayane Chichakyan request to provide details on the allegedly bombed hospitals on the grounds that RT was a “state-owned outlet,” saying it was “unacceptable.” However, Lavrov said he did not want to discuss the conduct of Kirby, who was not in Lima.

“We believe it is unacceptable, not reflecting the American proclaimed values and I hope that this was not the position of the State Department and this is certainly not the position of the Secretary of State … We are not going to start every day by condemning Mr. John Kirby but I believe he must be disciplined by his own superiors for what he is doing and how he is doing his job,” Lavrov said.

For his part, Kerry said special attention was paid during the meeting to the situation in Aleppo, saying that he “discussed every aspect of Aleppo” with his Russian counterpart.

“We had a constructive, important conversation about a number of topics ranging from Yemen to Libya and to Syria, obviously, as well as Ukraine and bilateral concerns. So we had a very broad discussion,” Kerry told journalists after the talks.

‘Russia-US relations can’t continue along negative path’

The Lima talks were also the first meeting of Lavrov and Kerry since Donald Trump won the US presidential elections.

Ahead of the meeting, Lavrov said US-Russia relations can no longer continue to follow a negative trajectory. He criticized the farewell message by the outgoing US President Barack Obama in which he cautioned his successor Trump to not engage in “realpolitik” with Russia and “stand up” to Moscow.

President: Iskander missile system’s deployment in Armenia was compulsory measure

November 17, 2016 By administrator

armenian-president-iskander The Russian Iskander missile system’s deployment in Armenia was a mandatory means aimed at ensuring stability in the region, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan told Sputnik Armenia.

“I believe this [deployment] was a compulsory measure so that the military situation in our region becomes somewhat balanced,” Sargsyan noted in an interview with renowned Russian journalist Dmitry Kiselyov. “It’s no secret that Azerbaijan regularly purchases advanced weapons over the last few years. We [i.e. Armenia] don’t have such opportunities as Azerbaijan has—I mean the financial opportunities. But all the while we are trying to balance the situation by finding its antidote. [And] I believe that the Iskander is just the antidote in this case.

“The arms race is certainly a bad situation, and we don’t want to take this step. But what to do if they threaten you every day with war and physical extermination? You need to take appropriate steps.”

The President also noted that Armenia and Russia have an agreement with respect to maintaining the balance of power in the region.

“I believe that, based on this, Russia agreed to our request, and provided us with this system that is magnificent, in the military sense,” added the President of Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan also stated that Russia plays a key role in the region, including in the protection of peace and stability.

Sharov: Armenia can win “competition” in transit from Iran to Russia

November 16, 2016 By administrator

armenia-russia-iran Armenia can win the “competition” in transit from Iran to Russia, Russian businessman Alexander Sharov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He added that even though the Iran-Armenia cargo transportation by vehicles is growing, there is a real chance to increase it on the account of cargo from Russia.

Sharov noted that shipments via the Caspian Sea take longer, since they have to wait for the ships, and although it is quicker via Azerbaijan, the transit fees there are about $1,000.

“And if it is carried out via Armenia and Georgia, it seems it will be around $300,” he added.

As per the Russian businessman, this is why Armenia should become appealing for Russian importers.

“[But] this will not be possible without logistics,” he stressed.

Alexander Sharov concluded that if Armenia does not become “greedy” when it comes to the VAT, it could win in cargo transit with a very common route.

Sputnik report: Will Russia Hand Over Multi-Million Dollar MiG-29s to Serbia ‘for Free’?

November 15, 2016 By administrator

mig-29 (Sputnik) Serbia is expected to receive six Russian Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighters and armored vehicles at a huge discount, totaling approximately $80 million, Defense analyst Miroslav Lazanski told Sputnik, commenting on unconfirmed reports that Moscow is ostensibly planning to transfer weapons to Belgrade.

Lazanski said that this is a very good bargain for Serbia. “These aircraft could cost more than $100 million, but we will receive them for approximately $20 million if we take into account repair costs as outlined by Russia. In other words, Russia is planning to give us approximately $80 million as a gift,” the expert added.

On Friday, the Večernje novosti newspaper reported that Russia was planning to transfer six Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighters and armored vehicles to Serbia on condition that Belgrade pays only for their repairs, citing an unnamed high-ranking source in the Serbian leadership.

The issue was allegedly discussed behind closed doors during the 15th intergovernmental committee meeting on the trade-economic and technical-scientific cooperation in the Russian city of Suzdal. The overall benefits of the agreement exceed financial considerations. “Taking into account the state of the Serbian military, it would have meant a lot to us if someone gave us two rifles and half of a cannon. It’s great that we will receive these MiGs since our pilots will continue to use the aircraft of the same generation in training. As a result, we will not lose experienced pilots. It would be hard to offset such loses,” Lazanski explained.

The defense analyst added that this amount of warplanes will be enough to preserve a military balance with neighboring countries.

The intergovernmental committee is reported to have also discussed purchasing the Buk missile system from Russia, but came to a conclusion that it was too expensive.

“Buk is not cheap, but it is cheaper than the S-300. It would have complemented our Kub and Neva surface-to-air missile systems. As a result, Serbia would have created a comprehensive air defense system. But I am not sure that we have enough resource to buy the Buk or that Russia is willing to hand it over for free,” the analyst noted.

Lazanski explained that Serbia first wanted to purchase Russian weapons three years ago.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic told Sputnik on Friday that the reports on Russia’s decision to deliver the MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia were a sign of “sincere cooperation, mutual trust and friendship.” “Serbia has friends who do not shy away from helping the country,” he said. “Serbia has friends, who it does not hesitate to cooperate with. Serbia wants to be friends with everyone in the world. It will not help anyone hate anyone else. We will not attack anyone, but we will protect our country and our people.”

Giant Russian aircraft carrier with SU-33 Flanker jets, “Massive strikes in Syria

November 15, 2016 By administrator

Moscow’s defence minister confirmed that the huge aircraft carrier is beginning to launch “massive strikes” against the war torn city.

ByAnthony Bond Jessica Haworth

A huge Russian warship has launched “massive strikes” aimed at Aleppo, Moscow has confirmed.

Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has begun combat operations towards the war torn city after reaching Syrian shores last week.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that they had begun strikes they claim will wipeout ISIS.

“Today, we started a major operation to launch massive strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in the Idlib and Homs provinces [in Syria],” Shoigu said at a meeting with the ministry’s leadership and defense enterprises.

He added: “For the first time in the history of participation of the Russian Navy in operations, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrying cruiser began taking part. The Admiral Grigorovich frigate fires a Kalibr cruise missile against Islamic State.

Putin OKs draft joint armed forces agreement with Armenia

November 14, 2016 By administrator

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved and instructed to sign a draft agreement on a joint military force with Armenia.

According to the project, RIA says, the two countries seek to establish a joint group of forces in the Caucasus.

The bill says a Unified Command structure will be created to manage the force “to ensure the security of the sides in the Caucasus region.”

The initiative’s prerogatives include “repelling any armed attack on either party, as well as defending the state borders of Armenia and Russia.”

Russia says Syria peace talks impossible in near future “blamed the West for supporting “terrorists”

November 1, 2016 By administrator

russia-dm Russia’s defense minister has said Syrian rebels cannot be negotiated with, making peace talks impossible for the time being. He blamed the West for supporting “terrorists.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow was not expecting a resumption of Syrian peace talks in the foreseeable future because of the “impossibility” of negotiating with forces opposed to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Militants in the northern city of Aleppo were “shooting dozens of civilians a day for attempting to approach humanitarian corridors” opened by a pause in Russian and Syrian air attacks, he said in comments carried by the state news agency TASS.

“Is this really an opposition with whom it is possible to negotiate?” he said, adding, “As a result, the prospect for the beginning of a political process and returning peace to the Syrian people is being postponed indefinitely.”

Supporting terrorists?

He accused the West of continuing to support violent Islamists as a by-product of its help to so-called “moderate” rebels fighting against Assad’s forces, which are receiving backing from the Russian military. Much of Aleppo is under the control of Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda.

“It is time for our Western colleagues to determine whom they are fighting against: terrorists or Russia,” Shoigu said. “In order to destroy terrorists in Syria it is necessary to act together and not put a spanner in the works of partners.”

Strained ties

With its military support for the Syrian regime, Russia has increasingly come onto a collision course with the United States and its allies, who want to see Assad removed from office.

Shoigu, who was addressing a meeting of Russian military officials, said he was surprised that some European governments had not allowed Russian naval vessels headed for Syria through the Mediterranean Sea to dock for refueling or restocking, but said the refusals had not affected the naval mission.

NATO had voiced concern that the ships could be used in airstrikes in Syria, which it says have killed large numbers of civilians. Moscow denied the charges.

tj/sms (Reuters, dpa)

Source: DW.com

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