Saturday, February 20, 2016

Putin explains Russian forces' Objectives in Syria

Russian military forces in Syria are destroying militants who have openly declared Russia to be their enemy and who do not conceal their plans to expand their activities onto territory of CIS countries, said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. This statement was posted on February 20 on Kremlin’s web site.

“Our armed forces ought to be in constant readiness to quickly and appropriately react to potential threats, counter any provocation and aggression,” Putin said during his speech marking the Fatherland Defender’s Day celebrations at the Kremlin.

Chinese Rockets on disputed Islands in South China Sea

With the construction of a foothold in the South China Sea Beijing confirmed that it becomes the most serious military rival to the United States

Originally appeared at Politika, translated by A. Đurić exclusively for SouthFront

When the US Navy reconnaissance aircraft P-8A flew over coral reef in the South China sea in May last year, ignoring the warnings of Chinese warships, the crew filmed everything that was going on down there. Video showed dozens of cargo ships, full of stone blocks and gravel, around the reefs that the Chinese turned into an island. It was found that aero-naval base is being build, that the Chinese used coral reefs at seven positions to extend its territorial waters and economic zone.

North Korea Fire Artillery Shorts inside South Korea - Seoul

The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. Today, the South Korea’s Defense Ministry has said in a statement that North Korea has fired artillery shots during a military exercise near a disputed maritime border. The statement also said that Saturday’s firing prompted Seoul to call on residents on the Baengnyeong Island to go into shelters. Baengnyeong is situated less than 20 kilometers at its closest point to the North’s shore. The incident comes at a time when in coming month the US and South Korea will conduct an annual joint military drill. It is expected that some 15,000 US troops will take part in the two-phased exercises, known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

Ukrainian Military fires on Donetsk Violating ceasfire deal

It is reported by the defense ministries of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics that after the sixth ceasefire was announced on December 23, the Ukrainian military violated the truce 120 times.

Today, a source at defense authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) told that the Ukrainian military shelled the Staromikhailovka settlement to the west of Donetsk from 152-mm artillery.

Week Nineteen of the Russian Intervention in Syria: would Russia use nukes to defend Khmeimim?

The past week saw no decrease in the tense confrontation between Turkey and Russia over Syria. While Russia’s position is simple – ‘we are ready to fight’ – the Turkish position is much more ambiguous: Turkish politicians are saying one thing, then the opposite and then something else again. At times they make it sound like an invasion is imminent, and at times they say that “Turkey plans no unilateral invasion”. Since a UN authorized invasion of Syria will never happen, this means some kind of “coalition of the willing”, possibly NATO. The problem here is that the Europeans have no desire to end up in a war against Russia. At the same time, the US and France refuse to allow a UN Resolution which would reaffirm the sovereignty of Syria. Yup, that’s right. The US and France apparently think that the UN Charter (which affirms the sovereignty of all countries) does not apply to Syria. Go figure…

Bola Tinubu:"Unseating Jonathan,An Incumbent President,My Most Difficult Battle"


The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said his most difficult battle ever in life is ousting an incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
Tinubu revealed this in an interview with senior editors at The Sun ahead of the Sun Man of the Year Award which the astute politician will be honoured in Lagos later today.
In his words, Tinubu during the interview said,“President Jonathan’s battle was the toughest. When you are fighting the incumbent, it is tough.

Photos: Nigerian troops intensify operations against Boko Haram terrorists, recover 39 cans of PMS


The Nigerian troops have intensified operations to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists, a statement issued on Saturday, February 20 by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, reads:


Following the disruption of Boko Haram terrorists logistics chain and successful raids and ambushes, the 5 Brigade Quick Response Force (QRF) has further exploited beyond Kekeno-Mile 90-Gudumbali and blocked the terrorists’ logistics corridor.

Vladimir Putin Knows Exactly Where US Special Forces Are in Syria


Obama needs to make sure his token contribution to the fight against ISIS doesn't end up getting pounded by Putin and Assad


The insertion of U.S. Special Forces into Syria became even more bungled on Thursday when the Defense Department revealed that it had asked Russia to avoid bombing certain areas inside the country because that’s where the several dozen soldiers are working.