Russian ex-prisoners released after fighting in Ukraine

The first group of Russian prisoners offered an amnesty in return for fighting in Ukraine has been released, the head of a mercenary group that employed them said in a video published on Thursday.

Iraqi Oil Ministry Warns Foreign Companies against Contracts with Kurdistan

Baghdad warned international companies that signing contracts without coordinating them with the authorities constituted "gross interference in Iraq's internal affairs, the violation of its national sovereignty and a clear violation of international norms," according to a Iraqi Oil Ministry announced in a statement.

Lockheed Martin Wins Contract to Support Aegis Ashore System in Poland

Lockheed Martin has been awarded additional funding to provide equipment and technical support for Aegis Ashore test and operational systems in Poland as part of a $2.5 billion contract, the Department of Defense said in a press release.

Putin, Merkel discuss Russian gas transit to Europe via Ukraine

The situation around transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine was in the focus of a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Kremlin press service said on Monday.

Russia delivers half of S-300 missile systems to Iran: Deputy PM

Russia has delivered half of the S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran in accordance with a weapon sales contract signed between the two countries in 2007, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has said.

Kremlin does not comment on deliveries of S-300 missile system to Iran

The Kremlin does not comment on the beginning of deliveries to the Iranian side of Russia’s S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Iran puts brakes on implementation of contracts with Russia by setting new conditions

Iran is impeding implementation of contracts with Russia on construction of a thermal power plant in Bandar Abbas and railway electrification by setting new price conditions, Russia’s Energy Minister and co-chairman of Russian-Iranian intergovernmental trade and economic cooperation commission Alexander Novak said on Monday at the meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Iran’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mahmud Vaezi.

Russia Starts Delivering S-300 Missile Systems To Iran

Russia has begun delivering S-300 air defense missile systems to Iran.

The announcement was made on December 3 by the arms trade adviser to President Vladimir Putin.

Su-35 purchase shows China-Russia trust

China has reportedly purchased 24 Su-35 fighter jets for $2 billion from Russia, a move that analysts believe shows trust between the two countries and will help enhance China's military.

Iran to sign contracts on overhaul of foreign aircrafts

Iran is to sign a series of contracts with other countries to repair and maintain their planes inside the country, the head of Iran's National Space Center was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

First Czech L-159 combat aircraft delivered to Iraq

Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky announced on Twitter that the first Czech L-159 combat aircraft had arrived in Iraq on Thursday.

Israel slams Russia decision to lift Iran missile ban

Israel Monday denounced Russia's decision to lift a ban on supplying Iran with sophisticated S-300 air defense missile systems as proof of Tehran's new found "legitimacy" following nuclear talks.

Putin Gives Go-Ahead for S-300 Missile Systems Delivery to Iran...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to lift a ban on the sales of S-300 air defense systems to Iran, the Kremlin press service said in a statement Monday.

Ukrainian Energy Ministry Says Russia Made No Acceptable Proposals on Gas at Talks

KIEV, September 30  – The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said Tuesday it had received no “acceptable proposals” from Russia during last week's gas talks with Moscow and the European Commission.

During the three-party talks in Berlin last Friday, Russia and the European Commission voiced their support for the “Winter Plan,” a package of measures to be in place until late March and intended to reduce risks for transit of Europe-bound Russian gas via Ukraine.

Russia Ready to Implement 'Winter Gas Plan,' Waiting for Kiev's Response (Alexander Novak, Energy Minister)

ATYRAU (Kazakhstan), September 30  – Russia is ready to implement the “winter plan” of delivering natural gas to Ukraine and is waiting for Kiev’s reaction, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday.

“It all depends on Ukraine. I believe that from our side we are practically ready to do everything that we agreed on in regard to this packet. We’ll wait for a reaction from Ukraine in the next few days when everything becomes clear,” Novak told journalists.

The “winter gas packet” is due to be sent to the Russian government for approval soon.

EU, World Bank Could Act as Guarantors for Ukraine Gas Debt Payments (Alexander Novak, Russian EM)

BERLIN, September 26 (RIA Novosti) – The European Union and the World Bank could act as guarantors for the debt payments that Ukraine would be submitting to Russia under the plan proposed at the trilateral gas talks in Berlin Friday, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said.

"The funds that Ukraine received today from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which amount to $3.1 billion, could be used as a source of paying off the debt on the [Russian] gas deliveries, and the World Bank and the European Union can act as guarantors for the repayment of this debt," Novak told journalists after the talks.

Ukraine files lawsuit in Stockholm court to contest Russian gas pricing

Ukrainian state-run energy firm Naftogaz on Monday said it had filed a lawsuit at the Stockholm arbitration court to contest the pricing of natural gas it imports from Russian giant Gazprom.

"The lawsuit also contains a requirement to recover an amount of money from Gazprom, which Ukraine has overpaid since 2010," Naftogaz said in a statement.

The Ukrainian company estimates it has "overpaid" around 6 billion US dollars to Russia due to the "unfair" gas contract.