Breaking News, 19th of June, 2018

The US Senate adopted a new draft of the Pentagon budget for 2019, which takes into account the termination of Turkish participation in the production program and the following use of the 5th-generation F-35 fighter jets. «The Minister of Defense will submit a plan, regarding the withdrawal of Turkey from the participation in the F-35 program, to the relevant congressional committees, which will include the industrial and military aspects.» — RIA NEWS quotes the document. The reason for this change, among other things, might be Ankara’s intention to acquire Russian made anti-aircraft missile systems S-400, as well as Turkish attempts to expand their relations with Russia, which, according to US lawmakers, undermine NATO security.

In the DPR, during the past day, Ukrainian troops violated the ceasefire regime 4 times, firing 55 shells at the front-line territories of the Republic. The village of Zaitsevo in the north of Gorlovka, Dokuchaevsk, and also the village of Novolaspa were hit. Mortars, grenade launchers and small arms were used in the shelling. According to the Joint Center for the Monitoring and Coordination of the ceasefire — starting from 1st of January of 2018 — 11 civilians were killed and 63 others were wounded as the results of shelling from the Ukrainian forces.

The armed forces of Yemen, together with the coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia, finished the retaking of the airport of the Yemeni city of Hodeida from the Husit rebels, Interfax reported while citing the state agency of the United Arab Emirates. During the last week, the armed forces of Yemen, with the support of the pro-Saudi coalition, launched an operation in order to retake the airport of Hodeida from the Husits. The pro-Saudi troops initially managed to push the rebels away from the airport, but later the husits conducted a successful counterattack.

Reporters of ANNA NEWS report from Syria with a reference to the local sources: the Turkish military occupied the outer areas of the Syrian city of Manbij. Back in early June, Washington and Ankara drafted a «road map» for the sake of security of Manbij. They agreed for the timetable for the withdrawal of Kurdish Self-Defense Forces from the Syrian city. At the same time, the US State Department announced that they are discussing the situation in Manbij with the Russian side.

4 billions of Euros were invested in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. According to the CFO of the project »Nord Stream 2», Paul Corcoran, the money were invested in European industry, RIA NEWS reports. The total cost of »Nord Stream 2» was estimated in 9 and a half of billions of Euros. Currently, the project »Nord Stream 2» has almost all the needed pipes for the construction. «96% of the pipes are delivered, 55% are being prepared.» — said Paul Corcoran. He also noted that the permit for the construction of Nord Stream 2 near Denmark is expected to be received in the near future.