Breaking News, 1st of September, 2018

US intelligence and military experts have prepared a possible target list of Syrian facilities for the air strikes, CNN reports while citing US officials. CNN reports that Donald Trump has not yet decided on the attack. One of the interlocutors of the CNN underlined that if Donald Trump gives the order — the US military «will be able to react very quickly.» Last week, Russian officials announced that the terrorists in Syria are planning to make a provocation by using chemical weapons, which will be the reason for the US to attack the positions of Syrian troops.

Dmitry Trapeznikov, the Acting Head of the DPR, announced that the suspects, detained for the assassination of Alexander Zakharchenko, «Confirmed, after interrogation, the involvement of the Ukrainian side in the crime.» How many people in total were detained was not specified. «In the immediate aftermath, the police identified the identities of the terrorists. According to the police — the explosion was ordered by the Security Service of Ukraine.» — Alena Alekseeva, spokeswoman for the head of the DPR, explained. As a result of the explosion in Donetsk, near the cafe «Separ» — 2 people were killed — Alexander Zakharchenko and his bodyguard. 12 more people were injured. 5 people remain in hospitals with burns and shrapnel wounds. 2 people were seriously injured. The requiem to Alexander Zakharchenko will be held at the Opera and Ballet Theater in Donetsk at 9:00, on 2nd of September.

A regime of increased combat readiness was introduced in the LPR in connection with the murder of the head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko. «We have taken all measures to enhance the security. The regime of increased combat readiness was introduced in the units of the People’s Militia. The law enforcement services are on high alert as well.» — said the head of the LPR — Leonid Pasechnik. He underlined that the situation in the country remains stable. A three-day mourning was declared in the LPR. All entertainment TV programs and events for these days have been thus canceled. It was also decided to pull down the national flags. «He was a patriotic man to a fanatical degree, and he was devoted to his people and country to a fanaticism as well. It is an irreplaceable loss. On this occasion, we declared mourning in the republic.» — said Leonid Pasechnik.

The operational command of the DPR stated that immediately after the terrorist attack in Donetsk and the assassination of the leader of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko — Ukraine put its military units, located at the frontline, on a high alert. «We noticed the movement of troops along the line of contact. The Ukrainian military was raised on alarm» — Eduard Basurin told to Russia 24. Reports of the skirmishes on the demarcation line are not yet confirmed. A single firing of machine guns was recorded by now.

The passenger airplane Boeing 737 belonging to Utair, caught fire after an unsuccessful landing at the Sochi airport during Vnukovo-Sochi flight. 164 passengers and 6 crew members were on-board. The pilots managed to land the plane on the second attempt. Because of the rain and thunderstorm — the aircraft couldn’t end the landing on the runway. At first the plane crashed into the fence, and then slipped to a river bed. During the emergency landing, the landing gear and a wing were destroyed. The left engine caught fire. The firefighters of Sochi have extinguished the fire immediately, and the passengers were evacuated. 18 passengers were injured, including 3 children. 4 to 6 people were hospitalized, according to various sources. During the emergency, an airport employee died: he had a heart attack. A criminal case was initiated under the article «rendering services that do not meet the requirements of consumer safety».