Breaking news, December 18th 2017

The Israeli Air Force inflicted air strikes on the training camp of the Hamas movement in the north of the Gaza Strip in response to missile attacks on the country. As explained in Israel Defense Forces, they «consider the terrorist organization Hamas responsible for any hostile act from the Gaza Strip.» Let’s recall that on Sunday night in Israel, an air alert was triggered due to two missiles launch.

During the fighting in Syria, the government forces captured settlements to the west of Hanassera, in the west of the province of Aleppo, Rashidiya, Rasm al-Bid, Rasm Sayal. As we reported earlier, the Syrian Arab Army launched an offensive towards the Abu Dukhur airbase. A large-scale offensive is planned, a mobilization is declared. The operation is supported by forces from the northeast of the province of Khama, where, as we reported earlier, the units of Tiger Force have arrived. The mobilization was also announced by the group «Hayat Tahrir al-Sham».

The AFU shelled the positions of the People’s Militia of the LPR 14 times during the past day. Kalinovo, Frunze, Logvinovo, Kalinovka, Zhelobok, Kalinovo-Borshchevatoye and Khristovoye were subjected to shelling by means of artillery installations, mortars of various caliber, arms of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms.

During the past day the AFU units violated the ceasefire17 times in the DPR. During the shelling, artillery, mortars of various caliber, grenade launchers and small arms were used. The districts of 10 front-line settlements of the Republic fell under the enemy fire.

The pre-election campaign 2018 is officially launched today in Russia. The elections are held in 90 days — on March 18, 2018. According to the CEC, 23 people, including the incumbent President Vladimir Putin who plans to run as an independent, are going to be nominated for the post. Now self-nominees must submit documents to the Central Election Commission within 20 days, and those nominated from the party within the next 25 days. After that the committee will check and issue a permit to collect signatures.

Alexei Ulyukayev’s defense plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The ex-minister of economic development was sentenced to 8 years for bribery. «This week I will appeal against the sentence. Let’s see what decision the appellate court will make, then we’ll think about appealing to the ECHR, while it’s too early to talk about it, «said lawyer Kveidze. Let’s recall, that the court sentenced Ulyukayev to 8 years in a strict-regime colony for receiving $ 2 million in bribes from the head of Rosneft Sechin.

Yesterday, Russian Strategic Missile Forces celebrated the 58th anniversary. In the coming year, it is planned to conduct 12 launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, in particular, in order to test the design for the promising projects.