Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijan’s campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the ethnic Armenian enclave back under its control, officials and experts say.Just weeks before Azerbaijan launched its 24-hour assault on September 19, Azerbaijani military…
«Мы подписали соглашение, и в ближайшее время в Очамчирском районе будет пункт постоянного базирования Военно-морского флота РФ», — сказал Аслан Бжания в интервью изданию «Известия». «Это всё направлено на повышение уровня обороноспособности и России, и Абхазии, и такого рода взаимодействие будет продолжено, потому что это обеспечение коренных интересов…
МИД Грузии выражает обеспокоенность планами размещения базы ВМФ России в Очамчире. Как указано в заявлении ведомства, подобные действия являются «еще одной провокационной попыткой, направленной на легитимацию незаконной оккупации Абхазии и Цхинвальского региона». «Выражаем обеспокоенность заявлениями российского оккупационного режима в Сухуми о…
Gia Volski, the Georgian Parliament’s Vice Speaker, on Thursday said there was “no formal deal” between Russia and Georgia’s Russian-occupied north-western region of Abkhazia following claims by the de facto President of the region of a “new agreement” with Moscow about the deployment of a Russian naval base in the coastal city of Ochamchire. Bzhania,…
Say what you will about Donald Trump, he has not lost his capacity to surprise. Trump’s declaration of allegiance to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez caught me unawares. I used to think Trump and the Republican Party he leads were blindly partisan. Now I discover they’re blindly bipartisan when it comes to support for political corruption.Like an idiot,…
A still pictures from a drone footage shows military hardware on fire near Svitle President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainians will “do everything” in their power to prevail over invading Russian forces despite all difficulties as U.S. President Joe Biden said he plans a “major speech” soon on the importance of continuing Western…
The Civil Democratic Movement (CDM), an alliance of 12 Egyptian opposition parties, has alleged that the government is preventing potential candidates from obtaining the required endorsements to run in the presidential election in December. The CDM held a press conference on Wednesday, where they presented witnesses and evidence of various forms of…
There are many justified complaints about Russia’s shameful role in the loss of Artsakh and inaction in coming to the defense of Armenia’s borders. However, there is also a lot to complain about regarding the indifference of the international community, including the United States, to Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh and Armenia. For 30 years,…
09:42, 4 October 2023 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson Nazeli Baghdasaryan has commented on Kristinne Grigoryan’s appointment as Director of the new Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS). In an interview with Armenpress, Baghdasaryan also spoke about the mission of the new intelligence agency. Armenpress:…
By CNN Published on: October 05, 2023 06:00 (EAT) The US will transfer thousands of seized Iranian weapons and rounds of ammunition to Ukraine, in a move that could help to alleviate some of the critical shortages facing the Ukrainian military as it awaits more money and equipment from the US and its allies, US officials said. US Central…
Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential candidate for the country’s ruling leftist party and a close ally of the current president, is now expected to easily win the 2024 election, an opinion poll showed Wednesday. Sheinbaum, candidate for the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) founded by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, nabbed…
posted 8h ago by webdesk@voanews.com (Reuters)viaVoice of America
The Kremlin said Monday that the future of its peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh would be determined by Russia and Azerbaijan, which last week took control of the territory from Armenian separatists. Issued on: 29/09/2023 – 13:42 2 min File photo: A Russian peacekeeper guards the entrance to the Dadivank, an Armenian Apostolic Church…
On September 28, the leader of the separatist regime in Karabakh signed an order to dissolve all “state” agencies and organizations by the end of 2023 (Armenpress.am, September 28). This was accompanied by a mass exodus of the Armenian population from the region. According to Armenian sources, more than 100,000 Armenians have left Karabakh…
Under the presidency of the Catholicos of All Armenians, a meeting of Synod of Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Tuesday, during which the problems related to the depopulation of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) as a result of the genocidal actions of Azerbaijan and the ontological challenges facing…
10:10, 5 October 2023 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on October 4 issued the following statement on the need to support Armenia and reevaluate military assistance and security cooperation with Azerbaijan. “Following nearly a year of a horrific blockade,…
British political analyst Tom de Waal has refuted Ruben Vardanyan’s claims about their connections in an interview with Turan.Azerbaijani media, citing reliable sources, has reported on Ruben Vardanyan’s testimony to the investigators of Azerbaijan’s State Security Service. Vardanyan allegedly disclosed his cooperation with Russian and American state…
President Biden’s dog, Commander, has been removed from the White House campus, amid multiple biting incidents and aggressive behavior, Report informs.
Armenia has begun seeking external security assistance from parties other than Russia, its traditional security partner, in recent months, according to the US Institute for the Study of War, Report informs.
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion, Report informs.
The United States is ready to send additional forces and means to the Persian Gulf zone again in the event of an escalation of tensions with Iran and the identification of alleged threats from its side to shipping in the region, the commander of the Centr
Azerbaijan rid itself of Russia’s “frozen conflict” hotspot. Routing Yerevan’s army has accelerated the changes in the geopolitical landscape of the Southern Caucasus. Baku, September 23, 2023: The tank that Armenians used as a monument of their success in the first Nagorno-Karabakh war (1988-1994) is now on display in the “War Trophy Park” in the…
More than 15 identified Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) have remained under Azerbaijani rule. Artak Beglaryan, Former Minister of State of Artsakh, wrote about this on Telegram, citing his sources. “The total number cannot exceed 40, including missing persons,” Beglaryan added. Armenia News – NEWS.am ! This text available…
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijan’s campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the ethnic Armenian enclave back under its control, officials and experts say. Just weeks before Azerbaijan launched its 24-hour assault on Sept….
more1_link: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/cia … more4_title: OPINIONS OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY …
00:00 Ну и новости! 01:46 Украинские десантники вошли в Крым 03:12 Дрон уничтожил ПВО на границе 03:44 Иран передал РФ ракеты 05:25 Выборы во время войны 07:00 Дипломаты пошли на контакт с Россией 07:48 Новые блокировки в РФ 09:36 Наполеоновские планы Балицкого 10:44 Сибирь возмущена заявлением Симоньян 11:41 Без комментариев 12:41…
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the need to support Armenia and reevaluate military assistance and security cooperation with Azerbaijan. “Following nearly a year of a horrific blockade, President Aliyev finally used military power to exert control…
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev delivers a televised address to the nation in Baku, Azerbaijan, September 20, 2023. Press Service of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) – Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday pulled out of an EU-brokered meeting with Armenian…
The last bus carrying ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh left the region Monday, completing a grueling weeklong exodus of over 100,000 people — more than 80% of its residents — after Azerbaijan reclaimed the area in a lightning military operation.The bus that entered Armenia carried 15 passengers with serious illnesses and mobility problems, said…
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has announced that France has agreed to sign a contract to provide military equipment to Armenia. She made this announcement during a joint press conference with the Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Yerevan on October 3. Colonna emphasized that France’s consent to this future contract will enable…
“If rabbis in the U.S. and Europe continue to support the Aliyev regime, then we will burn synagogues in other countries” threatened the terror groupThe only synagogue in the Armenian capital Yerevan was vandalized with spray paint and attacked with a Molotov cocktail, late Monday night.There have been conflicting reports over the group responsible…
A still pictures from a drone footage shows military hardware on fire, near Svitle President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukrainians will “do everything” in their power to prevail over invading Russian forces despite all difficulties as Britain urged the West to beef up its military assistance to help Ukraine “finish the job.”…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-leading aerospace and defense company and Azercosmos, a pioneering force of Azerbaijan in the space industry, are announcing a cooperation agreement for the sale of two of IAI’s cutting-edge multi spectral electro optical satellites, better than 0.5 meter native resolution with a long life span and high imaging…
Israel Aerospace Industries and Azercosmos, the space agency of Azerbaijan, announced on Tuesday a cooperation agreement for the sale of two of the IAI’s advanced satellites. The IAI did not disclose what satellites were sold, but according to reports they are the OptSat500 reconnaissance satellites that provide better than 0.5 meter native resolution…
On the backdrop of the escalation of tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and just two weeks after Azerbaijan’s offensive emptied Nagorno-Karabakh of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Azeri space agency Azercosmos announced on Tuesday they have signed an agreement for the sale of two Israeli-developed reconnaissance…
On the sidelines of the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan “Azercosmos”, and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI), a world-leading aerospace and defense company, have announced a groundbreaking agreement on Azersky-2 program, a cooperation agreement for the sale of two of IAI’s cutting-edge…
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a public appearance on Wednesday amidst local media reports suggesting that he was not feeling well. On Wednesday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Turkish TV channels broadcasted live footage of the president’s arrival at the ruling party’s headquarters in Ankara. Erdogan, who exited his car unassisted, greeted…
Azerbaijan will not attend an EU-brokered event in Spain where its president, Ilham Aliyev, was set to hold talks with his Armenian counterpart over the future of Nagorno-Karabakh.Aliyev had been considering taking part in a meeting to discuss the breakaway region – which has largely emptied out after the mass exodus of ethnic Armenians – with the leaders…
On October 4, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a phone call to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the significant humanitarian aid provided by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, especially for the support for the energy sector in winter conditions….
The State Migration Service and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population released joint information on the process of reintegration of Armenians in Garabagh, Azernews reports.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said he plans to attend European Union talks scheduled for October 5 in Granada, Spain, despite reports that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has decided not to take part in the meeting where discussions over a peace deal were expected.
A still pictures from a drone footage shows military hardware on fire, near Svitle President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukrainians will “do everything” in their power to prevail over invading Russian forces despite all difficulties as Britain urged the West to beef up its military assistance to help Ukraine “finish the job.”…
YEREVAN — With 60 votes in favor, 22 against, and no abstentions, Armenia’s National Assembly adopted a draft resolution ratifying the Rome Statute, which now only requires the president’s signature to become law. Ratification would see Armenia joining the International Criminal Court. The vote fell along party lines — with the opposition factions…
The opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress has been held at the Baku Convention Center. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the event. First, the Congress participants posed together for photographs. The opening ceremony saw a musical show…
An exhibition has been organized as part of the 74th International Astronautical Congress. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and their son Heydar Aliyev attended the opening of the exhibition. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the opening of the exhibition, the attendees familiarized…
15:14, 1 October 2023 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1, ARMENPRESS. France is examining Armenia’s defense needs, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said. In an interview with Franceinfo, Lecornu said that French President Emmanuel Macron is personally following the situation concerning Armenia. “The President of the Republic is personally following…
Share Photo Brad Sherman, a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, who is part of the Armenia Friendship group in the United States (US) Congress, suggested that the United States (US) should supply Armenia with appropriate defense weapons to prevent the occupation.”It makes little sense to say that Ukraine should not lose territory to armed…
Moscow said Russian and Azerbaijani forces on Monday came under sniper fire in Nagorno-Karabakh, days after Baku secured the surrender of Armenian separatists in an offensive to regain control of the mountainous territory. Issued on: 02/10/2023 – 19:45Modified: 02/10/2023 – 21:13 3 min A view through a car window shows a checkpoint of Azerbaijani…
After the end of the occupation in Karabakh, the new point of tension was Zangezur. In addition to the Armenian gang members expelled from Karabakh, hundreds of terrorists from different countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Iran, the United States (US), and France, declared war on Azerbaijan with the training videos they filmed in Zangezur.It was determined…
Paris has agreed to sign contracts on delivery of military equipment to Armenia, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on a visit to Yerevan today. “France has given its agreement to the conclusion of future contracts with Armenia which will allow the delivery of military equipment to Armenia so that it can ensure its defense,” she told…
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna speaks to the media before EU-Ukraine foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 3 (Reuters) – France has agreed on future contracts with Armenia to supply it with…
The European Union and its member states can “do more” to help Armenia and send “a clear signal”, said French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who also announced on Tuesday that France would be delivering “military equipment”. “I have made an official written request to the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, […] to include…
Former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders Arkadi Gukasian (left), Bako Sahakian (center), and Arayik Harutiunian (file photo) Authorities in Azerbaijan reportedly have arrested more former separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh after Baku reclaimed control of the ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region in a lightning military operation…
Russia sees substantial potential in the implementation of the Zangazur corridor project for moving towards the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a briefing, according t
On October 3, the Embassy of Germany in Azerbaijan organized a solemn reception on the occasion of the national holiday of this country, the Day of German Unity.In his welcoming speech, German Ambassador Ralf Horleman touched upon Berlin’s policy towards Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus. He noted the importance of achieving peace in the region. “Germany…
The economy related to space is a huge and promising industry. Many say that it is not the economy of today, but tomorrow, because currently space is a big void for us and we cannot reap the benefits of space comprehensively. However, developing technology makes this industry available to us gradually. Actually, despite the cosmos not being well investigated…
According to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly (NA) member Davit Galstyan, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan is already in Armenia. Galstyan said this in response to Armenian News-NEWS.am’s question. On Tuesday, Azerbaijan arrested former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as NA speaker…
President Ilham Aliyev has canceled his visit to Granada, Spain, where a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was to be held with the participation of leaders of the European Union, France, and Germany, News.Az reports citing Trend. There are several reasons for this, including France’s destructive position as well as disagreements…
The French government condemned Azerbaijan’s September 19-20 military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh that paved the way for the restoration of Azerbaijani control over the region and displaced its virtually entire ethnic Armenian population. President Emmanuel Macron suggested last week that Baku might now attack Armenia as well. “The president of…
PARIS — France will send military equipment to Armenia amid escalating tensions with its neighbor Azerbaijan, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said Tuesday evening. “France has agreed to forge future contracts with Armenia for the delivery of military equipment to enable Armenia to defend itself,” she said during a press conference in Yerevan. …
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on a visit to Armenia on Tuesday that Paris agreed to deliver military equipment to the small South Caucasus nation. Issued on: 03/10/2023 – 17:40Modified: 03/10/2023 – 19:39 1 min 19:12 French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, accompanied by Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan, visits…
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has refused to attend a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan scheduled to be held in Granada, Spain, on Thursday, October 5, the Azerbaijani media reported on Wednesday. European Council President Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron were also expected…
MOSCOWAzerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has refused to attend Thursday’s meeting on the Karabakh settlement in Granada, Spain, in which the participation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and leaders from EU, France and Germany was expected.Azerbaijan insisted on Türkiye’s participation too but Germany and France strongly opposed it, Azerbaijani…
09:37, 4 October 2023 YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has appointed former Human Rights Defender Kristinne Grigoryan as Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service. The decree was posted online at e-gov.am.
Former Armenian Ombudsperson Kristine Grigoryan has been appointed to the post of head of the External Intelligence Service by the decree of the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Report informs referring to the Armenian media. The corresponding document is posted on the website of the Armenian government. “Guided by Part 1 of Article 19…
“This was a limited, local, counter-terrorism action,” Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to the Azerbaijani president, told the BBC. Azerbaijan “had only targeted legitimate military targets,” he said, and avoided using heavy weapons like tanks in favour of light infantry.
Deserted Nagorno-Karabakh reveals aftermath of lightning-fast Armenian defeat BBCNagorno-Karabakh enclave emptied after entire ethnic Armenian population flees ABC News
Armenian residents who left Karabakh reserve their right to return, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov said in an interview to the French radio channel Radio J, Report informs.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Türkiye has identified the terrorist who committed a terrorist attack near the MIA building in Ankara, Report informs.
A series of events were held in institutions and military units under the Defense Ministry on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the election of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev as President for the first time, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.
France is ready to begin deliveries of military equipment to Armenia to beef up its defense capabilities, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on a visit to Yerevan on October 3.
A wreck of a van was abandoned on the side of the road on the outskirts of the city of Stepanakert, retaken last week by Azeri troops, during an Azeri government organised media trip, in Azerbaijan’s controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh, on Monday. — AFP photo Armenian separatists from Nagorno-Karabakh said on Monday their officials would stay…
Turkish law enforcement agencies conducted an operation in Istanbul, Van, Sanliurfa, Elazig, Duzce, Diyarbakir, Bursa, Edirne, Kirklareli, Kilis, Igdir, Hatay, Adana, Kahramanmaras and Denizli provinces, the Minister of Interior of Türkiye Ali Yerlikaya s
“Azerbaijan wants to sign a peace treaty with Armenia,” Azerbaijani Presidential Representative for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov said in an interview with the French Radio J, Report informs.
Caucasus analysts are weighing up whether Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan means what he says when he states that Turkey and Azerbaijan would settle for a land corridor that links their two countries via Iran rather than Armenia. Earlier this week—with Armenia facing a grave crisis with tens of thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh refugees pouring over…
High-level diplomats from the United States, European Union and Russia held a secret meeting in Istanbul two days before Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh that has resulted in the almost complete depopulation of Artsakh, politico.eu reported late Tuesday. A senior diplomat with knowledge of the discussions told Politico the secret…
Former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders Arkadi Gukasian (left), Bako Sahakian (center), and Arayik Harutiunian (file photo) Authorities in Azerbaijan reportedly have arrested more former separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh after Baku reclaimed control of the ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region in a lightning military operation…
Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, combating authoritarian aggression has taken center stage in Washington’s foreign policy agenda. But given the West’s inaction in the face of yet another Azerbaijani assault on Nagorno-Karabakh this week—which resulted in the death of at least 32 people and the forced displacement of several thousand…
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu sought to film and record a closed-door meeting with visiting US senators and diplomats this week, but was told by the American officials to shut off the equipment if he wanted the meeting to proceed, according to a report Wednesday. Two unnamed individuals familiar with Monday’s incident told Walla news that…
The indictment unveiled on Friday against Sen. Robert Menendez marks another chapter in a series of troubling allegations that have dogged the New Jersey Democrat for years, marking the second time in a decade that he has faced corruption charges. The question the indictment leaves unanswered is, did the Egyptian…
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 1of9Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., talks to reporters as he holds Pen and Pad on assuming chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.Jose Luis Magana/APShow MoreShow Less 2of9Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., talks to reporters as he arrives…
The top ranking Democrat on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said on Friday he had asked the US State Department to “pause” a portion of US military financing to Egypt that is conditioned on human rights criteria, Reuters reports. Congress needs more clarity from @StateDept on how concerns about treatment of political prisoners,…
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) spent years as the top Democrat on the powerful Foreign Relations Committee in the Senate, wielding tremendous influence over Congress, the White House and government agencies. With Menendez facing the biggest crisis of his career ― federal corruption charges and calls for his resignation from a growing number of his fellow…
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he expected concrete steps from allies in support of Turkey’s counter-terrorism fight after a weekend bomb attack in Ankara, for which a Kurdish militant group claimed responsibility. Erdogan was speaking after Turkish police staged raids across the country on Tuesday, detaining tens of suspects…
posted 1d ago by Reuters News ServiceviaCyprus Mail
Russian authorities accidentally revealed the addresses of the country’s secret military buildings, institutions, and spy homes, in Moscow and in St. Petersburg, an investigative site found.The Dossier Center, a project launched by Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky, found the addresses listed in a 434-page document titled “Special Group”,…
OPINION — CIA Director William Burns’ recent remarks to the Ditchley Foundation highlighted three key challenges to American security; (1) strategic geopolitical competition; (2) transnational threats; and (3) the “revolution in technology which is transforming how we live, work, fight, and compete with possibilities and risks we can’t yet fully grasp.” …
Ukraine’s operation to strangle supply lines in annexed Crimea and make it untenable for occupying Russians is going according to plan, with Kyiv one step closer to an attempt to liberate the Black Sea peninsula, an official said on Thursday.The peninsula was rocked by explosions on Wednesday and Thursday. Attacks targeted the Russian navy’s Black Sea…