Three cargo aircraft carrying components of Russian S-400 missile defense systems arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara on Friday, said Turkey’s national defense minister, according to Anadolu Agency.

“Three planes were planned for today. As planned, all the aircraft arrived and all activities planned for today have been completed. This process will continue in the coming days,” Hulusi Akar told reporters.

Stressing the threats facing Turkey, Akar pointed to the country’s longstanding efforts to acquire long-range air and missile defense systems.

“There are some principles that we have set in this regard. In line with these principles, we have had negotiations with China, Russia, the U.S., and France. These negotiations showed us that Russia is the most compatible country,” Akar said.

Telling how the contract to purchase the S-400s from Russia was signed in April 2017, Akar said three aircraft had carried components of the systems to Murted Air Base in Ankara.

“The training of our personnel for installing and operating [the Russian S-400s] has been ongoing in both Turkey and Russia,” said Akar, adding that the process would continue in the coming days.

Possible procurement of U.S. Patriot missiles is also being evaluated by Turkish officials and institutions, Akar said.

The 2017 contract with Russia followed lengthy efforts to purchase an air defense system from the U.S. with no success.

In recent months U.S. officials have urged Turkey to buy U.S. Patriot missiles, arguing the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose U.S. F-35 fighter jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

Turkey, however, emphasized the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance.

Turkey has urged formation of a commission to clarify any technical issues, but the U.S. has failed to respond to this proposal.

The U.S. has also threatened sanctions over the S-400 purchase, with Turkey responding that any sanctions would be met in kind.

On Thursday, a fire broke out on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrier in Murmansk, leaving at least three people injured and two missing, Report informs, citing RIA Novosti.

A fire on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in Murmansk was caught on video. In the footage, the huge vessel is seen docked with its front section enveloped in black smoke.

Earlier, a spokesman for Shiprepairing Centre Zvyozdochka said that the blaze started in the first power room of the vessel as a result of welding operations.

The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is a heavy Russian aircraft carrier serving as a Russian Navy flagship. The carrier was first launched in 1985 and was previously called Riga.

A Georgian-born American performance artist ate a piece of artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan on exhibition at Perrotin stand in Art Basel in Miami Beach on Saturday.

According to the curriculum and academic program of the Azerbaijan Military Academy (AMA) named after Heydar Aliyev, a fourth-year cadet studied in the artillerymen specialty is being trained at a military training range, Report informs citing the Defense Ministry.

Before the start of classes, the leaders of the training sites familiarize the staff involved in the preparatory training with safety rules, shooting conditions and other requirements. In the course of classes conducted in the field conditions, cadets, serving as unit commanders, are acting based on the created tactical situation.
The military personnel develops skills in using various artillery mounts. Finding targets on the battlefield, they workout exercises to destroy them and fulfill other practical tasks.

Seven people were killed in the North-East of the economic capital of Nigeria, Lagos, during the explosion that occurred in an underground shop, which received illegally pumped oil from the main oil pipeline of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation, Report informs, citing TASS.

Police said several cuts were made to the pipes of an oil pipeline near a residential neighborhood in Alimosho. The presence of numerous equipment and infrastructure indicates that this illegal business has existed for a long time, the authorities emphasize.

A fire broke out after the explosion and spread to nearby houses.

Police detained several people suspected of involvement in the oil theft. It is the third explosion that occurred at the pipeline in the Alimosho area recently. Like the previous accidents, it was caused by attempts to illegally select black gold.

In regard to the fulfillment of the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and the leadership of the ministry visited several military facilities being under construction in the front-line zone.

Report informs, citing the Defense Ministry, that, according to the Defense Ministry, the military camps will be provided with water, gas, heating and other communication systems, and the military facilities will be equipped with the latest devices.

It was reported that headquarters buildings, service apartments for military personnel, soldiers’ barracks, mess halls, depots for the storage of military equipment, and other administrative buildings and facilities will be built in these military camps. At the same time, it also provides for the construction of premises for the organization of a military police service, relevant service facilities, and public catering facilities, including bath-laundry and a boiler complex, medical points and other infrastructure facilities.

After checking the progress of construction work carried out in the military facilities, the Minister of Defense gave relevant instructions related to the high-quality construction work and its timely completion.

The evacuation began in the educational building of the Odessa College of Economics, Law and the hotel and restaurant business, a 1000 square meter fire occurred and the evacuation began, the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine wrote on Facebook.

Report informs, citing RIA Novosti that the fire is still being fought at the Odessa College of Economics, Law and the hotel and restaurant business… there is a threat of collapse of structures and the spread of fire,” the service said.

According to preliminary information, the fire occurred on the third floor of a six-story educational building.

Currently, 40 people have been evacuated from the institution. According to the state Emergency Service, 13 people, including three firefighters were hospitalized.

Jean-Claude Juncker gave his successor a symbolic ceremonial bell but joked that it was “absolutely useless.”

On the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mr. Ilham Aliyev the leadership of the Ministry of Defense has visited military units in the frontline zone, combat positions and met with the military personnel, according to Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan.

Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with the military personnel who is on duty at the combat posts, checked the defense stability, the state of readiness for the winter period, the combat and moral-psychological training of the military personnel, as well as observed the enemy’s positions from the command-observation post.

After hearing reports on the operational situation, the Minister of Defense gave relevant instructions in connection with ensuring the constant combat readiness of the units.

Then the leadership of the ministry, visiting a monument erected in memory of shehids (martyrs) who fell in the April battles, laid flowers and paid tribute to the memory of shehids who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of our country.

During the visit to the frontline zone, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense took part in the opening ceremony of the “Martyrs Spring-well”, built to perpetuate the memory of shehids. After the opening ceremony, plane-trees were planted on the territory, considered to be a symbol of longevity.

The Minister of Defense also visited a new Engineering Town located near the frontline zone.

It was reported that the necessary infrastructure was created in the town to organize and conduct high-level engineering training, to improve the skills of military personnel to perform engineering support tasks in difficult combat conditions, with consideration for the terrain relief.

The training center, built in accordance with conditions close to real combat, provides for the improvement of practical skills of management and the use of specialized equipment in difficult relief and harsh climatic conditions, as well as the working-out of combat missions.

The Minister of Defense watched field exercises conducted with various units and gave relevant instructions to the command of the Engineering Forces in connection with the increasing level of combat readiness of military personnel and the effective use of military equipment.

According to the combat training plan for 2019 approved by the Minister of Defense, live-fire tactical exercises of rocket-artillery units are conducted at combined-arms training grounds, Report informs citing the press service of the Defense Ministry.

Practical exercises on various topics are held at training grounds with military personnel who have mastered theoretical knowledge and safety rules.

The exercises are conducted to improve the skills of command and control of rocket-artillery troops, increase the level of combat coordination of units, plan the actions during tactical operations, organize interoperability with other types and branches of troops during command and control of units, and work out other issues.

The forces and equipment involved in practical exercises consistently fulfill the tasks.
During the exercises, rocket-artillery units carried out combat firings.

Head of Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Hikmat Hajiyev gave a video interview to Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Speaking in the interview about the priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, Hikmat Hajiyev noted that one of the main tasks is to ensure Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders.

Stressing the importance of developing mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries and other states, and multifaceted diplomacy within the framework of international organizations, which are on the agenda of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, Hajiyev underlined the “Baku process” initiated by Azerbaijan.

Making remarks on multi-vector diplomacy, Hajiyev brought to attention that Azerbaijan was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Touching upon regional threats, Hajiyev informed about the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, the ethnic cleansing of the civilian population of Azerbaijan in the occupied territories and highlighted ways to resolve the conflict.

Hajiyev said that in order for the conflict to be resolved, Armenian troops should be withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, as required by UN Security Council resolutions.

In the video interview, the Head of Foreign Policy Department of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration also talked about other regional risks and threats.

Answering a question about the system of modern international relations, Hajiyev emphasized the importance of the rule of law and respect for the norms and principles of international law.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

A Paraguayan air force helicopter working with the drug enforcement agency SENAD crashed this afternoon in Pedro Juan Caballero city in the east of the country, Report informs citing the RIA Novosti.

The helicopter crashed into a warehouse. Immediately after the crash, the helicopter and the warehouse caught fire. Local firefighters requested the help of colleagues from neighboring Brazil.

10 people, who returned to the base after the mission were on board of the helicopter. According to local media, the commander of the crashed helicopter was Lilian Mosqueira – the first female pilot of the air force of the country. As noted, none of those on board were seriously injured.

“I spoke with Lieutenant Mosqueira, who commanded the victims of the crash. She told me that everyone (who was on board-ed.) out of danger. Thank God, we are only talking about minor injuries, ” Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez wrote on Twitter.

“28 Mall CinemaPlus” held the press screening of “Ford v Ferrari”, the film based on a true story. The buffet with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was set up for event. “Ford v Ferrari” themed décor of cinema theatre and musical show program of “Harmony Music Band”, the first conceptual cover group of country, made the event unforgettable.

Directed by: James Mangold

Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale and Caitriona Balfe.

The film tells the story of group of American engineers and designers. Under the management of car designer Carroll Shelby and with the support of British racer Ken Miles, in the 1960s, they were obligated to build a brand-new sports car from scratch, the one capable to be faster than Ferrari, undefeated champion of 24 hours endurance racing of Le Mans. The organization of event was supported by: FORD Azerbaijan, Baku City Carting, “Light in Black”, “Harmony Music Band”, “Kolorit” café, “Absheron Sharab” and ‘Red Bull”. “CinemaPlus” is always ready to please you with the best premieres in the history of cinema world and make lovely surprises.

Operational exercises held with the involvement of various types of troops are continuing, Report informs citing the press service of the Defense Ministry.

According to the concept of the exercise, the units of the Rocket and Artillery Troops left the places of permanent deployment on alert, worked out actions to complete the march, to reach concentration areas and fulfilled other tasks.

During the operational exercises, troops and command posts were redeployed to operational areas, frontal and army aviation was transferred to reserve airfields, rocket and artillery troops were deployed to reserve firing and starting positions, Report informs citing the Defense Ministry.

According to the plan of operational exercises, the units providing fire support during operations are withdrawn to the established points and fulfill tasks on preparing for the next stage.

As part of the operational exercises that are conducted at the Azerbaijan Army level, military formations and units of the troops of the Nakhchivan garrison have been put on alert and brought up to a level of combat readiness, Report informs citing the press service of the Defense Ministry.

During the exercises, which are held in three stages, first echelon units work out actions to hold off sudden offense of the imaginary enemy, to deploy military command and control bodies of Army Corps, formations and units on the terrain, to organize the partial reception of combat training specialists and equipment from the mobilization reserve, as well as practical actions of combined arms, tank, assault forces and counter-sabotage reserves in the live-fire tactical exercises.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has shared a video on the occasion of November 9 – National Flag Day on his official “Facebook” and “Youtube” accounts.