Top News of the Week Mar 17 – 23, 2014

Indian Puts Search Operation for MH370 on Standby

The Malaysian authorities have indicated that based on investigation, the search operations for the missing Malaysian Airlines aircraft MH 370 have entered a new phase and a strategy for further searches is being formulated.   Accordingly, search operations have been suspended and all Indian assets earmarked for SAR operations have been placed on standby. 

Ukrainian Frigate Forces Out Russian Ships from Its Waters

Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaydachnyi completed patrolling of the Black Sea from the 14th to 21st of March, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense informed. The ship detected four military ships and two Mi-35 helicopters of Russian Black Sea Fleet, which made attempts to cross the naval frontier of Ukraine. 

Russia Sinks Ship to Block Ukrainian Navy Ships

The Russian Navy Ochakov Kara-class cruiser was sunk last night to block the Ukrainian Navy ships deployed in Novoozerne, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said in a press release today.   The information was confirmed by the Ukrainian military of the South Naval Base who were observing the operation. 

Ukrainian Navy Will Remain Headqurtered in Sevastopol

Acting Defense Minister of Ukraine Ihor Tenyukh said in an interview for Interfax that the Ukrainian Navy would remain stationed in Sevastopol, adding that there would not be a relocation of the headquarters of any sort.  

US Navy Seals Take Over Morning Glory from Rebels

A team of U.S. Navy SEALs has taken over control of the seized commercial tanker Morning Glory, the Pentagon officials announced this morning.   The operation, approved by the U.S. President Obama, was conducted last night around 2am GMT on the request of the Libyan and Cypriot governments.

Ukrainian ‘Ternopil’ Corvette Damaged by Russian Granades

Ukrainian anti-submarine corvette ‘Ternopil’, docked in Sevastopol, has sustained damages from combat grenades launched by the Russians troops sailing nearby in a boat, according to Leonid Polyakov, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine.