The UN confirmed that a white Antonov transport aircraft with false markings to make it look like a UN plane had been seen dropping supplies in an area where a rebel commander, David Yau Yau, has been operating.

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Ariana owns three aging 727s and a handful of Russian-built Antonov-24s.

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There has been speculation in the Russian press that Mr Gorbuntsov was a witness to the murder attempt on Alexander Antonov in 2009.

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At this week's meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, a body meant to improve relations, Russia's deputy defence minister, Anatoly Antonov, was equally blunt.

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