DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Russian military blogger Igor Girkin sentenced to four years in prison on extremism charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Igor Girkin, a prominent Russian pro-war blogger who criticized President Vladimir Putin’s handling of the war on Ukraine, has been found guilty on extremism charges and sentenced to four years in prison by a Moscow court. Moscow City Court convicted Girkin, also known under his pseudonym, Strelkov, of inciting extremism – a charge he denied. Girkin was an influential blogger and critic of Putin. The court in 2022 found Girkin guilty of mass murder for his role in the incident and he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison. According to the court, Girkin participated in the conflicts in Chechnya, Transnistria and Bosnia.

Persons: Igor Girkin, Vladimir Putin’s, Girkin, Strelkov, Putin, Wagner, Natalia Kolesnikova, ” Organizations: CNN, Court, Federal Security Service, Malaysia Airlines Flight, Getty, Angry Patriots Club, Reuters, Donetsk People’s, DPR Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Moscow, Crimea, Donbas, Russia, AFP, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Netherlands, Chechnya, Transnistria, Bosnia

CNN —Russia has foiled at least 20 Ukrainian drone attacks over the past day, including on the capital, Moscow, officials said Sunday, a day after it launched its largest drone attack against the Ukrainian capital. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defense, 11 drones were destroyed over the territories of Moscow, Tula, Kaluga and Bryansk oblasts over Saturday night, adding later on Sunday that nine more were also destroyed over the same regions. A municipal service worker sweeps up debris on the playground of a drone-damaged preschool in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv, Ukraine, on November 25, 2023. Global Images Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesThe attacks follow Russia’s largest drone attack against Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv since the start of its full-scale invasion, according to local officials. A Telegram post from Ukraine’s Air Force said it had intercepted 71 Shahed drones across six regions of Ukraine, with the vast majority in Kyiv region.

Persons: Sergey Sobyanin, Alexey Dyumin, Denis Pushilin, ” Pushilin Organizations: CNN, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Moscow, Donetsk People’s, DPR, Ukraine’s Air Force, Kyiv Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Moscow, Tula, Kaluga, Bryansk, Russian, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Azov, a.m, Solomianskyi, Kyiv, Ukraine

CNN —After more than three years of going missing from world soccer, North Korean striker Han Kwang Song has reappeared, playing for his country in two recent World Cup qualifiers and scoring in the 6-1 win over Myanmar on Tuesday. Attempting to qualify for the World Cup for a third time, North Korea lost 1-0. The North Korea football federation, the Asian Football Confederation and world soccer governing body FIFA didn’t respond to CNN’s request for comment on Han’s return to international football. The return of the North Korean wunderkind has surprised soccer pundits and fans, who worried about his safety and promising career being cut short. The Covid-19 pandemic led to North Korea fully sealing its borders, making it impossible for Han and fellow repatriated North Korean nationals to return home.

Persons: Han Kwang, Han, Duhail, –, Korean wunderkind, Max Canzi, ” Canzi, Han’s, Nicholas Pennington, Kwang, Choe, Pölten, Alberto Mier, Qatar’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, Tullio M Organizations: CNN, North, Myanmar, North Korean, Qatar, Al, Asian Football Confederation, FIFA, Korean, Serie, CNN Sport, Syria, Cagliari, Austria’s SKN, Italy’s, UN, Juventus, United Nations Security Council, Qatar Stars, Qatar Stars League, UNSC, Qatar Airways, Perugia, Getty, Tokyo, Beijing Winter Games, International Olympic Committee Locations: North Korean, Syria, Saudi Arabian, Jeddah, North Korea, Yangon, Rome, Qatar, Korean, Pyongyang, Myanmar, Austria’s SKN St, Arezzo, Qatari, Korea, Ahli, Doha, Puglia, Beijing, Asia

☆ Russia parades Ukrainian war prisoners as ‘volunteers’ for its army in apparent violation of international law
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Anna Chernova | Yulia Kesaieva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A group of former Ukrainian servicemen, including prisoners of war, have “volunteered” to fight on the front lines for Russia, Moscow’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti has claimed, in a potential violation of international law. The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing Russian state media, said in late October that Russia had “recruited” 70 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) from various penal colonies. Coercing POWs to serve in the Russian forces would be a violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been adopted by all nations, according to the International Red Cross. “Russian authorities have likely coerced Ukrainian prisoners of war into joining a ‘volunteer’ formation that will fight in Ukraine, which would constitute an apparent violation of the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War,” the ISW said. Russia and Ukraine remain locked in battle as the war enters a third winter with neither country’s forces establishing the upper hand.

Persons: ”, –, Bogdan Khmelnitsky, ” Khmelnitsky, “, Volodymyr Zelensky, Valery Zaluzhny Organizations: CNN, Novosti, RIA Novosti, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Donetsk People’s, Cross, Geneva Convention Locations: Russia, Moscow’s, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Ukraine’s, The Washington, Russian, Geneva

CNN —The US has not seen indications that a missile downed the airplane Russian authorities say was carrying Wagner founder Yevgheny Prigozhin, according to four US officials. Another source familiar with the western intelligence echoed the US officials, saying there was no indication a missile was launched. Ryder also said that the Pentagon “doesn’t have any information to indicate right now” that the plane Prigozhin was on was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. Some US officials were not altogether surprised when the news broke on Russian state media about the plane crash. The officials did not say that US had confirmation that Prigozhin was on the plane.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgheny Prigozhin, it’s, Patrick Ryder, Defense Department’s, Prigozhin, “ I’m, ” Ryder, Ryder, Vladimir Putin, I’m, Joe Biden, “, Putin, ”, ” Putin, Bill Burns, Antony Blinken, ” Burns, ” Blinken Organizations: CNN, Officials, Embraer, Pentagon, Defense, Russia’s, Wednesday, Donetsk People’s, ”, Biden, Kremlin, CIA, “, NATO Locations: Moscow, Russian, Russia, FlightRadar24, St . Petersburg, Tver, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Kremlin

Special forces landed on the western shore of Crimea, near the settlements of Olenivka and Mayak, in a joint operation with the country’s Navy, according to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence. Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula which has been illegally occupied by Moscow’s forces since 2014, have not responded to the claims. The Ukrainians said Wednesday they had destroyed an S-400 missile defense battery in the area. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence released several videos purporting to show Ukrainian inflatables close to the Crimean coast in the darkness. The Russian Defense Ministry released cockpit video showing a jet fighter using cannon fire against the boats.

Persons: Wargonzo Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian, Russian, country’s Navy, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Telegram, Donetsk People’s, 105th Regiment, DPR, Russian Defense Ministry Locations: Crimea, Kyiv, Olenivka, Ukrainian, Russian, Cape, Cape Tarkhankut, Odesa, ”, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Crimean

CNN —Igor Girkin, a prominent Russian military blogger and former official in the separatist so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in Ukraine, has been arrested in Moscow, according to a message attributed to his wife and posted on his Telegram account and in Russian news reports. Girkin, also known by the nom de guerre Igor Strelkov, was reportedly taken from his apartment by Russian security officials Friday morning. Russian state news agency TASS said Reginskaya informed them about the extremism charge, and that law-enforcement agencies confirmed Girkin’s detention. Girkin is a former colonel in Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and served as defense minister in the DPR in eastern Ukraine. According to the court, Girkin participated in the conflicts in Chechnya, Transnistria and Bosnia.

Persons: Igor Girkin, Girkin, Igor Strelkov, ”, Miroslava, “, ” Reginskaya, Reginskaya Organizations: CNN, Donetsk People’s, Investigative, Federal Security Service, DPR, Malaysia Airlines Flight Locations: Russian, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic, Ukraine, Moscow, Chechnya, Transnistria, Bosnia

The Russian-backed leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said on Telegram that “a fire occurred at a military training ground.” Askenov said residents of four surrounding villages – more than 2,000 people – were being evacuated. Smoke and flames billow over a military training ground following an explosion in the Kirovske district, Crimea, on July 19, 2023. Kyiv has not commented on Wednesday’s explosions at the Crimea training ground. Ukraine’s attack on the Crimea bridge dealt a logistical and symbolic blow to Moscow’s faltering military campaign. The $3.7 billion-dollar corridor, which is 12 miles long, is a critical artery for supplying the peninsula with both its daily needs and supplies for the Russian military, in addition to fuel and goods for civilians.

Persons: Sergey Aksyonov, ” Askenov, Vladimir Putin, Odesa, Volodymyr Zelensky, Hennadii Trukhanov, ”, Denis Pushilin Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Russian Grey Zone Telegram, Ukrainian, Shadow, Atesh, Ukrainian Air Force, Russian Defense Ministry, Monday, Russian, Presidential Press Service, Reuters Odesa, Facebook, Donetsk People’s, DPR, Ukraine’s Security Locations: Crimea, Stary Krym, Crimea’s Kirorvsky, Russian, Kirovske district, Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine, Odesa, Iran, Moscow, Donetsk, Donetsk People’s Republic

☆ Shift to Electric Cars Gives Design Centers a New Look, Too
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Patrick Sisson | Sarah Rice | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The electric vehicle revolution isn’t on its way. “Every couple of weeks, there’s a new multibillion-dollar facility being constructed. That’s not something we see every day.”In an effort to make electric vehicles more affordable, last year’s Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits that give American automakers like General Motors and Tesla an advantage over foreign competitors. A total of $135 billion in government funds will be directed to vehicle electrification and new factories. As they accelerate their shift to electric vehicles, automakers will also need new facilities like design and development sites.

☆ Be 'a real man,' Russia tells men as it looks recruit more fighters for war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Another ad showed men in everyday jobs and situations and alternatively as soldiers, concluding with the phrase: "You're a real man. One ad, Reuters noted, invited men to sign a contract with the Russian defense ministry for a salary starting at 204,000 Russian rubles ($2,495) a month. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesThe U.K.'s defense ministry noted Sunday that Russia had launched "a pervasive campaign" aimed at attracting new recruits. "The new adverts appeal to potential recruits' masculine pride, appealing for 'real men', as well as highlighting the financial benefits of joining up," it said via Twitter. " Nonetheless, the ministry said it was highly unlikely that the campaign will attract the Russian defense ministry's reported target of 400,000 volunteers.

☆ Former Russian commander in Ukraine says Moscow was unprepared for a protracted war and is now 'heading for military defeat'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He has criticized Russia' war strategy, saying on Sunday that Russia is sleepwalking toward defeat. Girkin, who is also known by his alias "Strelkov," is now a prominent war blogger who has criticized the Russian military strategy in Ukraine. "I'm not afraid to say that we are heading towards military defeat," Girkin said, adding that the Russian economy, military, and political system were unprepared for such a "long, protracted war." In February, Girkin criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's national address about the war with Ukraine for blatantly ignoring Moscow's "failures" and "defeats." In October 2022, Ukrayinska Pravda reported that Girkin was believed to be fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

☆ A big bang or a grinding assault? What to expect from Russia's new offensive in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Russian citizens recruited as part of partial mobilization attend combat training in the training spots of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Donetsk, Ukraine on October 05, 2022. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesA renewed Russian offensive in the east of Ukraine is underway. Over the weekend, Russian forces shelled Ukrainian cities like Nikopol, a city in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, where one person was reportedly killed. Ukrainian servicemen make a trench near Bakhmut on Feb. 1, 2023, as they prepare for a Russian offensive in the area. Shea, who was deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security challenges at NATO until 2018, said he did not expect a big bang start to the offensive.

CNN —Multiple explosions have been reported in the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol in southern Ukraine, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and in annexed Crimea – including at a Russian military barracks. Federov last month said Russia had turned Melitopol into “one giant military base.”“The Russian military is settling in local houses they seized, schools and kindergartens. The Ukrainian military has not yet confirmed or commented on the attack. The unofficial Crimean media portal “Krymskyi veter” said an explosion at a Russian military barracks in Sovietske had set the barracks on fire and there were dead and wounded. “In total, Russian terrorists used 15 Shahed drones against Odesa,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during his daily address on Saturday.

☆ Student released from pro-Russian forces had to share food and sleeping bag, he says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoSTAROBESHEVE, Russian-controlled Ukraine, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A student newly discharged from Russian proxy forces in Ukraine says he was equipped with a Soviet-era bolt-action rifle, and had to share rations and a sleeping bag when first sent to the front. "When times were hard, we had a certain number of people and there weren't enough sleeping bags for everyone, you could only cover yourself with a raincoat. We were able to get two or three people into a sleeping bag to keep warm," said Vladimir, a young man who appeared to be in his late teens. After that, everything was fine with supplies, they were completely sufficient, but at first we shared with each other. Vladimir said he had been drafted into the forces of the breakaway Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on Feb. 23, the day before Putin sent his forces into Ukraine.

The family of a retired U.S. Marine believe he is on life support in a separatist-controlled hospital in Ukraine after he went to fight back the Russian invasion alongside the Ukrainian military. Grady Kurpasi, 50, traveled to Ukraine shortly after the war began in February to help with evacuations and train Ukrainian soldiers. Courtesy Don TurnerA State Department spokesperson said the agency was “aware of unconfirmed reports regarding a missing U.S. citizen in Ukraine. The center has brought up the retired Marine in recent discussions with the Russian government, a spokesperson confirmed. A retired Marine Corps officer, Kurpasi was adopted by an American couple from South Korea as a young child.

☆ Factbox: Russia's annexation plan in Ukraine: what happens now?
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Banners read: "Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson. - Donetsk People's Republic (DPR): 99.23% for joining Russia, 0.62% against. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register- Luhansk People's Republic (LNR): 98.42% for joining Russia. A tribune with giant video screens had been set up on Moscow's Red Square, with billboards proclaiming "Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!" That could prompt some sort of ultimatum from Russia to Ukraine and the West.

☆ Kremlin says military campaign in Ukraine to continue at least until capture of all of Donetsk region
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday its "special military operation" in Ukraine must continue at least until the capture of all of east Ukraine's Donetsk region. "Therefore it is necessary, as a minimum, to liberate the entire territory of the DPR,", he said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterRussia has framed its military campaign in Ukraine as necessary to protect Russian-speakers in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, of which Donetsk makes up half, from "genocide" by Ukraine. Though Russia already controls almost all of Luhansk region, the other half of the Donbas, it holds only around 60% of Donetsk region. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by ReutersOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Members of a local electoral commission count ballots at a polling station following a referendum on the joining of Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine to Russia, in Sevastopol, Crimea September 27, 2022. Voting at the polling station was held for residents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) - the Russian-controlled region of Ukraine. Luhansk authorities said 98.5% of people there had voted to join Russia, based on 69% of ballots counted. Ukraine has repeatedly warned that Russian annexation of territories would destroy any chance of peace talks, seven months after Russia invaded its neighbour. The votes mirrored a referendum in Crimea after Russia's seizure of the southern peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, when Crimea's leaders declared a 97% vote to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

☆ Factbox: Russia prepares to formally annex 15% of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Sergei PivovarovLONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin is preparing to formally annex around 15% of Ukrainian territory after referendums on joining Russia in areas controlled by Russian forces or Russian-backed separatists. The United States is prepared to impose additional economic costs on Russia in conjunction with U.S. allies if Moscow moves forward with annexing portions of Ukrainian territory, the White House said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine had received sophisticated air defence systems, known as National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), from the United States. Taken together, Russia would be annexing at least 90,000 square km of Ukrainian territory. With Crimea and the territory in the four other areas, Russia would have annexed at least one fifth of Ukrainian territory.

☆ Kazakhstan says it won't recognise referendums in eastern Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoALMATY, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan, one of Russia's close ex-Soviet partners, will not recognise the possible annexation of Ukraine's eastern regions by Russia through referendums held there, the Central Asian nation's foreign ministry said on Monday. read more"As for the holding of referendums ... Kazakhstan proceeds from the principles of territorial integrity of states, their sovereign equivalence and peaceful coexistence," ministry spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly called for the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict in line with the United Nations charter. "We reconfirm our readiness to provide all possible assistance to the establishment of a political dialogue," Smadiyarov said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Kenneth MaxwellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russia parliament may study annexation of occupied Ukraine on Thursday, TASS reports
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Alexander ErmochenkoLONDON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, may debate bills incorporating Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine into Russia on Sept. 29, the state-run TASS news agency said on Saturday, citing an unnamed source. Moscow launched referendums on joining Russia in the four occupied regions of Ukraine on Friday, drawing condemnation from Kyiv and Western nations, who dismissed the votes as a sham and pledged not to recognise their results. read morePro-Moscow authorities have made clear they consider the votes to be a foregone conclusion. An official in Luhansk region announced the turnout after two days of voting was 45.9% while in Zaporizhzhia it was 35.5%, Russian agencies said. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey and David LjunggrenOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Russia to begin annexation votes in Ukrainian regions
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Russia will on Friday begin its plan to annex around 15% of Ukrainian territory via referendums in four regions controlled by Russian forces, a move the West says is a gross violation of international law that significantly escalates the war. Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, said Russia would never abandon those in the regions it controls and whom he said wanted to secede from Kyiv. In a direct nuclear warning to the West, Putin said he would defend Russian territory - and these regions of Ukraine will be considered Russian territory by Moscow shortly - with all means at his disposal. 'SHAM VOTES'It is unclear exactly how the votes will work in a war zone when so many people have been displaced. "As of next week, Russia will consider these Ukrainian territories as being part of Russia, and they will claim any Ukrainian attempts to retake their own sovereign territory as an 'invasion of Russia'," Britain's Cleverly said.

☆ Russia releases 10 foreigners captured in Ukraine, after Saudi mediation, Riyadh says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERSRIYADH, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Russia on Wednesday released 10 foreign prisoners of war captured in Ukraine, following a mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi foreign ministry said. "The relevant Saudi authorities received and transferred them from Russia to the kingdom and are facilitating procedures for their respective countries," the statement said. A Saudi official said they were five Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, a Morrocan and a Swedish national. Large numbers of foreigners have travelled to Ukraine to fight since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. Some of them have been caught by Russian forces, along with other foreigners in the country who say they were not fighters.

☆ UK lawmaker says Aiden Aslin among prisoners released by Russian-backed forces -statement
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Video released June 8, 2022. Supreme Court of Donetsk People's Republic/Handout via REUTERS TV ATTENTIONLONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters) - British lawmaker Robert Jenrick on Wednesday said Aiden Aslin was among the prisoners released by Russia on Wednesday following a mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "I am delighted that my constituent, Aiden Aslin, and the other British prisoners of war held captive by the Russian authorities have finally been released and are on their way back to the UK," Jenrick said in an emailed statement. Aslin was captured earlier this year then sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), one of Russia's proxies in eastern Ukraine. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by William James Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Medvedev says Moscow-backed separatists must hold referendums to join Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File PhotoSept 20 (Reuters) - Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that it is "essential" for Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine to carry out referendums that would see their regions join Russia. On Monday, separatist leaders in the DPR and LPR agreed to "synchronise" efforts to stage referendums on joining Russia after local Russian-appointed officials stepped up their calls to hold the votes. "Encroachment onto the territory of Russia is a crime which allows you to use all self-defence forces," Medvedev said. Russia's proxies in the Donbas have been talking about joining Russia since they first tried to break away from Kyiv's control in 2014. Large swathes of the territory claimed by the DPR are still under Ukraine's control and Ukraine still holds territory in both Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Search resuls for: "DPR"

25 mentions found