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☆ Russian general reportedly dismissed amid allegations of false reports on war's progress
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-25 | by ( Hannah Peart | Hannah Peart Is An Intern In The Nbc News London Bureau. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A senior Russian commander who was responsible for troops fighting in eastern Ukraine has been removed from his position, according to reports from several Kremlin-aligned news outlets. Anashkin’s appointment as commander of the army's Southern Group had never been officially announced by the ministry. The Russian news outlet RBC reported that Anashkin was dismissed as part of a “planned rotation,” citing anonymous sources within the Defense Ministry on Saturday. However, Rybar, a popular Telegram channel close to the ministry, reported that Anashkin was “removed from his post for false reports in the Seversk direction,” using the Russian version of the region's name. Russian forces fire a Howitzer toward Ukrainian positions during a mission in the Kursk region Sept. 9.

Persons: Gen, Gennady Anashkin's, Vladimir Putin, Anashkin, ”, ” Rybar, “, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Sergey Bobylev, Biden Organizations: Russian Defense Ministry, army's Southern Group, RBC, Defense Ministry, Russian, NBC News, U.S . Treasury Department, Kremlin, Sputnik, AP Putin, Kyiv Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Siversk, Ukraine's, Donetsk, Rostec, United States, Russia, Russia's Kursk, Kursk, Moscow, U.S, American

☆ Russia's inflation is so bad that potatoes cost 64% more than they did at the start of the year
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's economy faces stress as high interest rates fail to control inflation. Business leaders criticize high rates, warning of potential bankruptcies and an economic slowdown. The data from Rosstat, Russia's federal statistics service, show that food prices have generally risen across the board this year. To tame prices, Russia's central bank has hiked its key interest rate to a record high of 21% last month. High interest rates are irritating business leaders, who are more loudly critiquing the central bank's policies.

Persons: —, It's, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Chemezov, Chemezov Organizations: Business, Service, MMI Locations: Ukraine, Rosstat, Russian, Russia

☆ Russia's defense sector is running on overdrive — but firms are warning of bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Defense firms are busy — but high inflation and interest rates past 20% have left them struggling. AdvertisementIn Russia's defense sector, demand is surging — but its companies are struggling all the same. Rising interest rates and export bans were eroding Russian defense companies' profits across the board, they said, making the Russian state the only guarantor of revenues. Sheremeta described the situation as a "death spiral," where war spending begets more inflation, which requires more war spending. "If some defense companies cannot fulfill their obligations, the Kremlin can simply nationalize them," Sheremeta said.

Persons: —, Sergei Chemezov, Roman Sheremeta, Sheremeta, Daniel Treisman, Korhonen, Julian Cooper, Konstantin Sonin, Sonin Organizations: Service, Rostec, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Bloomberg, University of California, National Bureau of Economic Research, Central Bank, Bank of Finland Institute, Emerging, Centre for Russian, East European Studies, University of Birmingham, University of Chicago Harris School of Public, Project Syndicate Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Los Angeles

☆ US offers $10 million for intel on Russian military media outlet Rybar amid election interference allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US government is offering up to $10 million for information on Rybar, a Russian media outlet. It comes as part of a wider US crackdown on alleged Russian election interference. AdvertisementThe US government is offering up to $10 million for information on the Russian media outlet Rybar and its employees. "Anyone with information on Rybar LLC, these individuals, their malign activities, or associated persons or entities should contact Rewards for Justice," it said. The new reward offer comes as part of a wider US crackdown on alleged Russian election interference.

Persons: —, Mikhail Zvinchuk, Rybar, Zvinchuk, Yevgeny Prigozhin —, Wagner, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin Organizations: Service, Department, Justice, intel, Rybar, Rostec, Wagner Group, US Treasury Department, RT Locations: Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Texas

☆ Russia is keeping its newest weapons out of Ukraine, likely fearing a combat loss would ruin their reputation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementA Russian T-14 Armata tank participates in a Victory Day Parade night rehearsal on Tverskaya street on May 4, 2022 in Moscow, Russia. "To date, it is almost certain that the T-14 Armata MBT has not been deployed to Ukraine," the update continued. AdvertisementRussian servicemen drive T-14 Armata tanks during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. A Sukhoi Su-57 jet fighter performs during International military-technical forum "Army-2020" at Kubinka airbase in Russia on Aug. 25, 2020.

Persons: —, Oleg Nikishin, Maxim Shemetov, Sukhoi Su Organizations: Service, Business, NATO, Abrams, 1st Guards Tank Army, REUTERS, International, Army Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Red, Russian, Kubinka

☆ Russia's new tank — its T-14 Armata — is probably too expensive to use in Ukraine, top weapons maker says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia's most advanced tank is likely too costly to use in Ukraine, the head of a top defense firm said. The new T-14 Armata is estimated to cost between $5 million and $9 million. AdvertisementA Russian T-14 Armata tank on display at the International Military Forum Army outside Moscow on Aug. 15, 2023. AdvertisementRussian T-14 Armata tanks drive toward Red Square for the Victory Day parade on May 9, 2015. AdvertisementRussian T-90M and T-14 Armata tanks parade through Red Square during the general rehearsal of the Victory Day military parade on May 7, 2022.

Persons: —, Sergey Chemezov, ALEXANDER NEMENOV, Sean Gallup, Chemezov, Vladimir Putin, Bradley, Kirill Kudryavtsev Organizations: Service, International Military Forum Army, Getty, Abrams, Red, Victory Day, Getty Images Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Russian, AFP, NATO, US, Getty Images Moscow, Britain

☆ Russia boasts it is beating sanctions, but its longer-term prospects are bleak
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Far from buckling under their weight, the Russian economy is in fact 1% larger than it was on the eve of the invasion. India and China now account for 90% of Russian oil exports, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. Noemi Cassanelli/CNNThere’s little sign that ordinary Russians have been drastically impacted by Western sanctions. Sanctions will have a long-term impact on the Russian economy, according to the European Commission. Nabiullina said the Russian economy was like a car trying to go too fast.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Sergei Chemezov, ” Chemezov, Scott Peterson, Alexander Novak, Christine Abely, “, ”, SWIFT, Alexei Mordashov, Noemi Cassanelli, Geoffrey Pyatt, Rachel Lyngaas, —, Alexander Nemenov, Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina, Natalia Kolesnikova, ” Abely Organizations: CNN, Atlantic Council, Russia, West ., Shipping, Windward, Reuters, US Treasury Department, United Arab Emirates, Crime Agency, US Treasury, “, Bank of, European, US, Financial Times, Russian Central Bank, Getty, Producers, International Energy Agency Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Western, Sviatohirsk, Donetsk region, Asia, West, West . India, China, India, Volgograd, Turkey, UAE, Bank of Finland, Hong Kong, Europe, Egypt, Thailand, Moscow, Kazakhstan, Soviet Russia, AFP, Beijing

☆ Russia's Kinzhal ballistic missile performs poorly, despite Putin's hype they're unstoppable, says UK intel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Putin recently said Russia will begin patrolling the Black Sea using jets carrying Kinzhal missiles. Russia has much hyped the Kinzhal missile, but experts have said its capabilities are exaggerated. Ukraine said it shot down a Kinzhal missile with a US-made Patriot interceptor in May. Days later, it claimed it shot down an unprecedented six Russian Kinzhal missiles over Kyiv. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe destruction of the Kinzhal missiles was seen as a psychological blow for Russia.

Persons: Putin, —, Vladimir Putin, Kinzhal, Sergey Shoigu, Ryan Pickrell Organizations: MoD, Service, UK's Ministry of Defense, UK Ministry of Defense, Russian Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian

☆ The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Last year, it accounted for 98% of the global production of gallium and 68% of refined germanium production, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). “Refining technologies and facilities for processing gallium and germanium cannot be built overnight, particularly considering the environmental implications of their extraction and mining,” she wrote in July. Analysts from the think tank said China’s leading position in the aluminum industry has allowed it to establish a dominant share of global gallium production. According to the USGS, Russia, Japan, and Korea produced a combined 1.8% of global gallium in 2022. Last year, the US Defense logistics Agency introduced a program to recycle optical-grade germanium used in weapon systems.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ”, Xiaomeng Lu, Marina Zhang, Zhang, Ewa Manthey, haven’t, Chris Miller, Gregory Allen, Nyrstar, ” Lu, Manthey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, geotechnology, Eurasia Group, China, Geological Survey, University of Technology, “, ING Group, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington, Analysts, Corporation, CNN, Global, Wadhwani Center, AI, Technologies, CSIS, Rostec, Reuters, US Defense, Agency, Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Europe, Japan, University of Technology Sydney, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Korea, Teck, American, Netherlands, Australia, ” Lu, Eurasia, Canada

☆ Russia Ramps up Output of Some Military Hardware by More Than Tenfold - State Company
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has ramped up the production of some military hardware by more than tenfold to supply its army in Ukraine, significantly increasing the output of missiles, drones, combat vehicles and artillery, Russia's biggest weapons producer said on Tuesday. And for some types of hardware, output had been boosted "by tens of times," said Ozdoev. Rostec, which is sanctioned by the West, is run by Sergei Chemezov, a close Putin ally. It controls 800 Russian civilian and defence entities and is by far Russia's biggest arms producer. The U.S. Treasury calls Rostec "the cornerstone of Russia’s defense, industrial, technology, and manufacturing sectors."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Ozdoev, Sergei Chemezov, Putin, Rostec, Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn Organizations: U.S . Treasury Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Rostec, Russian, U.S

☆ Russia briefly deployed its super-advanced T-14 tanks to Ukraine, then withdrew them again, state media says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia's top-tier T-14 Armata tanks were used in combat in Ukraine, state media reported. But then they were quickly "withdrawn from the frontline," a military source told state media. Armored forces from Russia's southern military district (SMD) "actively used Armata in combat," an unnamed military source told the state-run outlet TASS. Russia says it has defense systems that capable of countering the anti-tank rockets that Ukraine has deployed so effectively in battle against older Russian tanks. "The necessary trials of the T-14 tank still continue," another unnamed military source told TASS.

Persons: Rostec Organizations: Service, Russia, British Ministry of Defense, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Russian

☆ Russia moves to ban iPhones for government officials after claiming they were hacked by the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian government ministries are beginning to ban officials from using Apple iPhones. Russia's trade ministry will impose a ban starting Monday, the Financial Times reported. Beginning July 17, employees at Russia's trade ministry will no longer be allowed to use iPhones on the job, the Financial Times reported. In March, the Kremlin told officials to stop using Apple products, citing fears they were vulnerable to US hacking. Following the Russian claims, Apple announced patches to its iOS software, crediting researchers at the Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab with identifying vulnerabilities.

Persons: Apple Organizations: Apple, Financial Times, Service, Kremlin, iOS, Washington Post, Federal Security Service Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Ukraine

Exports last year were 94 metric tonnes, up 25% on 2021. Last year's exports totaled 44 metric tonnes in both wrought and unwrought form. As of September 2022 the DLA was storing 14 metric tonnes of germanium metal and 6.9 metric tonnes of scrap. An outright ban could be counter-productive, as China found out when it halted exports of rare earths to Japan in 2010. China has no shortage of pressure points to push, from rare earths to cobalt to lithium and even electric vehicle batteries.

Persons: Germany's, Wei Jianguo, Barbara Lewis Organizations: U.S, Chips, Export, United States Geological Survey, Alliance, Defense Logistics Agency, Teck Resources, Agency, Solutions, Democratic, Gecamines, World Trade Organization, China, Toyota, Honda, Audi, Commerce, China Daily, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, United States, Teck, NYR.BR, Clarksville, Tennessee, New York, Australia, Europe, Democratic Republic of Congo's, Russia, Japan, Beijing, West

☆ Embarrassed by Ukraine downing its 'unstoppable' missiles, Russia is now scrambling to attack its air defenses, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

This comes after Ukraine shot down Kinzhal missiles that Russia bragged were unstoppable. Russia claimed it destroyed one Patriot air defense system, but US officials said it was still operational. KILLJOY is NATO's term for Russia's advanced Kinzhal missiles, which Russia has previously described as unstoppable. Russia's defence ministry said on Tuesday that a Russian missile destroyed one Patriot air defense system in Kyiv. The US decided to give Ukraine the Patriot defense system last year, after Ukraine asked allies for air defense help to repel Russian attacks.

☆ Russia's Kinzhal was never an unstoppable hypersonic missile, but the Patriot shot that killed one is still 'impressive,' expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ukraine shot down a Russian Kinzhal missile described as a hypersonic weapon with a US-made Patriot interceptor. Still, a missile defense expert told Insider the missile is tough target, making it an "impressive" kill. A missile defense expert called the intercept by a Patriot missile "impressive," for both the advanced American-made missile defense system and its Ukrainian operators. A general view of a mobile defence surface-to-air missile system, Patriot, before it is transported to Poland from Gnoien, Germany January 23, 2023. Gen. Pat Ryder said that he could "confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system."

☆ How Ukraine's artillery is doing more damage than Russia's, even with fewer rounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( David Hambling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

While Ukraine has fewer guns firing fewer shells, it appear to be doing more damage than Russia. But while Ukraine has fewer guns firing fewer shells, they appear to be doing more damage even though, with some notable exceptions, they are using the same weapons as their Russian opponents. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated in February that Russia was firing around four times as many shells as Ukraine. This suggests an improvement of a factor of 7-10, which is roughly what we see in the ratios of artillery shells: casualties above. A vast number of Ukrainian drone videos show this process in operation.

☆ Russia's new T-14 Armata battle tank debuts in Ukraine - RIA
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 25 (Reuters) - Russia has begun using its new T-14 Armata battle tanks to fire on Ukrainian positions "but they have not yet participated in direct assault operations," the RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday, quoting a source close the matter. RIA said that the tanks have been fitted with extra protection on their flanks and crews have undergone "combat coordination" at training grounds in Ukraine. The T-14 tank has an unmanned turret, with crew remotely controlling the armaments from "an isolated armoured capsule located in the front of the hull." The tanks have a maximum speed on the highway of 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour, RIA reported. In January, British military intelligence reported that Russian forces in Ukraine were reluctant to accept the first tranche of the tanks due to their "poor condition."

"It could be some kind of non-controlling stake in public companies," Kostin said in the interview. COMPETITIONHe said some industries lacked competition, a hangover from Soviet times, a consequence of which would ultimately see more investors take money elsewhere. Telecoms operator Rostelecom (RTKM.MM), defence conglomerate Rostec and state nuclear energy company Rosatom could have subsidiaries privatised, he said, adding: "The main thing is not to miss the moment when we can attract private money here." Under that programme, state property was sold very cheaply to well-connected businessmen who became known as "oligarchs". "We have a different country now, a different president, a different government that cannot allow what happened then," he said.

☆ A $200 Russian smartphone aiming to replace the iPhone isn't getting much love — fewer than 1,000 units have been sold since its debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's AYYA T1 smartphone has sold just 905 units since its October 2021 launch, per Vedomosti. Russia's smartphone market is dominated by Chinese brands, with Xiaomi in the lead, per Statista. The AYYA T1 smartphone — touted as a homegrown alternative to the iPhone — hasn't been very popular. That's about 18% of the 5,000 AYYA T1 smartphones produced for the Russian market so far, per Vedomosti. Russian officials touted the AYYA T1 as a potential alternative to Apple's iPhone, the Moscow Times reported on March 23.

☆ How facial recognition is helping Putin curb dissent
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

There officers told the 51-year-old bank employee that the metro’s facial recognition system had flagged him for detention because of his political activism. Facial recognition is now helping police to identify and sweep up the Kremlin’s opponents as a preventive measure, whenever they choose. The facial recognition system in Moscow is powered by algorithms produced by one Belarusian company and three Russian firms. All but one said they understood from officers that they were flagged for detention by facial recognition. Facial recognition technology uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyse and identify faces.

☆ U.S. targets global sanctions evasion network supporting Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on 22 individuals and entities in multiple countries that it accused of being tied to a global sanctions evasion network supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. The action targeted a sanctions evasion network that the Treasury said is led by Russia and Cyprus-based arms dealer Igor Zimenkov, who, along with his son, Jonatan, were hit with sanctions on Wednesday. The network has engaged in projects connected to Russian defense capabilities, including supplying high-technology devices after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Treasury said. Washington also accused certain members of the network of supporting state-owned Russian defense entities under sanctions. GBD Limited, another company in the network targeted in the sanctions, has attempted to supply weapons systems to an African government, Treasury said.

☆ Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Man Challenging Putin for Power - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Mikhail Zygar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

According to my sources close to the Russian administration, Mr. Putin then perceived Mr. Prigozhin solely as a counterweight to the generals. The Russian president saw Mr. Prigozhin as his man, an obedient tool and easy to use. Those achievements alone guaranteed Mr. Prigozhin responsibility for Mr. Putin’s most delicate assignments. But this year, Mr. Prigozhin moved into another league, surpassing all of Mr. Putin’s other friends in power. Mr. Prigozhin bypassed all of them and appears to be the most important player in Russia.

Persons: Putin, Alexander Lapin, Prigozhin, Robert Mueller’s, Wagner, Putin’s, Sergei Shoigu, Nikolai Patrushev, Sergei Chemezov, Yury Kovalchuk Organizations: Internet Research Agency, Defense, Russian Security Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Africa, Syria, Russia’s, Russia

☆ Russia plans to send its strongest tanks to drive around Ukraine but is too scared to put them in combat, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia may deploy its new T-14 Armata tanks in Ukraine, British intelligence said Thursday. But it is "unlikely to trust" the tank in combat given problems in its development, it said. "If Russia deploys T-14, it will likely primarily be for propaganda purposes," it concluded. "Production is probably only in the low tens, while commanders are unlikely to trust the vehicle in combat." The T-14 isn't the only advanced combat vehicle Russia appears to be using mostly for show in Ukraine.

☆ Only 3 countries have managed to build 5th-generation fighters, but nearly a dozen are already working on 6th-gen jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

(The recently unveiled B-21 bomber is billed as the world's first sixth-gen aircraft, but little is known about its capabilities.) Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and Boeing are believed to be competing to build the jets, and all have released illustrations of sixth-gen aircraft. FCAS/SCAFA full-scale model of the Future Combat Air System at the Paris Air Show in June 2019. An illustration of Japan's next-generation fighter aircraft concept. While China is making heavy investment in military aviation, Russia's ability to develop next-generation jets may be shrinking.

☆ Amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, iconic arms-maker Kalashnikov is churning out a record number of guns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Kalashnikov, maker of the legendary AK-47, is reporting a huge increase in small arms sales. Many of the new rifles these reluctant conscripts will inevitably need will come from Kalashnikov, which manufactures most Russian small arms. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images"The Kalashnikov Concern increased the production of small arms by 40 percent," the company said. Already in September, actual exports of civilian weapons were equal to the total figure for 2021." Kalashnikov, which comprises a group of manufacturing firms, provides 95% of Russian small arms.

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