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☆ The U.S. has a new strategy for combating foreign election interference, but will it work?
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

Last week, a video popped up on social media falsely claiming to show someone ripping up ballots in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Instead of relying on flagging suspected foreign disinformation posts to social media companies, U.S. authorities are declassifying information about foreign election interference in an unprecedented way, seizing web domains and issuing indictments that have exposed the mechanics of Russian and Iranian information warfare, officials and researchers said. U.S. intelligence officials later said Russian “influence actors” were behind the false story. And social media companies, under intense legal and political pressure from Republican critics, have scaled back or scrapped teams in recent years that used to take down inflammatory or conspiratorial content. The combination of homegrown falsehoods about “stolen” election conspiracies, surging foreign disinformation campaigns and a laissez-faire approach by tech firms threatens to undermine the foundations of American democracy, experts and lawmakers said.

Persons: “, ”, Paul Kolbe, ” Kolbe, haven’t, Biden, Yuri Kadobnov, Donald Trump’s, Matthew Olsen, — we’ve, Bret Schafer, ” Schafer, Esteban Ponce de, Tim Walz, Walz, Trump, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, ” Jamieson Organizations: FBI, Justice Department, Central Eurasia, CIA, Media, Russia, Getty, Kremlin, Alliance, Securing Democracy, NBC, Atlantic Council, Forensic Research, Democratic, Gallup, Republican, Democracies, University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication Locations: Bucks County , Pennsylvania, Russia, Iran, China, Cuba, Moscow, Tehran, Tennessee, United States, AFP, Esteban Ponce de León, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Russian, Vietnam

☆ Russia jails French researcher Vinatier for three years in ‘foreign agent’ case
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Moscow Reuters —French researcher Laurent Vinatier was found guilty by a Moscow court on Monday of breaking Russia’s “foreign agent” laws and sentenced to three years in prison. President Emmanuel Macron has denied that Vinatier worked for the French state and has described his arrest as part of a misinformation campaign by Moscow. “The legislation on ‘foreign agents’ contributes to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia, such as freedom of association, freedom of opinion and freedom of expression,” France’s foreign ministry said. “French authorities remain fully mobilized to provide assistance (to Vinatier),” the ministry added. I lived a Russian life and still, even the last four months, I have been living in a Russian atmosphere,” he said, referring to the period since his arrest.

Persons: Laurent Vinatier, Vinatier, Alexander Pushkin, intently, RIA, Emmanuel Macron, “, ”, Pavel Durov Organizations: Moscow Reuters —, Soviet Union, Centre, Humanitarian, Reuters, Independent Locations: Moscow, Vinatier, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, State, France, Swiss

☆ China’s Coast Guard claims to have entered the Arctic Ocean for the first time as it ramps up security ties with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The statement came a day after the US Coast Guard said it spotted four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard in the Bering Sea – the “northernmost” location it said it had ever observed the Chinese ships. A banner visible on one of the vessels in accompanying photos read “China Coast Guard devoting its heart to the Party; demonstrating loyalty in the Arctic Ocean,” referring to China’s ruling Communist Party. The US Coast Guard (USCG) on Monday said it spotted the four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard “transiting in formation in a northeast direction” in the Bering Sea, some five miles inside Russia’s Exclusive Economic Zone on Saturday. A China Coast Guard member pictured during recent joint drills with Russia. The coast guard collaboration “relates to Chinese interests in maritime transportation along at least parts of the Northern Sea Route,” according to Østhagen.

Persons: Russia –, China’s, ”, Megan Dean, irked, Carl Schuster, it’s, –, Sophie Arts, ” Andreas Østhagen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China’s Coast Guard, US Coast Guard, Russian Border Guard, Chinese Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, Communist Party, CCTV, TASS, 17th Coast Guard District, USCG, Canadian, Russia’s Federal Security Service, East China, Coast Guard, Guard, US Navy, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, China, US Department of Defense, German Marshall Fund, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, CNN, Armed Police, Central Military Commission, Centre for High North Logistics, Norway’s Nord University Locations: Hong Kong, Russia, Beijing, ”, Bering, Alaska, Asia, North America, China, Washington, South, East, irked Beijing, Ukraine, Russian, Norway, South China, Philippines, Europe

☆ US announces $375 million aid package for Ukraine as Biden administration pledges ‘unwavering support’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US announced a $375 million aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday as the Biden administration pledged “unwavering support” to the war-torn country. The plan includes Kyiv’s long-stated request to use US-manufactured long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia, an ask that the Biden administration has repeatedly denied. which the Biden administration has repeatedly denied. The Biden administration has nearly $6 billion left in unused presidential drawdown authority that is set to expire at the end of the month. A shortage in excess stockpiles of weapons the US was willing to send Ukraine forced the Biden administration to announce smaller military aid packages of approximately $200 million over the last several months.

Persons: Biden, ”, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Kamala Harris, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, US, Ukraine, United Nations General Assembly, White, UN, Wednesday Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Russia

☆ Ukraine’s march into Russia exposes Putin’s crisis management problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But his track record of handling recent crises in Russia reveals a different side of his presidential persona: one of paralysis and indecision. Despite a claim of responsibility from ISIS-K, he continued to insist that Ukraine, and the West had played a role. Dmytro Kholod, commander of Ukraine’s “Nightingale” battalion, currently in Kursk, told CNN by phone on Wednesday that he has noticed a shift in the behavior of Russian troops. It is just a strategy for perpetuating war and allowing Russia to wait us all out,” said Ryan. “Now we see that when he’s really presented with a crisis, he’s not a cornered rat, he’s just like an imposter.

Persons: CNN —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Evgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, ” Putin, Prigozhin, Yan Dobronosov, ”, Boris Bondarev, “, Mick Ryan, Ramzan Kadyrov, don’t, Andrei Belousov, Dmytro Kholod, Ukraine’s “ Nightingale, ” Ryan, he’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Efrem, Ryan, Bondarev Organizations: CNN, Crocus, Russia’s, ISIS, US, Kyiv, Getty, of Human Rights, ”, Kremlin, Naval, Black, Institute for, Russian MoD, Russia, AP, NATO, Putin Locations: Russia, Russian, Kursk, Ukraine, Crocus City, Moscow, Ukrainian, Sudzha, AFP, Beslan, Kharkiv, Crimea, Kursk Oblast, ”

☆ US sounds alarm over Chinese and North Korean support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But the reality is that China’s fueling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II,” Stoltenberg said at The Wilson Center. The idea of an anti-US front among Russia, China, North Korea and Iran has long preoccupied foreign policy experts in Washington. In March, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told Congress that Russia’s need to replenish its military supplies had forced it to grant “long-sought concessions” to North Korea. “What is Russia going to provide in exchange to North Korea, hard currency? So, we know that they are using DPRK ammunition to threaten Ukraine and kill Ukrainians,” he said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, Zelensky, Xi Jinping, ”, Jens Stoltenberg, “, Xi, ” Stoltenberg, Putin, Kremlin, Kim Jong Un, of National Intelligence Avril Haines, Kurt Campbell, Kim, ” Campbell, Matthew Miller, John Kirby, ” Kirby, “ We’re, ” Putin Organizations: CNN, NATO, Washington, “ Publicly, The Wilson, “, of National Intelligence, Stimson, ”, House Locations: Ukraine, Russian, China, Ukrainian, Italy, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Europe, North Korea, Iran, Washington, Pyongyang, Korea, Northeast Asia, Korean, North

☆ Xi’s Warm Embrace of Putin in China Is a Defiance of the West
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( David Pierson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Days after returning from a trip to Europe where he was lectured about the need to rein in Russia, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, used a summit with President Vladimir V. Putin to convey an uncomfortable reality to the West: His support for Mr. Putin remains steadfast. Mr. Xi’s talks with Mr. Putin this week were a show of solidarity between two autocrats battling Western pressure. The two leaders put out a lengthy statement that denounced what they saw as American interference and bullying and laid out their alignment on China’s claim to self-ruled Taiwan and Russia’s “legitimate security interests” in Ukraine. They pledged to expand economic and military ties, highlighted by Mr. Putin’s visit to a cutting-edge Chinese institute for defense research. Mr. Xi even initiated a cheek-to-cheek hug as he bade Mr. Putin farewell on Thursday after an evening stroll in the Chinese Communist Party leadership compound in Beijing.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir V, Putin, Xi’s, Mr, Russia’s, Putin’s, Xi Organizations: West, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Europe, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Beijing

☆ In Meeting With Xi, E.U. Leader Takes Tough Line on Ukraine War
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Roger Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, put pressure Monday on China to help resolve the war in Ukraine, saying Beijing should “use all its influence on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine.”She spoke after accompanying President Emmanuel Macron of France in a meeting with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who began his first visit to Europe in five years on Sunday. Ms. von der Leyen has persistently taken a stronger line toward China than has Mr. Macron. With President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia again suggesting he might be prepared to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine, she said Mr. Xi had played “an important role in de-escalating Russia’s irresponsible nuclear threats.” She was confident, Ms. von der Leyen said, that Mr. Xi would “continue to do so against the backdrop of ongoing nuclear threats by Russia.”Whether her appeal would have any impact on Mr. Xi was unclear, and describing the conflict as Russia’s “war of aggression” in Ukraine seemed likely to irk the Chinese leader. Beijing has forged a “no limits” friendship with Russia and provided Moscow with critical support for its military effort, including jet fighter parts, microchips and other dual-use equipment.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, ”, Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping, von der Leyen, Macron, Vladimir V, Putin, Xi Organizations: European Commission Locations: China, Ukraine, Beijing, Russia, France, Europe, Moscow

☆ How ISIS has Europe and the US in sights after deadly Moscow attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

ISIS claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack. Maxim Shemetov/ReutersHe regards the Moscow attack as a “breakthrough success” for the group, demonstrating a level of planning not previously seen beyond south Asia. Russia’s support for authoritarian regimes in central Asia – which ISIS-K has described as Russia’s “puppets” – has deepened the animus. The attitude of the Russian government, both pre- and post- the Moscow attack, may not help it confront the threat. For ISIS-K, the Moscow attack is a coup.

Persons: Erik Kurilla, “, Sanaullah Ghafari, Edmund Fitton, Brown, Fitton, Amira Jadoon, ” Jadoon, Hans, Jakob Schindler, Christine Abizaid, ” Fitton, Maxim Shemetov, –, Gabriel Attal, ”, Jadoon, Putin, Abu Bakr al, Sinai, Vladimir Putin, Assad, Shamsidin, Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, Yulia Morozova, Shamil Hukumatov, ” Putin, ” Schindler, Alexander Bortnikov, they’ll, Rita Katz Organizations: CNN, Analysts, ISIS, Islamic, US Central Command, UN, Taliban, Russian, Clemson University, Counter, ”, K, US National Counterterrorism Center, –, Crocus City, US Defense Department, Paris, Central, Crocus City Hall, St, City, Tajik, Kyiv, SITE Intelligence Locations: State, Ukraine, Gaza, Moscow, Khorasan, Afghanistan, Europe, Asia, Russia, ‘, Islamic State, Pakistan, Iran, Crocus, United States, West, New York, Tajik, Kabul, Afghan, Kandahar, Central Asia, Baujur, Pakistani, Baluchistan, Iranian, Kerman, Germany, al Qaeda, Turkey, France, America, Russian, Sharm el, St . Petersburg, Syria, Kaluga, St Petersburg, Istanbul, Washington

☆ Russian election: As Putin readies for a fifth term, the Kremlin is stepping up its war on its own people
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In January, she was jailed for five and a half years for spreading “false” information about the army. Russian independent news outlet Mediazona reported she was convicted after two reposts on VKontakte — Russia’s version of Facebook — including one about Russian troop deaths. Oskar CherdzhievRussia’s powerful investigative committee ordered a criminal case be opened on charges of spreading false information about the army. So they try to protect this.”‘Deeper and deeper into this darkness’With mainstream Russian media now entirely state-controlled, the authorities are targeting other forms of expression — the arts, literature and culture. In December, Akunin was added to Russia’s “terrorist and extremist list” for allegedly justifying extremism and spreading false information about the Russian army.

Persons: It’s, ”, Oleg Orlov, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Orlov, Tatyana Makeyeva, Darya, “, ” Korolenko, Konstantin Eggert, Evgeniya, Nadezhda Buyanova, —, Buyanova, Oskar Cherdzhiev Russia’s, Grigory Chkhartishvili, Boris Akunin, he’s, Akunin, Russia’s, Misha Japaridze, Alexey Navalny, Andrei Soldatov, ” Soldatov, Soldatov Organizations: CNN, Facebook, Higher School of, Center, Combating Extremism, Bolshevik Locations: Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Soviet, Orlov’s, Russian, Shakhty, Ukrainian, ” Russia, Covid, USSR

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) —A diplomatic rift between Ecuador and Russia appeared to intensify over the weekend after the European nation decided to ban some imports of bananas from Ecuador. The two countries have been at loggerheads recently after Ecuador decided to transfer some of its old Russian military equipment to the United States, in exchange for $200 million in new military gear. Ecuador is the world’s leading banana exporter, with sales worth around $3.5 billion in 2022. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesRussia’s decision to ban some banana imports came after President Daniel Noboa announced in January that Ecuador would transfer several tons of old Russian-made military equipment to the United States. Russia’s foreign ministry protested Noboa’s decision, saying that it violated a contract which stipulated that Ecuador could not sell the equipment to third parties without Russia’s consent.

Persons: Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Noboa’s, Carlos Estarellas, ” Estarellas, Richard Salazar, ACORBANEC, ”, Russia’s, “, ” Salazar, hadn’t Locations: QUITO, Ecuador, Russia, loggerheads, United States, Ecuadorian

☆ 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

stressing that the war could end tomorrow if Moscow withdrew hundreds of thousands of troops in Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. Russia called the council meeting to again sharply criticize Western military aid to Ukraine. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya who read a joint statement underscoring Russia’s “hypocrisy” in criticizing lawful arms transfers to help Ukraine defend itself. But the Chinese ambassador criticized Ukraine for seeking to join NATO and warned Kyiv, without naming Russia, that this would deepen Moscow’s security concerns. “The negative impacts of the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have added snow to the icy cold global economy,” Zhang said.

Persons: —, Sergey Lavrov, ”, Robert Wood, Lavrov's, Vladimir Putin, that's, ” Wood, Sergiy Kyslytsya, underscoring, Ukraine’s, “, U.N, Zhang Jun, ” Zhang, Zhang, Lavrov, Wood, Malta's, Vanessa Frazier, ” Frazier Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, Kyiv, . Security Council, North Korea —, NATO, Russia, Palestinian Locations: United States, Moscow, China, Russia’s, Russia, Ukraine, Washington, London, Paris, Brussels, Ukraine’s, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, U.S

☆ Opinion: The strategy that can support Ukraine even if Trump is elected
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Christopher Good | Fareed Zakaria | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Between the tragic, ongoing war in Gaza and the Biden-Xi summit, one crucial global crisis is in danger of being forgotten — the war in Ukraine. And this is a terrible time for it to be slipping from public consciousness because Ukraine faces trouble on two fronts. Despite the drones and Starlink connectivity, this is looking like the trench warfare during World War I, which ground on for four years. The second front that is equally worrying is in the West, where support for Ukraine is weakening. An international legal organization and process of adjudicating claims should be established and the funds handled through it.

Persons: Fareed Zakaria, “ Fareed Zakaria, General Valery Zaluzhny, Biden’s, Giorgia Meloni, “, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Trump, Laurence Tribe, Larry Summers, Robert Zoellick, Philip Zelikow, Summers, Zoellick Organizations: CNN, Biden, World Bank, Bank Locations: Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, Kherson, Italian, Moscow, Putin, Switzerland, Belgium, Kyiv, United States

CNN —The general leading Ukraine’s counteroffensive along the southern front line says his forces have broken through in Verbove – and predicts an even bigger breakthrough to come. However, open-source analysis of available video suggests that some Ukrainian units have crossed through an important line of Russian defenses near the village of Verbove. Stringer/ReutersAt the beginning of September Ukrainian forces said they had taken the village of Robotyne and were pushing east toward the village of Novoprokopivka. CNN reported earlier this week that the Ukrainian forces were still some 20 kilometers from Tokmak, struggling to break through the multiple layers of Russian defenses. “But the actions of our fighters force them to slowly pull back when they face our assault squads.”The general conceded that for the counteroffensive to be a success, Ukrainian forces need to at least reach the city of Tokmak.

Persons: Verbove –, Oleksandr Tarnavsky, Frederik Pleitgen, ”, Stringer, Soldiers, Tarnavsky, ” Tarnavsky, “, Rather, Sergey Surovikin, Ukraine – Tarnavsky, Tokmak, Pleitgen, It’s, Ukraine’s, CNN Wagner, ‘, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin, redeploying, that’s, it’s Wagner, it’s Organizations: CNN, International, Kyiv, Reuters, Assault Brigade Locations: Verbove, Russia, Ukrainian, Zaporizhzia, Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, Robotyne, Novoprokopivka, Ukraine, Tokmak, West, Russian, Belarus, Kherson, –, Sevastopol, Crimean

Paris CNN —King Charles and Queen Camilla have just wrapped up their long-awaited state visit to France, spending their final day in the southwest of the country. The royal trip to France has been seen by many as a continuation of the two neighbors' efforts to reset relations in a post-Brexit world. French President Emmanuel Macron rolled out the red carpet for King Charles III. Another element that looks likely to become a staple of state visits from King Charles is the focus on green issues. Throughout the trip, French news broadcasters went into daily special programming, with their commentators dissecting every move in their hours-long coverage.

Persons: Paris CNN — King Charles, Queen Camilla, Charles, Camilla, Daniel Leal, It’s, Queen, Emmanuel Macron, Charles ’, King Charles III, Christian Liewig, Russia’s, Ian Vogler, King Charles, Samir Hussein Organizations: CNN’s Royal, Paris CNN, Royal Navy, Getty, Paris, Palais du, Berlin’s Bundestag, French Locations: Paris, France, Bordeaux, Britain, Germany, British, Triomphe, Palais, Palais du Luxembourg, –, France's, AFP

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, denouncing Russia’s “unprovoked aggression,” told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that if it did not break the grip of Russian veto power, it would be powerless to resolve conflicts around the world, adding his voice to the rising calls to reform how the body works. “Ukrainian soldiers are doing with their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting,” Mr. Zelensky said on Wednesday, arguing that “veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the U.N. into deadlock.”Mr. Zelensky’s appearance before the council helped make it the highest-level direct confrontation over the invasion of Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia and his American counterpart, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, taking the seats normally occupied by their ambassadors and stating their countries’ cases. Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Zelensky did not cross paths — the Russian did not enter the hall until after the Ukrainian had spoken and left — in a bit of choreography that reflected a session in which the two talked past each other.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, ”, ” Mr, Zelensky, Mr, Sergey Lavrov, Russia, Antony J, Blinken, Lavrov Organizations: . Security Locations: Ukraine

CNN —Two Russian warships were damaged after Ukraine launched an extensive assault on a Russian ship repair base in Crimea early Wednesday morning, officials said, in what appears to be Kyiv’s most ambitious strike on the port since the war began. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukrainian armed forces attacked the Sergo Ordzhonikidze shipyard in Sevastopol, which Russia uses as a repair base for its Black Sea Fleet, with 10 cruise missiles and three unmanned boats. But Russian officials confirmed that the attack had damaged two Russian warships and left 24 people injured. An ambulance leaves the area next to the shipyard in Sevastopol, Crimea, on September 13, 2023. Stringer/ReutersAnother prominent Russian military blogger said the attack on the Sevastopol shipyard was carried out by the Ukrainian Air Force, which launched 10 Storm Shadow cruise missiles at the facility.

Persons: Vasily Bykov, Mikhail Razvozhaev, Razvozhaev, Don ”, Stringer, Rybar, ” Rybar, Andriy Yermak, ” Yermak, Mykola Oleshchuk, Volodymyr Zelensky, Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson’s Organizations: CNN, Russia’s Defense Ministry, Reuters, Ukrainian Air Force, Su, Storm, Ukrainian, Russian, SpaceX Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Crimea, Ukrainian, Sevastopol, Russia, Rostov, Minsk, ”, United Kingdom, France, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Crimean

☆ Possible North Korea-Russia weapons deal could be big boost for Kim Jong Un, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —Russia’s failures on the battlefield in Ukraine could turn into a win for North Korea. It would also come after 17 years of UN sanctions aimed at hampering North Korea’s ability to build a fully functioning nuclear weapons and ballistic missile force. North Korea has attempted two satellite launches this year; both ended in failure. Russia’s “purchases will undermine the North Korea sanctions regime and help to generate revenue for the Kim regime. “North Korea makes good what I call heavy industrial weapons,” Schuster said.

Persons: South Korea CNN —, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, “, Sergei Shoigu, Kim, ”, Leif, Eric Easley, Kim Jong, Putin, Doo, Carl Schuster, ” Schuster, Daniel Salisbury, –, ” Salisbury, Schuster, ” Doo, Joseph Dempsey, Trent Telenko, ” Telenko Organizations: South Korea CNN, North, United Nations, US National Security Council, ”, Russian, Putin, Ewha Womans University, CNN, Foreign Relations, Korea Institute for Defense, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, King’s College London, Russia, US Navy, UN Security Council, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Siberian Railway, US ’ Defense Contract Management Agency Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Ukraine, North Korea, Pyongyang, Russia, Moscow, West, Korea, Iran, Korean, “, Japan, Russian, Vladivostok

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A two-day summit in Romania began on Wednesday that brings together 12 European Union member states situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas, as the grouping of mostly formerly communist countries aim to boost ties and connectivity amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Three Seas Initiative, which is being held in the capital, Bucharest, brings together high-ranking officials from EU countries as well as representatives from partner countries and aims to improve interconnectivity in the transportation, energy, and the digital fields. Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu tweeted Wednesday that she had “excellent discussions” with the U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, about joint projects that aim to bolster regional energy security. On the sidelines of the event, Moldovan President Maia Sandu met Wednesday with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. ___Stephen McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.

Persons: Klaus Iohannis, isn’t, Luminita Odobescu, Geoffrey Pyatt, Odobescu, Iohannis, Maia Sandu, Marcel Ciolacu, Sandu, “, John Kerry, ___ Stephen McGrath Organizations: Union, Seas Initiative, U.S, EU, Romanian Locations: BUCHAREST, Romania, Black, Adriatic, Ukraine, Bucharest, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Estonia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Romanian, Moldova, Greece, Moldovan, Sighisoara

☆ Cuba Says Its Citizens Were Lured to Fight in Russia’s War in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Valeriya Safronova | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Cuba has been a close ally of Russia since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Álvaro López Miera, the head of Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, visited Moscow in June. He was received by his Russian counterpart, Sergei K. Shoigu, who said that Cuba was Russia’s “most important ally” in the Caribbean. About 70,000 Russian tourists visited Cuba in the first half of 2023, according to Russian state media, and about 11,000 Cubans visited Russia in 2022, according to the Russian Association of Tour Operators. It is not the first time that a country has claimed that its citizens were being recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

Persons: Elena Shuvalova, Álvaro López Miera, Sergei K, Shoigu, Russia’s, ”, ” Mr, Ukraine ” Organizations: Moscow Times, Russian Army, Cuban Foreign Ministry, Cuba’s Ministry, Revolutionary Armed Forces, Tass, Russian Association of Tour Locations: Moscow, Cuba, Russia, Cuban, Caribbean, Ukraine, Russian, Kostanay, Kazakhstan, Kazakh

☆ Russian Forces Launch Waves of Overnight Attacks on Odesa
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Cassandra Vinograd | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Image Rescuers working on Monday at the site of a fire in Odesa following a Russian attack. Credit... Nina Liashonok/ReutersRussian forces launched waves of missiles and attack drones at Odesa overnight, Ukrainian officials said early Monday, the latest strikes on the southern port city amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian military’s southern command said that air defenses intercepted eight cruise missiles and 15 attack drones that were launched in multiple waves. Since then, Russian forces have bombarded Ukrainian ports — including Odesa and Izmail — in what Ukrainian officials said were strikes specifically targeting the country’s ability to ship grain. It also put Moscow on notice that six Russian Black Sea ports and the approaches to them would be considered areas of “war risk” until further notice.

Persons: Nina Liashonok, ” Natalia Humeniuk, Odesa Organizations: Reuters, Russia’s Defense Ministry, Sunday, Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Odesa, Reuters Russian, Ukrainian, Izmail, Ukraine, Moscow

CNN —Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny on Friday took aim at Russia’s “corrupt” elite that placed President Vladimir Putin in power. “I hate Yeltsin, […] Chubais and the rest of the corrupt family who put Putin in power,” he said, referring to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and former high-level Russian official Anatoly Chubais. “Is there any other country where so many ministers of (a) government of reforms became millionaires and billionaires? But he said “Russia will still have a chance” to turn things around into the democratic direction. Moscow has denied involvement in the poisoning, with Putin himself saying in December 2020 that if Russian security services had wanted to kill Navalny, they “would have finished” the job.

Persons: CNN —, Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin, ”, – Navalny, ” Navalny, “, Yeltsin, Putin, Boris Yeltsin, Anatoly Chubais, Navalny, didn’t, Russia “, Novichok Organizations: CNN, Soviet Union Locations: Moscow, Soviet, Russia, “ Russia, ”, Germany

☆ Paris 2024: The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending. That leaves a dark cloud over the Olympic Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Kharlan’s disqualification threw into sharp relief the political and organizational jeopardy that France and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is facing ahead of the Games. So far, no decision has been taken on Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony is already uniquely French in nature with the Games set to be centered around the Seine, the river running through the city. Organizers also say that the Paris Games “finance themselves,” claiming that 96% of the budget comes from private investment. Next year’s Olympic Games are set to start on July 26 and run until August 11.

Persons: Olga Kharlan, Anna Smirnova, Kharlan’s, Thomas Bach, Russia’s, Smirnova, Russian Anna Smirnova, Ukraine's Olga Kharlan, Tibor Illyes, ” Bach, “, ” Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Jimmy Carter, ”, Moses, AP El, Emmanuel Macron, Geoffroy Van Der, Tony Estanguet, CNN’s Melissa Bell, “ It’s, Denis the, aren’t, Jimmy Gressier, Tullio M, Estanguet, Shelly, Ann Fraser, Pryce, ” Fraser, Fabrice Coffrini, Katie Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus, Summer McIntosh Organizations: CNN, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Belarusian Olympic, Olympic, US Olympic, USA, US State Department, United, AP, AP El Moutawakel, Games, Eastern Bloc, Getty, Paris, FIFA, Stade de France, UEFA, League, Stade de France –, de Police, BFMTV, RMC Sport, CNN Sport, Paris Games, Paralympic, Paralympic Games Locations: Paris, Ukrainian, France, Ukraine, Belarusian, Russia, Milan, Russian, Soviet, Afghanistan, Morocco, United States, Soviet Union, Los Angeles , California, –, Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP, Saint, Puglia, Lausanne, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Seine

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea’s “firm support” for Russia’s war in Ukraine emboldens the two countries’ determination to cope with Western nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech to North Korean officials on Thursday, according to a report in North Korean state media. The 1950-1953 Korean War was one of the first international conflicts of the Cold War era. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang, North Korea, on July 28, 2023. A missile displayed during a military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in Pyongyang, on July 27, 2023. KCNA/ReutersAs the parade went on below, North Korea flew versions of a new “strategic reconnaissance drone and the multi-purpose attack drone” overhead, according to KCNA.

Persons: ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ” Putin, “, ” KCNA, Kim Jong Un, Sergei Shoigu, Kim Il, Kang Sun Nam, KCNA, Li Hongzhong, Kim Jong, Kim, Shoigu, Kim Song Nam, North Korea “, Leif, Eric Easley, Easley Organizations: South Korea CNN, Ukraine emboldens, “, Korean Central News Agency, North Korean, Russia's, KCNA, Reuters, Analysts, North Korean Defense, North Korean Army Forces, Russian, Communist Party Politburo, North, Chinese Communist Party, Reuters Analysts, Ewha Womans University Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Ukraine, Western, Russian, North Korean, Korea, Russia, “ Solidarity, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, KCNA, China, Beijing

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