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☆ Factbox: Who are the three Russian scientists accused of state treason?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Lucy Papachristou | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

May 18 (Reuters) - Three Russian scientists who have worked on hypersonic missile technology face "very serious accusations" of state treason, the Kremlin says. Maslov was detained early in the morning of June 28 last year in Novosibirsk, according to an interview that his sons Nikolai and Alexei gave to local media. He declined to tell them anything about the possible reasons for his arrest, and they learned from his lawyer that he was being charged with state treason. Kommersant newspaper reported that Maslov was accused of divulging state secrets related to hypersonics, but provided no further details. Born in Siberia, he studied in the aircraft engineering department at Novosibirsk State Technical University.

CNN —Ukrainian air defenses withstood Russia’s most intense air attack on Kyiv since the start of the year overnight into Thursday, the capital region’s military chief said. Last night, the aggressor launched another large-scale air strike on the capital,” Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, wrote on Telegram. Russian air attacks have targeted Kyiv on three days out of the past four, Popko said. Russian oil refinery firesAlso early on Thursday, fires broke out in two oil refineries in southwestern Russia, following separate alleged drone strikes. It is unclear who is responsible for the drone attack.

CNN —Jailed Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny said he faces a new “terrorist case,” in what could mean decades more in prison for the outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His comments come as his daughter, Daria Navalnaya, told CNN that the Russian authorities were depriving her father of food. Navalny is currently serving a nine-year jail term at a maximum-security prison east of Moscow after being convicted of large-scale fraud by a Russian court last year. Alexey Navalny, pictured in Moscow on August 27, 2018, said on Wednesday that he faces a new "terrorist case," despite being imprisoned. Zhdanov also said that the investigator in the terrorism case was considering the killing of military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky as part of the charges.

☆ Russian lawmakers propose tougher sentences for terrorism, treason -agencies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 7 (Reuters) - Russian legislators on Friday proposed tougher sentences for those convicted of terrorism, high treason and sabotage, domestic news agencies reported, a move officials have been cited as saying was prompted by the war in Ukraine. "We propose to establish life imprisonment for high treason," agencies quoted him as saying, but gave no details. President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials regularly accuse Ukraine and the West of wanting to undermine and dismember Russia. Last month, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a law allowing for use of the death penalty against officials and army servicemen convicted of high treason. Belarus, a neighbour and close ally of Russia, is the only country in Europe that still applies the death penalty.

☆ In Russia's St Petersburg, locals say Finland 'making problems' with NATO accession
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ST PETERSBURG, April 4 (Reuters) - Citizens of St Petersburg, the Russian city closest to Finland, on Tuesday accused their neighbour of turning its back on them by joining the Western military alliance NATO, following their government's line that the accession was a hostile act. "I don't think anything will change for us," said St. Petersburg resident Yevgeny, who like others declined to give his surname. Another resident, Nikolai, said Finland was "making problems for itself". "We have always had good neighbourly relations with Finland." Another citizen, Alexei, had a recommendation for Finland: "If they wanted to unite with Russia against NATO, then I would be glad."

☆ US journalist detained in Russia reportedly reading famous anti-Soviet novel by a Ukrainian Jew as he sits in notorious ex-KGB prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The WSJ reporter detained in Moscow is reportedly reading a famous anti-Soviet novel. The book, which equated crimes of the Nazis and the Soviets, was written by a Ukrainian Jew. "Life and Fate" was not published in the Soviet Union into 1988, when Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of glasnost allowed for greater freedom of expression. "This is a novel written by a Jew that concludes that the Soviet Union had come to resemble Nazi Germany," historian Walter Laqueur told the Washington Post in 1987, shortly before the novel was finally published in the Soviet Union. His parents were part of a large wave of Jews who fled the Soviet Union due to ongoing persecution.

☆ 'A bad joke': Russia takes the reins of the UN Security Council, to Ukrainian outcry
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya speaks during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., May 13, 2022. "I don't think Russia will be able to change the balance inside the Security Council during its presidency. The country that systematically violated all fundamental rules of international security is presiding over a body whose only mission is to protect international security," Kuleba told a Chatham House event via video link from Kyiv. Russia assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council over the weekend, even as its own invasion of Ukraine continues to escalate . The five permanent members have veto power, meaning all five must affirm any resolution for a vote to pass.

☆ One killed in blast at FSB border patrol building in southern Russia - agencies
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Specialists extinguish fire following an explosion in a building belonging to the border patrol section of Russia's FSB federal security service in a built-up district of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Sergey PivovarovROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia, March 16 (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and two were injured on Thursday in a blast and fire at a building belonging to the border patrol of Russia's FSB security service in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, according to officials quoted by Russian news agencies. The FSB said a fire had broken out in a workshop, causing an explosion and the partial collapse of the building, Russian news agencies reported. "The spread of fire caused containers of fuel and lubricants to explode," he said in a message posted on his Telegram channel. They quoted local emergency services as saying one person had been killed and two more injured in the incident.

☆ Ukraine said it was 'watching with pleasure' as footage showed a lethal fire at a building of Russia's FSB security service near border
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A fire broke out at a Russian FSB building on Thursday, causing fuel tanks to explode. At least one person has been killed and two injured, Russian media reported. The FSB is Russia's primary security agency and the main successor to the Soviet Union's notorious KGB. It is responsible for internal security, counterintelligence, border security, and counter-terrorism. The building where the fire broke out belonged to the FSB's regional border patrol section, according to the BBC.

India's oil trade, in response to the turmoil of sanctions and the Ukraine war, provides the strongest evidence so far of a shift into other currencies that could prove lasting. MTS had facilitated some Indian oil non-dollar payments, the trade sources said. An Indian refining source said most Russian banks have faced sanctions since the war but Indian customers and Russian suppliers are determined to keep trading Russian oil. "As it is, the government is not asking us to stop buying Russian oil, so we are hopeful that an alternative payment mechanism will be found in case the current system is blocked." Similarly, many banks from Russia have opened accounts with Indian banks to facilitate trade.

☆ NHL roundup: Stars rally, but Flames pull out late win
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar each collected two assists, and goalie Jacob Markstrom made 29 saves. Sharks 3, Jets 2 (OT)Logan Couture scored in overtime after assisting on Tomas Hertl's late game-tying goal as San Jose outlasted host Winnipeg. Senators goalie Mads Sogaard made 16 saves on 21 shots after being pressed into action when Cam Talbot was scratched due to a lower-body injury. Kings 4, Capitals 2Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist for Los Angeles in a win against visiting Washington. Luke Evangelista scored two goals and Colton Sissons also scored for the Predators, whose two-game win streak ended.

☆ NHL roundup: Connor McDavid's 49th, 50th goals can't stop Bruins
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Edmonton's Connor McDavid scored twice for the first 50-goal season of his NHL career. Rantanen has goals in five straight games and MacKinnon recorded at least a point in his eighth consecutive game. Andrei Kuzmenko scored the winner 48 seconds into the overtime for the Canucks, who are 3-1-1 in their past five games. Isac Lundestrom, Jakob Silfverberg and Troy Terry also scored goals for the Ducks, with Silfverberg recording his 150th in an Anaheim uniform. Tyler Johnson and Andreas Athanasiou each scored goals for the Blackhawks, who saw their season-best five-game winning streak come to an end.

☆ Tense moment as Russia's UN ambassador interrupted a minute of silence for victims of Ukraine war at Security Council
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia's ambassador to the UN broke a minute of silence honoring victims of the Ukraine war. Nebenzya said the council should honor "all victims of what happened in Ukraine, starting in 2014." Video shows members standing in silence when Vasily Nebenzya requested to make a statement, and representatives sat down again to listen. Nebenzya emphasized that the council should honor "all victims of what happened in Ukraine, starting in 2014." 141 members voted in support, while seven voted against and 32 abstained, according to the Associated Press.

☆ How Putin's Russian goon squad used Mexican gig workers to troll an American election
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Mattathias Schwartz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

Posting to social media sounded like an easy work-from-home gig, so he applied. This post from the Prigozhin-backed Social CMS network in Mexico referred to America as "we." He verified his account by providing chat transcripts, screenshots, contracts, and internal company documents. But just because Social CMS didn't yield an immediate, large-scale impact doesn't mean it should be ignored. "I didn't know who are you," wrote the person who is listed in the corporate directory as Prigozhin's media liaison.

☆ Ukrainian UN diplomat tells Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters to keep to 'strumming guitar' after pushing Ukraine misinformation during council meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Azmi Haroun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters spoke on behalf of Russia at the UN security council Wednesday. He regurgitated conspiracies about the Ukraine war, calling it "illegal" in the same breath. During Wednesday's meeting, Waters struck a more flimsy tone, criticizing Russia on one hand and obfuscating its role on the other. I'm on the fucking list," Waters told Rolling Stone in October 2022. He has also denied the existence of chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government and defended Russian bombardment in Syria, according to Rolling Stone.

☆ Analysis: Russia's falling oil revenues could create vicious circle for budget, rouble
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Darya Korsunskaya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Russia's attempts to plug its budget deficit by selling foreign currency reserves could lead to a vicious circle that pushes the rouble higher and further reduces the Kremlin's crucial export revenues, analysts say. That process could trigger a cycle of weaker export revenues, requiring more foreign currency sales and leading to an even stronger rouble, exacerbating the budget hole. Finance minister Anton Siluanov said in December that the price cap imposed on its oil could mean Russia's budget deficit is wider than current plans for 2% of GDP in 2023. Government officials have also publicly said they would like to see a weaker rouble - something the foreign currency interventions seem likely to prevent. Russia's budget for this year is based on a Urals blend price of around $70.10 a barrel, though Russia's main blend is currently trading at around $50 a barrel.

☆ Factbox: G7 price cap on Russian seaborne crude oil: what are the main elements
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The price cap comes on top of an EU embargo on buying seaborne Russian crude oil as a measure aimed mainly at providing third-party countries with an option to still buy it if the transaction is at or below the price cap level. Below are the main elements of how the price cap is supposed to work:PRICE CAP LEVELThe price cap was set at $60 per barrel. Shipping companies will not be allowed to provide tankers for the transport of Russian crude unless the oil is sold at or below the $60 price cap. WHAT IS ALLOWEDProviding financial and shipping services for Russian crude oil is allowed if it is bought at or below the price cap as well as in an emergency. Specific projects which are essential for the energy security of certain third-party countries may be exempted from the price cap.

☆ Zelenskiy appeals to UN Security Council over Russian strikes on infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Simon Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Juan Medina/File PhotoNov 23 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday to take action to stop Russian air strikes targeting vital infrastructure that have once again plunged Ukrainian cities into darkness and cold as winter sets in. That's the Russian formula of terror," Zelenskiy said via video link to the council chamber in New York, adding that hospitals, schools, transport infrastructure and residential areas had all been hit. Ukraine is waiting to see "a very firm reaction" to Wednesday's air strikes from the world, he added. The council is unlikely to take any action in response to the appeal since Russia is a member with veto power. The Russian president "will try to freeze the country into submission," she added.

☆ Russia is sending an ice-breaking tanker of oil to China via the Arctic Circle, opening up a faster route to Asian buyers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is sending an ice-breaking tanker of oil to China via the Arctic Circle, Bloomberg data shows. It could open up a quicker route to Asia, with an EU ban on seaborne Russian oil due next month. Its crude oil shipments to the region have already plunged 60% since its February invasion of Ukraine. The measure will bar EU tankers from transporting Russian oil — meaning deliveries to alternative buyers in India, for example, will take 10 times as long. Like India, China has been snapping up Russian crude sold at a discount as Moscow seeks alternative buyers to its European market.

☆ 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.

☆ U.S., allies slam Russia for wasting U.N. Security Council time
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Eduardo MunozUNITED NATIONS, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The United States and allies slammed Russia on Thursday for wasting the time of the U.N. Security Council and spreading conspiracies by again raising its accusation that the United States has "military biological programs" in Ukraine. Russia has previously raised at least twice at the Security Council the issue of biological weapons programs in Ukraine. It has drafted a Security Council resolution to set up a commission, made up of all 15 council members, to investigate its claims. Such a move is possible - but has never been invoked - under the Biological Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1975. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield described Russia's accusations as "pure fabrications brought forth without a shred of evidence."

☆ Russian lawmaker urges WhatsApp ban for state employees
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Alexander Marrow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms Inc. (META.O) was found guilty of "extremist activity" in Russia in March and later added to financial monitoring agency Rosfinmonitoring's list of "terrorists and extremists". Russia blocked Meta's Facebook and Instagram in March, objecting to restrictions on Russian media and some posts permitted by users in Ukraine. "I think it is necessary to introduce a full ban on WhatsApp use for official purposes by the Russian state and municipal employees," Gorelkin wrote on Telegram, an alternative messenger that is very popular in Russia. Vasily Shpak, deputy industry and trade minister, said the niche vacated by foreign telecoms manufacturers should be filled by domestic ones. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark TrevelyanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UN General Assembly applauds Ukraine, shuns Russia in tense meeting just hours after deadly missile strikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The UN General Assembly on Monday greeted Ukraine's delegate with applause, according to CNN. The body met Russia's ambassador with silence. The special session came just hours after Russia launched a barrage of attacks across Ukraine. On Monday, The General Assembly handily vetoed Russia's attempt to conduct the annexation vote via secret ballot, according to the outlet. "A trail of blood is left behind the Russian delegation when it enters the General Assembly," he said, "and the hall is filled up with the smell of smoldering human flesh."

☆ Delaware Freezes Out Russia-Linked Startups, Extending Sanctions’ Reach
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Andrew Scurria | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

PREVIEWDelaware is now extending U.S. sanctions meant to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine to business ventures incorporated in the state. Blocked startups also can’t raise outside financing because they can’t amend their articles of incorporation in Delaware to issue new capital stock, according to several startup founders and their lawyers. Some startups have persuaded Delaware to restore their good standing after demonstrating that corporate officers no longer live in Russia. Blocked startups face other financial repercussions. It can’t proceed with expansion plans so long as it is blocked in Delaware, Mr. Zykov said.

☆ Eastward gas flows via Yamal-Europe pipeline resume on Sunday -operator data
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterA worker climbs a cylinder at a gas compressor station at the Yamal-Europe pipeline near Nesvizh, southwest of Minsk December 29, 2006. REUTERS/Vasily FedosenkoSept 26 (Reuters) - Eastbound gas flows resumed on Sunday via the Yamal-Europe pipeline to Poland from Germany after a brief halt, data from pipeline operator Gascade showed. Exit flows at the Mallnow metering point on the German border were at 668,924 kilowatt-hours per hour (kWh/h) between 1700-1800 CET after remaining zero since 0600 CET, data showed. Flows stood at 665,593 kWh/h on Monday between 0200-0300 CET. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ashitha Shivaprasad in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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