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☆ Russia may be moving to pull the plug on letting the only anti-war candidate run for president because the Kremlin's worried he might take too many votes from Putin, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia appears poised to bar the only remaining anti-war candidate from presidential election. Election officials rejected almost 10,000 of the signatures Nadezhdin needed to run. Nadezhdin's popularity appears larger than expected, experts say, and may hurt perceptions of Putin and the war. AdvertisementAhead of next month's presidential election, Russian officials appear poised to bar the only anti-war candidate, Boris Nadezhdin, from running. Russian election law states that candidates have to gather 100,000 signatures to run.

Persons: Putin, —, Boris Nadezhdin, Nadezhdin, Vladimir Putin, didn't, it'll, ISW, Alexei Navalny's, Ivan Zhdanov, Zhdanov Organizations: Service, Kremlin, Commission, Russian, Washington Post, Putin, Institute Locations: Russia, Ukraine, US

☆ Oil jumps 1% after Houthis attack on fuel tanker in Red Sea
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A lone pumpjack located in the middle of a large solar array outside of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. Oil prices jumped 1% on Monday on fuel supply concerns after a missile struck a Trafigura-operated fuel tanker in the Red Sea and as Russian refined products exports are set to fall as several refineries are under repair after drone attacks. Brent crude futures climbed 83 cents to $84.38 a barrel by 2341 GMT after hitting a session-high of $84.80. "Disruptions to supply have been limited, but that changed on Friday after an oil tanker operating on behalf of Trafigura was hit by a missile off the coast of Yemen," ANZ analysts said in a note. "With oil tankers linked to the U.S. and UK now under threat of attack, the market is likely to reprice the risk of disruptions."

Persons: Brent, Trafigura, Yemen's Organizations: . West Texas, Commodities, ANZ, Middle, Organization of, Petroleum Locations: Bakersfield, Kern County , California, Yemen, Middle East, Russia, OPEC

☆ Italy's Meloni Opens Africa Summit, Promises New Partnership
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The summit, being held in Italy's ornate Senate, will last all day, with Italian ministers due to outline an array of initiatives, from energy and infrastructure to health and education, that Meloni says will be mutually beneficial. "We believe it is possible to envision and write a new chapter in the history of our relationship, a cooperation among equals, far from any predatory imposition or charitable stance towards Africa," Meloni said in an opening speech. Eni, Italy's largest importer of natural gas, has already countered lower Russian supplies by shipping increased volumes from Africa, where it has had a presence for decades. The company has said Algeria, Egypt and Libya will be Italy's main gas suppliers for the next few years. Most had departed from North African countries such as Tunisia and Libya, many fleeing poverty and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Persons: Crispian Balmer, Angelo Amante ROME, Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Enrico Mattei, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Mattei, Alex Richardson Organizations: Italian, Eni, European Union, European, Energy, EU Locations: Rome, Africa, Italy, China, Russia, Gulf, Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Ukraine, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Europe, North, Saharan Africa

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — The leaders of Russia and Belarus met Monday to discuss ways to further expand their close alliance that has seen the deployment of some of Russia's nuclear weapons on the territory of its neighbor. President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia and Belarus have developed a “strategic partnership” as part of their 25-year union agreement. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesLast year, Russia moved some of its short-range nuclear weapons into Belarus, closer to Ukraine and onto NATO’s doorstep. Their declared deployment was widely seen as part of Moscow's efforts to discourage the West from increasing military support to Kyiv. Lukashenko said last month that the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons was finalized in October.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, ” Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko Locations: PETERSBURG, Russia, Belarus, St . Petersburg, Belarusian, Soviet, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine appears to be attacking Russia's oil and gas industry with small, cheap drones that can bypass its air defenses
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Several oil and gas facilities in Russia have caught fire in recent weeks following suspected drone attacks. Russia's air defense systems have proven to be less effective against small drones. AdvertisementUkraine appears to be targeting Russia's oil and gas industry with small, cheap drones as it seeks to disrupt Russian supply lines. Ukraine is likely targeting the facilities in an attempt to disrupt Russia's military operations. AdvertisementWhy Ukraine is able to embarrass Russia's air defense systemsRussia's air defense systems have proven to be less effective against small drones as they struggle to detect them.

Persons: —, Lapenko, Vladimir Putin's, Vladimir Putin, Samuel Bendett Organizations: Service, New York Times, Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, Getty, RBC, Center for Naval Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Tuapse, Klintsy, Ukrainian, Moscow, Baltic Ust, St, Petersburg, Lake Valdai, Valdai

☆ Flying attack helicopters low on risky runs the way they do in Ukraine is far from easy, former Super Cobra pilot says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewUkraine's attack helicopter pilots are flying low and fast, navigating a dangerous battlefield where almost anything in the air is at risk. Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters attack Russian positions with the use of unguided rockets. And then, of course, there is the serious threat of Russian surface-to-air missiles and other weapons, to include Russian aircraft. AdvertisementThe General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed footage of the combat operation of the Mi-24 attack helicopter. Part of the larger problem facing Ukrainian helicopter pilots is identifying where threats are coming from in combat environments.

Persons: —, lew mede, eli, Hunter, ely, NIEL, IHAILE, e, orde, ines, Sergey Organizations: Service, Business, US Marine Corps, aff, kr, unt Locations: Ukraine, ain, sion, gilan, it use

☆ Ukraine Says It Downed Russian Surveillance Plane
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Ian Lovett | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Russia uses its surveillance planes to identify targets and threats over a wide area. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Associated PressKYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back Russian troops on the ground, but they are proving adept at hitting high-value Russian targets, with the downing of a surveillance plane adding to string of recent blows to Moscow’s air force. Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, said Monday on Telegram that Ukraine’s air force shot down an A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft, as well as a IL-22 bomber jet, over the Sea of Azov. He offered no details about how the planes had been brought down.

Persons: Alexander Zemlianichenko, Valeriy Zaluzhniy Organizations: Associated Press Locations: Russia, Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Azov

☆ Goldman Sachs says it's time to buy this unloved global sector — and names some top stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Amala Balakrishner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Europe's utilities sector may have come under pressure over the past three years, but Goldman Sachs says a shift is underway, naming stocks to play the industry in 2024. But things are looking up for Europe's utilities sector, according to Goldman Sachs' analysts led by Alberto Gandolfi. Stock picks German energy company RWE is among the stocks highlighted by Goldman, which said it continues to value its renewables business. Goldman has a buy rating on the stock, which is also on its conviction list of top picks. The bank has a price target of 22 euros on the company, giving it just over 33% potential upside.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Alberto Gandolfi, inflecting, Goldman, Solaria, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Renewable Energy, U.S . Federal Reserve, Italian Hydro Locations: Ukraine, Spanish

☆ Oil prices rise as US-led strikes in Yemen raise fears of wider conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —US-led airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen rattled energy markets on Friday, sending oil prices sharply higher. Oil prices rose sharply after US-led strikes on multiple Houthi targets in Yemen in response to repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Another concern is that oil facilities in Saudi Arabia could get hit by a retaliatory strike from the Houthis. In 2019, roughly 5% of world oil supply was briefly knocked offline in a large-scale drone attack on Saudi oil facilities. Despite Friday’s gains, oil prices remain lower than where they were before the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel due to concerns about oversupply.

Persons: Brent, “, ”, Robert Yawger, ” Yawger, John Kirby, CNN’s Becky Anderson, ” Kirby, ” Matt Smith, ” Helima Croft, Croft, ” Croft Organizations: New, New York CNN, Mizuho Securities, White House National Security Council, RBC Capital Markets, CIA Locations: New York, Yemen, East, Red, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Gulf of Oman, Hormuz

☆ Few things worry NATO like Russia's Yasen-class submarines, and Moscow may be planning to build even more of them
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Despite high-profile losses, Russia's navy has been largely untouched by the war in Ukraine. Russian submarines, especially Yasen-class cruise-missile subs, are a top concern for NATO. A Russian defense industry source told state media outlet Tass in mid-2022 that Moscow was considering adding two more subs to the nine Yasen-class subs it had planned to build. AdvertisementYasen-class sub Severodvinsk during its launch ceremony at a shipyard in the city of Severodvinsk in June 2010. AdvertisementRussian Yasen-class sub Kazan at its home base in Severomorsk in June 2021.

Persons: —, Sasha Mordovets, Glen VanHerck, Lev Fedoseyev, Ine Eriksen Søreide, Jim Mattis, Severodvinsk, Adm, Michael Studeman, LPhot Dan Rosenbaum, Ben Key, what's Organizations: NATO, Service, Tass, US Northern Command, Zircon, Getty, Naval Sea Systems Command, US, Pentagon, CBS News, Chatham, of Naval Intelligence, Russia's, British Royal Navy, US Navy, British navy's Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Northern, Pacific, Severodvinsk, Europe, North America, Severomorsk, Washington DC, NATO, Soviet, Western

☆ Exclusive: EU nuclear agency sees some Russia imports up again in 2023 from before Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Gabriela Baczynska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Its overall imports from Russia's nuclear energy industry held steady last year despite rising demand for nuclear power driven by high energy costs and a push to cut carbon emissions. The trend highlights challenges EU faces in reaching its long-term goal of achieving VVER fuel self-sufficiency. EU imports of natural uranium from Russia fell 16% last year from 2021, a drop compensated by increase in deliveries from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, ESA said. In 2022, the EU's Russian nuclear energy imports were worth around 750 million euros ($823 mln), or 1% of the bloc's Russian gas imports, according the European Commission. Sources said, however, that the proposal - which is not public - does not include sanctions on Russia's nuclear energy industry.

Persons: Radovan Stoklasa, ESA's, Stefano Ciccarello, Ciccarello, Finland's, Gabriela Baczynska, Anne Kauranen, Timothy Gardner, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Union, Euratom Supply Agency, ESA, Reuters, U.S, Westinghouse, Commission, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Mochovce, Slovakia, Russia, BRUSSELS, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, France, Sweden, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Europe, United States, Brussels, Helsinki, Washington, Budapest

☆ North Korean special economic zone poised for revival in new Russia trade
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ju-Min Park | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

China accounted for 97% of North Korea's overall trade in 2022, according to South Korea's Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). But Russia resumed oil exports to North Korea in December 2022 and had exported 67,300 barrels of refined petroleum to North Korea by April, United Nations data shows, the first such shipments reported since 2020. "Assuming North Korea and Russia's honeymoon period becomes a long one, North Korea could get Russian support on food, energy and infrastructure through Rason," Cho said. Those ships are suspected of military supplies from North Korea to Russia, the reports said. From Rason's port, North Korea has sent Russia an estimated 2,000 containers suspected of carrying artillery shells, and possibly short-range missiles, South Korean military officials have told reporters.

Persons: Rason, Jeong Eunlee, Jeong, Lee Chan, Cho Sung, Cho, Alexander Kozlov, Chung Songhak, Chung, Kim Jong Un, Kozlov, Kim Il Sung, Abraham Choi, Choi, Rason . Lee, Lee, Josh Smith, Gleb Stolyarov, Gerry Doyle Organizations: North, South, Korea Institute for National Unification, Russian Federal Customs Service, South Korea's Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency, United, Teikyo University, North Korean, Korean, Kremlin, Korea Institute for Security, South Korea's National Institute for Unification Education, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, Korean, Russia, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Rason, Korea, South Korea’s, Russian, South Korea's Korea, United Nations, Tokyo, South Korean, Pyongyang, Rason's, Soviet, North, South

☆ Russia says frigate hits Ukraine's military infrastructure with cruise missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A frigate of the Russian Black Sea Fleet launches a Kalibr cruise missile at Ukraine's military infrastructure, according to Russian Defence Ministry, in the Black Sea, in this still image taken from video released November 29. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNov 29 (Reuters) - A frigate of the Russian Black Sea Fleet launched an attack with four cruise missiles on Ukraine's military infrastructure, Russia's defence ministry said early on Wednesday. "The crew of a frigate of the Black Sea Fleet received a task of launching a strike with Kalibr cruise missiles in the shortest possible time against enemy military infrastructure," the ministry said on its Telegram messaging app. The Black Sea has become a crucial theatre in the 21-month-long war. Ukraine's increased air and sea drone attacks on Russian military targets there have damaged ship and naval repair yards in the port of Sevastopol, and struck other targets.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Lidia Kelly, Jacqueline Wong, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sea Fleet, Russian Defence Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Black Sea Fleet, Reuters, Russian, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Sevastopol, East, Europe, Melbourne

☆ Russia Says Frigate Hits Ukraine's Military Infrastructure With Cruise Missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - A frigate of the Russian Black Sea Fleet launched an attack with four cruise missiles on Ukraine's military infrastructure, Russia's defence ministry said early on Wednesday. "The crew of a frigate of the Black Sea Fleet received a task of launching a strike with Kalibr cruise missiles in the shortest possible time against enemy military infrastructure," the ministry said on its Telegram messaging app. "The missile threat level is high," Ukraine's navy said on its Telegram messaging app. The Black Sea has become a crucial theatre in the 21-month-long war. Ukraine's increased air and sea drone attacks on Russian military targets there have damaged ship and naval repair yards in the port of Sevastopol, and struck other targets.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Lidia Kelly, Jacqueline Wong, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Sea Fleet, Black Sea Fleet, Russian Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Sevastopol, East, Europe, Melbourne

☆ Iran finalises deal to buy Russian fighter jets - Tasnim
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35S jet fighter performs a flight during the Aviadarts competition, as part of the International Army Games 2021, at the Dubrovichi range outside Ryazan, Russia August 27, 2021. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Iran has finalised arrangements for the delivery of Russian made Sukhoi su-35 fighter jets and helicopters, Iran's deputy defence minister told Iran's Tasnim news agency on Tuesday, as Tehran and Moscow forge closer military relations. Iran's air force has only a few dozen strike aircraft, including Russian jets as well as ageing U.S. models acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. "Plans have been finalised for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Yak-130 jet trainers to join the combat units of Iran's Army," Iran's deputy Defence Minister Mehdi Farahi said. In 2018, Iran said it had started production of the locally-designed Kowsar fighter for use in its air force.

Persons: Sukhoi Su, Maxim, Iran's, Mehdi Farahi, Elwely, Parisa Hafezi, Alison Williams, Ed Osmond Organizations: International Army, REUTERS, Rights, Sukhoi, Iran's Army, Thomson Locations: Sukhoi, Ryazan, Russia, Rights DUBAI, Iran, Tehran, Moscow, United States

☆ Russia's huge Air Force is still mostly intact, but it hasn't been building the jets it needs to win on the ground in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

After nearly two years of combat in Ukraine, Russia's air force is still largely intact. If Russia's air force can't perform that mission, Russian ground forces will continue to struggle. AdvertisementDespite its losses in the Ukraine, Russia's air force is still quite robust. What Russia doesn't have is the support aircraft needed to find and attack enemies on the ground. AdvertisementAs long as Ukraine's air defenses aren't suppressed, the Russian Air Force can't provide meaningful support to ground troops.

Persons: —, Cmdr, Matthew Galamison, Michael Petersen, Galamison, Petersen, Sukhoi Su, Mihail Tokmakov, Sefa, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Kremlin, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, NATO, US, US Naval War College, US Air Force's Air, Space Operations, Getty, Russian Air Force, EA, Kyiv, Russia's, Russian Army, REUTERS, British Defence Ministry, Anadolu Agency, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, Russian, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Kyiv City, Chernihiv, Forbes

☆ Gay activists in Russia fear arrest as top court weighs "extremist" listing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's justice ministry asked the Supreme Court this month to recognise what it called "the international LGBT social movement" as extremist and to ban its activities. The ministry said that "various signs and manifestations of extremist orientation, including the incitement of social and religious discord" had been identified in the activities of Russia's LGBT movement, without giving examples. 'EXTREMIST' LISTING CAN FORESHADOW ARRESTSThe justice ministry publishes a list of more than 100 "extremist" groups banned in Russia. "This will all be so underground that, unfortunately, I'm sure there are many people who won't be able to get help," he said. Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin LiffeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Putin, Alexei Sergeyev, Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny, Sergei Troshin, Sergeev, Mark Trevelyan, Kevin Liffey Organizations: PETERSBURG, LGBT, Reuters, Orthodox Church, Thomson Locations: Russia, St Petersburg

☆ What to know about North Korea's spy satellite launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

WHAT ARE THE CAPABILITIES OF NORTH KOREA'S ON-ORBIT SPY SATELLITE? To launch a more-capable satellite, North Korea will most likely need to develop a larger rocket, which it appears to be doing, he said. South Korea's spy agency has said North Korea may have overcome technical hurdles with the help of Russia, which in September publicly pledged to help Pyongyang build satellites. The United States and its allies called North Korea's latest satellite tests clear violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit development of technology applicable to North Korea's ballistic missile programs. "North Korea is no longer shy about testing ICBMs, so no - this really is an SLV," he said.

Persons: Jonathan McDowell, Hong Min, Kim Jong Un, Vann Van Diepen, Van Diepen, Jeffrey Lewis, Chang Young, Lee Choon, Pyongyang’s, Lewis, Hyun Young Yi, Hyonhee Shin, Josh Smith, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, KCNA, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Harvard – Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, U.S . Space Force, Korea Institute for National Unification, Stimson, North, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Korea Aerospace University, South Korea's Science, Technology Policy, United Nations, Thomson Locations: North Gyeongsang Province, North Korea, Rights SEOUL, North, Korea, Pyongyang, U.S, Washington, South Korea, RUSSIA, Russia, Moscow, United States

☆ Azerbaijan’s 10 best castles and fortresses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Tom Marsden | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

It grew up around a fortress built in the 1750s by Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate (1748-1822). Kamilla Rzayeva Tea culture: Azerbaijani tea culture originated in Lankaran and the hospitable locals will often welcome visitors with a refreshing glass. Kamilla Rzayeva Yanar Bulag: Yanar Bulag, meaning "burning spring" is a natural spring which percolates methane gas. Kamilla Rzayeva Hirkan National Park: Home to endangered Persian leopards, Hirkin National Park is a great place for hiking and cooling off. Kamilla Rzayeva Ironwood trees: Hirkan National Park's famous ironwood trees are believed to have survived the last Ice Age.

Persons: ”, Alexander the Great, Timur, Russia –, Elchin Aliyev, who’s, Akhsitan I, Ilisu, Ivan Paskevich, Imam Shamil, Potemkin, Sergei Einstein’s, Panah Ali Khan, Persian Shah, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Joseph Stalin, Kamilla, Stalin, Yanar, Zindan Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Sheki, of Sheki, Zaqatala Locations: Europe, Asia, Azerbaijan, Russia, USSR, jostle, Old City, Baku, Mardakan, Shabran, Persia, Chirag, Sheki, Caucasus, Ilisu, Ilisu Sultanate, Soviet, Zaqatala, Lesser Caucasus, Shusha, Karabakh, Persian, Alinja, Azerbaijan’s, Nakhchivan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, Machu Picchu, Azerbaijani, Lankaran, Ironwood, ironwood, Talysh

☆ Worried about Western jets, Russia is likely to risk its early warning planes near the front lines to give its formidable S-400s an edge, intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia has likely started using its valuable early warning planes in the Ukraine war, UK intel said. British intelligence said Moscow may be worried about Kyiv deploying Western fighter jets. Russia will likely "accept more risk" by flying A-50 Mainstay D aircraft close to the front line, the group said. "This adds to Mainstay's core mission of co-ordinating fighter aircraft," the intelligence update said. The Beriev A-50 Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesAny potential concern over Western fighter jets comes as Ukrainian pilots and personnel are training on how to fly and maintain American-made F-16 fighter jets.

Persons: —, Wojciech Grzedzinski, Sefa Karacan, they're Organizations: intel, Western, Service, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Russia, US, Patriot Locations: Russia, Ukraine, British, Moscow, Kyiv, Kostiantynivka, Britain, Europe

☆ Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones have lost their edge in Ukraine, but the company behind them is still making a big bet there
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones were a valuable weapon for Ukraine after Russia invaded last year. The TB2 drone has lost much of its utility as Russia's military has adapted to its use, however. AdvertisementA Bayraktar TB2 at a military base in Ukraine in March 2019. Press Office of the President of Ukraine / Mykola Lararenko / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesBaykar has supplied at least 50 TB2 drones to Ukraine to date. Baykar's Bayraktar Akinci drone on display at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport in April.

Persons: —, Haluk Bayraktar, Mykola Lararenko, Col, Volodymyr Valiukh, Ali Bakir, Haluk, Bakir, James Rogers, Rogers, Oguz Yeter, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Press, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Ukrainian, Ukraine's Main Intelligence, Business, Baykar, Cornell Brooks School Tech Policy Institute, Istanbul's, Airport Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Turkish, Russian, Kyiv, Ukraine's, Turkey, Ukrainian, Ankara, Syria, Libya, Nagorno, Karabakh, Ethiopia

UKRAINE DIVERSIONReuters spoke to around a half dozen Czech and Polish defence companies and government officials who described renewed efforts to carve out a bigger share of the African arms market as the Ukraine conflict diverts Russia's attention. Privately-held defence and civil manufacturing company Czechoslovak Group - the biggest Czech defence company - said its ability to maintain and modernize armoured vehicles using Soviet-era standards has helped it win business in Africa. ...in Poland where our stand was visited by numerous delegations from African countries that appeared here for the first time," WB Group spokesman Remigiusz Wilk said. The effort to supply Ukraine has pushed Czech companies to boost production and expand supply lines, something Czech-based independent defence analyst Lukas Visingr said has burnished the region's reputation. "The Czech arms industry is stepping up its efforts towards certain African countries still using Soviet-style equipment but who start to see Russia as a problematic supplier," Visingr said.

Persons: David W Cerny, Jiri Hynek, Filip Kulstrunk, Andrej Cirtek, Pieter Wezeman, Sebastian Chwalek, –, Remigiusz Wilk, Petr Fiala, Tomas Pojar, Tomas Kopecny, Kopecny, Lukas Visingr, Visingr, Michael Kahn, Anna Koper, Alex Richardson Organizations: Aero Vodochody, REUTERS, Western, Central, Russia Czech, Defence, Western NATO, Warsaw, Defence and Security Industry Association of, Reuters, Aero, Privately, Czechoslovak Group, CSG, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, WB Group, WB, Ivory, Thomson Locations: Odolena Voda, Czech Republic, Russia, Africa, PRAGUE, WARSAW, European, Western, Czechoslovakia, Czech, UKRAINE, Polish, Ukraine, Stockholm, China, Saharan Africa, Poland's, Poland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, Prague, Mozambique

☆ Google fined $164,000 for failing to store user data inside Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An illuminated Google logo is seen inside an office building in Zurich, Switzerland December 5, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Google (GOOGL.O) was fined 15 million roubles ($164,000) on Tuesday for repeated refusal to store Russian users' data on servers inside Russia, a Moscow court said. Russia has repeatedly clashed with foreign technology companies over content, censorship, data and local representation in a simmering dispute that intensified after Moscow sent its armed forces into Ukraine in February 2022. Google's Russian subsidiary has been under pressure in Russia for failing to delete content Moscow deems illegal and for restricting access to some Russian media on YouTube. The technology giant's Russian unit filed for bankruptcy in summer 2022 after authorities seized its bank account, making it impossible to pay staff and vendors.

Persons: Arnd, Felix Light, Kevin Liffey Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, YouTube, Kremlin, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Thomson Locations: Zurich, Switzerland, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine plans to use winter to cut off Russia's military supply chains and 'freeze them out' of the country, official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It aims to cut off Russian supply chains and "freeze them out" of Ukraine, a spokesman said. Winter conditions typically slow fighting, but Ukraine said "rain and frost" may help its efforts. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine's aim for the winter months is to cut off Russian military supply chains and "freeze them out" of the country, Volodymyr Fito, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Ground Forces, said. Winter conditions are expected to slow down the fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces, as is typical in war. The UK Ministry of Defence said last month that Russia appeared to be stockpiling cruise missiles to use against Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the winter months.

Persons: —, Volodymyr Fito, Fito, Jack Watling Organizations: Service, Ground Forces, Pravda, Royal United Services Institute, UK Ministry of Defence Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Russia

☆ Ukraine is expanding its bridgehead along the Dnipro River and have taken across armored vehicles for the first time, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine is expanding its bridgehead along the left bank of the Dnipro river. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine is expanding its bridgehead along the left bank of the Dnipro river, putting Russian defense forces under pressure. Earlier this week, it was reported that Ukrainian armored vehicles had crossed the river for the first time. The bridgeheads are not believed to be connected, but Ukrainian forces are expanding them, British newspaper The Telegraph reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine's forces are attempting to push forwardElite Ukrainian naval forces raiding a Russian-occupied island in the Dnipro river.

Persons: —, Forbes, Krynky, Konstyantyn Mashovets Organizations: Ukrainian Marines, Service, Kyiv Post, British, The Telegraph, for, Russian, Elite Ukrainian, Command, Special Operations Forces of, Armed Forces of, Facebook Locations: Ukraine, Dnipro, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Krynky, Kherson, Russian, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Poyma, Oleshky, Kherson Oblast

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