Russia’s car sector makes almost full recovery from sanctions shock

After coming to a total stand still in the months after the invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Russia's automotive sector has almost made a complete recovery and is on course to sell 1.3mn cars this year - AEB

KSE: Russian oil revenues rising, tougher sanctions needed on shadow fleet

Russian oil export revenues surged to $17.2bn in March 2024, driven by higher global oil prices and increased crude export volumes, according to the April ‘Russian Oil Tracker’ by KSE Institute.

RAGOZIN: Exhausting Russia, strategies and fantasies

The long-delayed allocation of $61bn by the US Congress gives Ukraine yet another chance to negotiate peace with Russia without losing even more lives and territory, provided it succeeds in stalling the current Russian offensive.

Putin promises long-term stability, a more equitable tax regime in the up-coming tax reform

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised a planned tax overhaul would increase inflows to the state budget, benefit low-income families and provide long-term stability for Russian corporates at his meeting with the big business lobbying group.

Russia’s manufacturing PMI remains at robust 54.3 in April

Russia doesn’t like taking a back seat to China in Central Asia trade

But domestic economic woes may be slowing Beijing’s exports.

Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian oil refineries cause domestic petrol prices to surge

Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries are causing a shortage of petrol on the domestic markets and have sent prices at the pump surging in the last few weeks.

Russia is producing weapons at a record pace, and Ukraine’s partners are trying to increase support for Kyiv

Russia is producing weapons at a record pace, and Ukraine’s partners are trying to increase support. Over the past year, Russia has learned to develop new weapons and ammunition faster than at any time in its modern history.

Top Russian mobile operator MTS announces $86.5mn share buyback

Russia’s biggest mobile phone operator MTS is offering its international investors whose shares have been trapped in Russia by sanctions an opportunity to sell their shares at a discount and get a return on their investment.

MOSCOW BLOG: foreign agents and bank sector clean ups – the FSU still looks to Russia for ideas

Georgian oligarch and éminence grise Bidzina Ivanishvili gave a very bonkers speech on April 29 at the pro-government rally in Tbilisi that has been rocked by protests against the proposed "foreign agents law." That is a Russian innovation.

Czech police point to Russia's GRU as investigation into ammunition explosion is shelved

Czech interior minister says that Russia is “transgressing valid international agreements” after it refused to cooperate with Czech authorities on the case.

European banks still in Russia see profits quadruple, pay over €800mn in taxes

Western banks that have continued operations in Russia paid more than €800mn in taxes last year, marking a fourfold increase from pre-war levels, despite pledges to reduce their exposure following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Putin did not order death of Navalny, US intelligence agencies conclude

US intelligence agencies do not believe that the death of Alexey Navalny was ordered by President Vladimir Putin, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Tajikistan protests to Russia over treatment of citizens with 1,000 stranded at Moscow airport

Central Asians have faced xenophobic backlash since March terror attack allegedly committed by Tajik gunmen.

COMMENT: Aliyev continues to block the chance of peace in the South Caucasus

Although Armenia and Azerbaijan are now the closest they have been to signing a peace treaty in the last 30 years, there is a high probability that it will not be signed.

Startup Defence Builder to build drones and technology requested by the army

Ukraine has witnessed a surge in defence tech innovation initiatives. Defence Builder is a startup accelerator aimed at fostering collaboration between Ukraine’s military, business and startup community to develop technologies requested by the army.

Russia’s Economic Ministry issues bleak economic stress test scenario

Russia's Finance Ministry ran an extreme stress test on the economy for this year that assumes zero growth, a weakening ruble and falling oil and gas revenues in the worst-case scenario.

Ukraine waits impatiently for new US ammunition as intense Russian attacks continue

Ukraine needs at least seven Patriot air defence systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, urging allies “not to waste time,” in his daily broadcast on April 27, as Ukraine continues to get pummelled by Russian missiles.

Fears grow of Russian interference in Central European media space

At the same time, in Poland and Hungary, social networking sites and messaging apps are considered more free and more trustworthy than mainstream media, according to new poll.

Russia’s CBR maintains key rate at 16%

The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 16% at the policy meeting on April 26, making a third meeting in a row that the rate is maintained flat.