Russia
Russian hard discounter eyes Hungarian retail market
Svetofor faces challenges in its supply chain due to war and sanctions, but is going ahead with plans to expand in Eastern Europe.
Putin calls up 150,000 more soldiers
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed his annual spring conscription decree, calling up a new swathe of young Russians for compulsory military service.
Russian Foreign Ministry blames Ukraine’s secret service for Moscow terrorist attack
Russian investigators have officially accused Ukraine of being behind the deadly terrorist attack that killed at least 144 people in Moscow on March 22.
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Russia's data management segment boosted by foreign vendors' exit
While the exit of foreign vendors following Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago dealt a hard blow to some industries, other sectors have benefited, such as Russia's data management and storage industry, which is projected to triple by 2027.
Russian patriotism reaches an all time high – poll
Patriotism in Russia is at an all-time high, according to a recent poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) published on March 29. An overwhelming majority (94%) of Russians identify themselves as “patriots.
BOFIT: Forecast for Russia sees lower economic growth ahead
In the March update of BOFIT"s Forecast for Russia 2024-2026 capacity constraints will become a major cause of Russia’s economic slowdown this year.
Non-resident holders of Russian OFZ fall to 7.2% as state-owned banks take up more slack
The share of non-resident holders of Russian Finance Ministry’s OFZ treasury bills fell again in February to 7.2%, or RUB1.4 trillion, of the total outstanding bonds worth RUB20.1 trillion ($217bn), as Russia’s state-owned banks take up the slack.
Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
Russia external debt has been falling steadily and reached $326.6bn in December 2023, compared with $322.3bn in the previous quarter and $383.6bn at the end of 2022. It could pay the entire amount off tomorrow – in cash.
Weak ties: Why trade between Iran and Russia is falling
In spite of repeated memoranda signed between Iran and Russia in recent years, trade had dramatically declined by the end of 2023, according to new data released by the Russian Federation.
EU declines to transfer €5bn from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
The EU has opted against transferring €5bn to Ukraine from the proceeds derived from frozen assets of the Russian Federation, a decision likely to stoke controversy amidst heightened tensions between the EU and Russia.
MOSCOW BLOG: How the ISIS attack in Russia puts Tajiks under pressure
Russian citizens of Tajik descent, alongside the broader Tajik diaspora, have found themselves in a precarious situation.
Russian industrial production growth surged in February to 8.5%, easily outstripping analysts’ expectations.
Russian industrial production growth surged in February to 8.5% y/y, easily outstripping analysts' expectations.
Sanctioned sister of billionaire Usmanov waives right to benefit from family trusts
The sanctioned sister of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has voluntarily and irrevocably waived her right to receive benefits from two family trusts set up years ago by the Uzbek-born tycoon in a bid to have sanctions on her lifted.
BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
For a long time the BRICS countries have been trying to move away from the dollar, but creating a common currency has not been possible, due to the dominance of China's economy within the group.
Sanctions on Russian diamonds see traders flee Antwerp for Dubai
As sanctions on Russian diamonds kick in, traders are fleeing their long time European base of Antwerp and setting up in Dubai to avoid what they say are “impossible” rules.
Tajik media pick up on Russian Duma deputy’s call for migrant visa regime following terrorist attack
Central Asians in Russia, meanwhile, endure beatings, vandalism and racism in backlash.
World Meteorological Organisation issues ‘red alert’ on climate crisis
The UN’s World Meteorological Organisation has issued a “red alert” on the climate crisis, citing unprecedented increases in 2023 in greenhouse gases, land and water temperatures and melting of glaciers and sea ice.
Rain, rain go away
The hotter the world gets, the more water the air can hold and the more it will rain.
COMMENT: Overheating in Russia and Turkey, but CEE recovering
The economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which experienced a period of stagnation last year, are poised for a modest revival in 2024, but both the Russian and Turkish economies are already overheating.
MOSCOW BLOG: Shock and resignation grip the Moscow suburbs
Initially, Anton and his friends thought it was a drone strike. The first images they saw on Telegram channels was of the top of the concert hall on fire, with black smoke billowing out into the light-polluted sky.