Russia
Russian manufacturing contracts in June decline at fastest rate in three years to 47.5
Russia’s manufacturing sector recorded its sharpest downturn in more than three years in June, as weak domestic and international demand triggered renewed declines in new orders and output, S&P Global reported on June 30.
Azerbaijan arrests Russian journalists as Yekaterinburg victims' bodies return home for fresh autopsy
FSB killings of two Azerbaijani brothers in Yekaterinburg triggered a strong diplomatic response from Baku.
Slovak MFA Blanár causes international outrage for his statements on forgiving Russia
Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Juraj Blanár has caused international outrage for his statement about the need to “find some way of cooperation and maybe also of forgiveness” to Russia.
Russian FSB kills two Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, causing uproar in Azerbaijan
The killings triggered Azerbaijan's strongest diplomatic response since the AZAL aircraft downing in December 2024.
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United States and Russia angling for influence in Turkmenistan
Kremlin seems to be worried its grip on Ashgabat is slipping.
US lifts sanctions related to Paks nuclear plant upgrade
The expansion of the Paks II nuclear power plant could now gain "new momentum" following Washington's decision to lift sanctions related to the project.
COMMENT: Critical minerals pose new test for global energy security
As the world’s energy system transforms at unprecedented speed, so too must our understanding of energy security. While governments continue to focus on securing supplies of traditional fuels, new critical mineral vulnerabilities are emerging.
Kremlin intensifies missile attacks on Ukraine, brings down F-16
The Armed Forces of Russia (AFR) brought down one of Ukraine’s valuable F-16 fighters at the weekend that was trying to counter another massive missile barrage. Such strikes have been intensifying in the last month.
Russia seizes control of major lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine
Russian forces have taken control of a village in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast that is also the site of Europe’s largest known lithium ore deposits that will gut the recent minerals deal signed on April 30 with the Trump administration.
Europe swelters in historic heatwave
Record-breaking temperatures for the time of year are likely to occur across a large part of western Europe in the coming days as a historically unprecedented heatwave intensifies.
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Russia’s inflation continued to recede to 9.5%
Russia’s consumer price inflation during the week of June 17–23 was 0.04% week on week, flat as compared to the previous week, according to the latest report from RosStat statistics agency.
Russian banking officials warn of hidden risks as debt concerns mount
Russia’s banking sector faces a growing threat of a systemic crisis within the next 12 months, with internal assessments suggesting a more fragile outlook than official statements imply.
Russia’s Tinkov and Calvey bet on Mexican fintech as Plata targets $10bn IPO
Two of the most prominent figures in post-Soviet finance, Oleg Tinkov and Michael Calvey, have reunited as investors in Plata, a rapidly growing Mexican fintech aiming to replicate the success of Tinkoff Bank, Russia’s first online-only fintech.
Tosyali dethrones Eregli to become largest Turkish steelmaker
Company owner Fuat Tosyali became a favourite businessman of president Erdogan. Projects he’s involved in include making Turkey’s “native and national” Altay battle tank.
Russia’s switch to Murmansk after EU sanctions on LNG exports exposes fragile dependence on Western shipping – CREA
Russia’s attempt to reroute Arctic LNG exports through domestic waters following the European Union’s March 2025 transshipment ban has exposed a hidden vulnerability at the core of its energy strategy, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Putin heads to Belarus for EEU summit amid divisions within bloc
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Belarus on June 26-27 to attend events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Will Ukraine's refugees go home after the war is over?
Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 caused Europe’s biggest displacement in decades as millions fled, most of them women and children. Three years later, there are still more than 5mn Ukrainians living abroad and only 20% say they will go home.
Kazakhstan denies Ukrainian drones attacking Russia via its airspace
Moscow said dozens crossed western parts of its neighbour headed for Russian targets.
Nato members agree to 5% GDP spending hike, but will they pay?
Nato leaders agreed to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 and renewed their commitment to collective defence at the Nato summit held in the Hague on June 25, but how many of them will pay?
Crypto token launched in Kyrgyzstan by Moldovan oligarch facilitates sanctions-dodging billions for Russia, says report
“A7A5” said to be first stablecoin pegged to ruble. Russian defence sector bank also behind it.