Russia

Russian FSB kills two Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, causing uproar in Azerbaijan

Cavid Aga in Sarajevo June 30, 2025

The killings triggered Azerbaijan's strongest diplomatic response since the AZAL aircraft downing in December 2024.

United States and Russia angling for influence in Turkmenistan

Eurasianet June 30, 2025

Kremlin seems to be worried its grip on Ashgabat is slipping.

US lifts sanctions related to Paks nuclear plant upgrade

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

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

Fatih Birol Executive Director International Energy Agency June 30, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 30, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 29, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 28, 2025

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.

Russia’s inflation continued to recede to 9.5%

bne IntelliNews June 27, 2025

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

Ben Aris in Berlin June 27, 2025

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

Ben Aris in Berlin June 27, 2025

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

Akin Nazli in Belgrade June 26, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 26, 2025

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

Tom Aris in Berlin June 26, 2025

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?

Ben Aris in Berlin June 26, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 26, 2025

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?

Ben Aris in Berlin June 26, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews June 25, 2025

“A7A5” said to be first stablecoin pegged to ruble. Russian defence sector bank also behind it.

Polish public support for Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership drops sharply – poll

bne IntelliNews June 25, 2025

Public backing in Poland for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and Nato has fallen significantly since the start of the war, according to a new survey by the research agency IBRiS.

Putin to skip Rio BRICS summit over ICC warrant as Xi signals no-show

bnl editorial staff June 25, 2025

Brazil's hosting of next month's BRICS summit is being overshadowed by the likely absence of two of the bloc's most powerful leaders, threatening to dent the gathering's geopolitical significance.

Estonia already spending more than 5% on Nato defences as it prepares for possible war with Russia

bne IntelliNews June 25, 2025

Nato members are gathering in The Hague for the annual security conference on June 25 where the US is demanding countries increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2035. Estonia is already there.

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