Russia
THE BELL: Russians have never lived as well as they do today
Russian President Vladimir Putin would have probably won the elections even if they had been free and fair, as Russians have never lived as well as they do today. The economy would have powered Putin to victory.
Almost 1.5mn Ukrainians plunged into darkness as Russia targets power infrastructure
Almost 1.5mn Ukrainians were plunged into darkness over the weekend as Russia continued what has been described as the biggest barrage of missile strikes against its energy infrastructure since the start of the war over two years ago.
Putin links Ukraine to Moscow terror attack
Speaking on March 23, 18 hours after the attack that killed at least 115 and wounded hundreds more, Putin stated that the gunmen responsible for the shooting had been caught, and claimed that they were in a car on the way to the Ukrainian border.
Russia to begin new mobilisation for siege of Kharkiv, say reports
Russia's Defence Ministry is reportedly gearing up for a significant escalation in the conflict in Ukraine, with plans to deploy an additional 300,000 troops, according to sources cited by the independent outlet Verstka.
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Ukraine’s power infrastructure in danger from Russian missile barrage
Ukraine suffered a second day of intense bombing of its power stations, plunging half a dozen regions into darkness, as the Kremlin tries to take advantage of Kyiv’s dwindling supply of air defence ammo.
Moscow wakes up to count its dead following the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack
As day breaks over a shocked Moscow, locals are trying to absorb the aftermath of a deadly terrorist shooting spree at the Crocus City Hall shopping centre and concert venue that killed at least 60 people and probably more.
MOSCOW BLOG: Who were the attackers at Moscow’s bloody Crocus City shooting?
A group of gunmen attacked a crowd of concert goers at the Crocus City Hall in western Moscow on the night of March 22, killing at least 40 and injuring up to a 100 more, according to the Federal Security Service.
UPDATE: At least 40 dead in Moscow terror attack
At least 40 people are dead in Moscow and another 100 injured after a shooting and at least one explosion at Crocus City Music Hall in Moscow.
Russia's CBR keeps rates on hold at 16%, but inflation expectations starting to fall
Russia’s Central Bank of Russia (CBR) kept rates on hold at 16% as expected at its monetary policy meeting on March 22, despite slowing inflation and falling inflation expectations amongst the population.
Kremlin calls conflict with Ukraine ‘war’ for first time
For the first time, the Kremlin has called the conflict in Ukraine a “war.” Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the fight was a war in an interview with a leading Russian newspaper, using the word that until now was illegal.
US urges G7 to issue $50bn bonds backed by CBR frozen money income, EU agrees to seize the profits
The US has urged its G7 allies to issue a $50bn bond backed by the profits earned from the $300bn of frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) money held in Europe.
Russia to create sperm bank for childless men leaving to fight in Ukraine
Natalia Strebkova, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, revealed this plan during a meeting of the local parliament, where she underlined the “importance” of preserving “the lineage of a serviceman.”
VK stuck between rising debts and growing revenues
Russia’s answer to Facebook is on a roll as the online market has been rocked to its core by sanctions. But its debt is growing even faster as the company goes on a wild shopping spree to consolidate its position as top dog in Russia's RuNet.
Serbian foreign minister's Moscow trip likely to spark fresh calls to freeze EU accession process
Ivica Dacic arrives in Moscow days after Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected in rigged election.
An epic insurance brawl over Russia’s seizure of planes is going nowhere
An epic brawl in the aviation insurance business is going nowhere as Western firms try to recover something from the Russian government, which seized billions of dollars’ worth of leased planes impounded by Russia.
UBN: Russia could take the Baltic states in 48 hours
Russian forces must only make an offensive push for 250km to cut the Baltic states from Europe.
RBI under strong US pressure to drop Strabag share swap deal with Deripaska
The controversial share swap deal with sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska would allow RBI to repatriate €1.5bn of earnings trapped in Russia.
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One year on: Russia’s budget deficit already at end of year forecast level
This time last year and a cheer went up from amongst Ukraine’s supporters. The twin oil sanctions were moving into place and it looked like they were going to work as Russia’s oil revenue collapsed and the budget deficit blew out.
Wagner Group fighter shoots business partner in St. Petersburg restaurant – and sits back down to finish his dinner
A Russian man who fought for the Wagner Group in Ukraine has been arrested after shooting a business associate at a St. Petersburg restaurant.
Red, yellow, green data: which statistics can you trust in wartime Russia?
The West lashed out at Russia with extreme sanctions in the first week following the invasion of Ukraine and like a fleeing octopus the Kremlin immediately went into dark mode to protect itself. But some data can be trusted.