Russia
Fire reported at Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant's cargo port
Fire reported near cargo port of occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as Ukraine warns of catastrophic risks from Russian military actions at Europe's largest atomic facility.
Naftogaz wins Austrian court approval to seize Russian assets worth over €120mn
Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz Group has secured permission from an Austrian court to enforce a $5bn arbitral award against Russia, in the latest step in its effort to recover compensation for the seizure of its assets in Crimea.
COMMENT: Russia’s debt relief scheme masks war spending in regional budgets
A quiet reshuffling of budget lines in several Russian regions is revealing how the Kremlin is using a federal debt write-off programme to subsidise military recruitment, according to Janis Kluge, fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik.
Russia's Tatarstan region reports massive Ukrainian drone attack
Russia's Tatarstan region reports a massive drone attack, with air raid sirens sounding in Almetyevsk, as defence systems intercept 25 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.
Armenian businessman launches $500mn arbitration case against Yerevan
Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan seeks $500mn in international arbitration against Armenia over alleged illegal expropriation of his electricity distribution company.
Iran revives Mark 1 Dacia Logan as Pars ‘Nova’ in relaunch
Move over Vauxhall, Iran's former GM plant has nabbed the Nova moniker for a rehashed Dacia sedan from the early 2000s!
US ends Ukraine war funding, says vice president JD Vance
US Vice President JD Vance has said that Washington has stopped financing Ukraine’s war effort, signalling a shift in policy under President Donald Trump towards pushing European allies to take greater responsibility in supporting Kyiv.
Confusion reigns over the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Trump administration this week with a proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine that will be discussed at a meeting between the two presidents on August 15 in Alaska.
COMMENT: Moscow's strategic defeat, Washington's noisy triumph in the South Caucasus
With the historic Washington deal, the US is seizing from Russia the role of main mediator in the Armenian-Azerbaijani process.
Ukraine slams Slovak strongman Fico, saying he does not understand causes of war in Ukraine
PM Robert Fico and his nominally leftist Smer party have moved deep into national conservative waters and adopted pro-Kremlin propaganda talking points about Russia being “provoked” into invading Ukraine.
Largest shareholder of Russia's Samolet Group Mikhail Kenin dies at 57
Russia’s largest residential developer Samolet Group announces death of top shareholder Mikhail Kenin.
Wildfires close Dardanelles gateway to Black Sea
Strait closed as Turkey’s heatwave battle with raging wildfires fanned by strong winds continues.
Mixed messages on Russian oil supply to India
India’s Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy is struggling to secure ships to transport fuel after being placed under European Union sanctions.
Defrocked Kazakh cleric seeks to form Orthodox church independent of Moscow
Priest described Russia’s war in Ukraine as a “fratricidal sin”. Accused of attempting to form illegal “schismatic” venture.
Russia demands Central African Republic replace Wagner with Africa Corps and pay in cash
Wagner personnel have played a central role in protecting President Faustin-Archange Touadéra's administration in the Central African Republic.
Russia could face recession in 2026, major think tank warns
Russia’s economy could enter recession as early as 2026, even if the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) continues monetary policy easing, with key forward indicators nearing critical levels.
Trump threatens more sanctions on Russia and China as deadline looms
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with United States Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for three hours on August 6 for “constructive talks”, just two days before a deadline set by former President Donald Trump for a ceasefire deal.
US doubles tariffs on India over Russian oil
The US has intensified trade pressure on India by announcing a sharp increase in tariffs on key exports, citing India's continued purchases of Russian oil
Russia strikes key Ukrainian gas facility linked to Trans-Balkan LNG route
Pipeline built to transport Russian gas through Ukraine to Southeast Europe has recently been repurposed to support imports of LNG from the US and Azerbaijan.
Moscow Exchange extends trading hours on stock market from September
The Moscow Exchange will extend its trading hours on the stock market from late September 2025.