Russia
Russia to unveil new Kalashnikov in Abu Dhabi
NEW: Russian arms maker Kalashnikov set to showcase RPL-7 machine gun at next month's Abu Dhabi defence expo
Seven bid for Lukoil’s Bulgarian refinery, PM Zhelyazkov says
Lukoil has been actively seeking to sell its Bulgarian assets since December 2023, when Sofia banned imports of Russian crude oil.
Russian Orthodox Church to send more “military priests” to the front in bid to make army more religious – and beat Ukraine
The Russian Orthodox Church has announced plans to increase the number of military chaplains deployed with Russian forces in Ukraine fivefold, aiming to provide spiritual support and combat what it describes as the "brutalisation" of soldiers.
Russian military withdraws from Syria amid tensions with Damascus regime
Russian forces have begun withdrawing from Syria, with two cargo vessels, the Sparta II and Sparta, departing from the port of Tartus on January 30.
Germany’s Russian LNG imports surge over 500% in 2024, via other countries
Germany talks loudly about ending Europe’s imports of Russian gas, but as a result of alternative sources of energy, it has seen imports of Russian LNG soar by 500% in 2024 y/y, worth a total of €7.32bn, delivered via other European countries.
Russia blocks a record 417,000 websites in 2024 as the Kremlin tightens its control over RuNet
Russia blocked a record 417,000 websites in 2024, according to the independent monitoring group Roskomsvoboda, as the Kremlin tightens its grip over RuNet.
Russia is creating a list of LGBT+ citizens – and it could be made public
Russian authorities have escalated their crackdown on the LGBT+ community by creating a national database to track individuals associated with the group.
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Brazil's President Lula and Putin hold talks on Ukraine war and BRICS
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine conflict, trade and bilateral relations in a telephone conversation on January 27.
CAUCASUS BLOG: Is it the end of the honeymoon between Azerbaijan and Russia?
Tensions have risen following diplomatic exchanges over critical media reports and an unresolved investigation into a deadly air crash involving an Azerbaijani passenger plane.
Denmark approves preservation work at damaged Nord Stream 2 gas pipe
Denmark’s Energy Agency announced on January 28 that it had authorised Nord Stream 2 AG, a subsidiary of Russia’s Gazprom, to carry out preservation work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
Trump calls on OPEC to ramp up oil supply
"Right now the price is high enough that that war will continue," Trump said at Davos.
Russian delegation visits Syria for first time since Assad’s fall
A high-level Russian delegation arrived in Damascus on January 28, marking the first visit since the ousting of Assad.
Russia to ban vapes
All parties in Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, are in support of a proposed bill that would implement a total ban on vaping devices and associated products.
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Expect no sanctions relief for Russian LNG
Preventing more Russian LNG entering the fast-growing gas markets of Asia over the coming years will help ensure extra US supply has a home.
ING: EU considering Russian aluminium ban in new sanctions push
The European Union is reportedly considering more import restrictions on Russian aluminium as part of a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. But any impact is likely to be limited.
OUTLOOK Russia 2025
What is in store for Russia in 2025? bne IntelliNews’ annual OUTLOOK: Russia 2025
India accelerates pivot to Western defence platforms, away from Russia
India, historically one of Russia’s largest military equipment buyers, is increasingly pivoting towards Western defence platforms. This shift comes amid supply chain delays from Russia and the impact of Western sanctions.
Hungary lets EU extend Russia sanctions
The European Union foreign ministers have agreed to extend Russian sanctions for another six months, after Hungary lifted its opposition.
Britain’s Royal Navy mistakes whale fart for Russian drones
The Royal Navy made a whale of a blunder after sensors monitoring waters near north-west Scotland mistakenly identified whale sounds as suspected Russian drone activity.
US sets February 27 deadline for discharging Russian oil tankers
The United States has clarified to India that tankers carrying Russian oil must offload their cargo by February 27 under newly imposed sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow's oil revenue