RUSSIA – The Russian economy remains resilient in spite of sanctions, with the central bank on Friday lowering its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 16% per annum, as the economy maintains a balanced growth path. The decision was in line with the market expectations. The key rate currently stands at its 17-month […]
Category: Russia and Ukraine
Ukraine and Russia Exchange Bodies of Fallen Soldiers
UKRAINE – On Friday Dec. 19, Ukraine and Russia exchanged the bodies of fallen soldiers in accordance with the Istanbul agreement. “As part of the Istanbul agreements, the bodies of 1,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers have been handed over to Ukraine,” presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky wrote on Telegram, adding that Kyiv returned the bodies of 26 […]
Russian and American Delegation to Meet for Ukraine Peace Talks in Florida
RUSSIA – Russian and American delegation will meet this weekend for Ukraine peace talks in Florida, according to a report on Wednesday. The Russian delegation to the meeting in Miami is expected to include Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for President Vladimir Putin who has participated in previous discussions, according to a person familiar with the […]
Russia Deploys Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System in Siberia Military Drills
RUSSIA – On Wednesday Dec. 17, Russia said that it had deployed Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system for combat patrol during routine training exercises in Siberia. Heavy-duty equipment left special installations and commenced maneuvers, including night-time movements, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. “Calculations of mobile ground-based rocket systems (MGRC) ‘Yars’ in Siberia have […]
Russia Captures New Settlement, Refutes Destruction of Submarine
RUSSIA – Russia on Tuesday said that its forces had captured the Novoplatonivka settlement in Kharkiv region. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the village went under its control as a result of operations conducted by the Zapad (West) group of forces. Novorossiysk Port Attack The press service of the Russian Black Sea […]
Child Killed in a Knife Attack at School in Moscow
RUSSIA – An 11 years old boy was on Tuesday killed and a guard injured in a knife attack by a 15 year old teenager at a school in Moscow region, Russia. The incident took place in the Gorki-2 settlement, Odintsovo district of the Moscow region, the Russia’s Investigative Committee said. “As a result of […]
Ukraine Peace Talks News
UKRAINE – Significant progress in the Ukraine peace talks was on Monday Dec. 15 reported, with European leaders hailing the efforts as a path to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In a statement signed by leaders including Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission […]
Russia Files Lawsuit Against Euroclear
RUSSIA – Russia has filed a lawsuit against the Belgian-based securities clearing and settlement company Eroclear. The Russian Central Bank filed a lawsuit against Euroclear on Dec. 12 demanding 18.2 trillion rubles (about $229.7 billion) in compensation. Euroclear holds some €185 billion ($217 billion) in immobilized Russian reserves due to EU sanctions imposed following the outbreak […]
Ukrainian Drone Attack Kills 2 in Saratov Region
RUSSIA – A Ukrainian drone attack on Saturday killed 2 people and damaged several buildings in Russia’s Saratov region, according to the local governor. In a statement on Telegram, Roman Busargin said: “As a result of Ukraine’s drone attack, an apartment building was damaged. Two people died.” He expressed condolences to the families and promised […]
Russia Says Has no Plans to Attack NATO or EU
RUSSIA – Russia on Thursday reiterated that it has no plans to attack NATO members or EU, adding that it’s ready to offer a guarantee in writing. “We have no aggressive plans, as President (Vladimir Putin) has clearly stated, against either NATO or EU members. We are prepared to formalize the corresponding guarantees in writing, […]
Overnight Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Russia Reported
RUSSIA – Hundreds of flights were either cancelled, diverted or delayed in various regions of Russia after overnight Ukrainian drone attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed in a statement on Telegram that the country’s air defenses shot down 287 Ukrainian drones from 11 pm (2000GMT) on Wednesday to 7 am (0400GMT) Thursday morning. It specified […]
Kremlin Comments on Zelenskyy’s Claim he’s Ready to Hold Elections in Ukraine
RUSSIA – On Zelenskyy’s assertion that he’s ready to hold presidential elections in Ukraine if there’s security guarantee, the Kremlin on Wednesday stated that Russia will wait and see how things develop. Speaking to reporters at a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the issue of holding elections in Ukraine is something Russian President […]
Overnight Russian Drone Attack in Sumy Region Injures 7
UKRAINE – At least 7 people were injured in an overnight Russian drone attack in Sumy region according to the local Governor Oleh Hryhorov on Monday. “At the moment, seven people have been injured in Okhtyrka as a result of Russian drone strikes on a high-rise building,” Oleh said in a statement. Noting that two […]
Latest on US-Ukraine Peace Talks
UKRAINE – A sixth meeting (in 2 weeks) on US-Ukraine peace talks was on Friday held, with the participation of Ukrainian officials as well as US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, an unofficial advisor to President Donald Trump. The two days of “constructive” talks with Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem […]
Ukrainian Drone Attack Hits Skyscraper Complex in Grozny City, Chechnya
RUSSIA – A Ukrainian drone attack early Friday struck a skyscraper complex in Grozny City in Chechnya, according to local reports. Reports indicate that Grozny City complex, a five-star hotel and business center in the Chechen capital, was struck by Ukrainian drones. Photos and videos circulating online showed visible damage to a tower’s facade and […]