Contents tagged with Russia
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Renowned Russian scientist sentenced to 15 years for alleged treason
In a significant development from Russia, Dr. Alexander Shiplyuk, the Director of the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SO RAN), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of state treason. Specializing in hypersonic research, Shiplyuk has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Moscow City Court handed down the 15-year sentence on September 3, according to Russian media and Telegram channels.
The First Department, a …
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Chinese exporters demand prepayment from Russian clients amid sanction-driven economic shifts
In a significant development, Chinese exporters have suspended shipments to Russia without prepayment, a stark shift from prior practices. This move reportedly comes in response to sanctions against Russia, reports Izvestia, citing Vadim Filatov, President of the Association of Automobile Cargo Carriers and Forwarders.
According to Filatov, Russian companies that previously enjoyed trusted credit terms now face unprecedented challenges due to payment reversals. Additionally, new Russian …
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Kazakh banks sever ties with sanctioned Russian payment system Zolotaya Korona
In an unexpected move, several major Kazakh banks, including HalykBank, Bank RBK, and Eurasian Bank, have suspended transactions through the "Zolotaya Korona" payment system. The abrupt suspension of transactions comes "for technical reasons," according to a report from Russian news agency TASS on Thursday.
Freedom Bank was the pioneer in this wave of suspensions, citing "technical work" as the reason for halting operations with the payment system. The bank emphasized that future steps will be …
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China and Saudi Arabia halt crucial MDI chemical shipments to Russia amid sanctions
In a significant development, China and Saudi Arabia have stopped the supply of irreplaceable chemical products to Russia. Currently, Russia is entirely dependent on imported MDI, especially following the European Union's 14th sanctions package.
According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, Chinese giant Wanhua Chemical Group and Saudi firm Sadara Chemical have ceased shipments of isocyanates (MDI) to Russia. This chemical is crucial in sectors like automotive, construction, and household …
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Germany foils Russian drone attack attempt on NATO's airbase
Russia had plans to execute a sabotage operation using drones at a NATO airbase located in Geilenkirchen, Germany, according to German intelligence sources cited by Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). This NATO facility, nestled in North Rhine-Westphalia, was targeted, raising serious international security concerns.
Last week, NATO's Geilenkirchen-Teveren airbase was put on "Charlie" status, the second highest level of combat readiness, due to a precautionary measure following warnings from the U. …
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Finland to station up to 5,000 NATO troops near Russian border
In a strategic move to bolster its defense capabilities against external threats, Finland has agreed to station a NATO armored brigade on its soil. The new unit, consisting of 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers and officers, is being formed and will be based in the city of Mikkeli, near the Russian border, reports the Finnish news outlet Iltalehti, citing sources within the North Atlantic Alliance and security services.
"Finland's Defense Forces and the government have concluded that the presence of NATO …
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Indian PM Modi offers to mediate between Ukraine and Russia amid war-torn diplomatic landscape
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed a willingness to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow. "We stand for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability as soon as possible. India is ready to contribute to this effort alongside friendly nations," Modi stated on Thursday, August 22, in Warsaw, following his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. He also added, "India firmly believes that no problem can be resolved on the battlefield." Modi's visit to Poland comes just …
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Intense fire at Rostov oil depot persists for fifth day after Ukrainian drone attack
A fire at an oil depot in Proletarsk, Rostov region, persists into its fifth day following a Ukrainian drone attack, reported the Russian news agency RBC. A powerful explosion last night exacerbated the blaze, according to local news outlet 161.ru.
Residents could see the glow from the neighboring settlements. "I live 10 km from the oil depot; the flash looked like a sunset," commented a local resident to 161.ru.
Meanwhile, TASS cites regional medical services reporting that 47 people have …
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Moscow court sentences ex-FSB officers for bribery involving Catholic Church officials
In a landmark ruling, the 235th Moscow Garrison Military Court has sentenced two ex-employees of FSB's Second Service, the unit responsible for Constitutional Order Protection, to nine years in a high-security penal colony for taking bribes from Roman Catholic Church representatives. According to Kommersant, Evgeny Lobanov and Denis Karmanov were found guilty of receiving bribes on a large scale (Article 290, Part 6).
Karmanov was also convicted under charges related to illegal arms and …
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China shifts oil imports from Russia to Middle East
In a significant shift, China has increased its purchases of oil from the Middle East, seemingly at the expense of Russian imports. This development follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Beijing. According to Chinese customs data cited by The Moscow Times, the trend of declining Russian oil imports into China accelerated after the trip in May.
Russian oil companies are grappling with a stark drop in demand from China. In July, Russian oil exports to China fell by 7.4% year- …