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Moldovan police uncover $24 million voter bribery scheme allegedly linked to Russia
Viorel Černeuțanu, head of the General Inspectorate of the Moldovan Police, stated that over $24 million were allegedly transferred from Russia to Moldova via the "Promsvyazbank" app in October to bribe voters during elections and a referendum. Law enforcement points fingers at fugitive pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor for involvement in this scheme.
Reports indicate that in September, the transfer amount was already significant, reaching $15 million. The app was used to facilitate the …
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South Korea calls North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia 'mercenary cannon fodder'
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has called North Korean soldiers allegedly in Russia "mercenary cannon fodder". He accused North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un of selling his army for an "illegal aggressive war," Yonhap News Agency reported.
"When troops are sent overseas, they usually follow the chain of command of their country and proudly fulfill their duties under their uniform and flag. But North Korean soldiers disguise themselves in Russian uniforms and operate under Russian …
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Kazakhstan opposes Russian use of its territory to circumvent Western sanctions
In a firm stance outlined by Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan has made it clear that it opposes any moves by Russia to utilize its territory to circumvent Western sanctions. As reported by The Moscow Times, Vasilenko emphasized that while Kazakhstan has not imposed sanctions against Russia and has refrained from joining the West's measures, it is equally against Russia using Kazakhstan as a backdoor to dodge these restrictions.
Astana's position, it seems, is well understood by …
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Finnish Border Guard permanently closes temporary border crossings with Russia amid migrant influx concerns
In a statement, the Finnish Border Guard announced the complete closure of the temporary border crossings "Parikkala" and "Inari" along the Russia-Finland border.
The Parikkala crossing ceased operations in 2022 due to Russian timber export restrictions, while the Inari crossing was closed in 2021. The necessary measures for closure will be implemented, including the removal of border crossing signs. Since mid-November 2023, Finland has been shutting down other checkpoints along the border …
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Putin calls for UN Security Council reform at BRICS summit
During the BRICS summit, Russian president Vladimir Putin, in the presence of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, called for increased representation of Asian, African, and Latin American countries—including those attending the event in Kazan—in the UN Security Council.
Additionally, the Russian leader argued that the rising influence of developing nations has not been adequately reflected in the governance structures of the IMF, the World Bank, and other development banks. He emphasized …