Serguei Doubine
Russia
Putin seizes five European firms in ongoing hostile asset crackdown
The decree covers a flooring manufacturer, a paper packaging firm, a hygiene products maker, and two metal- and plastic-packaging companies, all of which continued operating in Russia after the all-out invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Russia
Russia detains Swedish citizen as Moscow eyes future prisoner swaps
The FSB arrested the Swedish citizen in Pskov region on terrorism charges and Japanese journalist Yuki Imai on Sakhalin on espionage charges, days after former president Medvedev wrote that Russia may need to “fill up the exchange pool with European and American idiots” to recover Russians abroad.
Ukraine
Ukraine’s Operation Vivaldi foils Russia’s plan to encircle the Donbas
Ukraine’s counter-offensive on the Lyman axis collapsed the northern arm of a Russian pincer movement aimed at surrounding Ukrainian-held Donetsk, liberating up to 176 square kilometres and forcing Russian units onto the defensive, the Washington-based think tank said.
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Ukraine
South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine in North Korean prisoner row
Seoul said Kyiv's public disclosure of the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners endangered their families in North Korea, where relatives of those who fall into enemy hands face punishment. Ukraine has rejected South Korea's accusations.
Russia
Russia dismisses transparency calls amid reports of second plague case
Rospotrebnadzor said nearly 5,000 tests found no dangerous pathogens and saw "no epidemic risk," while the Kremlin called most media reporting "false" and said it had no knowledge of a US demarche formally requesting additional information.
Russia
Russia denies lab worker died of plague as quarantine stays in place
Rospotrebnadzor said tests found no pathogen linked to the deceased lab worker's work at the Irkutsk anti-plague institute, but more than 60 colleagues remained isolated inside the building and several hospitals stayed closed without explanation.
Russia
Russia expels Hungarian diplomats as Budapest breaks with Orbán era
Moscow ordered Hungarian embassy and consulate staff out just weeks after Budapest expelled 10 Russian diplomats on national security grounds in September, the first such move by Hungary since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine
Ukraine's city of Oleshky faces starvation as Russia blocks all aid
Russia is shooting down food deliveries, confiscating supplies that reach the ground and blocking evacuation of some 2,000 residents still trapped in the occupied Kherson town, where the Council of Europe warns civilians face "a high risk of death" with no food, medicine, water or electricity.
Russia
Russians abroad voted overwhelmingly against Putin's party, polls show
Two independent exit polls covering 27 countries put New People first with around 45% and United Russia as low as 2.8%, the reverse of official results inside Russia, where Putin's party took nearly 58%. Exit poll organisers said the gap "destroys the image of supposed support for the authorities."
Russia
Russians go to polls with no party against Putin or war in Ukraine
The three-day vote will fill 450 Duma seats and 11 regional governorships, with only parties backing Putin and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine on the ballot. Despite official denials of a new draft, fears of mobilisation are overshadowing the vote.
Russia
Russians skewer authorities over order to register their chickens
A government decree requiring registration of domestic birds, camels and reindeer took effect Tuesday, sending Russians to government service centres with live chickens in tow before authorities clarified that owners did not need to bring their animals anywhere.
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