Eastern Europe / News

Sanctioned sister of billionaire Usmanov waives right to benefit from family trusts

Ben Aris in Berlin March 28, 2024

The sanctioned sister of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has voluntarily and irrevocably waived her right to receive benefits from two family trusts set up years ago by the Uzbek-born tycoon in a bid to have sanctions on her lifted.

Sanctions on Russian diamonds see traders flee Antwerp for Dubai

Ben Aris in Berlin March 28, 2024

As sanctions on Russian diamonds kick in, traders are fleeing their long time European base of Antwerp and setting up in Dubai to avoid what they say are “impossible” rules.

Tajik media pick up on Russian Duma deputy’s call for migrant visa regime following terrorist attack

bne IntelliNews March 28, 2024

Central Asians in Russia, meanwhile, endure beatings, vandalism and racism in backlash.

Lukashenko contradicts Putin on Crocus City terrorists, threatens to invade Baltics

bne IntelliNews March 27, 2024

In Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s latest bombastic rant, he contradicted Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the four terrorists fleeing the killing spree in the Crocus City Hall mall were headed towards Belarus not Ukraine.

Putin afraid of causing labour shortages by pointing finger at Central Asia for terrorist attack, says analyst

bne IntelliNews March 26, 2024

Kyrgyzstan warning citizens to stay away from Russia and Turkmenistan trying to bring students home.

Speculation swirls of “Men in Blue” in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack linked to FSB

bne IntelliNews March 26, 2024

FSB officers may have been in the concert hall during the terrorist attack in Moscow, according to speculation posted on the Nexta Telegram channel.

Tajik diaspora in Russia living in terror following Crocus City massacre

Eurasianet March 25, 2024

Since the terrorist attack on Crocus City concert hall near Moscow, blameless Tajik migrants across Russia have experienced threats, verbal abuse and increased law enforcement harassment.

Moscow terror attack suspects likely received instructions in Turkey, Russian daily reports

Akin Nazli in Belgrade March 25, 2024

Ankara confirms two of accused entered Turkey, but denies they were radicalised while there.

EU tariffs on Russian grain imports to the EU will have little impact

Ben Aris in Berlin March 25, 2024

The introduction on high tariffs on the import of Russian grain to the EU will have virtually no impact, as the volume of Russian grain arriving in the EU is so small and is not worth a lot of money.

Ahead of Moscow attack UN report warned of growing Islamic State recruitment in Central Asia

bne IntelliNews March 25, 2024

Terrorist group’s Afghanistan-based ISIS-K branch has built to size and sophistication that give “ability to project a threat into the region and beyond”, Security Council was told.

Russian politicians call for reinstatement of death penalty

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2024

Senior politicians in Russia are advocating for the reinstatement of the death penalty following the terrorist attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall on March 22.

Bulgaria moves closer to deal on selling Russian-made reactors to Ukraine

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2024

Reactors originally intended for Belene NPP project now likely to sold to Ukraine to compensate for loss of Zaporizhzhia NPP to Russia.

Almost 1.5mn Ukrainians plunged into darkness as Russia targets power infrastructure

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2024

Almost 1.5mn Ukrainians were plunged into darkness over the weekend as Russia continued what has been described as the biggest barrage of missile strikes against its energy infrastructure since the start of the war over two years ago.

Putin links Ukraine to Moscow terror attack

bne IntelliNews March 23, 2024

Speaking on March 23, 18 hours after the attack that killed at least 115 and wounded hundreds more, Putin stated that the gunmen responsible for the shooting had been caught, and claimed that they were in a car on the way to the Ukrainian border.

Russia to begin new mobilisation for siege of Kharkiv, say reports

bne IntelliNews March 23, 2024

Russia's Defence Ministry is reportedly gearing up for a significant escalation in the conflict in Ukraine, with plans to deploy an additional 300,000 troops, according to sources cited by the independent outlet Verstka.

Ukraine’s power infrastructure in danger from Russian missile barrage

Ben Aris in Berlin March 23, 2024

Ukraine suffered a second day of intense bombing of its power stations, plunging half a dozen regions into darkness, as the Kremlin tries to take advantage of Kyiv’s dwindling supply of air defence ammo.

Moscow wakes up to count its dead following the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack

Ben Aris in Berlin March 23, 2024

As day breaks over a shocked Moscow, locals are trying to absorb the aftermath of a deadly terrorist shooting spree at the Crocus City Hall shopping centre and concert venue that killed at least 60 people and probably more.

UPDATE: At least 40 dead in Moscow terror attack

bne IntelliNews March 22, 2024

At least 40 people are dead in Moscow and another 100 injured after a shooting and at least one explosion at Crocus City Music Hall in Moscow.

Kremlin calls conflict with Ukraine ‘war’ for first time

bne IntelliNews March 22, 2024

For the first time, the Kremlin has called the conflict in Ukraine a “war.” Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the fight was a war in an interview with a leading Russian newspaper, using the word that until now was illegal.

US urges G7 to issue $50bn bonds backed by CBR frozen money income, EU agrees to seize the profits

bne IntelliNews March 22, 2024

The US has urged its G7 allies to issue a $50bn bond backed by the profits earned from the $300bn of frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) money held in Europe.

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