Eastern Europe / News
Missiles strikes on Crimea kill nine, as Ukraine breaks through Russia’s last line of defence in Zaporizhia
The Russian Defence Ministry reported on September 22 that a missile strike originating from Ukraine hit the Russian Crimean city of Sevastopol as Ukraine increasingly targets the disputed peninsula.
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Nagorno-Karabakh residents await their fate
Negotiations in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh are focused on security guarantees for the withdrawal of the Nagorno-Karabakh forces to Armenia and amnesties for its soldiers and leaders.
Russia approves first full wartime budget for 2024 with 1.7-fold increase in military spending
The Russian government has approved its first full wartime budget that will significantly increase military spending in 2024 as well as boost social spending to shelter the population from the effects of war and sanctions.
Ukraine's international supporters can now help the country fight Russia by buying local war bonds online
As part of a government drive to raise more money to pay for the war, Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance (MinFin) has made it possible for foreign individual investors to conveniently buy federal treasuring bonds (OVDP) with a click of a mouse.
Russia bans fuel exports as deliveries to military surge
Russia has temporarily banned the export of gasoline and diesel to all countries outside a group of four ex-Soviet states, aiming to stabilize its domestic fuel market, as supplies of diesel to the military surge.
Rada adopts return of e-declaration law with Zelenskiy’s proposed changes
The Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has passed a second version of the e-declaration law to return the anti-corruption law that requires all public servants to declare their income and assets.
Bulgaria to stop imports of Russian oil
Parliament votes to end imports despite exemption from EU-wide ban until end-2024.
Kyrgyzstan has ‘the balls’ to send Russia parts crucial to making tanks, trade data suggests
Analyst notes Chinese ball bearing exports to Central Asian country are up around 2,550%. Suggests many of the ‘dual-use’ goods are simply passed on to the Russian defence industry.
Slovakia, Romania and Poland move to settle grain dispute with Ukraine
Slovakia's and Romania’s farming ministers have agreed with Kyiv on a licensing system for trading in grains.
Poland says no plans for further weapons deliveries to Ukraine as grain row deepens
Poland has been one of Ukraine's closest allies against Russia's aggression, but relations have soured over Ukrainian grain imports, which Poland says are hurting its farmers.
Top Georgian central bank officials resign over unfreezing of assets of sanctioned former prosecutor
TBC and Bank of Georgia reaffirm their commitment to adhere to international sanctions imposed by the EU, the UK, and the U.S., regardless of the National Bank of Georgia's decision.
Ukraine sues Poland, Slovakia, Hungary over grain ban, as first ship leaves port of Chornomorsk
Grappling with the Russian-made headache of how to get its grain to market, Kyiv filed a lawsuit at the World Trade Organisation as the first of two grain ships leaves the port of Chornomorsk.
Iran and Russia unleash a contractual tsunami in several meetings
Iran and Russia are converging in sectors for the first time as both countries face off against the US and the West.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy tells UN that Russia is weaponising everything from food to children, calls for global unity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has issued a stark warning to the international community, saying that Russia is "weaponising" everything from food to children in its war against Ukraine, and has called for a united front against Russia.
Turkey not ready to ratify Sweden’s Nato bid says Erdogan
Strongman takes combative approach during trip to New York for UN General Assembly. Rebukes US journalist who quizzes him on human rights.
Russian, Iranian defence chief meet in Tehran to discuss the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, in Tehran on September 19 to continue building on good ties and discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
Russian peacekeepers stand inactively by as Azerbaijan renews attack on Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijani relaunched a full-scale attack on the Armenian controlled Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19 that the Defence Ministry said was the beginning of a “limited anti-terrorist operation” while Russian peacekeepers stand inactively by.
Data search reveals coal produced in annexed parts of Ukraine shipped to Turkey
Finding comes week after US stepped up sanctions targeted at Turkish companies for circumventing war restrictions on goods flows to Russia.
Azerbaijan demands ethnic-Armenians in Karabakh raise white flag amid military operation
Baku claims “anti-terrorism” push but analyst says it appears Azerbaijanis are moving to retake Armenian-populated areas of enclave in their entirety.
Bulgaria destroys drone found in Black Sea resort
Drone equipped with 82mm high-explosive mortar found in Bulgaria after three drones crash in neighbouring Romania.