Eastern Europe / News
Bomb blast kills pro-Russian paramilitary leader in Moscow
A bomb explosion in a luxury residential complex in Moscow has killed Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russian paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, in what authorities are treating as a targeted assassination.
Russia forced to turn to foreigners and criminals as Moscow military recruitment plunges fivefold
Military recruitment in Moscow has dropped fivefold since its peak in mid-2024, forcing Russian authorities to rely increasingly on foreign mercenaries, criminals and debtors to bolster troop numbers.
Romanian presidential candidate Georgescu claims Ukraine is an “invented state”
Foreign ministry attempts damage control after far-right, pro-Russian politician Calin Georgescu proposes carving up Ukraine between Hungary, Poland, Romania and Russia.
Russia to unveil new Kalashnikov in Abu Dhabi
NEW: Russian arms maker Kalashnikov set to showcase RPL-7 machine gun at next month's Abu Dhabi defence expo
Seven bid for Lukoil’s Bulgarian refinery, PM Zhelyazkov says
Lukoil has been actively seeking to sell its Bulgarian assets since December 2023, when Sofia banned imports of Russian crude oil.
Russian Orthodox Church to send more “military priests” to the front in bid to make army more religious – and beat Ukraine
The Russian Orthodox Church has announced plans to increase the number of military chaplains deployed with Russian forces in Ukraine fivefold, aiming to provide spiritual support and combat what it describes as the "brutalisation" of soldiers.
Russian military withdraws from Syria amid tensions with Damascus regime
Russian forces have begun withdrawing from Syria, with two cargo vessels, the Sparta II and Sparta, departing from the port of Tartus on January 30.
Germany’s Russian LNG imports surge over 500% in 2024, via other countries
Germany talks loudly about ending Europe’s imports of Russian gas, but as a result of alternative sources of energy, it has seen imports of Russian LNG soar by 500% in 2024 y/y, worth a total of €7.32bn, delivered via other European countries.
Ukraine's stored gas falls to critically low levels, imports urgently needed
Ukraine's natural gas reserves in its massive underground storage tanks have fallen to a critical level and the country urgently needs to import more gas, says Serhiy Makogon, the former head of Ukraine's gas transit operator.
Russia is creating a list of LGBT+ citizens – and it could be made public
Russian authorities have escalated their crackdown on the LGBT+ community by creating a national database to track individuals associated with the group.
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Brazil's President Lula and Putin hold talks on Ukraine war and BRICS
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine conflict, trade and bilateral relations in a telephone conversation on January 27.
Denmark approves preservation work at damaged Nord Stream 2 gas pipe
Denmark’s Energy Agency announced on January 28 that it had authorised Nord Stream 2 AG, a subsidiary of Russia’s Gazprom, to carry out preservation work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.
Trump calls on OPEC to ramp up oil supply
"Right now the price is high enough that that war will continue," Trump said at Davos.
Russian delegation visits Syria for first time since Assad’s fall
A high-level Russian delegation arrived in Damascus on January 28, marking the first visit since the ousting of Assad.
Russia to ban vapes
All parties in Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, are in support of a proposed bill that would implement a total ban on vaping devices and associated products.
India accelerates pivot to Western defence platforms, away from Russia
India, historically one of Russia’s largest military equipment buyers, is increasingly pivoting towards Western defence platforms. This shift comes amid supply chain delays from Russia and the impact of Western sanctions.
Hungary lets EU extend Russia sanctions
The European Union foreign ministers have agreed to extend Russian sanctions for another six months, after Hungary lifted its opposition.
Britain’s Royal Navy mistakes whale fart for Russian drones
The Royal Navy made a whale of a blunder after sensors monitoring waters near north-west Scotland mistakenly identified whale sounds as suspected Russian drone activity.
Belarus President Lukashenko wins re-election in a landslide, to no one’s surprise
In power since 1994, the “last dictator in Europe” took another election victory after five years of mounting repression that has crushed any opposition to his rule.
Turkey’s role in European security on agenda as top diplomats of Ankara, EU meet
Donald Trump policies could set in motion an attempt at reconfiguring relations.