Eastern Europe / News
Uzbek national arrested in Moscow bombing that killed Russian chemical defence chief Kirillov
Russian authorities have detained a 29-year-old Uzbek national suspected of organising the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian military’s chemical and biological defence forces.
Uzbekistan’s Moscow embassy “clarifying” details on man detained after scooter-bomb assassination of Russian general
Speed of arrest of Uzbek suspect will inevitably prompt some scepticism over whether the accused is a scapegoat.
Russia sells stakes in Kazakhstan uranium JVs to China
Move kicks off debate on whether move illustrates a loss of Kremlin influence in Central Asia.
North Korean troops suffer casualties in Ukraine conflict
North Korean soldiers have been reported killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region of Russia, according to US officials.
Ukrainian bomb kills Russian Nuclear Forces general in Moscow
A senior Russian general has been killed in an explosion outside his apartment building in southeastern Moscow, in the latest targeted assassination reportedly carried out by Ukraine on Russian soil.
EU Council says enlargement is a "geo-strategic investment in peace"
The enlargement process has been revitalised since the start of the war in Ukraine, but EU ministers say candidate countries must step up reform efforts.
Hungary blocks EU military help to Ukraine and some sanctions against Georgia and Russia
European Commission set to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats.
_12_1734391707.jpg)
Russia’s HIV crisis: 30,000 annual deaths of working-age people undermine dwindling labour force
Around 30,000 Russians of working age die annually from HIV, according to Vadim Pokrovsky, the head of Russia’s Federal Methodological Centre for HIV/AIDS Prevention.
_1734385092.jpg)
Russia to ban discounted alcohol in bid to crack down on problem drinking
The Russian government is planning to prohibit discounts on alcoholic beverages and restrict their placement near checkout counters as part of a broader initiative to reduce alcohol consumption nationwide by 2030.
Assad breaks silence from Moscow
Disgraced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued his first public statement from Moscow on December 16, detailing the circumstances of his departure from Syria.
First major oil spill by Russia's shadow fleet as major storm rips oil tanker apart in Kerch straits
A major storm ripped a Russian oil tanker apart, tearing off its nose on December 15. A total of two ships have reportedly sunk as a result of the storm and at least four crew members are thought to have lost their lives, TASS reports.
Russia withdraws equipment from Syrian bases, but will not abandon them, in new deal talks with HTS
Russia began to withdraw substantial amounts of equipment from its two bases in Syria on December 13, but it has not abandoning the country and is now in talks with the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government on a new deal.
US expected to impose sanctions on Serbia's NIS over Russian ownership
Serbia president says US sanctions targeting Gazprom-owned NIS will take effect in the coming days, with the UK likely to follow.
Key Donbas coal mine shuts down that will impact on metal production and exports, as Russian forces advance on Pokrovsk
Ukraine's largest steel producer, Metinvest, has suspended operations at its Pischane coal plant near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Without its coking coal, Ukraine's metallurgical sector is in trouble.
Russia’s economic woes starting to overflow into Kazakhstan
Kazakh currency takes a plunge.
Orban continues freelance peace mission with visit to Ankara
Orban's solo diplomacy at the start of his rotating EU presidency almost led to Hungary being stripped of its presidency.
Slovakia will continue supplying Czechia with processed Russian oil for another six months
Slovakia prolongs exemption from EU sanctions on oil products from imported Russian oil.
Russia spent €69mn on propaganda and interference in Bulgaria and Romania, Bulgarian cybersecurity group reveals
Funds were used to spread Russian influence and promote far-right discourse in both Bulgaria and Romania.
Russian sex workers are moving to occupied Ukraine to make six figures servicing soldiers
Russian sex workers are increasingly relocating to occupied territories in Ukraine, attracted by potential earnings of as much as RUB1.5mn ($14,000) per week from servicing soldiers.
Tusk says no talks underway to send Polish troops to Ukraine once fighting stops
Speculation follows comments by incoming Trump administration about European forces policing a future ceasefire.