Russia
Three fires in Moscow raise suspicions of Ukrainian arson attacks
Three major fires broke out in Moscow on December 10, raising suspicions of arson attacks by Ukrainian saboteurs.
Russian opposition leader Yashin sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for discussing Russian atrocities in the Bucha massacre
A Moscow court has sentenced Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin to eight and a half years in prison on charges of spreading “disinformation” about the Russian army.
Gas crunch emerging in East as Kazakhstan fails to meet China’s import requests
Try as it might, Beijing is unable to lock in Kazakh gas flows. Russian shipments via Uzbekistan might eventually be the answer.
US basketball star Brittney Griner released from Russian jail in prisoner swap for “Merchant of Death” Victor Bout
US basketball star Brittney Griner was released from Russian jail on December 8 in prisoner swap for notorious arms dealer Victor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death”, who was serving a 25-year sentence in the US for arms trafficking.
CENUSA: Moldova chooses lesser evil and restores energy dependence on Russia-controlled Transnistria
The current energy crisis has been the biggest challenge for Moldova since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It has had to swallow bitter medicine and make itself once more dependent on Russian power shared with Transnistria.
bneGREEN: Renewables finally achieve turbocharged growth
Solar is set to overtake coal as the world’s leading source of power supply by early 2025, the IEA said
Uzbekistan rejects Putin’s proposed ‘gas union’
Tashkent’s coolness towards scheme that would also involve Kazakhstan will be seen as another sign of growing fissure between Russia and Central Asia. Kremlin claims pact would have no political strings.
MEDUZA: Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia could mark a new phase in the war
Two days in a row this week, the Ukrainian Armed Forces used drones to strike targets deep within Russia. Satellite images from December 5 show that Ukraine hit the Engels air base near Saratov and the Dyagilevo air base near Ryazan.
Russian coal exports hit fresh highs after EU shipping sanctions were softened
Russian exports of coal have soared to fresh highs after the EU softened sanctions on European shipping companies, allowing them to carry goods worldwide shortly after a ban was imposed in August as part of the fifth package of sanctions.
_Cropped_1670495184.jpg)
bneGREEN: Vertical farms to feed the cities of the future
Indoor vertical farms in Emerging European cities are replacing costly and polluting air imports to supply leafy vegetables for the region’s urban populations.
Russian paramilitary group Wagner reportedly opens 'cultural centre' in Belgrade
Telegram announcement by group dubbed 'Putin's private army' comes at time of heightened tensions between Serbia and Kosovo.
The world's biggest oil producers
The United States is by far the world’s biggest producer of oil, having produced around 16.6mn barrels of oil on average per day in 2021, Statista reports.
Turkmenistan: A shining city in a book of records
Russia is proposing a major reconfiguration of the Central Asian gas market. Eurasianet’s weekly Turkmenistan briefing.
__4_1670397164.png)
Drop in Russia’s car sales continues in November with 62% slump
Sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) declined by 62% year on year in November to 46,403 vehicles, according to the Association of European Businesses that oversees the industry.
Is Russia putting additional pressure on Belarus to join the war?
Lukashenko's and Shoigu's latest meeting in Minsk has spurred new fears that Russia may be putting increased pressure on Belarus to join the war by putting boots on the ground.
Can Russia sneak gas into the EU via a Turkish gas hub?
Russia has been eagerly pushing for the further development of Turkey as a “gas hub” for its gas supplies to Europe. Analysts are asking if this simply a ruse to dodge sanctions and surreptitiously continue to export gas to EU members.
Latvia revokes Russian opposition TV station Dozhd’s broadcasting licence
Following an on-air gaffe, Latvia's National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) has cancelled Dozhd's (Rain's) licence for threatening national security.
Oil tanker jam forms off Turkey as Russian oil price cap disrupts markets
An oil tanker traffic jam has formed off the Turkish coast after the EU’s introduction of a price cap on global Russian crude supplies, the Financial Times reported on December 5. Turkish authorities are demanding new proof of full insurance cover.
Russian composite output stagnates as services PMI contracts in November
Despite the sharp improvement of the Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI) seen in November, continued contraction in the services sector has kept the composite output stagnating in the reporting month.
Roddy Scott Foundation providing education to the children of war-torn Pankisi Gorge
Twenty years ago the young freelance photojournalist Roddy Scott was killed by Russian forces in the Pankisi gorge in Georgia, a refuge for terrorists and a transit point into neighbouring Chechnya during the war there.
