Cosmonauts Wade Into Ukraine, Fly Separatist Flag Onboard ISS

Russian cosmonauts on board the ISS held a flag symbolizing pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and congratulated Moscow’s forces on capturing the region of Luhansk, the space agency in Moscow said Monday. Roscosmos posted a photograph of cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveyev and Sergei Korsakov holding the flag of the self-proclaimed separatist Luhansk People’s Republic…

Bitter Harvest: Russia Gathers Grain in Occupied Ukraine

Ukraine has long been hailed as one of the world’s great breadbaskets. In 2021, the country accounted for 10% of global wheat exports in 2021, according to the United Nations. Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February saw agriculture grind to a halt. As tensions rose in the Black Sea, a blockade of Russian ships disrupted…

Uzbekistan Says 18 Dead in Unrest in Autonomous Region

Authorities in Uzbekistan said on Monday 18 people died in clashes in the autonomous Karakalpakstan region when mass protests erupted last week over planned constitutional changes affecting the territory’s status. The unrest, pitting protesters against security forces, represented the most significant challenge yet to the rule of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev since he rose to power…

Renowned Soviet Animator Dies at 101

Renowned Soviet and Russian animator Leonid Shvartsman has died at age 101. Shvartsman had worked on several iconic animated series, including “Cheburashka,” “The Scarlet Flower,” “The Snow Queen” and “38 Parrots and Kitten named Woof.”  Sergei Kapkov, the head of Russian and Soviet animation studio Soyuzmultfilm, announced his death to Russian media outlets on Saturday. …

Putin Won’t Congratulate Biden on Independence Day, Kremlin Says

Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t congratulate his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden on his country’s Independence Day holiday, the Kremlin said Monday.  “This is because this year, the U.S.’ unfriendly political discourse towards Russia has reached its culmination point,” Interfax quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying to reporters. “Under this circumstance, sending such a congratulatory…

Putin Orders Ukraine Offensive to Continue After Capture of Luhansk

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu to press ahead with Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine after troops took control of the entire Lugansk region.  “Military units, including the East group and the West group, must carry out their tasks according to previously approved plans,” Putin told Shoigu. “I hope that everything…

Russia Holds Key Ukraine City in Setback for Kyiv

Russian troops were on Monday holding the strategic Ukrainian city of Lysychansk after Kyiv’s forces retreated, in a major boost for Russia’s campaign to seize the entire Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. With the war now well into its fifth month after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, governments and organizations gathered for a…

Russia Replaces Disappearing Western Gadgets With Chinese Brands

Chinese smartphones and home appliances are replacing major Western brands that have exited Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday. January-June 2022 results analyzed by the Marvel Distribution IT supplier showed at least seven Chinese smartphone brands leading sales in Russia, according to Kommersant. Tecno, Infinix, Realme and Xiaomi showed more…

Georgians Grudgingly Accept Growing Russian Presence

Russian émigré Valentin Semyonov uses sausage as an icebreaker when he meets his Georgian neighbors. “This tastes just like the good old Soviet stuff!” the gangly 38-year-old says as he hands around sticks of salami, of which he appears to have brought an endless supply from his motherland. There is hardly a neighbor in his…