Zelensky Meets With IAEA Chief During Zaporizhzhia Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on Monday announced a joint visit to the southern frontline region of Zaporizhzhia, which is partly occupied by Russian forces. “I met Zelensky today in Zaporizhzhia City and had a rich exchange on the protection of the Zaporizhzhia [nuclear power plant] and…

Elites Allegedly Insulting Putin in Phone Call Cause Sensation in Russia

An audio recording of a telephone conversation allegedly taking place between Russian music producer Iosif Prigozhin and billionaire former senator Farhad Akhmedov continued to send shockwaves through Russia’s elites on Monday, as one media outlet publicly backed its authenticity. The unusually frank discussion between two well-connected and wealthy members of the Russian elite, supposedly a…

Kremlin Unfazed by Western Backlash Over Belarus Tactical Nukes

President Vladimir Putin’s plan to station Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of neighbor and ally Belarus would go ahead despite the Western backlash that followed the announcement over the weekend, the Kremlin said Monday. On Saturday, Putin announced plans for Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus “without violating our international agreements…

Kremlin Exempts Duma Deputies Visiting War Zone From Filing Tax Returns

Members of Russia’s lower house of parliament sent to visit Russian-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine on official business are to be exempted from filing tax returns this year, Russian business daily Vedomosti reported Monday, citing two lawmakers. The news follows President Vladimir Putin’s decision last year to waive a transparency measure requiring government officials to publicly disclose…