Putin Says Zelensky a ‘Disgrace to Jewish People’

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, was a “disgrace” to people of his faith. “I have a lot of Jewish friends,” Putin told an annual economic forum in St. Petersburg. “They say that Zelensky is not Jewish, that he is a disgrace to the Jewish people.  “I’m…

Russia’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in Photos

Russia’s flagship economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), took place under the shadow of the war in Ukraine and Moscow’s resulting economic isolation for the second year in a row. With Western leaders and business executives boycotting SPIEF for a second year running, this year’s event mainly saw foreign guests from former…

Over 10K Russian Soldiers Earn Cash Payouts for Destroyed or Captured Equipment – Defense Ministry

More than 10,000 Russian servicemen have received cash payouts for destroying or capturing Ukrainian military hardware since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine last year, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Friday. The bonus payments — ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 rubles ($600 to $3,580) depending on the type of equipment — are reportedly transferred to the…

Alcohol Abuse Plagues Kremlin Elites as War Drags On – Reports

Members of Russia’s political elite have turned to alcohol as they cope with the growing pressures brought on by Moscow’s war in Ukraine, independent media has reported, citing anonymous sources close to the Kremlin, parliament and regional administrations. Alcohol abuse has hit new highs since March, when the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against…

Putin Meets UAE Leader, Hails Ties

President Vladimir Putin hailed Russia’s ties with the United Arab Emirates on Friday as he met the leader of the oil-rich nation, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in St. Petersburg. “The Emirates are a very good partner,” Putin said in televised comments at the start of the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of an…

Russian Report Implies Ukrainian Gains on South Front

Moscow on Friday reported intense fighting near southeast Ukraine settlements that had until recently been under its control, which appeared to indicate advances by Kyiv’s forces.   Russian officials — including President Vladimir Putin — have repeated that Ukraine’s long-expected counteroffensive was failing despite Kyiv claiming some gains.  But the Russian army said the most…

Akhmatova Memorial Plaque Disappears from St. Petersburg Prison

A memorial plaque dedicated to poet Anna Akhmatova has disappeared from the former Kresty prison in St. Petersburg, which featured prominently in her most famous poem, photographer Misha Burlatsky reported Thursday. Akhmatova’s son, the writer Lev Gumilyov, had been imprisoned in Kresty, which held many political prisoners during Stalin’s Great Terror, for “leading an anti-Soviet…

Kyiv Attacked as African Peace Mission Visits Ukraine

A barrage of Russian missiles greeted a delegation of African leaders arriving in Kyiv on Friday as part of a mission aiming to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.  The high-level diplomatic team hopes to bring to the table the voice of a continent that has badly suffered from repercussion of the Ukraine war, including by rising…

ROSATOM Discusses Russia’s Progress in Renewable Energy at SPIEF 2023

Grigoriy Nazarov, Chief Executive Officer at NovaWind (ROSATOM’s wind power division), took part in the Renewable Energy: Low Electricity Prices or Technological Sovereignty session held on June 15 at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).  The session brought together industry experts from the government authorities, renewable energy market players, renewable energy equipment manufacturers, and…

Czech Leader Waters Down Remark on Keeping Tabs on Russians

The Czech president’s office on Friday watered down his claim that Russians living in the West should be monitored, likening them to Japanese Americans who were interned in the United States during World War II. President Petr Pavel told U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Thursday that Russians living in Western countries should be closely…

A plenary session devoted to the nuclear industry role in technological sovereignty assurance was held at SPIEF-2023 with the support of ROSATOM

The plenary session Role of Nuclear Industry in Technological Sovereignty Assurance and Future Technologies was held on June, 16, 2023 at the XXVI St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2023) with the support of ROSATOM. The event was attended by: Thaung Han, Minister of Electric Power of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Mikhail Chudakov,…

Mobile Web Access Blocked at Business Forum Ahead of Putin Speech

Updated with Peskov’s comments. Mobile internet access will be disrupted at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s keynote speech, organizers said Friday, just hours before the Russian leader is expected to arrive at the event grounds.  “Internet access for mobile devices will be temporarily unavailable at the SPIEF venue……