RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 22, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 22, 2020

Today in Russia: Bus hostages in Ukraine; Moscow metro to install facial recognition cameras; “Moscow’s corona euphoria” and the crackdown; No Sino-Russian alliance in the Arctic; Khabarovsk’s new governor known for “weird ideas” but also pragmatism; US Nord Stream 2 sanctions; Yandex.Money deal closed between Yandex and Sberbank; New twist in Calvey-Ariunsan dispute as latter buys up Vostochny Bank shares

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 21, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 21, 2020

Today in Russia: New governor appointed in Khabarovsk; Fugitive Wirecard executive reportedly in Russia with military intel protection; Kadyrov blacklisted by US; Gulag historian delivers closing statement as he faces 15 years in prison; Mayor forced to resign after he accuses government of COVID-19 coverup; Sberbank denied relief from state loan repayment; Putin signs decree for 10-year national goals; Health ministry questions Defense ministry claims that vaccine is ready

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 20, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 20, 2020

Today in Russia: “The Kremlin is shocked” as Khabarovsk continues mass protests; Real wages fall the most since 1998; Russian Ambassador in UK rejects claims of hacking virus research; Russia trying to beat the West in vaccine race; Russian elite received experimental vaccine as early as April; $1.1 billion in tax breaks planned for tech companies; Bones in the forest are those of the last Tsar; Siberian heat wave “almost impossible” without climate change; Demand for Turkey tour package demand increases as the two countries open borders to each other; New charges against Baring Vostok’s Michael Calvey

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 17, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 17, 2020

Today in Russia: Russia trying to steal vaccine secrets; Russian economy won’t fully recover until 2024; UK “Russia Report” to be published; Armenia and Azerbaijan puts Russia in tough spot; Unprecedented surveillance during pandemic; Norilsk mayor claims COVID cases 200% higher than reported; Russia and China rift?

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 16, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 16, 2020

Today in Russia: Hundreds protest against Putin in Moscow; US ramps up Nord Stream 2 sanctions threats; OPEC meeting; US intel sharing helped Russia track down Chechen dissidents; Moscow businessman is Chechen elite’s banker; US cyber attacks since 2018; Defense Ministry claims vaccine is “tested and safe”; Gold exports top gas for first time ever; Where’s the UK’s “Russia Report?”; State Duma endorses 3-day voting window in future election; Pollution investigation launched in Urals; Spotify launches in Russia

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 14, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 14, 2020

Today in Russia: Russia delays $360 billion spending plan; 14-day quarantine for international arrivals to be lifted; More arrests of journalists supporting Safronov in protest; Tens of thousands protest in Khabarovsk in support of their arrested governor; Russia forces “reduced access for aid to Syrians” at UN; Demographer who questioned COVID-19 figures fired; Russia says clinical trials completed for COVID-19 vaccine; “The myth of Putin’s World”

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 10, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 10, 2020

Today in Russia: Moscow will no longer require masks outdoors from July 13; Arrested Khabarovsk governor Furgal has outpouring of support in what is a complicated power struggle – the backstory; A timeline of post-referendum crackdown; Denmark and Nord Stream 2; Kadyrov blames “Russia’s enemies” for killings of Chechens abroad

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 9, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 9, 2020

Today in Russia: Russia to US: “Mind your own business” on media freedom; Journalist and Pussy Riot member arrested; Lithuania bans Russia Today; Spotify to launch in Russia next week; Russia looks to build another pipeline to China; Khabarovsk governor detained over contract killings, LDPR party distances itself; India and Russia will remain tight; China overtakes Russia as key foreign power in Serbia

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 8, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 8, 2020

Today in Russia: COVID-19 deaths surpass 10,000; Gulag historian faces jailtime; On Ivan Safronov, ex-journalist now accused of espionage; Medvedev “awaits his toga;” Norilsk Nickel to challenge the $2 billion figure for its diesel spill; Russia to “reiprocate” against UK for Magnitsky sanctions; Mastercard CEO: Russia has one of the most advanced payment networks in Europe

» Read More

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – July 7, 2020

By Matt Richard | Published: July 7, 2020

Today in Russia: “The most fraudulent vote in Russia” lets Putin stay until 2036; Government demands $2 billion from Norilsk Nickel for spill; RFE/RL reporter found guilty of “justifying terrorism” but no jail time; Charges against former Kommersant journalist for treason; Lowest number of new cases since April 29; Putin not sure when Russians allowed back into EU; Torrent downloading off the charts during self-isolation period

» Read More