RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – August 25, 2009
TODAY: Yushchenko hits back; Russia accuses Ukraine of participation in Georgia war. Medvedev suggests media scaremongering regarding disaster. Seeks the advice of Buddhists. Putin visits Kadyrov; Estemirova commemorated. Two candidates for the title of Russia’s Obama.
Russia has reportedly claimed that Ukrainian troops and volunteers joined with Georgian soldiers in fighting against Russia during last year’s five-day war. Celebrating the 18th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from Soviet rule, embattled President Viktor Yushchenko deflected the criticisms from abroad, in particular ‘foreign overlords’. President Medvedev has been on a recruitment drive in the Buryatia region of Mongolia, where on a visit to a temple the President asked Buddhist monks to join the armed forces as spiritual advisers.