Stories from Moscow · Russia

Former Russian President and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dimitri Medvedev commented on the assassination of pilot Maxim Kusminov in a television interview. Medvedev stated that the perpetrator of the brutal murder remains unclear. He suggested that the nature of the attack reflects a specific pattern of retribution. Intelligence expert Holger Schmidt warned that such operations are difficult to track as the perpetrators remain unknown. The incident is being compared to the Mika Eka case due to similar methods. The comments follow the shooting of Kosminov in an apartment garage.

The Feynes agency has been granted the right to write off uncollectible citizen debts without a court order. The new rules regarding the removal of debts for payments with expired collection periods take effect today.

Roscosmos aims to improve rocket characteristics to deploy more useful payloads into orbit. Technology expert Oleg Kapranov agreed that the restrictions focus on satellite hardware. Expert Oleg Kapranov confirmed the restrictions specifically target Starlink and other unlicensed satellite communication networks. Support for these technologies is currently disabled for devices operating within Russian networks. This restriction makes it impossible to activate certain features, such as UltraWideBand technology used for tracking tags in indoor environments. The Russian government has implemented a six-month ban on importing foreign satellite communication terminals, including SpaceX's Starlink devices. Prime Minister Mishustin signed the decree, citing national security interests as the justification.

Russia and Saudi Arabia will introduce a visa-free regime starting May 11. Cross-border transfers between individuals will carry a fixed commission of 6 rubles. The fee applies to transactions involving companies, employees, and the self-employed. The source noted that the actual crediting of funds will remain outside of these tariffs. Additionally, new rules regarding residency registration will take effect, meaning residency will no longer be automatically maintained if an individual does not reside at the registered address for an extended period. Additionally, paper medical certificates for driver's license exchanges will no longer be required in Russia as of May 1. A QR code will be issued instead, which automatically uploads to the traffic police database. Instead, a QR code will be issued and automatically uploaded to the State Traffic Inspectorate database.

The Russian government has implemented a ban on certain foreign technology devices effective today. Operating these aircraft is significantly cheaper than helicopters, according to the source. However, mass application is not expected in the near future. The ministry clarified that fully autonomous passenger aircraft remain a more distant prospect for Moscow and the Moscow region. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has decided to ban imports for several well-known technology brands. The decision is set to take effect on May 27. Industry representatives provided further details regarding the upcoming restrictions. The Ministry of Transport will not fine entrepreneurs who fail to register in the Goslog system due to circumstances beyond their control. The Russian president has a dense schedule planned for Victory Day, including speeches and bilateral meetings.

The Russian government has launched a new feature on the 'Rabota v Rossii' platform to track data regarding targeted vocational training. The rocket features the world's most powerful liquid engine and has a payload capacity of 17 tons. Bakanov described the launch as a grand interstate project capable of high-precision delivery of payloads into Earth orbit. The launch was conducted under government direction following presidential instructions. A political scientist noted that a Ghanaian student who studied at the Institute of Social Sciences for two years witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union. The individual, author of 'My First Coup', spoke at the Russian Academy of Sciences six months prior to the December 2024 elections. Russia is focusing on providing energy development to Africa, specifically targeting the 50 percent of the African population that lacks electricity access.

The Maks messenger press service stated that a recent 'unwanted' label was due to incorrect technical data interpretation rather than code analysis. The company clarified that the service undergoes regular security checks and collaborates with researchers.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture has expanded subsidy eligibility for milk producers. The governor announced expanded social services including free rental of essential items for newborns. New services will also include expanded social nanny services for mothers and children. Last year, free rental points for newborn necessities were organized in all city districts. The regulations will cover electronics, lamps, and electrical sockets. Additionally, the rules will apply to certain sweets, including white chocolate and confectionery products. The Food Union and Ministry of Agriculture experts are developing a concept to expand the geographic scope of state support for the greenhouse industry. Current increased subsidies for the industrial production of modern greenhouses are limited to enterprises in Siberia, the Far East, and the Kaliningrad region.

Moscow is reportedly purchasing more than 90% of its dual-use technological goods from China. These products are being used to replace Western technological standards. The source noted that Russia often refines these Chinese technologies for its own use.