Stories from Russia

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Executive Committee decided to restore the membership of the Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union. This decision allows Russian junior fighters to participate in international competitions under the Russian flag starting this year. The move is described as a first step toward the full return of Russian fighters to the global arena. The decision will be implemented across 71 Russian regions and 14 countries. This decision allows Russian youth athletes under the age of 17 to compete in international competitions using the national flag and anthem. According to Sports Minister Mikhail Dyikteriev, the rights of all Russian martial artists will be restored in stages throughout the year. Further positive developments regarding other sports are expected later this month.

President Vladimir Putin met with Kamaz CEO Sergey Kogokhin at the Kremlin. During the meeting, Putin noted that Kamaz is acting correctly by seeking advice from active-duty military personnel when developing military vehicles.

The Russian state has acquired a 65% stake in RusAgro. A Russian military enterprise, primarily producing defense systems, automated equipment, and low-voltage electrical equipment, is supporting Russia's combat equipment production for the Ukraine conflict. This follows a court decision that partially granted a lawsuit to seize assets from former senator and agro-holding founder Vadim Mashkov in a corruption case. Authorities also confiscated 10.5 billion rubles from Mashkov's accounts. RusAgro shares rose by more than 3% on the Moscow Exchange following the news.

A drone incursion in Chuvashia resulted in over 30 injuries and two deaths. Local authorities have declared a regional-level state of emergency and established an operational headquarters and temporary displacement center. A local school has transitioned to remote learning.

The share of bankruptcies has approximately doubled over the past year, according to Vasily Kutinin, Director of Analytics at Ingobank. Kutinin noted that market players have felt the impact of changing trends in vehicle depreciation and mortgage settlements.

Russia and the United States are discussing their bilateral agenda. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. This was in the context of Lavrov and Rubio discussing the bilateral agenda, and Rubio stating the US offensive against Iran concluded.

An Oscar-winning film titled 'Nameless Rebel, On the Scene of Russian Patriotic Education' was based on two years of footage filmed at a school in Chernabuinsk Oblast, Russia. The film's content is based on these two years of recorded footage.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Secretary of State Rubio spoke by phone to discuss the bilateral agenda and exchange views on the current international situation and Russia-US relations. According to a report, the conversation was constructive and pragmatic.

Prosecutors estimate the assets of the RusAgra holding company involved in the case are valued at 550 billion rubles.

Russian bombardments have resulted in the deaths of over 20 people. The attacks targeted civilian areas. The specific locations of these bombardments were Cheboksary and the Leningrad Region. The attacks caused global oil market volatility.