Stories from Russia

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its armed forces will take all measures to ensure security during Victory Day celebrations. The announcement follows strikes by Ukrainian aircraft and drones on Russian objects. This follows ongoing daily shelling in the region. The death occurred amid daily shelling and a short-term ceasefire that Ukrainian sources describe as cynical. Ukrainian officials report that women are being placed on military registries by accident. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a diplomatic note to all accredited foreign diplomatic missions. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova referenced a May 4 statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding threats from the Kyiv regime to strike Moscow on Victory Day. The ministry's communication follows these reported threats to the capital.

An artist constructed a large pyramid from ice blocks, concealing an envelope containing the album's release date within it. Access to the sculpture was made available to the public.

A managing partner at recruitment agency Vizavi Consult, Olga Petrova, stated that a wave of mass layoffs is occurring across various companies. This trend specifically includes the production sector. Petrova noted that these layoffs are no longer a secret.

Chernogolovka intends to buy assets from a cosmetic company, according to a report from Kommersant. The company is controlled by AO Genesis and previously launched household chemical production.

Chernogolovka, a beverage producer, intends to recover a 125 million ruble debt from Russia's largest cosmetics company through bankruptcy proceedings. The company also plans to purchase the cosmetics firm's assets, according to Kommersant. This move follows a reported 38% increase in certain product prices. Genesis JSC, a company linked to Alexey Chetvertov's Chernogolovka group, has filed for bankruptcy in arbitration. The dispute involves the recovery of debt from two loan agreements totaling 125 million rubles. The company is a major cosmetics firm with assets valued at nearly 1.5 billion rubles. Parliamentary elections are scheduled in the country for June 7.

President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Russian cabinet to approve a long-term development strategy for the bioeconomy through 2036. The Russian Ministry of Defense has specified the ceasefire dates as May 8 and 9 to coincide with Victory Day celebrations. Neither side has confirmed the end of the ceasefire as of the report. Ukrainian radio reported that a short-term ceasefire amid daily shelling and Ukrainian casualties appears cynical. The Kremlin announced that upcoming parades in Moscow and Saint Petersburg will be held in a reduced format. The decision follows reports of terrorist threats. The shortened celebrations will not include military hardware or cadets. This decision is reportedly due to perceived terrorist threats.

The Observing Plant reported a net profit of 1.6 million rubles for the January-March period, a 60-fold decrease compared to the same period last year. Revenue fell 30% to 1 billion rubles according to a company report.

The proportion of men receiving parental leave benefits in Russia has increased from approximately 2% to 12.5%, according to Rosstat data. This figure has grown by 6 to 9 times in absolute terms over the last five years. Experts noted that men with higher income levels are the most frequent participants in this trend. There has been an increase in the number of men taking parental leave in Russia. This applies even if the individual returns to work full-time. In Russia, individuals on maternity leave retain their jobs and receive 40% of their salary for 1.5 years, with a cap of 83,000 rubles per month; this benefit can also apply to grandparents. Olga Petrova, managing partner of Visiv Consult HR agency, stated that a wave of mass layoffs across various positions and companies, including in production, could lead to an increase in fathers claiming these benefits.

Colonel General Alexander Chaiko has been appointed as the commander-in-chief of Russia's Aerospace Forces. Chaiko succeeds Avzalov, who had held the command position since October 2023. The announcement was reported by Komsomolskaya Pravda. Chaiko is described as a combat general who has participated in military operations in Syria. He holds the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. The specific order regarding his appointment was noted as being closed. Five-time Olympic participant Alexander Khoroshilov will become the head coach of the Russian men's national alpine skiing team. The announcement was made by the Russian Federation Alpine Skiing press service.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed permission for the parallel import of Apple, Samsung, and other smartphone brands into Russia. The ministry stated that the list includes many popular devices. Importers must comply with safety requirements, confirm product originality, and provide necessary certificates. This follows reports that parallel import volumes fell to a historical minimum in February. Russia plans to remove dozens of items from its authorized parallel import list, including computers and components from Western brands. The move is expected to make parallel importing more difficult for businesses. This announcement follows a decision to index pensions for 80-year-old citizens and former workers in the civil aviation and coal industries.