Stories from Russia

Agriculture Minister Oksana Lud reported that sowing operations in the Stavropol Krai have begun earlier than last year. The minister made these comments during a working trip to the region. The report noted that progress is moving faster compared to the previous year's schedule.

A court in Yekaterinburg sentenced 71-year-old Tatar nationalist veteran and local historian Faizulla Lehmetyev to six years in a colony. The court proceedings included his cellmate present during the hearing.

A fire involving over 13,000 cubic meters of fuel oil and contaminated soil has occurred near TOPSS. A volunteer from Krasnodar, Sergey Romanov, reported seeing a dark gray pillar of smoke visible from dozens of kilometers away.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 4 regarding a large-scale fraud case involving Vadim Mashkovich and Maxim Basov. The case includes several other individuals and two commercial organizations.

The AvtoVAZ plant in Saint Petersburg has begun installing a new robotic welding line. This follows the company's announcement regarding preparations to produce G-Tour T1 and T2 crossovers using a full technological cycle, including welding and painting.

In Russia, 46 percent of doctors prescribe semaglutide for diabetes treatment. Additionally, 41 percent of doctors prescribe the drug for weight loss. The medication is also known by the trade name Ozempic.

New quality criteria for dietary supplements went into effect in Russia on May 1. The rules aim to increase market transparency and product quality. The restriction is effective immediately and will remain in place for six months. Oversight of the ban is assigned to the Federal Customs Service and the FSB. Oleg Kapranov, head of a Russian newspaper technology project, noted that the technology's keys are currently outside Russian jurisdiction. A person can now only be stripped of their residency status following a court decision that deems their registration invalid. The new rules apply to specific cases regarding the validity of registration. New Russian government regulations have introduced quality criteria for biologically active dietary supplements.

A fire has re-ignited in the area near Buizel and Veert. The incident follows a series of attacks on the city over the last two weeks, marking the fourth attack since April 16. An industrial complex near a marine terminal was damaged, and smoke is blowing toward the sea.

The Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia has limited the operator certificate of airline ISH-Avia until July 28. The decision follows a preventive visit that identified violations.

Governor Mikhail Vedernikov reported that communication and internet services have been restricted in the Pskov region. The restriction follows drone activity in neighboring regions. Emergency services have been moved to an enhanced operational mode.