Stories from Russia

Moscow is increasing centralized government control over domestic fuel supplies following recent refinery disruptions. This move aims to stabilize the market as refinery strikes impact production capacity. The shift toward state-controlled output could significantly alter energy security dynamics within the region. The Russian state has begun issuing directives to oil refineries regarding the specific types and quantities of fuel to be produced. This move toward state-directed distribution is described as an early manifestation of a planned economy within the fuel market. The report notes that the state is now managing distribution rather than market participants. The Central Bank of Russia announced that cryptocurrency exchanges must be conducted exclusively in non-cash forms.

Hygiene goods company Reckitt is developing a dedicated Russian unit to register intellectual property and manufacture products locally. This move is a direct response to increasingly harsh EU sanctions affecting international operations. The strategy aims to maintain a market presence despite the geopolitical climate. The unit features a thermal power of 315 MW. When paired with a second unit, it will enable icebreakers to navigate through ice exceeding 4 meters in thickness. The new units have been named Ilya Muromets and Dobrynya Nikitich. The Russian head of state has identified business as a guarantee for fulfilling national tasks, including defense. The state is maintaining a patriotic position to support participants in the special operation. The report noted that Western sanctions are affecting Russian business owners and their families up to the third generation.

Several Russian mobile carriers are reportedly unprepared to implement new surcharges for VPN traffic by the May 1 deadline. The delay was cited by sources in the business daily Vedomosti. This development could impact internet accessibility and digital privacy for users within Russia. The Ministry of Digital Development may postpone a planned fee on VPN traffic from mobile operators until September 1 or potentially until 2028. Mobile companies previously requested a delay from the ministry due to technical unreadiness for the May 1 implementation date. Minister Maksut Shaadayev previously stated the ministry is against imposing fines or penalties for VPN usage.

Two individuals were killed following the collapse of a building in the Samara region of Russia, reportedly caused by Ukrainian drone strikes. The incident highlights the ongoing impact of drone warfare on civilian infrastructure within Russian territory. Local authorities are assessing the extent of the structural damage caused by the impact.

An executive order has been issued for the seizure of assets belonging to former Rosnano head Anatoly Chubais, totaling approximately 5.5 billion rubles. The company argued that over half of the original inspectors were employees from the higher-level authority conducting the second check. The Russian state is moving to transfer companies to state corporations, according to reports from Interfax. Authorities stated that strategic enterprises within the holding were under foreign control. The supervisory body is also contesting 2024 transactions regarding the company's re-registration in Russia. Lawyer Kira Karuma, representing Alexander Galitsky, stated that state assets were seized following a court decision on March 23. The state is acting as the owner of the property and will distribute the assets as it sees fit.

Russian authorities are looking to increase employment quotas for veterans of the Special Military Operation (SVO) with disabilities. A veterans organization in Moscow discussed the creation of a ministry dedicated to combat veterans. Valentin Ososkov, chairman of the Moscow strategic missile forces veterans council, noted that similar ministries exist in developed nations. Ososkov cited the United States, where a veterans ministry has operated since 1989. The Ministry of Digital Development has submitted a bill to the State Duma allowing defrauded clients to receive compensation from banks or operators. Under the proposal, operators must return funds if it is proven a theft occurred following a call or SMS that violated requirements. Banks would be required to return money if an operation was deemed suspicious but was still processed.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a citizen accused of acting on behalf of Ukrainian terrorist organizations. The individual was allegedly involved in a plot to bomb the Russian Ministry of Defense. This development highlights the escalating intelligence warfare and security threats between Russia and Ukraine. Federal Security Service (FSB) officers detained 49 Russian citizens in Moscow who were allegedly planning terrorist attacks in Crimea. The agency confirmed the arrests on Wednesday morning. The suspect reportedly intended to assassinate the head of a law enforcement agency on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence services. Russian Federal Customs Service officials, working with the FSB and Ministry of Internal Affairs, arrested a suspect on April 28.

Market data indicates that vodka and beef have become the most expensive products in Russia over the past year. This significant price increase reflects broader inflationary pressures within the Russian domestic market. A commission tasked with investigating and reducing prices is facing challenges due to rising costs. The source noted that prices have surged further following the start of the war. This situation has reportedly led to increased public dissatisfaction and instances of sabotage. The commission's ability to achieve its goal of price reduction is being tested by these economic pressures. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated that the Russian budget must maintain a resilience buffer of at least three years in the event of declining oil prices. He made these remarks during the 'Znanie Pervye' marathon.

Severe fires at Russian oil refineries have resulted in significant oil leakage, described by observers as 'raining oil'. The intensity of the refinery fires is causing environmental and logistical concerns within the region. This development follows ongoing volatility in energy infrastructure. Hot petroleum products leaked from containers onto roads, damaging several vehicles. The leak was stopped near nightfall, according to EMERCOM head Alexander Kurinkov. A water pumping station failed due to the fire, causing localized water outages in the city.

The Central Bank of Russia announced that cryptocurrency exchanges within the country must be conducted exclusively in non-cash forms. This move aims to regulate the digital asset market as lawmakers prepare a new regulatory bill for the spring session. New Russian measures implemented on March 1 require books mentioning certain substances to include specific warnings. Observers at Kommersant FM suggest the new requirement creates additional difficulties for businesses. The measure applies to various literary works, including those by authors such as Pushkin and Chekhov.