Category: Russian

Russian Surveillance Aircraft Detected in Alaska Defense Zone: NORAD

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said it detected a Russian surveillance aircraft in the Alaskan air defense identification zone over a two-day period. “On two separate occasions, over the past two days, the Alaskan NORAD Region detected, tracked, and identified Russian surveillance aircraft entering and operating within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone,” the…


US Obtains Warrant to Seize $90 Million Jet of Russian Oligarch

NEW YORK—A judge authorized the United States on Monday to seize a $90 million jet belonging to a Russian oligarch in a continuing effort to diminish the financial pillars of the Russian government after its invasion of Ukraine. The effort to seize Andrei Skoch’s private plane, an Airbus A319-100, was part of a monthslong pursuit…


Canada Sanctions Russian Military Officers for Attacks Against Civilians

The Canadian government is imposing sanctions on dozens of Russian military officers whose troops are accused of committing atrocities against Ukrainian civilians. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced the new sanctions against 47 Russians this morning, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues nearly six months after it began. Canada is also adding 17 Russian companies…


Italian, Russian Share Rare Spacewalk Amid Ukraine Tensions

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—An Italian astronaut joined a Russian cosmonaut in a rare spacewalking show of unity Thursday, as tensions over Ukraine continued to ricochet back home. Italy’s Samantha Cristoforetti teamed up with Russia’s Oleg Artemyev to work on the International Space Station’s newest robot arm. The 37-foot (11-meter) mechanical limb—contributed by the European Space Agency—rocketed…


Russia’s Parliament Passes Sweeping Wartime Economic Controls

LONDON—Russia’s parliament on Wednesday rushed through two bills imposing strict controls on the economy, requiring businesses to supply goods to the armed forces and obliging employees at some firms to work overtime. Once signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, the bills will allow the government to introduce “special economic measures” during what the Kremlin…


Russian Media: Griner Pleads Guilty in Russia Drugs Trial

MOSCOW—Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling during her trial in Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime, Russian news agencies reported. The reports quoted Griner as saying through an interpreter at the court hearing that she had acted unintentionally because she was…


Griner Appears in Court, Pleads Guilty in Russia Drugs Trial

MOSCOW—Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner on Thursday pleaded guilty to drug possession during her trial in Moscow but said she had no intention of committing a crime. Russian news reports quoted Griner as saying through an interpreter at the court hearing that she had acted unintentionally because she was packing in haste. Griner was…


Gazprom Proposes Adding LNG to Rouble for Gas Scheme Ifax

MOSCOW—Russian gas producer Gazprom has proposed expanding its rouble-for-gas scheme for pipeline gas to include liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Interfax news agency quoted a senior manager as saying on Monday. The proposal from Kirill Polous, a deputy department head at Gazprom, comes after Russia moved to seize operations of the Sakhalin-2 LNG plant last…


Russian Energy Cuts to Europe Will Benefit American Exports

Commentary Vladimir Putin is cutting gas exports to Europe, which threatens everything from grandma’s stove-cooked schnitzel in Germany to electric power plants in Britain. Blackouts in the dead of winter could be a reality that many Europeans face in just a few months. American natural gas (LNG) exports might help our friends across the pond…


All England Club Stands by Ban of Russian, Belarusian Players

The chairman of the All England Club stood by the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from Wimbledon, saying there was “no viable alternative.” Ian Hewitt made the comments during an interview with ESPN on Sunday, on the eve of The Championships. The AEC’s decision in April came in response to Russia’s invasion of…