NewzIntel.com

Category: Russian Federation

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arkansas Ranks #1 for Election Integrity 

    Source: US State of Arkansas

     Up from #8 in the Heritage Foundation’s nationwide ranking

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas now ranks #1 in the nation for election integrity according to the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard. The State ranked #8 at the beginning of the year and rose in the ranks after a successful session in which Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders prioritized safe and secure elections for Arkansas voters.
     
    “My goal this session was simple: make it easy to vote and hard to cheat,” said Governor Sanders. “I was proud to work with my friend, Secretary of State Cole Jester, to make Arkansas ballot boxes the safest and most secure in America and end petition fraud to protect our Constitution. Today’s announcement shows that all our hard work paid off.” 
     
    “As Secretary of State, I have said from day one we would have the most secure elections in the country. I’m proud of the work my team has completed implementing new procedures and technology. None of this would be possible without the great work of Governor Sanders and the men and women of the Arkansas legislature,” said Secretary of State Cole Jester.
     
    “Heritage has long been the gold standard for ranking states for election integrity and security,” said Senator Kim Hammer (District 16). “Legislators, Governor Sanders, and Secretary of State Cole Jester have worked together as a team, on behalf of Arkansans, to help achieve the number one ranking in election integrity and security in the nation! We must continue our work to protect our number one ranking from those who want to take us backwards. Arkansans can feel confident that our elections are secure. Let’s work together to maintain this ranking.”
     
    “Arkansas should never sacrifice election integrity for convenience,” said Senator John Payton (District 22). “We must fulfill our responsibility to get it right. I believe the commonsense changes made this year are true to these principles.”
     
    “Arkansas’ rise to #1 in the nation for election security is a significant achievement and a clear reflection of the strong conservative leadership and very intentional work done by the legislature,” said Senator Matt McKee (District 6). “The foundation of America’s constitutional republic relies on our ability to hold free and fair elections. While others work to undermine our republic, Arkansas has fought back to set a national example for how states can secure the electoral process and hold elections the people can trust.” 
     
    “There can be no doubt — we take election integrity seriously in Arkansas,” said Rep. David Ray (District 69). “It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat, and this new ranking is a testament to the hard work that we’ve done the past few years to fortify our election laws.” 
      
    “The Presidential elections of 2016 and 2020 showed both parties can challenge results,” said Rep. Carlton Wing (District 38). “The Legislature and Secretary of State’s office worked hard to pass laws to restore confidence in the electoral process. Arkansas now leads the nation in assuring our citizens that all legal votes must be counted and only legal votes should count. Today’s announcement demonstrates our efforts are setting a national standard in election integrity.”
     
    “In recognizing the dedication of the Republican-led legislature, the Heritage Foundation has propelled Arkansas to the pinnacle of election security rankings, from #8 to #1 in the nation,” said Rep. Howard Beaty (District 95). “As Arkansas House Majority Leader, I take pride in these outstanding results, reflecting our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the democratic process.”
     
    “Protecting the integrity of our elections starts long before ballots are cast,” said Rep. Kendon Underwood (District 16). “By strengthening safeguards in the petition process and cracking down on fraud and abuse, we’ve sent a clear message: every step in our democratic process must be uncompromised and trustworthy. Arkansas now stands as the national leader in election integrity because the security of our elections is a responsibility we take seriously every day.”
     
    Governor Sanders’ accomplishments in this legislative session include Act 240, Act 241, and Act 218, which strengthened protections on Arkansas’ ballot amendment process so that bad actors cannot influence and change the Natural State’s Constitution. The Governor also signed Act 998 and Act 999 to protect Arkansas elections from hostile foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and ban foreign entities from funding state and local ballot measures.
     
    Additionally, Governor Sanders is fully in support of the Citizens Only Voting Amendment, which will appear in front of voters next election and mandate that only U.S. citizens can vote in Arkansas elections.
     
    The Natural State received perfect scores on Voter ID Implementation, Access of Election Observers, Verification of Citizenship, Identification for Voter Assistance, Vote County Practices, Restrictions on Same-day Registration, Restrictions on Automatic Registration, Restrictions on Private Funding of Election Officials or Government Agencies, and Restrictions on Ranked Choice Voting.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anna Batta, Associate Professor of International Security Studies, Air University

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrive at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2019. Ian Langsdon/Pool Photo via AP

    Delegations from Ukraine and Russia met for a second time in Istanbul in a month on June 2, 2025. Missing, again, were the country’s two leaders.

    For a fleeting moment ahead of the first meeting in mid-May 2025, there existed the faintest prospect that Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine would join, sitting down in the same room for face-to-face talks.

    But it didn’t happen; few expected it would. On that occasion, Putin refused Zelenskyy’s offer of face-to-face talks in Istanbul.

    Even though neither leader met in the Istanbul summits, they have met before.

    In Paris in 2019, the two men sat down together as part of what was known as the Normandy Format talks. As a scholar of international relations, I have interviewed people involved in the talks. Some five years on, the way the talks floundered and then failed can offer lessons about the challenges today’s would-be mediators now face.

    Initial hopes

    The Normandy Format talks started on the sidelines of events in June 2014 commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The aim was to try to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatist groups in the country’s Donbas region in the east. That conflict had recently escalated, with pro-Russian separatists seizing key towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk after Russia illegally annexed the peninsula of Crimea in February 2014.

    The talks continued periodically until 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Until that point, most of the discussion was framed by two deals, the Minsk accords of 2014 and 2015, which set out the terms for a ceasefire between Kyiv and the Moscow-armed rebel groups and the conditions for elections in Donetsk and Luhansk.

    By the time of the sixth meeting in December 2019, the only time Zelenkyy and Putin have met in person, some still hoped that the Minsk accords could form a framework for peace.

    Under discussion

    Zelenskyy was only a few months into his presidency. He arrived in Paris with fresh energy and a desire to find peace.

    His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years. The increasing role of Russia in the conflict, through supporting rebels financially and with volunteer Russian soldiers, had complicated and escalated fighting, and many Ukrainians were weary of the impact of internally displaced people that it caused.

    By all accounts, Zelenskyy went into Paris believing that he could make a deal with Putin.

    “I want to return with concrete results,” Zelenskyy said just days before meeting Putin. By then, the Ukrainian president’s only contact with Putin had been over the phone. “I want to see the person and I want to bring from Normandy understanding and feeling that everybody really wants gradually to finish this tragic war,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “I can feel it for sure only at the table.”

    One of Putin’s main concerns going into the talks was the lifting of Western sanctions imposed in response to the annexation of Crimea.

    But the Russian president also wanted to keep Russia’s smaller neighbor under its influence. Ukraine gained independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But in the early years of the new century, Russia began to exert increasing influence over the politics of its neighbor. This ended in 2014, when a popular revolution ousted pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and ushered in a pro-Western government.

    More than anything, Russia wanted to arrest this shift and keep Ukraine out of the European Union and NATO.

    Those desires – Ukraine’s to end the war in Donbas, and Russia’s to curb the West’s involvement in Ukraine – formed the parameters for the Normandy talks.

    And for some time, there appeared to be momentum to find compromise. French President Emmanuel Macron said that the 2019 Paris talks had broken years of stalemate and relaunched the peace process. Putin’s assessment was that the peace process was “developing in the right direction.” Zelenskyy’s view was a little less enthusisastic: “Let’s say for now it’s a draw.”

    Talking past each other

    Yet the Putin-Zelenskyy meeting in 2019 ultimately ended in failure. In retrospect, both sides were talking past each other and could not reach agreement on the sequencing of key parts of the peace plan.

    Zelenskyy wanted the security provisions of the Minsk accords, including a lasting ceasefire and the securing of Ukraine’s border with Russia, in place before proceeding with regional elections on devolving autonomy to the regions. Putin was adamant that the elections come first.

    The success of the Normandy talks were also hindered by Putin’s refusal to acknowledge that Russia was a party to the conflict. Rather, he framed the Donbas conflict as a civil war between the Ukrainian government and the rebels. Russia’s role was simply to push the rebels to the negotiating table in this take – a view that was greeted with skepticism by Ukraine and the West.

    As a result, the Normandy talks stalled. And then in February 2022, Russian launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Way forward today?

    The nascent negotiations between Ukraine and Russia that began in Istanbul in May 2025 represent the first real attempt to bring high-level delegations of both sides together since 2019.

    Many of the same challenges remain. The talks still revolve around the issues of security, the status of Donetsk and Luhansk, and prisoner exchanges – that last point being the only one in which common ground appears to be found, both in 2019 and now.

    But there are major differences – not least, three years of actual direct war. Russia can no longer deny that it is a party of the conflict, even if Moscow frames the war as a special military operation to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine.

    And three years of war have changed how the questions of Crimea and the Donbas are framed.

    In the Normandy talks, there was no talk of recognizing Russian control over any Ukrainian territory. But recent U.S. efforts to negotiate peace have included a “de-jure” U.S. recognition of Russian control in Crimea, plus “de-facto recognition” of Russia’s occupation of nearly all of Luhansk oblast and the occupied portions of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

    Another major difference between the negotiation process then and now is who is mediating.

    The Normandy negotiations were led by European leaders – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Macron of France. Throughout the whole Normandy talks process, only Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia were involved as active participants.

    Today, it is the United States taking the lead.

    And this suits Putin. A constant issue for Putin of the Normandy talks was that Germany and France were never neutral mediators.

    In President Donald Trump, Putin has found a U.S. leader who, at least at first, appeared eager to take on the mantle from Europe.

    But like the Europeans involved in the Normandy talks, Trump too is encountering similar barriers to any meaningful progress.

    Members of Ukrainian and Russian delegations attend peace talks on June 2, 2025, in Istanbul.
    Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs via Getty Images

    The Istanbul negotiations on May 16, 2025, were less productive than many people hoped. A proposed 30-day ceasefire agreement didn’t come to fruition; instead the parties agreed on a prisoner-exchange deal. Follow-up talks on June 2 ended after barely an hour, according to Turkish officials. Again, one point agreed on was a prisoner swap.

    The Paris peace talks, too, led to a prisoner exchange – but little more. It appears that getting the leaders of Ukraine and Russia to agree on anything more ambitious is as elusive now as it was when Putin and Zelenskyy met in 2019.

    The views expressed in this article represent the personal views of the author and are not necessarily the views of the Department of Defense or of the Department of the Air Force.

    – ref. Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure – https://theconversation.com/even-if-putin-and-zelenskyy-do-go-face-to-face-dont-expect-wonders-their-one-meeting-in-2019-ended-in-failure-257093

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lee Jae-myung elected president of South Korea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SEOUL, June 4 (Xinhua) — Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Toburo Democratic Party, which holds the majority of seats in the country’s parliament, has been elected president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), according to the vote count released by the Central Election Commission on Wednesday.

    According to the agency’s data released after midnight, 94.4 percent of the ballots had been counted. Lee Jae-myung won 48.8 percent of the votes, while his main rival from the conservative Civil Power Party, Kim Moon-soo, won 42 percent.

    Even if all the remaining uncounted votes go to Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jae-myung will still win the presidential by-election, confirming his election.

    Earlier, local broadcasters /JTBC, KBS, MBC and SBS/ predicted that Lee Jae-myung was highly likely to be elected as the country’s 21st president.

    Early voter turnout was 79.4 percent, the highest in 28 years after a record 80.7 percent in 1997.

    Of the approximately 44.39 million eligible voters, about 35.24 million cast ballots at 14,295 polling stations across the country.

    Voter turnout, including those who voted early on May 29 and 30, was up from the 77.1 percent recorded in the previous presidential election in 2022. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 294 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi was in Ukraine today as part of the ongoing efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, with the wail of air raid sirens forcing one of his meetings to be held in an underground shelter.

    One of the main priorities of the one-day visit to Kyiv – including a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – was to discuss how the IAEA could assist in rebuilding Ukraine’s damaged and degraded nuclear energy infrastructure.

    But the current risks to nuclear safety and security remained a prominent topic, both in the day’s high-level meetings in the capital and in reports from some of the IAEA teams deployed elsewhere in the country.   

    IAEA expert teams based at two of Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) – Khmelnytskyy and Rivne – were also told to seek shelter during a day of unusually frequent air raid alerts. The team at the Rivne NPP, in western Ukraine, went to the shelter three times, two of which were reportedly due to cruise missile alerts and the other due to a ballistic missile alert.

    While there were no reports of attacks affecting the operation of the NPPs, the sound of air raid sirens blaring in Kyiv and elsewhere highlighted the continued dangerous situation, including for nuclear safety.

    In his first meeting after arriving to the capital for his 12th visit to Ukraine since February 2022, Director General Grossi met with Energy Minister German Galushchenko and other senior officials in the basement of the Energy Ministry in downtown Kyiv because of the air raid alarm.

    Later in the day, he met with President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with whom he also discussed the IAEA’s plans to support the country in restoring and expanding its infrastructure related to nuclear power, which is of paramount importance for Ukraine’s electricity generation.

    “It is clear that the dangers to nuclear safety continue to be very real and ever-present. My teams report that this was the most intense day of air raid alarms they had experienced since late last year. More than three years after this horrific war began, the IAEA’s on the ground presence remains essential to help avoid the threat of a severe nuclear accident,” Director General Grossi said.

    “But at the same time, we must start looking to the future. While the IAEA remains committed to doing everything we can to help keep Ukraine’s nuclear facilities safe and secure until this devastating war ends, it is also crucial to prepare for the reconstruction phase, where the IAEA can also play an important role,” he said. “In today’s meetings, President Zelensky and his ministers voiced strong support and appreciation for the IAEA’s continued presence at Ukraine’s nuclear sites and our essential role in helping to strengthen its energy infrastructure.”

    Specifically, the Director General spoke to his hosts about the IAEA conducting a thorough safety assessment of the damaged New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl site, as well as the Agency’s safety assistance related to a government plan to build two new reactor units at the Khmelnytskyy site and its technical work to help keep the national grid stable, which is of crucial importance for the safe operation of NPPs.

    At Ukraine’s largest NPP, Zaporizhzhya, the IAEA team was informed that the nearby city of Enerhodar – where most plant staff live – had experienced several power outages since midnight, with intermittent tap water supplies also affecting the plant itself. The IAEA team was also informed that the city and its water pump station have relied on mobile diesel generators for power. The Zaporizhzhya NPP remained connected to off-site power at all times.

    Later this week, Director General Grossi will also be visiting the Russian Federation for high-level talks on nuclear safety and security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests Tajikistan-born Russian national as a foreign fugitive suspected of being a member of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Tajikistan-born Russian national who is wanted overseas.

    ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia, in partnership with the FBI, arrested a 39-year-old male, born in Tajikistan and a citizen of Russia, in the early morning hours on May 23, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    “Arresting individuals linked to terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguard the homeland. Through close collaboration with our outstanding partners at the FBI, we have taken decisive action to make our communities safer and prevent potential threats to the American people,” said ERO Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “I commend the dedicated men and women of ICE and the FBI for their tireless efforts and steadfast resolve in protecting this great nation.”

    This individual was first encountered at San Ysidro Pedestrian West point of entry in California March 21, 2023, where he was charged as an inadmissible alien under the Immigration and Nationality Act because he didn’t have an immigrant visa. He was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and paroled into the United States.

    Earlier this month, Tajikistan officials declared this individual a fugitive, wanted for organization of a criminal community. It is alleged that he is or was a member of Al-Qaeda.

    After his arrest, this individual was detained in ICE custody, where he will remain pending removal from the U.S.

    Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROPhiladelphia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin To President Trump: The Whole World Is Watching To See If You Will Stand Firm Against Putin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 02, 2025

    It’s time for Leader Thune to pass the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill and prepare another Ukraine supplemental

    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, warned President Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention to end the war in Ukraine without greater pressure. Durbin began his speech by highlighting the horrific atrocities Putin has committed over the years—starting 11 years ago when he invaded Crimea.

    “Anyone following this war can clearly see that Vladimir Putin isn’t serious about ending this bloody conflict that he started,” said Durbin. “Let’s not forget that 11 years ago, he [Putin] militarily seized Crimea and other parts of eastern Ukraine. More than three years ago Putin tried to take over Ukraine itself and install a puppet regime beholden to him.”  

    Since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian people have been resilient amid the brutal Russian onslaught, as Durbin outlined in his speech.

    “With advance warning and weapons from the United States, the brave Ukrainians defied the experts. They said the Ukrainians couldn’t last two weeks defending their country against the second largest military in the world. The experts were wrong. Those Ukrainians have protected their Independence from brutality, but at great cost in lives, destruction, and territory. The costs have been staggering—thousands of individuals have lost their lives because of this Russian invasion… Why do I revisit the obvious?  Because it has been obvious for more than a decade that Vladimir Putin isn’t interested in ending the war,” said Durbin. “Obvious to everyone perhaps except our own President.” 

    During his speech, Durbin warned President Trump not to be fooled by Putin.

    Durbin continued, “President Trump promised he would end this war first day in office. Instead, Trump and his Vice President publicly humiliated Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and made embarrassing overtures to Putin. Putin’s response has been to thumb his nose at the U.S. and peace efforts. In fact, already this year civilian Ukrainian deaths from Russian attacks are higher than they were during the same period last year and assaults on civilian targets in the last two weeks alone have been relentless.”

    “I want this war to end, but it should not be a blatant giveaway to Putin or driven by any illusion about Putin’s long-term intentions to control Ukraine and weaken the NATO alliance. Nor can it come at the security expense of our Baltic and Polish allies who are also in Putin’s crosshairs. That is why Leader Thune needs to immediately put Senator Graham’s Russia sanctions bill, which I and 80 other Senators have cosponsored, on the Floor for a vote… It is also time for us to prepare another Ukraine supplemental [as] Ukraine needs the equipment and ammunition.”

    Durbin concluded, “President Trump: the whole world is watching to see if you will stand firm against Putin, especially our other adversaries. Putin is not your friend and not a friend of the United States. You do not want your legacy to be appeasement and surrender to Russia and a weakening of our transatlantic security.” 

    Durbin condemned President Trump after he publicly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Further parroting a Kremlin propaganda point, President Trump also falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war against Russia. In the post, President Trump claimed the U.S. was “duped” into spending billions to help Ukraine defend itself following Russia’s 2022 full-scale military invasion and that President Zelenskyy is a “dictator without elections.”

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

      

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Meets US Ambassador to China, Expresses Hopes US Diplomat Will Promote Healthy, Stable and Sustainable Bilateral Relations /more/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday welcomed David Perdue as the U.S. ambassador to China and expressed hope that he will play an active role in promoting the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

    Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Perdue in Beijing, expressing hope that the American diplomat will become a credible communicator, a mediator in resolving differences and an advocate for cooperation between China and the United States.

    According to Wang Yi, China-US relations are currently at an important key stage. Looking back at the nearly half-century history of diplomatic relations, the main lesson is that equality and respect are the prerequisites for interaction between the two sides, and dialogue and cooperation are the only right choice, the Chinese Foreign Minister added.

    The Chinese diplomat stressed that after the bilateral negotiations on trade and economic issues in Geneva, China has been conscientiously and strictly implementing the agreements reached. However, unfortunately, recently the American side, using far-fetched pretexts, has consistently taken a number of destructive measures that infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of the PRC. China resolutely opposes such actions, Wang Yi noted.

    The Chinese Foreign Minister called on the American side to move towards China and actually implement the important consensus reached by the heads of the two states during a telephone conversation in January of this year in order to create the necessary conditions for returning bilateral relations to the right path.

    D. Perdue, for his part, noted that US President Donald Trump has deep respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and constructive dialogue between the leaders of the two countries.

    He also assured that, as the US Ambassador to China, he is ready to maintain close communication with the Chinese side in the spirit of mutual respect and considerate dialogue. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dutch Prime Minister Announces Government Resignation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    THE HAGUE, June 3 (Xinhua) — Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schof on Tuesday announced the resignation of his government and said he would formally submit his resignation to the country’s king.

    The decision came after the far-right Freedom Party /PVV/ announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition.

    Speaking at a press conference in The Hague, D. Schof said that later that day he would formally submit his resignation to King Willem-Alexander.

    At the same time, D. Schof clarified that he will remain in his post as acting prime minister and will continue to work on solving a number of important problems facing the Netherlands.

    He also criticised the PVV’s withdrawal from the coalition, calling the move “irresponsible and completely unnecessary”.

    The Dutch government under D. Schof took office on 2 July 2024 and lasted less than a year. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Russian shadow fleet and oil imports – E-001226/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    To date, the EU has designated a total of 342 vessels contributing to Russia’s warfare against Ukraine. A number of those are part of Russia’s shadow fleet, circumventing the oil price cap and supporting Russia’s energy sector.

    The EU will continue to work with Member States and partners to further close related networks. In parallel, the EU will continue to engage with flag states and third countries to raise awareness of the circumvention and environmental risks linked to the shadow fleet.

    When it comes to monitoring ships’ activity, including those belonging to the shadow fleet, the EU uses the maritime information and exchange system established under Directive 2002/59/EC (VTMIS Directive)[1]. That information is complemented with certain commercial data though not from Vortexa.

    The Honourable Member refers to the export of oil from Russia to, for example, India, where it is refined into another product such as diesel.

    This new product can then be exported to the EU, as according to the EU’s non-preferential rules of origin this product is not of Russian origin. This is not contrary to EU sanctions. Such exports constitute only a fraction of the EU’s total demand for refined products.

    • [1] OJ L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 10-27.
    Last updated: 3 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “The ability to cope with difficulties helps to build a reliable and strong solution”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    This year, the winner of the “Your Project” competition in the “innovation” category was a team from Novosibirsk: Alena Kozich, Ilya Kateshov, Artem Tretyakov and Nikita Konstantinov. In the fall, they will begin their studies in the “Managing research, development and innovation in the company” Artem and Nikita shared how the work on the case went and why they are looking forward to starting their studies at HSE.

    — What did you like about the competition, and what caused difficulties?

    — I liked the freedom to choose the topic for the scenario study, the task included many industries for the application of UAS, from agriculture and the oil and gas industry to transport and logistics work and medicine, which is what we chose. I also liked the clearly formulated task, which at the same time did not limit the space for research. The number of companies to be studied could be chosen independently: at least 1 company, at least 20 companies, it all depends on the strength of the team. Of course, when solving a complex task, difficulties arise, but it is the ability to cope with them that helps build a reliable and strong solution, so there is no point in being afraid of difficulties, they must be overcome.

    — How did you distribute roles in the team?

    — My team and I have been taking part in case championships since the first year of our bachelor’s degree and we are the organizers of a case club within our university, so during the time of solving cases we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Each team member was responsible for their own unique part of the work, and everyone’s skills helped us apply our efforts to the solution as effectively as possible.

    The task was complex, so it was necessary to conduct a large block of analysis. After that, we moved on to forming a solution. At the analysis stage, we identified two main areas: analysis of foreign practices and analysis of the current situation in Russia for the implementation of new practices.

    Two people looked for foreign practices, two analyzed the current situation. After that, they moved on to implementation. Implementation was also divided into several parts: calculating solutions and assessing their impact on business and the situation in Russia as a whole.

    — Was the case difficult?

    — The task was clearly formulated, from the very beginning the team understood what to do. The case turned out to be interesting, with the main focus on the study of scenarios and practices, as well as the argumentation of initiatives. The Zipline company website contained 90% of the information we needed, except for the financial statements, which we found in open sources. During the analysis, we actively maintained a board in Figjam (analogous to Miro for Figma) and recorded every potentially useful information.

    In parallel, we analyzed federal laws and draft laws, and looked at the current situation of using UAS (unmanned aerial systems – Ed.) in Russia, because experience is also a limiting factor. Using UAS in specific regions is legally permitted, but consumers do not have active demand for the product, so it is necessary to think in a different direction. After all the practices were collected and the risks were analyzed, we began to generate ideas for using practices taking into account the limitations.

    Some practices, as expected, could not be implemented due to restrictions at the regional level. We deleted some initiatives, but others that we thought were potentially profitable, we reworked in such a way that they did not affect the restrictions.

    For example, delivery of first aid supplies using drones has been legally permitted in the Magadan Region since February 2025, so we decided to apply this practice specifically in the Magadan Region.

    After generating initiatives and creating a strategy for their application, we began calculating financial models taking into account the economic context of the regions and the method of drone delivery. The last day, as befits true case study specialists, we devoted ourselves entirely to creating a presentation and additional analysis of the final solution.

    — What are your expectations for the upcoming Master’s degree at HSE?

    — Since last year, we have been planning to enroll in the innovation program. We expect a lot of practical work, but most of all we are looking forward to meeting cool guys in order to start doing something together and simply broaden our horizons.

    Evgeniy Savelenok, Academic Director of the program “Management of Research, Development and Innovation in the Company”

    “Initially, when preparing the case, colleagues had a request to monitor information from foreign sources about the state of affairs in the UAV industry with an emphasis on new technologies and products. As a result of the discussion, we supplemented the task with a creative part – generating a scheme and logistics for using UAVs in Russia, including calculating economic costs. The case turned out to be complex and practically applicable – our partners considered all the solutions, and applicants have the opportunity to present their developments to the company’s specialists.

    The special thing about the competition is that you know the people who are going to defend their theses. This knowledge helps us to make a more informed assessment at the defense: we look at the work in the chat, and at the finished product, and at the individual achievements of the participants. As a rule, the more organized, united and active teams win. That is, we get applicants with whom we can get to know each other throughout the competition, watch them in action, observe their work. This is the right idea.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    News of the spectacular “spiderweb” mass drone attack on Russian air bases on June 1 will have been uppermost in the minds of delegates who assembled the following day for another round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. The attack appears to have been a triumph of Ukrainian intelligence and planning that destroyed or damaged billions of pounds’ worth of Russian aircraft stationed at bases across the country, including at locations as far away as Siberia.

    Ukraine’s drone strikes, much like Russia’s intensifying air campaign, hardly signal either side’s sincere commitment to negotiations. As it turned out, little of any consequence was agreed at the brief meeting between negotiators, beyond a prisoner swap, confirming yet again that neither a ceasefire nor a peace agreement are likely anytime soon.

    But the broader context of developments on the battlefield and beyond can offer important clues about the trajectory of the war in the coming months.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    At an earlier meeting in Istanbul in May, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to draft and exchange detailed proposals for a settlement. The Ukrainian proposal restated the longstanding position of Kyiv and its western allies that concessions on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country are unacceptable.

    In other words, a Russian-imposed neutrality ruling out Nato membership and limiting the size of Ukraine’s armed forces is a non-starter for Kyiv. So is any international recognition of Moscow’s illegal land-grabs since 2014, including the annexation of Crimea.

    The Ukrainian proposal is for an immediate ceasefire along the frontline as “the starting point for negotiations”. Any territorial issues would be discussed “after a full and unconditional ceasefire”.

    In substance, this is very similar to the peace plan presented by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky in late 2022. This was received warmly by Ukraine’s main western allies, but failed to get traction with the broader international community.

    Russia’s proposals, meanwhile, are also mostly old news. Russia maintains its demands for full recognition of Russian territorial claims since 2014, Ukrainian neutrality.

    These stringent Russian demands in return for even a temporary ceasefire are hardly any more serious negotiation positions from Ukraine’s perspective than Kyiv’s proposals are likely to be to Moscow. In fact, what the Kremlin put on the table in Istanbul is more akin to surrender terms.

    Ukraine is in no mood to surrender. The spiderweb drone attack against Russia’s strategic bomber fleet is a significant boost for Ukrainian morale. But, like previous drone strikes against Moscow in June 2023, it means little in terms of signalling a sustainable Ukrainian capability that could even out Russia’s advantages in terms of manpower and equipment.

    The state of the conflict in Ukraine as at June 3 2025.
    Institute for the Study of War

    Closer to the frontlines inside Ukraine, Kyiv’s forces also struck the power grid inside Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This may delay any Russian plans to expand its control over the two regions. But, like the latest drone strikes inside Russia, it is at best an operation that entrenches, rather than breaks the current stalemate.

    There is no doubt that Ukraine remains under severe military pressure from Russia along most of the more than 1,000 mile frontline. The country is also still very vulnerable to Russian air attacks.

    But while Russia might continue to make incremental gains on the battlefield, a game-changing Russian offensive or a collapse of Ukrainian defences does not appear to be on the cards.

    International support

    Kyiv’s position will potentially also be strengthened by a new bill in the US senate that threatens the imposition of 500% tariffs on any countries that buy Russian resources. This would primarily affect India and China.

    These are the largest consumers of Russian oil and gas, and if New Delhi and Beijing decide that trade with the US is more important to them cheap imports from Russia, the move could cut Russia off from critical revenues and imports.

    But, given how indecisive Donald Trump has been to date when it comes to putting any real, rather than just rhetorical, pressure on Vladimir Putin, it is not clear whether the proposed senate bill will have the desired effect. The bill has support of over 80 co-sponsors from both the Republican and Democratic caucuses, meaning the senate could overturn a presidential veto. But any delay in imposing tougher sanctions will ultimately play into Putin’s hands.

    By contrast, European support for Ukraine has, if anything, increased in recent months. For example, EU leaders adopted their 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20. A week later, Germany and Ukraine announced a new military cooperation agreement worth €5 billion (£4.2 billion).

    It still falls short of what Kyiv would require for a major shift in the balance of power on the battlefield. But for now it is enough to prevent Russia from becoming militarily so dominant that Moscow’s current settlement proposals would present the only option for at least some part of Ukraine to survive as an independent state.

    The war remains in a stalemate. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv appear to have the capacity to escalate their military efforts to the degree necessary that would force the other side to make substantial concessions.

    Both sides are playing for time in the hope that their fortunes may change. For Ukraine, this would mean more US military support coupled with more sanctions pressure on Russia, while Europe follows through on building up its own and Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

    Russia’s calculations will be different. Putin will need to keep his few remaining allies – China, Iran and North Korea – on side while trying to make a deal with Trump. This may be impossible to achieve.

    In this case, the Russian dictator’s best hope might be that Trump does not impose any serious sanctions on Russia or its trade partners, let alone lean into increasing military support for Ukraine.

    For both sides, a lot still hinges on Washington. The unpredictability of the Trump White House, much like the self-imposed restraint under Biden, not only makes it unlikely that the war in Ukraine moves beyond the current stalemate, it has become a major, and perhaps the decisive road block that enables both Moscow and Kyiv to dream of victory in a war that has become unwinnable.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Ukraine ‘spiderweb’ drone strike fails to register at peace talks as both sides dig in for the long haul – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-spiderweb-drone-strike-fails-to-register-at-peace-talks-as-both-sides-dig-in-for-the-long-haul-257927

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The strategic defence review means three new approaches for the UK

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David J. Galbreath, Professor of War and Technology, University of Bath

    The UK government’s new strategic defence review has laid out a blueprint aimed at making Britain “secure at home, strong abroad”.

    The review represents a change in how the government thinks about the UK’s defence amid a rapidly changing geopolitical picture. The Labour government launched the review in July 2024 shortly after taking office, as a first step in reassessing UK armed forces in the face of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged at the time: “We live in a more dangerous and volatile world.”

    The government has accepted the review’s 62 recommendations. The most eye-catching parts are investment and development of new weapons: expanding the UK’s nuclear capabilities, drone swarms and long-range missile systems, new F-35 and updated Typhoon fighter jets and autonomous weapon systems.

    Unlike past reviews, this one was conducted by experts outside of the government: former Nato secretary general Lord Robertson, former US National Security Council member and former White House adviser Fiona Hill, and retired British Army officer General Sir Richard Barrons.

    In addition to practical measures of investment and expansion, the review lays out the more difficult changes that are needed to respond to security challenges, namely Russian threats to Europe. Here are three key aspects to understand.

    1. War-fighting ready

    The review says the UK must be “ready to fight and win” a full-scale war. Importantly, it suggests that the UK is no longer in an era of going to war when it chooses – but instead is facing the possibility of being forced into war.

    Academic Mary Kaldor made the distinction between the two types of wars in her book New Wars and Old Wars, stating that old wars are “wars of necessity”, and new wars are “wars of the willing”. Published a few years after the end of the cold war, it’s easy to see why Kaldor made this distinction.

    But the strategic review paints a different picture – that wars of necessity are once again the UK’s primary security concern. This means the UK must be on a different war footing than it has been since 1991.

    As such, the government and the UK armed forces will have to change and become more innovative to meet this challenge. To do this, the review lays out plans for an “integrated force” model (rather than joint forces). It describes this approach as leading to “a more agile and lethal combat force”.

    The review also calls for a “whole society approach”, including expanding the voluntary under-18 cadet forces, protecting national infrastructure and public outreach.

    2. Pace of innovation

    The review includes a host of recommendations for digital innovation and munitions production, and suggests that the defence industry could be an even bigger contributor to growing the economy. But, it notes, the UK’s defence industry is currently “stuck in cold war-era procurement cycles” and processes.

    It points to a need to speed up planning and procurement and improve partnerships with the commercial sector.

    Many digital innovations are being driven by industry in the US and China, such as the work on AI, nanotechnologies, robotics and automation. The challenge for the UK will be how to build good relationships with those countries on innovation which does not have a strong presence in UK digital industries.

    Keir Starmer and Defence Secretary John Healey visit the warship HMS Glasgow.
    Lauren Hurley/Number 10/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND

    3. Nato first

    The reelection of Donald Trump in 2024 shocked many into thinking that the trans-Atlantic relationship was fast dissolving, though the change has been going on for some time . This review acknowledges that in setting out a “Nato first” approach:

    There is an unequivocal need for the UK to redouble its efforts within the Alliance and to step up its contribution to Euro-Atlantic security more broadly – particularly as Russian aggression across Europe grows and as the United States of America adapts its regional priorities.

    It states that Europe and the transatlantic area will be the UK’s primary reference for security. This marks a shift from the previous “Indo-pacific tilt” defence focus laid out in the 2021 integrated review.

    The Nato-first approach seems to be at odds with the direction of Nato’s largest and most powerful member, the US. Since the end of the 1990s, US presidents have repeatedly sought to realign US grand strategy towards China and away from Europe. Had the Russian Federation not invaded Crimea in 2014, the Obama administration may have been able to carry out this pivot.

    As it stands, with the second Trump presidency and its repeated calls for increasing defence spending from European states (in addition to what has often been seen as less than resolute intentions towards Russia), one might think Nato should be counting its days, rather than being placed at the centre of a new strategic review.

    However, regardless of Trump’s actions, the UK will still matter for Washington for the foreseeable future, because it remains an ally and it does defence well. Nato still remains the way to do coalition-building because it has been around for so long and has built up the institutions to do high-level defence cooperation and coordination.

    The review recognises the direction of travel for Washington, and how much it requires the UK and other European governments to invest in their own defence.

    David J. Galbreath has received funding from the UKRI.

    – ref. The strategic defence review means three new approaches for the UK – https://theconversation.com/the-strategic-defence-review-means-three-new-approaches-for-the-uk-258002

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Meets with Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade Delegation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with a delegation of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade led by its chairman Yeohei Kono at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

    Li Qiang said that China is willing to take active steps with all social circles in Japan to implement the political consensus that the two countries regard each other as cooperative partners rather than a threat, achieve even greater results in practical cooperation, and strengthen the foundation of political mutual trust and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

    He expressed the hope that Japan will work with China to overcome differences in a constructive manner, firmly adhere to the correct course of interstate relations, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

    China and Japan have many unique advantages for deepening cooperation, Li Qiang pointed out, adding that both sides should leverage these advantages, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results at a higher level, inject further impetus into mutual development and make greater contributions to world economic growth.

    The Chinese head of government assured that China will steadily expand high-level opening up and welcomes more foreign-invested enterprises, including those from Japan, to develop in the country. Li Qiang also expressed hope that the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade will continue to play an active role in deepening trade and economic cooperation and strengthening friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

    For his part, Y. Kono stated that in the current international situation, which is full of uncertainty, Japan and China should strengthen communication and coordination to jointly protect multilateralism and the free trade system.

    The head of the Japanese delegation noted that JAPIT has long been committed to Japan-China friendship, and hopes to continue to expand exchanges with China, strengthen mutual understanding, make positive contributions to deepening the friendly feelings between the peoples of the two countries, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Its Establishment

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ULAN BATOR, June 3 (Xinhua) — The China Cultural Center in Ulan Bator celebrated its 15th anniversary on Tuesday by holding an opening ceremony of an exhibition of handicrafts from northwest China’s Qinghai Province.

    The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Mongolia Shen Minjuan, Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Mongolia, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar Li Zhi, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Qinghai Province Chang Hong’an and Director of the Department of Culture and Arts of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Mongolia Boldyn Sergelen.

    Delivering a speech at the event, Shen Minjuan stressed that over the 15 years since its establishment, the China Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar has consistently demonstrated China’s development achievements and colorful culture to the Mongolian people, playing an important role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

    B. Sergelen, for her part, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and China, the two countries have strengthened mutual understanding and respect between their peoples through the mutual integration of cultures, laying a solid foundation for promoting harmonious coexistence and deepening interstate friendship.

    Li Zhi said that the structure of the China Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar plans to establish an educational department that will promote Chinese-Mongolian educational cooperation. The center will also make efforts to integrate the brands “Hello, China!” and “Go Mongolia” and strive to achieve even greater results in implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, the diplomat added.

    Chang Hong’an noted that this is the second time since 2016 that Qinghai Province has held an exchange and cooperation event with the China Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar. Such events, he said, allow Mongolian friends to experience the unique charm of China’s northwest.

    The Chinese Cultural Center in Ulaanbaatar, which has been in operation since 2010, has held more than 800 events over the past 15 years, including exhibitions, lectures, film screenings and educational seminars. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UN Green Climate Fund to Allocate $280 Million to Kazakhstan for Eco-Projects

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ALMATY, June 3 (Xinhua) — The United Nations Green Climate Fund (GCF) will finance environmental projects in Kazakhstan worth $280 million, the Kazinform news agency reported on Tuesday.

    The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Nysanbayev, announced the new financing program during parliamentary hearings on the implementation of the best available technologies.

    According to the minister, the funds received will be used to develop renewable energy sources, stimulate the introduction of low-carbon technologies in the industrial sector, and support the development of electric vehicles.

    E. Nysanbaev said that in 2024, in order to promote green projects for the UN GCF, a country program was prepared, including 7 projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector, increasing the sustainability of centralized water supply systems in rural areas, modernizing livestock farms, and supporting private sector initiatives in the field of green financing.

    The total budget for these projects is more than $1 billion, of which the fund is expected to provide $630 million in funding. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia and Liberia elected as non-permanent members of UN Security Council

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    UNITED NATIONS, June 3 (Xinhua) — Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia and Liberia were on Tuesday elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (SC) for a two-year term from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

    Latvia will become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the first time.

    The above-mentioned countries will replace the current non-permanent members of this body, which include Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

    The UN Security Council is considered the most influential body of the world organization. Its task is to maintain international peace and security, it can make legally binding decisions, and also has the right to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement on Visit to Germany

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today released this statement following his visit to Berlin, Germany.

    “I had a very productive visit to Berlin, Germany. I met with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The purpose of the visit was to inform our allies in the European Union about the status of the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that has 82 cosponsors in the U.S. Senate. The bill is designed to incentivize China to push Russia to the peace table — the secondary sanctions and tariffs will come down heavy on those who are propping up Putin’s war machine by buying cheap Russian oil and other products.

    “I was incredibly pleased with the meeting with President von der Leyen where she indicated a new set of sanctions was being drafted by the European Commission, focusing on those countries who prop up Putin’s war machine, as well as the Russian energy sector. It was her belief that Russia is playing games when it comes to peace and the only way the change the game for Russia is to increase the consequences of this war for Putin. I agree. She supported lowering the Russian oil price cap, which will hit Putin in the wallet and she believed there was strong support in Europe for that proposal.

    “Additionally, I met with Foreign Minister Wadephul and Chancellor Merz, and expressed my appreciation for their commitment to increase defense spending which will make NATO more lethal and create more deterrence at a time of great upheaval in Europe. Germany has a very capable military, and this additional investment will only continue that trend.

    “The President of the European Commission and the German government expressed appreciation to President Trump for earnestly and sincerely trying to end this war. It is obvious to all that President Trump has gone the extra mile trying to bring the parties together but it’s also clear that Putin is resisting efforts for peace and is in fact preparing for more war.

    “During my meetings with German officials, I was informed that they see a build-up in weapons by Russia, a point that was also echoed in Ukraine and France. Putin is being disingenuous as President Trump works toward peace. Putin is building up his forces and weaponry to engage in more war, with a summer or early fall offensive in the making.

    “Time is of the essence to act decisively. The combination of Europe lowering the Russian oil price cap along with enacting additional sanctions focusing on those who would prop up Putin will greatly enhance the efforts of the United States.

    “This is the last best chance to avoid an expansion of this war and deter aggression throughout the globe. If we can end the Russia-Ukraine war honorably and in a way that prevents future wars, then the world will become more stable.

    “However, if Putin is perceived to be rewarded for his aggression, and Ukraine is abandoned by its allies, it will encourage other bad actors throughout the globe and the consequences will be dire and long-lasting.

    “I appreciate Germany’s leadership regarding brokering peace and their steadfast resolve when it comes to supporting Ukraine. Germany is a valuable ally, and the upcoming meeting between Chancellor Merz and President Trump will be one of the most important meetings between any U.S. president and any German chancellor in our shared history. Godspeed to both.

    “Finally, recent media reports indicating the hour-long meeting in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine resulted in the same old unrealistic, maximalist demands by Russia, telling us all we need to know about Putin’s desire to end the war. This was also confirmed to me by those participating in the talks.

    “It is time to act.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields could derail Russia’s war efforts

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By James Horncastle, Assistant Professor and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations, Simon Fraser University

    The drone attacks by Ukrainian Operation Spider’s Web forces on Russian airfields have called into question Russia’s supposed military strength.

    Russian authorities have acknowledged damage from the June 1 attacks — an unusual admission that suggests the strikes were probably effective, given Russia’s usual pattern of downplaying or denying the success of Ukrainian operations.

    The operation’s most significant target was the Belaya air base, north of Mongolia. Belaya, like the other bases targeted, is a critical component in the Russian Air Force’s strategic strike capabilities because it houses planes capable of long-range nuclear and conventional strikes.

    It’s also in Irkutsk, approximately 4,500 kilometres from the front lines in Ukraine.



    Read more:
    Ukraine drone strikes on Russian airbase reveal any country is vulnerable to the same kind of attack

    Ukraine’s ability to successfully strike Belaya — an attempted strike at the even more distant Ukrainka air base failed — probably won’t have much of a military impact on the war. But along with successful attacks on other Russian airfields and the strike at the Kerch Bridge in Crimea, Operation Spider Web’s successes could play a strategic role in the conflict.

    These attacks could shift what has become increasingly negative media coverage and public perception about Ukraine’s chances in the war over the last year. In a war of attrition, which the conflict in Ukraine has become, establishing a belief in victory is a pre-condition for success.

    Explosions hit the Kerch Bridge in Russia on June 3, 2025. (The Independent)

    Increased pessimism

    Policymakers and pundits, instead of recognizing their expectations of a Ukrainian victory in 2023 were unrealistic, have often declared that the war is unwinnable for Ukraine.

    This perspective was even more prevalent following United States President Donald Trump’s resumption of power in January 2025. In the Oval Office spat Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late February, he declared Ukraine did not “have the cards” to defeat Russia.

    This turned out to be false. Ukraine’s army may possess significantly less military hardware and fewer soldiers than Russia’s, but war is often a continuation of politics. Politically, Russia faces several issues that could derail its war efforts.

    Russian vulnerabilities

    Russia’s military capabilities are important to Russian nationalists, who make up Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s core constituency. Russian military forces have advanced along nearly all fronts in Ukraine over the last year.

    These advances, however, have largely been insignificant. Furthermore, they have emphasized Russia’s military weakness, which is an ongoing affront to Russian nationalists.

    Not only have Russian military advances over the last year not changed the war in a strictly military sense, but the pace of advance has been incredibly slow. Over the last year, Russian forces have captured 5,107 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory. This territory represents less than one per cent of Ukraine’s pre-war territory.

    In exchange for what amounts to negligible gains, Russian armed forces have suffered significant casualties.

    Both Russia and Ukraine carefully guard the number of casualties their forces have suffered in the war. The British Ministry of Defence, however, estimates that Russia will have suffered more than a million casualties in the war by the end of this month. The Russian casualty rate is also accelerating, with an estimated 160,000 casualties in the first four months of 2025.

    Russia attempts to compensate for this battlefield devastation in two ways.

    First, it’s isolated Ukraine by manipulating Trump’s desire for political wins and business deals. Russia, in appearing to seek an end to the conflict while offering no concessions, has stoked tensions between Zelenskyy and Trump, where there was little love lost between the two to begin with.

    Second, Russia has increased its attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Large-scale bombing does little to help Russia on the battlefield. The attacks, in fact, put its forces at a disadvantage by redirecting munitions from military targets.

    Attacks on civilians

    The attacks on civilian infrastructure, however, are more about instilling fear in the Ukrainian population and demonstrating American impotence to a Russian audience.

    Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities also highlight Russia’s trump card: nuclear weapons. Russia, and specifically former Russian president Dimitry Medvedev, has repeatedly threatened nuclear war in an attempt to dissuade Ukraine’s supporters.

    By bombing Ukrainian cities, albeit with conventional munitions, Russia seeks to demonstrate its ability to deploy even more destructive weapons should the situation call for it.

    These Russian military missteps, combined with a Russian economy that is structurally unsound, means that Russia’s war effort is increasingly fragile.

    Weakening Asian alliances

    Ukraine’s attack on Belaya also signals Russian weakness to its nominal allies in Asia.

    Since the start of hostilities, Russia has relied on the tacit consent of China. This support has taken the form of China purchasing Russian crude oil to maintain the Russian economy and Chinese citizens unofficially fighting for Russia.

    Belaya has been a vital element of Russia’s deterrence strategy in Asia, which has come to rely more heavily on the Russian strategic nuclear threat. The inability of Russia to protect one of its key strategic assets from a Ukrainian drone attack, combined with the weakness of Russian conventional forces in Ukraine, erodes its ability to position itself as a key ally to China.

    In fact, some Russian authorities continue to view China as a major threat.

    At the same time, Operation Spider’s Web gives hope to the Ukrainian people. It may also cause Trump — who prefers to back winners — to ponder whether it’s Putin, not Zelenskyy, who lacks the cards to win the war.

    James Horncastle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields could derail Russia’s war efforts – https://theconversation.com/how-ukraines-drone-attacks-on-russian-airfields-could-derail-russias-war-efforts-258049

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off June 8

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Xbox Games Showcase 2025 kicks off June 8

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the US Ambassador to China and called on him to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Xinhua | 03. 06. 2025

    Key words: China-USA

    Source: Xinhua

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the US Ambassador to China and called on him to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the US Ambassador to China and called on him to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lee Jae-myung will likely be elected as new president of the Republic of Korea – media /more details/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) — Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for the presidency of the liberal Democratic Toburo Party, which holds the majority of seats in the country’s parliament, is likely to be elected as the new head of state, local television channel MBC reported on Tuesday.

    According to the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Korea as of 22:53 local time /13:53 GMT/, based on the counting of 22.7 percent of ballots, Lee Jae-myung received 47.7 percent of the votes, while his main rival from the conservative Civil Power Party, Kim Moon-soo, received 44.1 percent.

    MBC estimated the probability of victory for the Democratic Party candidate Toburo at 97.6 percent.

    An exit poll jointly conducted by three broadcasters (KBS, MBC and SBS) showed Lee Jae-myung leading with 51.7 percent of the vote, ahead of Kim Moon-soo, who received 39.3 percent.

    Early voter turnout was 79.4 percent, the highest in 28 years after a record 80.7 percent in 1997.

    Voter turnout, including those who voted early on May 29 and 30, was up from the 77.1 percent recorded in the previous presidential election in 2022. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: AI and Practice: What Should Be the System for Training the Next Generation of IT Specialists

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    What IT specialists the Russian economy needs, how to train them correctly and why it is important to include industry professionals in the educational process were discussed by officials, companies and universities at the session “Personnel for the Data Economy. Training of the New Generation of IT Specialists”, which was held as part of the tenth annual CIPR conference in Nizhny Novgorod. HSE Vice-Rector Elena Odoevskaya took part in the session.

    Thanks to the joint efforts of business, government and educational institutions, Russia has begun to graduate more IT specialists, stated Deputy Director of the Department of the Ministry of Digital Development Anastasia Kazantseva. In recent years, a lot of work has been done to increase the budget admission to the relevant specialties. The Digital Departments project was also launched and implemented, which was also aimed at “increasing the funnel of IT specialists.”

    Today, the question of “how exactly do we train personnel and what competencies should they have at the end” is relevant. Companies are not always satisfied with the knowledge and skills of graduates upon leaving the university. Therefore, within the framework of the national project “New Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State”, new projects “Top-AI” and “Top-IT” were launched, aimed at training top specialists in the field of artificial intelligence and information technology. It is envisaged to train university teachers and attract industry professionals for teaching, as well as generally increase the practical orientation of the programs, noted Anastasia Kazantseva. For universities participating in the projects, an important condition was that the educational institution must “definitely bring an industrial partner” that will invest resources and funds in the training of IT specialists, she added.

    The operator of these projects is the Center for Expertise of Educational Programs of the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation. The head of the center, Sergey Astakhov, said that competitive selections have already been held and the winning universities have been determined: Innopolis, ITMO, MIPT, HSE, and Southern Federal University. They will train research scientists and developers of fundamentally new models of artificial intelligence.

    Director of Artificial Intelligence Development at Yandex Alexander Kraynov said that the company has to interview 25 candidates to hire one. He believes that universities should “produce” ready-made specialists who can start working right away. According to him, there are literally several universities that “generate such people.” In his opinion, “we need to learn to measure the quality of the guys at the entrance, because if the quality is low at the entrance, then we need to go down and prepare schoolchildren.” Also, according to him, it is necessary to increase the number of good teachers, and due to the high rate of change, training programs need to be changed every six months.

    Vladimir Averbakh, Senior Managing Director — Director of the Directorate for the Implementation and Popularization of AI Initiatives at Sber, noted that a very successful tandem of business and the state has developed in Russia in the training of IT personnel. At the same time, if “we believe that artificial intelligence significantly changes any sphere of activity, and in particular the industry, then when training IT specialists, we must introduce, maybe, a 12-level, maybe a 120-level, I don’t know, competency model using AI,” he noted. True, it is not yet very clear how to do this, since the world is changing very quickly. But in any case, he believes, AI must be introduced into the entire education system, and not just for training IT specialists.

    In turn, the director of the Institute for Economic Research “Yakov and Partners” Elena Kuznetsova noted that, despite complaints, employers “are scooping up all graduates quite briskly.” “And the median salary of fresh graduates and graduates in the second year after graduation, no matter how you look at it, is growing at a very brisk pace, many times outpacing inflation,” the expert says. And this “reflects precisely the shortage of these people on the market.” At the same time, Elena Kuznetsova noted that the most advanced employers of technology personnel have moved from the position of “the university should give us ready-made personnel” to the position of “we will have to go to universities ourselves and work with these universities so that these personnel become better.”

    “A university is more than just training personnel for the needs of a specific company. It is impossible to ask a university to change its educational program every month, otherwise it will not be a university. If we are talking about the cycle of personnel training, then it solves a systemic problem – training personnel for the country,” noted HSE Vice-Rector Elena Odoevskaya.

    She agreed that changes are happening very quickly now, but to take them into account, the university does not need to change the entire curriculum, but rather adjust the content of the disciplines, introducing the most relevant knowledge into them. HSE and companies are constantly in dialogue, agreeing on these changes, she emphasized. “We need to talk and agree. It is important for companies to be able to sometimes side with the university, and for the university to side with the company,” Elena Odoevskaya added. At the same time, in her opinion, it is necessary to creatively rethink approaches to training and competency models.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Opening ceremony of the event on inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning “Meet and learn” was held in Turkmenistan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    ASHGABAT, June 3 (Xinhua) — An opening ceremony of the “Meet and Learn” event on exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations was held in the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, on Tuesday. More than 200 guests, including representatives of various social circles of China and Turkmenistan and representatives of some foreign embassies in Turkmenistan, attended the ceremony.

    The ceremony officially opened the Dehua White Porcelain Exhibition and the 2025 China Equestrian Culture Exhibition, which were jointly hosted by China and Turkmenistan. The two themed exhibitions reveal the common aesthetic preferences and emotional connection between the peoples of the two countries regarding horses and the color white.

    More than 150 horse-related exhibits, such as saddles, photographs, calligraphy works, sculptures, fur paintings, embroidery and paper crafts, have been selected for the China Equestrian Culture Exhibition, which demonstrates the diversity and profound content of China’s equestrian culture.

    The Dehua White Porcelain Exhibition features over 40 highly artistic contemporary porcelain pieces with designs that embody ancient motifs and new trends. The exhibits also include pieces featuring fast horses, which are intended to highlight the important role of equestrianism in strengthening ties between the cultures of China and Turkmenistan.

    During the ceremony, representatives of the National Museum of China, the China Horse Industry Association, the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the National Horse Breeding Federation of Turkmenistan exchanged gifts, such as the Chinese translation of the “Collection of Magtymguly’s Poetry” and white porcelain items.

    Chinese and foreign guests shared the view that the two exhibitions fully demonstrate the unique charm of Chinese culture, the profound heritage and vibrant vitality of the friendly relations between the two countries.

    The event was organized by the Information Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Turkmenistan. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: The Netherlands supports Radio Free Europe with donation of €3 million

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 03-06-2025 | 16:39

    The Netherlands is donating €3 million to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/FL), a media organisation that brings independent factual news to regions where press freedom is under pressure or non-existent. This was announced today by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp. With this donation the Netherlands hopes to enable RFE/RL to continue its vital work.

    ‘Radio Free Europe plays an important role in providing independent journalism, from Eastern Europe to Asia,’ says Mr Veldkamp. ‘It serves as a counterweight to Russian propaganda and disinformation, and promotes press freedom. With this donation the Netherlands hopes to promote press freedom and democratic values in the countries where RFE/RL works.’

    RFE/RL has been experiencing financial problems since March, when the US government cut funding for the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) – the government agency that financed RFE/RL – with immediate effect. 

    That same month, the Netherlands signed a statement initiated by Czechia underscoring the importance of RFE/RL and calling for the implementation of a long-term financial solution. RFE/RL has been headquartered in Prague since 1995, and Czechia is working hard to ensure the organisation’s future.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lois Frankel and Sen. Brian Schatz Statement on Proposed State Department Reorganization

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, D.C. – Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the Senate Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after the State Department notified Congress of a sweeping reorganization plan that will significantly undermine U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance, with serious implications for American security and economic interests.

    “Reforms must be undertaken thoughtfully with bipartisan guidance and consent from Congress to be effective and sustainable. We take seriously our obligation to ensure that every dollar spent strengthens our global leadership and advances the safety and prosperity of our citizens, and have offered our engagement with the Administration, but there has been no consultation,” said the Members.

    “At a time when adversaries like Russia and China are expanding their global influence, the Administration is proposing reductions to an already overstretched U.S. diplomatic corps while formalizing its elimination of virtually all U.S. development expertise. This includes shifting critical development and humanitarian programs to entities with little or no experience managing them; jeopardizing efforts to protect human rights and democracy, prevent conflict before it reaches our shores, and advance the Administration’s own stated goals. Meaningful reform is more than an organizational chart, and it also requires a commitment to the personnel, systems, and tools necessary for effective policy implementation.

    This proposal, and the ongoing cuts to foreign assistance programs gutted earlier this year with the dismantling of USAID and the abrupt cancellation of thousands of contracts and grants, will continue to result in preventable death around the world. All of this has raised not only policy concerns, but serious legal and constitutional issues. 

    Secretary Rubio and his team must engage with Congress openly and in good faith, participating in a comprehensive, bipartisan exchange of ideas that lead to an agreed path forward.”

    ###

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Visit to Brazil

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 3, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • Brazil’s economy has grown strongly over the past three years, surprising on the upside. Inflation rebounded in 2024 amid strong demand, a rise in food prices, and currency depreciation, exceeding the target tolerance interval. IMF staff expects growth to moderate in the near term as inflation converges to target, and then strengthen to 2.5 percent over the medium term.
    • The pivot to a monetary policy tightening cycle in September 2024 was appropriate and consistent with bringing inflation and inflation expectations back to the 3 percent target. In the context of heightened global policy uncertainty and inflation expectations above target-consistent levels, maintaining flexibility on the pace and length of the hiking cycle is prudent.
    • The authorities’ efforts to continue improving the fiscal position, while trying to meet social spending and investment needs, are welcome and further steps are warranted. Phasing out costly and inefficient tax expenditures, enhancing revenue administration, and tackling budget rigidities would open space for priority investments, support public debt sustainability, and facilitate a lower path of interest rates.
    • The authorities are advancing their sustainable and inclusive growth agenda. Implementation of the landmark VAT reform is proceeding and a personal income tax reform that aims to enhance equity is under discussion in Congress.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Daniel Leigh, conducted discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultation with the Brazilian authorities and consulted with other stakeholders during May 20 – June 2, 2025. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Leigh issued the following statement:

    “Brazil’s economy has grown strongly over the past three years, surprising on the upside. Staff projects a moderation in growth from 3.4 percent in 2024 to 2.3 percent in 2025, amid tight monetary and financial conditions, a scaling back of fiscal support, and heightened global policy uncertainty. Inflation is expected to reach 5.2 percent by end-2025, before gradually converging to the 3 percent target by end-2027. The external current account deficit reached 2.8 percent of GDP in 2024, on the back of strong exports and rising imports due to stronger economic activity.

    “Over the medium term, growth is forecasted to recover to 2.5 percent, supported by the normalization of monetary policy and supportive structural factors, notably the implementation of the efficiency-enhancing VAT reform and the acceleration in hydrocarbon production. Additional structural reforms and implementation of the Ecological Transformation Plan would further boost medium-term growth prospects.

    “Risks to the growth outlook are tilted to the downside amid heightened global policy uncertainty. A sound financial system, adequate FX reserves, low reliance on FX debt, large government cash buffers, and a flexible exchange rate continue to support Brazil’s resilience.

    “The Central Bank of Brazil’s (BCB) pivot to a tightening cycle in September 2024 was appropriate and consistent with bringing inflation and inflation expectations back to the 3 percent target. Above-target near- and medium-term inflation expectations, as well as a widening positive output gap, supported the case for the BCB’s rate hikes. In the context of heightened global policy uncertainty and inflation expectations above target-consistent levels, maintaining flexibility on the pace and length of the hiking cycle is prudent.

    “The authorities’ efforts to continue improving the fiscal position, while trying to meet social spending and investment needs, are welcome and further steps are warranted. To put public debt on a firmly downward path, open space for priority investments, and facilitate a lower path of interest rates, staff recommends a sustained and more ambitious fiscal effort, supported by an enhanced fiscal framework, revenue mobilization, and spending measures. Implementation of the landmark 2023 VAT reform is expected to significantly simplify the tax system and boost productivity, and efforts rightly aim to secure revenue-neutrality.

    “The financial sector was resilient in 2024 and is expected to remain so amid higher interest rates. The authorities are implementing regulatory changes aimed at further strengthening financial sector resilience. Reforms to facilitate a reduction in household leverage are needed. At present, public banks appear well-capitalized, profitable, and liquid, and have been paying dividends to the government. Lending by public banks should continue to focus on addressing market failures, such as supporting long-term investment.

    “The BCB continues to advance its financial innovation agenda. Pix, the instant payment system developed by the BCB, now accounts for 49 percent of all electronic payments in Brazil—the most popular method, reflecting its low costs and immediate settlement. The pilot of Brazil’s Central Bank Digital Currency, Drex, has entered the second phase, where additional use cases and integration with external platforms will be tested and enhanced, while continuing to explore data privacy solutions.

    “The authorities are delivering on their inclusive and sustainable growth agenda. Structural reforms together with expanding hydrocarbon production have lifted Brazil’s medium-term growth prospects. Additional structural reforms and implementation of the Ecological Transformation Plan would further foster productivity, investment, and job-rich growth, while extending recent gains in social inclusion. Brazil has made notable progress in reducing deforestation in recent years and is on track to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets.

    “The team would like to thank the authorities and private sector representatives for their support, hospitality, and constructive dialogue.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/03/pr-25174-brazil-imf-completes-2025-art-iv-visit

    MIL OSI

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Housing will become more affordable – Putin orders expansion of preferential mortgages to families with children under 14

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Mainfin Bank –

    How might preferential mortgages for families with children change?

    The government will submit proposals to revise the terms of family leave by June 15, 2025. mortgages. It is expected that the parameters for issuing preferential loans for the purchase of housing will change:

    mortgages will become available to families with children under 14, i.e. the circle of potential borrowers will be significantly expanded; credit limits will be differentiated and will depend on the size of the family; other conditions may also change, which the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction previously insisted on in the hope of reviving the market.

    The terms of preferential mortgages are planned to be relaxed, which will ensure housing availability for a wide range of families. The proposals are being prepared by the government and the commission of the project “Infrastructure for Life”.

    What conditions are currently in effect under the Family Mortgage program?

    The preferential mortgage program was launched in Russia in 2020 and partially curtailed in the summer of 2024. However, families with children under 6 years of age (or a disabled child) can still take advantage of state support. Loans are provided on the following terms:

    interest rate – 6% per annum; the amount is limited to 12 million rubles in large cities and 6 million in other regions; you can get a loan to buy housing in new buildings or individual housing construction; the minimum down payment is 20%.

    “Currently, preferential mortgages are as targeted as possible – families who need to expand their living space can participate in the program,” the expert noted.

    The family mortgage, which was originally planned to be completed in 2024, was extended until 2030. Russian borrowers also have access to other preferential programs – Rural, Far Eastern, Arctic, Military, IT mortgage. A preferential mortgage program at 2% per annum for SVO participants is also being developed, but the launch dates have not yet been disclosed.

    15:00 03.06.2025

    Source:

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //Mainfin.ru/novosti/ Zhil-sustain-access, more accessible-Putin-Rasyutin-Rassit-Holot-Model-Na-seven-S-Stymi-Dom-Dos-14-Let

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China introduces special visa for 10 ASEAN countries and East Timor as an observer of the association

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) — China has introduced the “Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) visa” for 10 ASEAN countries and East Timor as an observer state, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference Tuesday.

    According to a Chinese diplomat, China will issue an “ASEAN visa” to businessmen from 11 countries, as well as their spouses and children who meet the requirements. With this type of visa, they are allowed multiple entries into the country over five years, with a maximum stay of 180 days.

    Lin Jian said the “ASEAN visa” is being implemented on the basis of comprehensive mutual visa exemption with Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries, and the issuance of “Lancang-Mekong visa” to Mekong River countries, to further facilitate cross-border movement of people in the region.

    In recent years, the construction of a community with a shared future between China and ASEAN has made steady progress, and important achievements have been made in jointly building a common home featuring peace, tranquility, prosperity, a beautiful environment and friendship, Lin Jian said.

    Noting that China and Southeast Asian countries have maintained close people-to-people exchanges, Lin Jian said it is the common aspiration of both sides to further promote mutual travel. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese citizen arrested on suspicion of killing two Japanese citizens over commercial disputes /detailed version-1/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    DALIAN, June 3 (Xinhua) — A Chinese citizen has been detained on suspicion of killing two Japanese nationals over a business dispute, police in northeast China’s Dalian city said Tuesday.

    A preliminary investigation found that the victims, who were Japanese citizens and were temporarily staying in the city, were former business partners of the suspect, a 42-year-old Chinese citizen surnamed Yuan. The murders were caused by disputes over business cooperation, the Dalian City Public Security Bureau said.

    According to the department, a criminal case involving two fatalities was reported in the Pulandian district of Dalian on May 23. Yuan, who had previously lived in Japan for a long time, was detained on May 24. The suspect’s full name has not been disclosed.

    Yuan is currently in custody. After further investigation, the case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review and indictment.

    Local authorities informed the families of the victims of the investigation, and relevant agencies assisted with cremation of the remains and other necessary procedures. The victims’ family members returned to Japan on June 1. -0-

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Toburo Democratic Party, leads in the presidential election in the Republic of Korea – media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SEOUL, June 3 (Xinhua) — Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s leading Toburo Democratic Party, is comfortably ahead in Tuesday’s snap presidential election, according to exit polls.

    Lee Jae-myung won 51.7 percent of the vote in an exit poll conducted jointly by three media outlets, beating conservative Civil Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who won 39.3 percent.

    Lee Joon-suk, a candidate from the small conservative New Reform Party, received 7.7 percent of the vote.

    According to separate estimates from local media outlets /JTBC, Channel A and MBN/, Lee Jae-myung is ahead of Kim Moon-soo by about 10 percentage points. –0–

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