UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights
Russian President Putin says there will be no more peace talks with Ukraine.
"What is there to even talk about with those who attack civilians and nuclear facilities?"
Billions in Cash Flow into Russia Despite Sanctions, — Reuters
Despite the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the EU, approximately $2.3 billion in U.S. dollars and euros have been transferred to Russia since March 2022. This information, based on customs data obtained by Reuters, reveals the continued flow of foreign currency into the country.
The cash was transported from countries like the UAE and Türkiye, which have not imposed restrictions on trade with Russia. Interestingly, the origin of more than half of this sum is not specified in the customs documents, which cover the period from March 2022 to December 2023. Reuters was unable to access more recent data.
Data also show a significant increase in cash imports just before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. From November 2021 to February 2022, Russia received $18.9 billion in banknotes, compared to only $17 million in the previous four months.
A relatively unknown company, “Aero-Trade,” which specializes in duty-free trade services at airports and on planes, emerged as the largest declarant of foreign currency.
In most cases, “Aero-Trade” acted solely as a declarant, handling customs documentation, but Reuters was unable to identify the company’s clients or trace the exact source or destination of the funds.
Additionally, more than a quarter of the $2.27 billion in cash was imported by banks, mainly in payment for precious metals. Between March 2022 and December 2023, several Russian banks received $580 million in cash from abroad and exported a nearly equivalent amount of precious metals, often to the same companies that supplied the currency.
Russia Tops List of Countries Polluting the Environment Through Energy Exports, — The Guardian
According to a study commissioned by the Australian Institute of Human Rights at the University of New South Wales, Russia has been identified as the leading polluter due to its energy exports. The study, cited by The Guardian, reveals that Australia ranked second after Russia in this anti-rating.
The report highlights that in 2021, Australia became the world’s third-largest exporter of fossil fuels, following Russia and the United States. However, in terms of emissions, Australia surpassed the United States and took second place. This is attributed to the fact that most of Australia’s energy exports consist of coal, a fuel known for its particularly high emissions.
The German IRIS-T air defense systems have proven to be 100% effective in Ukraine, according to military historian Andriy Haruk, who wrote about this in a blog for "Militarnyy."
In Russia, there are plans to expand the mechanism that allows individuals to be sent to war in Ukraine by including those already on trial, according to the BBC. The Russian Supreme Court has proposed that criminal cases against individuals who agree to fight in Ukraine could be halted not only during the preliminary investigation stage but also during court proceedings.
Sierra Leone has proposed abolishing the veto power in the UN Security Council, according to the country’s President, Julius Maada Bio. He argued that the Council’s unbalanced composition and the current decision-making rules reflect the legacy of colonialism and the continued exploitation of African nations, which remain significantly underrepresented.