The documents, and Seipel’s response, suggest the payments were for his work on a 2015 biography called #Putin: Inner Views of Power and a 2021 title, Putin’s Power: Why #Europe Needs #Russia, both originally written in German.
Seipel does not appear to have disclosed the payments to his publisher.
Top German journalist received €600,000 from Putin ally, leak reveals | #Germany
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/german-journalist-putin-hubert-seipel
The war in #Ukraine has backfired on #Russia in almost every conceivable way, from kickstarting #NATO expansion to affirming the Ukrainian national consciousness. If #Putin truly believes the future masters of #AI will be masters of the universe, the war’s closing of Russia’s narrow window to catch up in the field may be the most devastating consequence of all.
Putin Wants Russia to Win the #ArtificialIntelligence Race. Here’s Why it Won’t - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/14/putin-wants-russia-to-win-the-artificial-intelligence-race-heres-why-it-wont-a83103
It's also possible Russia doesn't have enough border guards anymore because of the war in #Ukraine.
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Russian border guards usually stop people without valid #EU visas from crossing into #Finland. But on Wednesday #Niinistö said he believed #Russia had started guiding asylum seekers towards Finnish crossing points in retaliation for #Helsinki’s plans to sign a defence cooperation agreement with #Washington.
Here are the latest developments:
#Ukraine says its forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the #DniproRiver - potentially allowing it to transfer vital equipment across the river
#Russia has been focusing its efforts on eastern Ukraine with fighting continuing around #Bakhmut and near #Donetsk
Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682
Here's to hoping Kherson will have a bombardment free Christmas this year 🕊️
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The Ukrainian armed forces have said they have carried out “successful actions” on the east bank of the #DniproRiver.
The river has been the de facto front line in southern #Ukraine since Russian forces withdrew from the #Kherson region last November.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-thousands-of-ukrainian-children-taken-to-belarus-yale-research-shows?page=with:block-655725788f08945e7e4d0eec#block-655725788f08945e7e4d0eec
#Girkin, who is also known by the alias #IgorStrelkov, has repeatedly said #Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless Vladimir #Putin’s military leadership fights the war in #Ukraine more effectively.
Pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin says he wants to run for president
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/19/russia-ukraine-war-live-wave-of-drone-attacks-on-kyiv-for-second-night?page=with:block-6559dd648f08ee81dbe5b004#block-6559dd648f08ee81dbe5b004
...cheerfully assisted by the Russian army who sells them bicycles and tells them where to go. Finland will have to seal it's Russia border soon. #Ukraine #NATO
Asylum seekers biking into #Finland from #Russia
https://euobserver.com/world/157712?utm_source=euobs&utm_medium=rss
Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo spoke to reporters at a border post in #Kuhmo today, amid concerns about the arrival of asylum seekers via #Russia.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/20/europe-far-right-victory-argentina-javier-milei-live?page=with:block-655b7cb28f086b1ccf455522#block-655b7cb28f086b1ccf455522
#HELSINKI (Reuters) - Dozens of #migrants stood behind barriers at two crossings on #Finland's border with #Russia on Saturday, the Finnish Border Guard said, after Helsinki erected barricades to halt a flow of asylum seekers it says was instigated by #Moscow. #Russia #Ukraine #NATO
Unlike other instances where #Congress tends to quickly approve urgently needed aid, lawmakers in both parties are now openly questioning whether an emergency package for #Israel and #Ukraine can get done at all. #US
Fears grow in Congress over Ukraine and Israel aid amid dispute over #immigration and spending cuts | CNN Politics
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/21/politics/congress-israel-ukraine-aid-border/index.html
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Wednesday that as of the end of Friday, only its northernmost border crossing with #Russia, Raja-Jooseppi, will remain open.
#RajaJooseppi is the northernmost [border crossing], and it requires a real effort to get there,” Orpo said at a press conference. #NATO #Ukraine
#Finland to close all but one of its border crossings with Russia | Migration News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/finland-to-close-all-but-one-of-its-border-crossings-with-russia
#EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said this week that the challenges on #Finland’s border gave her a feeling of “deja vu,” two years after #Belarus began driving migrants into #Latvia, #Lithuania and #Poland in what European officials said was an attempt to destabilize the 27-nation bloc. #NATO #Ukraine
EU sends border police reinforcements to Finland over fears that #Russia is behind a migrant influx
https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-border-frontex-guards-2fc202b3a900d6887e0152b235a0a00d
The European Union’s border agency says that it will send dozens of officers and equipment as reinforcements to Finland to help police its borders amid suspicion that Russia is behind an influx of migrants arriving to the country. Frontex said Thursday that it expects a “significant reinforcement” made up of 50 border guard officers and other staff along with patrol cars and additional equipment to be put in place as soon as next week. Around 600 migrants without proper visas and documentation have arrived in Finland so far this month compared to a few dozen in September and October. They include people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco and Somalia.
The Nordic country has already taken decisions to close seven stations, leaving open only the northernmost remote border point, #RajaJooseppi in #Lapland. #NATO #Ukraine
#Finland Warns Border to Be Sealed If #Russia Keeps Up Pressure
https://news.yahoo.com/finland-warns-border-sealed-russia-195403617.html
The many weaknesses in the Russian economy nonetheless remain apparent. #GDP has not grown above pre-2014 levels because of Western financial sanctions and its odious #kleptocracy. It is not very stable. The exchange rate of the #ruble jumps like a yo-yo. The underlying reason for this is massive #CapitalFlight, #Russia’s exclusion from international financial markets, and its limited liquid reserves. #Ukraine #UkraineWar
Why the Russian #Economy’s Luck is Running Out
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/21/why-the-russian-economys-luck-is-running-out-a83165
Russian authorities will transport 55 asylum seekers who were waiting to cross the now-closed #Salla border crossing with #Finland to the last open crossing in the north of the #Murmansk region, its governor announced Friday. #RajaJooseppi #NATO #Ukraine
#Russia to Transport Dozens of Migrants to Last Open Finnish Border Checkpoint - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/24/russia-to-transport-dozens-of-migrants-to-last-open-finnish-border-checkpoint-a83217
Russian authorities will transport 55 asylum seekers who were waiting to cross the now-closed Salla border crossing with Finland to the last open crossing in the north of the Murmansk region, its governor announced Friday. Another 200 foreign nationals who were unable to cross the border have decided to stay in Russia and will be provided with a bus connection to St.
Additional concrete barriers were placed on the bridge connecting #Estonia and #Russia on Friday evening as preparations continue for a possible future closure of the border. #Ukraine #Finland
PPA puts more barriers on Estonian-Russian border | News | ERR
https://news.err.ee/1609175470/ppa-puts-more-barriers-on-estonian-russian-border
The attack, which used Iranian-designed #Shahed kamikaze drones, reportedly began hitting different districts of #Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, with more waves coming as the sun rose. The air raid warning lasted for six hours.
Air force chief Mykola Oleschuk said 71 of the 75 drones launched at #Ukraine had been downed.
More than 70 Russian drones hit Kyiv, wounding five: Ukrainian officials | #Russia-#UkraineWar News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/25/more-than-70-russian-drones-hit-kyiv-wounding-five-ukrainian-officials
Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo has announced that the last remaining open border crossing with #Russia will be closed this week.
#Finland has accused Russia over the past days of orchestrating the arrival of people from third countries at its border. #RajaJooseppi #Ukraine #NATO
Finnish border with Russia to be closed for two weeks, prime minister announces
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/28/geert-wilders-netherlands-government-nato-migration-europe-latest-news?page=with:block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b#block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b
The tense situation on the border has developed rapidly in the last two weeks, with #Finland accusing #Russia of driving #AsylumSeekers to its border as an act of revenge for its cooperation with the #US. Relations between the two countries have worsened in recent months, particularly since Finland became a member of #Nato in April. #RajaJooseppi
Finland closes entire border with Russia after tensions over asylum seekers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/finland-closes-entire-border-with-russia-after-tensions-over-asylum-seekers
In recent weeks, there’s been a surge in #MiddleEastern and #African migrants trying to enter #Finland from #Russia. Finnish officials have accused #Moscow of orchestrating an artificial influx of asylum seekers at the border as retaliation for Finland’s accession to #NATO, a view which the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has called “very strange.” #Ukraine
Weaponized migration
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/11/28/weaponized-migration
In recent weeks, there’s been a surge in Middle Eastern and African migrants trying to enter Finland from Russia. Finnish officials have accused Moscow of orchestrating an artificial influx of asylum seekers at the border as retaliation for Finland’s accession to NATO, a view which the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has called “very strange.” Migrants are reportedly allowed into Russian territory without proper documentation, driven to checkpoints, and sent across on bicycles in freezing temperatures. On November 24, Finland closed all but one border crossing with Russia and has now announced it will close the remaining one for two weeks, starting November 30. To better understand the situation, Russian and Finnish journalists analyzed group chats on messaging apps and on social media where citizens of third countries allegedly discuss how to transit Russia in order to seek asylum in Finland.
Ukrainian government cyber snoops claim they've infiltrated the computer systems of #Russia's federal air transport agency #Rosaviatsiya, and stolen data that shows the invading nation’s civil aviation sector is on the "verge of collapse." #UkraineWar
#Ukraine claims Russia's planes in peril as #sanctions bite | #Aviation | The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/28/ukraine_claims_hackandleak_shows_russian/?td=rt-3a
For months, #Turkey and #Hungary have delayed ratification of #Sweden’s #Nato membership, fuelling frustration within the military alliance. #Ukraine
Turkey told Sweden it expects Nato bid ratification 'within weeks', Swedish minister says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/29/sweden-nato-turkey-ratification-membership-europe-latest-updates?page=with:block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d#block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d
#Ukraine has hailed the return of #ScythianGold treasures as a “symbolic and historic” victory over #Russia, which had laid claim to the artefacts in a decade-long struggle over ownership.
On Tuesday the collection was shown off in #Kyiv. They are among 1,000 items lent in 2013 by four museums in #Crimea for an exhibition in the #Netherlands.
‘Part of our history’: Ukraine hails return of Scythian gold treasures
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/part-of-our-history-ukraine-hails-return-of-scythian-gold-treasures
Vesa Arffman, the head of Ivalo border guard station, also in #Lapland, says the past few weeks have been “hectic”, preparing for #AsylumSeeker arrivals and the recent increase in numbers.
“For me personally, I would hope that it was a once in a lifetime experience,” Arffman said. #RajaJooseppi #NATO #Ukraine
‘This may be just the beginning’: the guards at #Finland’s closed Russian border
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/30/this-may-be-just-the-beginning-the-guards-at-finlands-closed-russian-border
The latest #AntiAbortion measures are notable for their scale and speed.
Some observers believe the sudden, increased focus is linked to #Russia’s ongoing invasion of #Ukraine, which has placed a new spotlight on old demographic fears. #PopulationCrisis
Russia limits women’s access to abortion, citing demographic changes | Women News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/28/russia-limits-womens-access-to-abortion-citing-demographic-changes
Leading economists say the consequences of the court ruling will stretch far beyond #Europe’s largest economy. With talks on a 2024 budget indefinitely deferred, future financial support for #Ukraine, the #EU budget and other key areas of spending are all up in the air.
Fear and anger rise in #Germany over handling of budget crisis | #Economy | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/germany-scholz-government-handling-of-budget-crisis
The new Polish government has gutted the top management of #PublicTelevision, making good on a campaign promise to reform a broadcaster that functioned as a mouthpiece of its rightwing populist predecessor, but also prompting criticism of their methods from some quarters. #Ukraine
#Poland’s new government sacks state TV, radio and news bosses | Poland | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/poland-new-government-sacks-state-tv-radio-and-news-bosses
The delivery of the fighter jets is still pending on an export permit by the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs and the fulfillment of criteria for staff and infrastructure in #Ukraine, Rutte added without giving a timeline for these decisions.
But the announcement made it possible to reserve funds and people to prepare the planes for delivery, the government said.
#Russia-Ukraine war live: #Netherlands to deliver #F16 jets to Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/22/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-65858b0c8f08dc9aada0ca94#block-65858b0c8f08dc9aada0ca94
A spokesperson for Vladimir #Putin told reporters on Friday that if the #Biden administration and European leaders planned to seize Russian central bank assets believed to be in excess of $300bn (£236bn) that were frozen after #Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of #Ukraine in February 2022, they should “realise that Russia will never leave those who do it alone”.
#Russia warns #US and #Europe over reports Ukraine may get its seized assets | Russia | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/22/russia-europe-us-ukraine-seized-assets
#Britain should lead in creating a coordinated sanctions and military supply chain unit that brings together #UK, #US and #EU efforts. This would map the complex Russian military supply chains at every step of their way, define their choke points and combine resources to disrupt them using the full range of tools. #Russia
#DavidCameron has a chance at redemption by delivering crucial weapons to #Ukraine | Peter Pomerantsev | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/24/david-cameron-has-a-chance-at-redemption-by-delivering-crucial-weapons-to-ukraine
#Navalny had been imprisoned in the Vladimir region of central #Russia, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of #Moscow, but his lawyers said they had not been able to reach him since Dec. 6.
His spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was now located in a prison colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. #Ukraine
The Turkish parliament was Tuesday set to resume debate on approving #Sweden's bid to join #NATO, a thorny issue that was further complicated after President Recep Tayyip #Erdogan linked it to Ankara's request for F-16 fighter jets from its ally the United States. #Russia #Ukraine
#Turkey's parliament set to debate Sweden NATO bid
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231226-turkey-s-parliament-set-to-debate-sweden-nato-bid
The Turkish parliament was Tuesday set to resume debate on approving Sweden's bid to join NATO, a thorny issue that was further complicated after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked it to Ankara's request for F-16 fighter jets from its ally the United States.
The move paves the way for a vote by the full parliament, where Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority of seats. It was not immediately clear when it would be. #Russia #Ukraine
#Turkey parliament committee approves #Sweden's bid to join #NATO
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20231226-turkey-parliament-committee-approves-sweden-s-bid-to-join-nato
A key committee in the Turkish parliament on Tuesday approved Sweden's bid to join NATO after months of delays, clearing another hurdle in the Nordic country's accession process in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.
The Russian BMP lacks the heavy armor and clever shaping that protects the best new infantry vehicles from rockets, mines and artillery fragments.
After a few BMPs ran over mines in #Afghanistan during the Soviet war there in the 1980s, the infantry took to riding on top of the vehicles instead of inside them. #Ukraine #Russia
Russian Troops Face An Impossible Choice: Burn Inside Their Flimsy Vehicles Or Ride Outside—And Get Killed By #Drones
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/12/27/russian-troops-face-an-impossible-choice-burn-inside-their-flimsy-vehicles-or-ride-outside-and-get-killed-by-drones/
Here we go again 🙄
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Tobolsk City Duma deputy Egorov, 46, a member of #Putin's ruling #UnitedRussia party, fell from the third floor window of a house on Kedrovaya Street in Tobolsk in the #TyumenOblast, Russian Telegram channel Baza, which has links to Russian security services, reported. #Russia #Ukraine
Putin Ally Found Dead After Falling From Third Floor Window: Reports
https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-egorov-putin-ally-found-dead-window-1856059
The partisans stated #Putin’s furious crackdown showed #Russia’s inability to intercept Western-made missiles like #Ukraine’s #StormShadow cruise missile and would lead to military figures being accused of sabotage, despite commanders claiming otherwise. #Crimea #Russia
Furious Putin "orders commanders to frontline" after 74 sailors killed in Novocherkassk sinking - Euromaidan Press
https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/12/30/furious-putin-orders-commanders-to-frontline-after-74-sailors-killed-in-novocherkassk-sinking/
"It’s no secret that #Moscow’s new strategy is to outlast #Kyiv—to win a war of attrition. But the Russians can’t win a war of attrition if they continue to lose many more vehicles and troops than the Ukrainians lose.
In that context, the battle for #Avdiivka has been a disaster for #Russia."
Killing Russians By The Truckload Around Avdiivka, #Ukraine’s M-2 Fighting Vehicles Are Showing How Russia Loses—And Ukraine Wins | David Axe
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/12/30/killing-russians-by-the-truckload-around-avdiivka-ukraines-m-2-fighting-vehicles-are-showing-how-russia-loses-and-ukraine-wins/
Norobiik @
mike805