Wagner Group: UK to put Russia mercenaries on proscribed terror list alongside ISIS May 10, 2023 The UK is set to designate Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group as a proscribed terrorist organisation, it is understood. The Times quoted a government source as saying the move was “imminent” and likely to be enacted within weeks after two months spent building a legal case. Proscription would make it a criminal offence to join Wagner, [...]
Ukraine ‘downs Russian hypersonic missile’ May 6, 2023 Ukraine’s air force claims to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using Patriot defence systems recently acquired from allies. It is the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow’s most modern missiles. Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that the Kinzhal-type ballistic missile was intercepted [...]
Number of Russians using London Commercial Court reaches new record despite sanctions May 4, 2023 A record number of Russian litigants have used the London Commercial Court in the past year despite sanctions imposed in the wake of the war in Ukraine, new research has revealed. The number of Russian litigants appearing in the Commercial Court, part of the Business and Property Courts of the High Court, rose by 41 [...]
DCMS chair reiterates need for sanctions on Russians amid ex-F1 driver Mazepin’s case May 4, 2023 The acting chair of a key parliamentary committee has reiterated the need for sanctions on Russian sportspeople amid news former F1 driver Nikita Mazepin is challenging the UK Foreign Secretary to overturn his. Mazepin and his father Dmitry were sanctioned by the UK, European Union and Canada as part of wide-reaching measures taken after Russian [...]
Coca-Cola HBC’s revenue fizzes almost 25 per cent – but Russia exit still hurts a year on May 3, 2023 Coca-Cola HBC AG, the bottling company of the soft drink giant, reported strong revenue growth at 22.2 per cent, but it continues to take a hit from withdrawal of its business in Russia last year. Net sales revenue were up 24.4 per cent, but the firm stated that foreign exchange movements, particularly currency devaluation in [...]
Pernod restarts exports of Beefeater gin to Russia – but Absolut vodka still contraband April 26, 2023 The world’s second-largest wine and spirits seller Pernod Ricard has restarted exports to Russia but insists it’s “not business as usual”. Beefeater gin will once more be drank in Moscow bars following the decision which was condemned by the Moral Rating Agency as “disgusting as it is ironic”. The company insisted it stands “firmly with [...]
The Notebook with Bill Browder: The UK must do more to support Vladimir Kara-Murza April 24, 2023 The Notebook is where the City’s big names talk what’s most important to them. This week: Hermitage Capital Management’s CEO Bill Browder writes. Last Monday, my friend Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual British-Russian national, was sentenced to 25 years in Russian prison. His crime? Simply speaking out against Putin’s murderous war in Ukraine. According to the [...]
Naftogaz held talks with US oil companies about energy projects in Ukraine April 22, 2023 State-owned gas company Naftogaz has held talks with Exxon Mobil, Halliburton, and Chevron about projects in Ukraine.
Russia bombs its own city of Belgorod by accident April 21, 2023 Russia has accidentally bombed its own city, injuring two people. Residents of Belgorod, a city of 340,000 near Ukraine, first thought it was a Ukrainian attack but the Russian military quickly acknowledged one of its warplanes accidentally released the weapon. Belgorod has faced regular drone attacks that Russian authorities have blamed on Ukraine, but the [...]
UK military may break NATO pledges, MPs warn April 20, 2023 The UK’s plan for arming its military is a “broken system” and government ministers may struggle to meet crucial commitments to NATO, a prominent group of MPs has warned. A critical report into the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) plans to buy military equipment found a “cycle of costly delay and failure” and an ignoring of [...]