-
Massive internet outage in Russia: Kremlin’s attempt to block messaging apps causes nationwide disruption
Russian users have reported issues accessing popular messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and Skype. This appears to be a blockage by Russian authorities, analysts told the news outlet Agenstvo.Novosti. Roskomnadzor, the federal agency responsible for controlling the internet, attributed the problems to DDOS attacks targeting Russian telecom operators.
The problems, which began around 2 PM, impacted not only messaging apps but also Wikipedia, Yandex, VKontakte, telecom support …
-
IAEA Chief to inspect Kursk Nuclear Power Plant amid Ukrainian offensive
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is set to visit the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) due to escalating risks of damage to the facility. In an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday, August 21, Grossi stated he would arrive in Kursk at the invitation of Moscow next week to discuss the situation with the plant's management and gather evidence of potential attacks on the station by Ukraine.
Currently, the Kursk NPP is " …
-
Moscow court sentences ex-FSB officers for bribery involving Catholic Church officials
In a landmark ruling, the 235th Moscow Garrison Military Court has sentenced two ex-employees of FSB's Second Service, the unit responsible for Constitutional Order Protection, to nine years in a high-security penal colony for taking bribes from Roman Catholic Church representatives. According to Kommersant, Evgeny Lobanov and Denis Karmanov were found guilty of receiving bribes on a large scale (Article 290, Part 6).
Karmanov was also convicted under charges related to illegal arms and …
-
Kremlin prepares Russians for prolonged clashes in Kursk region, pushes 'New Normal' narrative
In a significant development, the Kremlin is reportedly anticipating that the ongoing clashes in the Kursk region could last several months, according to optimistic assessments. The Russian authorities are gearing up the public for a "new normal" under Ukrainian military control of Russian territory. This information comes from unnamed sources close to the Kremlin and the government, as reported by Meduza.
One source close to the Kremlin revealed that there was initial confusion regarding the …
-
Covert negotiations in Qatar: Kursk incursion derails Ukrainian and Russian ceasefire talks
Prior to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' advance into Russia's Kursk region, attempts were made to hold mediated talks in Qatar between Kyiv and Moscow to agree on refraining from inflicting mutual damage to each other's energy sectors, said Anatoliy Burmych from the "Reconstruction of Ukraine" parliamentary faction during a broadcast on "Novini.LIVE."
"I have information that there was an attempt even before the Kursk operation to hold negotiations in Qatar through intermediaries, to discuss how …