Russian news

[jone]

Poor farmers.  I would not wish that on anyone.

[Brasscasing]

Poor farmers.  I would not wish that on anyone.

Russia could always rescind their new destroy on sight laws and there won't be a food shortage (or at least it won't get any worse than it already is)...

Dismay as Putin orders destruction of western food

..."The Kremlin is under pressure to scrap draconian plans to destroy embargoed western agricultural produce found entering Russia and instead distribute the confiscated food among the poor and needy.

Russian president Vladimir Putin issued a decree last week that aims to reinforce a ban on a wide range of agricultural products from countries that have imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its aggressive policies in Ukraine.

Under new rules coming into force tomorrow, any contraband western meat, fish, dairy products or fresh fruit and vegetables found on Russian territory will immediately be destroyed.

Mr Putin’s decree has met with dismay in Russia, where an economic recession coupled with a steep fall in the value of the rouble is eroding living standards. Russians who remember the hungry years after the second World War are instinctively averse to even the slightest waste of food."...

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/dismay-as-putin-orders-destruction-of-western-food-1.2306797

I'm sure the Russian military units currently occupying Ukraine would appreciate the change in menu. Russian combat rations are not very tasty. Of course, Mad Vlad will have to stop feeding his cows with western cuisine first...

Russian cows dine on brie and chorizo as Putin's import ban leads to food shortages

..."RUSSIAN cattle are to be fed on expensive French cheeses and artisan Spanish hams - the result of an absurd import ban imposed by Vladimir Putin that is denying basic food supplies to his people."...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/596248/Vladimir-Putin-import-ban-cows-eat-cheese-meat

He's probably feeding his cats with banned western canned tuna while his people are becoming increasingly desperate for the basics in life ...

But that's ok! Because I'm sure a new Kremlin decree along the lines of 'Lose weight for Vova' or 'Fast for the Grey Cardinal' will soon be announced and the Russian people will swallow even more patriotic propaganda and fill their bellies with 90% approval ratings edit: for their dictator, instead.

Brass




 

[jone]

Am wondering.  The best dog food available in Eastern Europe is from a German company.  I take my dogs with me to Eastern Europe.  I'll bet I can't find that stuff when I go there next week.

[mendeleyev]

Russian social media is buzzing today with slogans such as "Eat Free at Customs," making a joke out of the executive order to destroy foods on sight. Large crushing machinery has been delivered to airports to handle banned items, and on highway border entry points the order is to burn banned products.

Observation One: This has generated a lot of frustration by the public as they argue that banned items should be given to the poor/elderly/homeless instead of destroyed. The government disagrees, saying that allowing the products inside for any reason, negates the reason for Russia's so-called "reverse" sanctions on Western food products.

Fact: the banned products have made their way onto store shelves over government objections anyway, although spiking prices. The government is determined to find a way to stop the inflow.

Observation Two: It may seem, given the outcry and sarcasm directed at the Kremlin over this issue, that the Russian public may be showing signs of fatigue with the situation.

Observation Three: This is the first time in over two years that one can see and hear public opposition to a government policy. Is the opposition stirring?

[2tallbill]

Putin tries to claim the North Pole
Russia has petitioned the United Nations for exclusive control
over almost half a million square miles of the Arctic.

President Vladimir Putin, has petitioned the United Nations for exclusive control over
463,000 square miles of the Arctic Ocean, including the North Pole. Russia has pulled
all the stops this time, claiming they can prove their right to an exclusive economic
zone in the area, following UN laws.

read the entire story here
http://news.yahoo.com/putin-tries-claim-north-pole-142349501.html

[jone]

I never knew Santa was Russian. 

[2tallbill]

Russia hacks Pentagon computers
Courtney Kube and Jim Miklaszewski NBC News

U.S. officials tell NBC News that Russia launched a "sophisticated cyberattack" against
the Pentagon's Joint Staff unclassified email system, which has been shut down and
taken offline for nearly two weeks. According to the officials, the "sophisticated cyber
intrusion" occurred sometime around July 25 and affected some 4,000 military and
civilian personnel who work for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Sources tell NBC News that it appears the cyberattack relied on some kind of automated
system that rapidly gathered massive amounts of data and within a minute distributed
all the information to thousands of accounts on the Internet. The officials also report the
suspected Russian hackers coordinated the sophisticated cyberassault via encrypted
accounts on social media.

There's more, read the entire story here
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/08/06/russia-hacks-pentagon-computers-nbc-citing-sources.html

[2tallbill]

How Russian energy giant Gazprom lost $300bn
Once the state-run conglomerate was expected to become the world’s
first trillion-dollar company. Now its market value has plummeted.
EurasiaNet investigates how this happened

read all about it here
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/07/gazprom-oil-company-share-price-collapse

[2tallbill]

I know that others have posted news stories about this elsewhere

Russia Destroys Piles of Banned Western Food

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/world/europe/russia-destroys-piles-of-banned-western-food.html?_r=0

[2tallbill]

Russia Accuses UK Of Diplomatic 'Pressure'
Britain is choosing to worsen relations by putting "political or psychological pressure"
on Russians, according to the ambassador

read all about it here
http://news.sky.com/story/1531496/russia-accuses-uk-of-diplomatic-pressure

[2tallbill]

Russian Tycoon Was 'Victim Of Reprisal Killing'
A hearing has been told that before his death Alexander Perepilichny was
helping to uncover a Russian money laundering operation.

read all about it here
http://news.sky.com/story/1531628/russian-tycoon-was-victim-of-reprisal-killing

another similar story

Russian supergrass killed in "reprisal" by crime lords who had him on hit-list, coroner told

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11787511/Russian-supergrass-death-linked-to-that-of-Alexander-Litvinenko.html

[sleepycat]

Oh dear! Huilo will need a botox top up soon if bad news like this continue to pop up...

http://www.valuewalk.com/2015/08/russia-kremlin-crisis/

[Brasscasing]

Babushkabobs anyone?

Police: Cannibalism suspected in Russian 'Granny Ripper' case

..."St. Petersburg, Russia (CNN)—Police in the Russian city of St. Petersburg say they are investigating cannibalism and occult sacrifice as motives in the suspected slayings of at least 11 people by a pensioner dubbed the "Granny Ripper."

The suspect, 68-year-old Tamara Samsonova, a former hotel worker, was arrested July 28 after security video footage emerged of her taking several large plastic bags out of the apartment block in the middle of the night.

Police said the bags contained the body parts of another pensioner..."...

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/07/world/russia-granny-ripper-cannibalism/

Brass

[2tallbill]

Ukraine crisis: Why a lack of parts has hamstrung Russia's military
By Pavel Aksenov
BBC Russian
8 August 2015

Russia's defence firms have been hit not only by Western sanctions but
also by a breakdown in business ties with Ukraine.

For decades under Soviet rule, Russia's strategic industries had close links
with partners in Ukraine, all centrally controlled from Moscow. But relations
soured last year, with Ukraine's pivot to the West, Russia's annexation of
Crimea and the pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

The EU and US banned military exports to Russia, saying Moscow was supplying
the insurgents with sophisticated heavy weapons and regular troops. Moscow
denied the allegations. Equipment blocked

Last month, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told parliament that
Ukrainian components were used in the production of 186 types of Russian
military equipment.

read all about it here
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33822821

[2tallbill]

Russian lawmakers move to retaliate against Europe with asset seizures

Russian lawmakers are making good on threats to retaliate against foreign
governments that seize Russian property abroad to settle claims brought by
former shareholders of the Yukos oil company, which a European court has
ruled was looted by the Kremlin.

The State Duma, Russia's lower house, published the text of a proposed law
that would provide for "mutuality of jurisdiction immunity," legalese for allowing
tit-for-tat property confiscation against any foreign government that impounds
Russia-owned assets abroad to pay the court-ordered claims.

read more here
http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-russia-europe-yukos-confiscation-20150807-story.html

[2tallbill]

Get Ready, NATO: The Russian Army's Secret Weapon of War Is Here



The Russian military has been in full gear for the last several months, trying
to prove to NATO and the world that Russia is a great power with a modern,
professional military. While the Ukrainians, Poles, Balts, and Nords have taken
this threat as almost existential, several military mishaps have made some in
the West question Russia’s resolve and ability.

The unveiling and stalling of the Armata during Victory Day rehearsals showed
the current strain on the Russian military industrial complex. The grounding of
the entire nuclear bomber fleet after an engine fire in a Tupolev-95 last month
has shown weakness in the Russian Air Force.

The midflight explosion of a missile during a Navy Day performance also proved
quite embarrassing for President Putin. This week’s helicopter crash in Ryazan
which killed one pilot just caps off the recent story of problematic Russian military
technology.

There is more read all about it here
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/get-ready-nato-the-russian-armys-secret-weapon-war-here-13521

[2tallbill]

Pentagon Is At Odds With White House Over Russia
But The Reality Is Somewhere In Between
RACHEL STOLTZFOOS

Top U.S. military commanders are warning Russia is the country’s greatest threat,
frustrating a White House reluctant to discomfort an antagonist, indeed a rival, it
sees as just one threat among many.

The White House is worried the Pentagon is unnecessarily paving the way for an
escalation with Russia that could lead to war, reported The Daily Beast. But the
generals see the threat as serious enough to warrant a top threat designation
that would allow them to devote more resources to the fight.

Specifically, potential arms shipments to Ukraine, the Baltic states, and at least
a conversation about missile defense shields in Poland.

“The administration thinks the ranking of threats is not the most productive
way to devise a strategy,” a senior defense official told The Daily Beast. “But
we are saying, ‘How else do we allocate increasingly limited resources?'”

The White House strategy is to avoid “getting involved in any kind of conflict,”
another senior defense official told The Daily Beast. “They’re being a little too
timid,” the official added.



Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/07/pentagon-is-at-odds-with-white-house-over-russia-but-the-reality-is-somewhere-in-between/#ixzz3iFt5TvoL

[msmobyone]

I have come across plenty of RU made gear in my working environment. It is often cruder in construction, but hardy. In winter months in Siberia, Ladas would start where fancy Euro model cars doors were frozen solid 

I THINK cars made forthe RU market may have beefed up suspension - I have read it - but do not know of it is true.

Certainly, their planes have lasted longer than intended.

The issue is often poor maintenance through corrupt practices

If anyone thinks Russian kit isn't durable - think AK-47

[2tallbill]

Russian Army Games: Host Leads China Military, Others With 13 Medals Remaining In International Competition



With the lion's share of events completed, Russia was holding a commanding lead at the International Army Games 2015 in Moscow. With just 13 medals out of 480 remaining to be won, Russia has collected more than its fair share of hardware, chief referee Dmitry Gorbatenko told reporters, the Russian government-backed news agency Tass reported.

"Of the participating countries Russia is in the lead," Gorbatenko said, as Tass reported. "It has placed first practically in all contests. China is second, and Kazakhstan, third for the time being,"

The final rounds of events are underway, including the last races of the high-profile tank biathlon contest. The games are scheduled to end Saturday, but Gorbatenko said the host nation's position atop the leaderboard would not shift before then.

read all about it here
http://www.ibtimes.com/russian-army-games-host-leads-china-military-others-13-medals-remaining-international-2052192

[2tallbill]

New Diplomacy Seen on U.S.-Russian Efforts to End Syrian Civil War

BEIRUT, Lebanon — With President Bashar al-Assad of Syria facing battlefield setbacks, diplomats from Russia, the United States and several Middle Eastern powers are engaged in a burst of diplomatic activity, trying to head off a deeper collapse of the country that could further strengthen the militant group Islamic State.

read all about it here
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/12/world/middleeast/new-diplomacy-seen-on-us-russian-efforts-to-end-syrian-civil-war.html?_r=0

[2tallbill]

Supermodel Vodianova Ignites Firestorm After Russian Cafe Boots Disabled Sister

Supermodel Natalia Vodianova has ignited a firestorm of discussion about the rights of the disabled in her native Russia after her autistic sister was kicked out of a Nizhny Novgorod cafe by the owner, who allegedly accused her of scaring customers away.

Photo of Ms Vodianova




Note Ms Vodianova has posed topless and like many other such things can
be found on the web. I highly recommend that you don't look at her without
proper clothes. It will not benefit you in any way. It's very unlikely that
you will need to be able to identify Ms Vodianova's perky breasts in the
future.

If you wish to ignore my advice the link below shows the model without
benefit of breast coverage and support. Remember I told you it was a
bad idea.

http://www.ohfree.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Natalia-Vodianova-nude-www.ohfree.net-005.jpg



read all about the story here
http://www.rferl.org/content/natalia-vodianova-supermodel-russia-disabled-sister/27185790.html

[2tallbill]

British troops learn what it's like to face Russian forces as they train Ukrainians
British troops sent to train Ukrainian forces fighting battling Russian-backed separatists are also learning from their pupils
By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent, Zhytomyr7:00AM BST 13 Aug 2015

In Western Ukraine, a small force of British trainers is trying to teach the beleaguered Ukrainian army battlefield skills that will keep them alive against more heavily-armed Russian-backed separatists.

read the entire story here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11799236/British-troops-learn-what-its-like-to-face-Russian-forces-as-they-train-Ukrainians.html

[2tallbill]

Warner Bros. Wins Case Against Russian Internet Pirates in Landmark Ruling

It was the first lawsuit filed directly by a Hollywood major.

Warner Bros. has won a case against Russian Internet pirates over illegal distribution of the movie Entourage.

The original filing was the first time a Hollywood major had brought a piracy case to a Russian court. A spokesperson for Warner Bros. confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the Moscow City Court granted the company's application for an injunction.

The suit was filed against 16 Russian torrent trackers that carried illegal copies of Entourage, which was released in Russia on July 30.

Warner Bros. took advantage of Russia's tightened anti-piracy legislation, which now offers a simpler procedure for rights holders to claim copyright violations.

read all about it here
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-wins-case-russian-814421

[Larry1]

Note Ms Vodianova has posed topless and like many other such things can
be found on the web. I highly recommend that you don't look at her without
proper clothes. It will not benefit you in any way. It's very unlikely that
you will need to be able to identify Ms Vodianova's perky breasts in the
future.

If you wish to ignore my advice the link below shows the model without
benefit of breast coverage and support. Remember I told you it was a
bad idea.

http://www.ohfree.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Natalia-Vodianova-nude-www.ohfree.net-005.jpg

Good God, she's beautiful.

[2tallbill]

Good God, she's beautiful.

She certainly is, anyone complaining about her looks could be accused of
being nitpickers of the first order. Yet here I am going to do it myself. Her
Popka kind of blends into her leg. A slight lack of cheekiness    There
are other photos which showcase this better but might not be appropriate
for a family friendly forum.