Kremlin File's Week in Review
Top stories for the week of March 3rd
Hey guys, the new episode of Kremlin File’s Week in Review is out. It covers the most impactful Russian-related news stories affecting Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. Delve into the headlines often overlooked, which shed light on Russia's aggressions, intelligence activities, assassinations, espionage, and beyond.
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Show Notes:
Sweden officially joins NATO, becoming the alliance’s 32nd member.
Via CNN
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday urged its citizens to leave Russia as soon as possible and to avoid mass gatherings in Moscow amid reports of possible "terrorist acts" in the coming days. They join the US, UK, Australia, Estonia, Sweden, Canada and South Korea. Via Moscow Times
Ukraine ammunition drive raises enough to buy first 300,000 shells, Czech PM says. Via Reuters
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch gets engaged to Elena Zhukova. Ms Zhukova was previously married to Russian oil billionaire Alexander Zhukov, while their daughter Dasha - a socialite and businesswoman - was married to the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017. Via BBC
Russian intelligence is using a Serbian agent to infiltrate EU institutions and to spread pro-Kremlin talking points about its invasion of Ukraine, according to a Western intelligence briefing. Via Politico
Ukraine has sunk a Russian warship near the Kerch Strait in occupied Crimea in a further blow to Moscow’s naval power and its control over the Black Sea. Kyiv’s military intelligence agency, the HUR, said it sank Sergei Kotov on Tuesday using naval drones. Russians have not entered the Black Sea for the third day in a row. Also, Ukrainian air defense has downed 13 Russian aircraft in 13 days. Via CNN and UK Gov.
US Congress launches an investigation into the use of Starlink by Russian troops on the frontlines in Ukraine. Via The Washington Post
Germany accuses Russia of "hybrid attack" with leaked audio of military officials discussing Ukraine. Via CBS News
Ukrainian intelligence HUR announced that they have hacked the servers of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, gaining access to secret documents. Via Kyiv Independent
Macron says France has 'no limits' to its support for Ukraine. Via France 24
Swiss look at using Russian assets for Ukraine reparations. Via France 24
Western officials have intelligence that Putin intentionally left the border open for Russians to flee mobilization to send out Russian intelligence agents and replenish spies that were expelled across Europe. Via
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, described Ukraine on Monday as part of Russia and said what he called historical parts of Russia needed to "come home.” “That concept needs to disappear forever. Ukraine is definitely Russia," he said to applause. "Historic parts of the country need to come home." Via Reuters
Air Force employee shared classified intel on foreign dating site, DOJ says. Via Washington Post
Biden’s fiery State of the Union speech and message to Putin. "My message to President Putin is simple. We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down." Adding more pressure on Congress to finally pass the $60 billion package to Ukraine. Via Department of Defense
Russian hackers breached key Microsoft systems. Via CNN
Putin is considering at least one high-profile resignation at the top of the country's largest oil and gas companies. The candidates for elimination were the Chairman of the Board of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, and the Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft, Igor Sechin. Via Moscow Times Russian Edition
“At the heart of the Kremlin’s strategy was Transnistria, and with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in early 2022, the threat posed to Moldova surged dramatically.” Via Novaya Gazeta