Russia Monitor

Russia Is Still Not Ready for Nuclear War

11/11/2019

Held in October this year, Russia's Grom (Thunder) 2019 strategic nuclear forces exercise revealed that the country's atomic stockpile is far below expectations. Russia is yet not ready for a nuclear clash with the United States, and President of Russia Vladimir Putin saw it with his eyes. While overseeing the drills, he ordered the missile launches by pushing a button –– but it did not work. Held in October this year, Russia's Grom (Thunder) 2019 strategic nuclear forces exercise revealed that the country's atomic stockpile is far below expectations. Russia is yet not ready for a nuclear clash with the United States, and President of Russia Vladimir Putin saw it with his eyes. While overseeing the drills, he ordered the missile launches by pushing a button –– but it did not work.

Russian Navy Fires Bulava Ballistic Missile in Submarine Drills

11/10/2019

Russia's Northern Fleet has carried out a high-profile test of one of its newest nuclear-powered submarines that has for the first time test-fired the Bulava, Russia's intercontinental ballistic missile. The test was successful. Russia is upgrading its submarine fleet while displaying its capabilities in the North Atlantic, where the Russian Navy is staging the most extensive underwater exercise since the end of the Cold War. Russia's Northern Fleet has carried out a high-profile test of one of its newest nuclear-powered submarines that has for the first time test-fired the Bulava, Russia's intercontinental ballistic missile. The test was successful. Russia is upgrading its submarine fleet while displaying its capabilities in the North Atlantic, where the Russian Navy is staging the most extensive underwater exercise since the end of the Cold War.

Rosneft Switches Export Contracts to Euros from Dollars Amid U.S. Sanctions

10/30/2019

Russia's largest oil company Rosneft has fully switched to the euro from U.S. dollars as the default currency to minimize its exposure to U.S. restrictions, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said. This is not shocking because Russia ships as much as half of its whole oil exports to the European market, though U.S. dollar transactions prevail globally. Russia's largest oil company Rosneft has fully switched to the euro from U.S. dollars as the default currency to minimize its exposure to U.S. restrictions, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said. This is not shocking because Russia ships as much as half of its whole oil exports to the European market, though U.S. dollar transactions prevail globally.

Russia-Africa Summit: Will Malofeev Take Over Prigozhin's Role?

10/30/2019

The inaugural Russia-Africa summit was held in October 23–24 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. With the attendance of some 40 African heads of state and a vast group of 10,000 guests from both Russia and African countries, the Russia-Africa summit confirms the continent's high level of interest in cementing cooperation with Moscow.

Alekperov Embroiled in Turmoil over Lukoil and Surgutneftgaz Shares

10/29/2019

This year, the Moscow stock exchange has seen yet another dramatic increases in the shares of a giant Russian energy company. However, it is now about Surgutneftgaz –– known across Russia for its general opacity –– while rumors concerning a stakeholder again gave rise to an unexpected market change. And all that has been said around about Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov translated directly into his firm's ratings. This year, the Moscow stock exchange has seen yet another dramatic increases in the shares of a giant Russian energy company. However, it is now about Surgutneftgaz –– known across Russia for its general opacity –– while rumors concerning a stakeholder again gave rise to an unexpected market change. And all that has been said around about Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov translated directly into his firm's ratings.

Friend or Foe: Russia Gets Support in Afghan Peace Talks

10/29/2019

Moscow is renewing efforts to resume dialogue between the United States and the Taliban. Following a visit of the Taliban delegation in September, U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad made a trip to Moscow on behalf of Washington. Moscow is renewing efforts to resume dialogue between the United States and the Taliban. Following a visit of the Taliban delegation in September, U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad made a trip to Moscow on behalf of Washington. But most importantly, Pakistan and China, with the presence of the latter seen as somewhat crucial, also sat down at the negotiating table. Beijing is getting involved in a new round of peace talks on Afghanistan. China's stance is on the one hand consistent with Russia's but Beijing may soon seek to replace Moscow as a leading mediator.

Serbia and Russia Hold Joint Exercise Near Belgrade: S-400 Returns to Russia, Pantsir-S Stays

10/28/2019

The Slavic Shield 2019 joint military exercise proves ever-tightening bonds between Serbia and Russia. The Slavic Shield 2019 joint military exercise proves ever-tightening bonds between Serbia and Russia. It is the first time that Russia has used its flagship air-defense missile system in military drills outside the country. Moreover, a battalion of Pantsir-S will remain on Serbian soil as President Aleksandar Vucic notified about his country's plan to purchase Russian-built military hardware.

Russia Deploys Troops to Syrian-Turkish Border

10/28/2019

All the signs are that Russia and Turkey will fully implement the arrangements on the truce in northeastern Syria, as earlier negotiated by the two countries' leaders. All the signs are that Russia and Turkey will fully implement the arrangements on the truce in northeastern Syria, as earlier negotiated by the two countries' leaders. Russian forces have begun to deploy towards Syria where are now conducting patrols along a border region, following the withdrawal of all Kurdish forces. Some three weeks after President Donald Trump's decision to pull U.S. military out of Syria's borderland and Turkey's incursion in northeastern Syria, Russia has dramatically bolstered its position in the country.

Medvedev's Visits to Belgrade Confirms Russian-Serbian Lasting Friendship

10/25/2019

Due to its overall tone and the declarations made, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's recent visit to Belgrade corroborates the fast-growing pace of the tightening of Russian-Serbian ties. The Balkan state may morph into a somewhat Russian foothold in the Western Balkans as Moscow pushes for boosting its clout across the region. The Kremlin surely will take advantage of local vexation with the EU's decision to halt accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. Due to its overall tone and the declarations made, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's recent visit to Belgrade corroborates the fast-growing pace of the tightening of Russian-Serbian ties. The Balkan state may morph into a somewhat Russian foothold in the Western Balkans as Moscow pushes for boosting its clout across the region. The Kremlin surely will take advantage of local vexation with the EU's decision to halt accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania.

Lukoil Is Unwilling to Pour Money into Arctic Shelf Projects

10/24/2019

The Russian government is open to the idea that private oil and gas firms could be allowed to explore Russia's Arctic shelf. But these show no particular enthusiasm, and Lukoil said for its part that the current oil prices might make its potential Arctic shelf projects unprofitable. Unlike their state-held peers, private-owned oil and gas firms do not pursue such a shaky and wasteful investment policy. As for Lukoil, it seeks to satisfy its shareholders with a new dividend policy. The Russian government is open to the idea that private oil and gas firms could be allowed to explore Russia's Arctic shelf. But these show no particular enthusiasm, and Lukoil said for its part that the current oil prices might make its potential Arctic shelf projects unprofitable. Unlike their state-held peers, private-owned oil and gas firms do not pursue such a shaky and wasteful investment policy. As for Lukoil, it seeks to satisfy its shareholders with a new dividend policy.