Skip next section Senior Russian officer reportedly arrested on corruption allegations
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Senior Russian officer reportedly arrested on corruption allegations
Russian media on Thursday reported the arrest of another senior military officer on suspicion of corruption.
The Interfax news agency said that Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, the deputy head of the army’s general staff, was being held in pretrial detention on charges of large-scale bribe taking.
The Komersant newspaper reported that Shamarin’s home was searched by authorities.
If the reports are accurate, Russia has now arrested four senior military officials in a matter of weeks, with President Vladimir Putin also dismissing former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
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https://p.dw.com/p/4gAl4
Skip next section Nearly 11,000 relocated in Kharkiv amid Russian push
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Nearly 11,000 relocated in Kharkiv amid Russian push
The governor of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region has said that since Russian forces launched a ground attack on May 10.
“A total of 10,980 people were evacuated,” Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.
Thousands have fled their homes or been encouraged to leave as Russian forces advanced towards border villages including Lyptsi and the city of Vovchansk, just 5 kilometers (roughly 3 miles) from the border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the assualt, which has brought Russia its biggest territorial gains in more than a year, could be the first of several waves.
The warmer summer months are the easiest time to try to make ground in a region that frequently faces cold winters.
https://p.dw.com/p/4gAgX
Skip next section Norway adds more restrictions for Russian tourists
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Norway adds more restrictions for Russian tourists
Norway on Thursday announced further restrictions for Russian tourists seeking to visit the country.
The NATO member, which shares an Arctic border with Russia, first tightened restrictions on Russian tourist visas soon after the invasion of Ukraine, in April of 2022.
“The decision to tighten the entry rules is in line with the Norwegian approach of standing by allies and partners in reaction to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Justice Minister Emilie Mehl said in a statement.
Russian citizens visiting for tourism purposes or other non-essential travel will in many cases by rejected upon entry across the external border. Exceptions may be granted in cases such as visits to close family residing in Norway, the ministry said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4gAac
Skip next section Germany’s Pistorius in Lithuania amid troop bonus coalition dispute at home
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Germany’s Pistorius in Lithuania amid troop bonus coalition dispute at home
German Defense Minister is in Lithuania for a meeting of northern European defense ministers later on Thursday morning.
This comes as .
The German task force in was making headlines domestically ahead of Pistorius’ visit, in the shape of the latest of several coalition government disputes over spending in Berlin.
News magazine Der Spiegel ran a story on Wednesday saying that Finance Minister Christian Lindner had “vetoed” plans for additional bonus payments for troops taking part in the mission. Lindner disputed this choice of wording online but also acknowledged his team was querying the plans.
“No, I am not vetoing the bonuses for the Lithuania brigade. But my experts do have questions,” Lindner said. “The Finance Ministry is not an agency where taxpayers’ money can simply be demanded.”
Lindner, who leads the party most averse to spending in the coalition, the neoliberal Free Democrats, . He argues that it’s necessary to find savings amid reduced tax revenues and sluggish economic growth.
Pistorius, meanwhile, told Der Spiegel that he was “a little surprised” by the Finance Ministry’s intervention, saying that the details of the plan had been discussed in advance with Lindner. He said he would stick to his plan and consult with the finance minister.
Germany has been scrambling and also struggling to increase defense spending, recruit more soldiers, and in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
https://p.dw.com/p/4gAbG
Skip next section Belgorod reports overnight aerial attack but no casualties
05/23/2024May 23, 2024
Belgorod reports overnight aerial attack but no casualties
Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses in the border city of Belgorod destroyed a number of rockets and drones launched by Ukraine overnight.
A missile attack warning had sounded in the city overnight.
Around daybreak, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that no casualties had been reported. He also said that the security alert was no longer in effect.
The city of Belgorod has come under fairly frequent fire in recent months, with this being one of the reasons President Vladimir Putin has given to try to justify Russia’s renewed push into the neighboring Kharkiv region this month.
msh/rt (dpa, Reuters, AFP, AP)
https://p.dw.com/p/4gAcs
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