Events in Russia

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960889548021567502
Russia’s reported discovery of 511 billion barrels of oil beneath the Antarctic seabed is quickly becoming a geopolitical flashpoint. According to documents presented to the UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and detailed by Newsweek, Russian research ships located the massive oil reserve in the Weddell Sea—an area claimed by the United Kingdom but also contested by Chile and Argentina.

This find—if confirmed—could reshape the global energy map and test the limits of international treaties that have kept Antarctica off-limits to resource exploitation for over six decades.

A Deposit Larger Than Saudi Arabia’s Known Reserves​

At the heart of the controversy is the scale of the discovery. The 511 billion barrels reported is nearly double Saudi Arabia’s proven reserves and more than ten times the North Sea’s output over the last 50 years. This isn’t a minor find—it’s one of the largest oil reserves ever reported anywhere on Earth.

The discovery was made during recent expeditions by Russian research vessels operating in the Weddell Sea. While the stated purpose of these missions was scientific, officials and analysts in the UK and elsewhere are raising concerns that Russia is using research as a cover for resource prospecting—a move that would violate the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which bans mineral and oil extraction.

Antarctic Treaty Under Strain as Tensions Grow​

The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and now backed by 54 countries, designates the continent as a zone dedicated to peace and science, banning military activity and commercial resource extraction. Yet Russia’s activities have cast doubt on the treaty’s enforcement and relevance in a new era of geopolitical rivalry.

During a session of the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee, Professor Klaus Dodds, a specialist in geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London, warned that Russia’s data collection could be “construed to be prospecting rather than scientific research.” He added that this might be the early phase of “forthcoming resource extraction.”

Dodds also linked Russia’s Antarctic strategy to broader international tensions, especially after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “There is widespread concern that Moscow’s worsening relationship with the West will spark strategic competition between countries that will be ever more explicit in Antarctica,” he said.

Russia Denies Mining Intent, but Seismic Data Raises Eyebrows​

Russian officials insist their missions are in compliance with the Antarctic Treaty. According to a statement relayed to the committee by UK Foreign Office minister David Rutley, Russia has “repeatedly given assurances that its surveying is purely for scientific purposes.” The Russian government maintains that it has taken no steps toward exploiting the oil reserve.

But experts remain skeptical, pointing to the nature of the seismic studies conducted by Russian teams. These surveys, often used in petroleum exploration, map underground structures in detail—raising legitimate questions about their intended use.

Notably, seismic data acquisition—while not explicitly banned by the treaty—has historically been limited to scientific endeavors. When the collected data begins to align with known petroleum-rich geological formations, it becomes difficult to argue that there is no commercial intent.

A New Front in Global Resource Competition​

The report comes at a time when major powers are quietly increasing their presence on the southern continent. Russia has established five research stations in Antarctica since 1957. China, another major player in the region, has opened its fifth Antarctic base in recent years.

Both nations have also blocked Western-backed proposals to expand marine protected areas in Antarctica, most notably in 2022, reinforcing fears that environmental protections are giving way to strategic interests.

This power dynamic signals a shift. As Arctic and offshore reserves decline and pressure grows on energy markets, previously untapped areas like Antarctica are attracting more attention—not just for oil, but also for natural gas, rare earth elements, and future strategic leverage.

A Legal and Diplomatic Challenge With No Clear Solution​

Legally, the situation is complicated by overlapping territorial claims. The United Kingdom asserts sovereignty over the British Antarctic Territory, including the Weddell Sea, but Argentina and Chile also claim the region. Most countries—including the United States and Russia—do not recognize any Antarctic claims at all.

This makes enforcement of the treaty even more difficult. While Russia can’t legally extract oil under current international law, the treaty has no formal enforcement mechanism. Countries are expected to hold each other accountable, but in an increasingly fractured geopolitical climate, that’s proving harder to do.

“The real test,” says Dodds, “is whether the international community is willing to defend the treaty framework in the face of quiet but deliberate erosion.”
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1960687634029719983

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960732864971944117

https://twitter.com/x/status/1960327276307816905
 
"Piskarev said about the attempts of interference of Western countries in the elections in Russia".

www.vedomosti.ru

Пискарев заявил о попытках вмешательства стран Запада в выборы в России

Само голосование прошло в соответствии с Конституцией, отметил он
www.vedomosti.ru www.vedomosti.ru
Main / Politics / 2 hours ago
Elections in Russia were held strictly in accordance with the Constitution and Russian laws, attempts to interfere in Western countries did not affect the will of citizens, said the Chairman of the State Duma Commission to investigate the interference of foreign states in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation Vasily Piskarev.

“Despite numerous attempts to interfere from the outside, thanks to the well-coordinated work of all branches of government and the CEC of the Russian Federation, today’s elections were held strictly in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and our laws,” приводитhe said.

At the same time, the West is already actively preparing for the elections to the State Duma of 2026, the goal of Russia’s opponents has not changed – they want to inflict a strategic defeat on the country, Piskarev is convinced. The elections, according to the West, are one of the convenient opportunities to try to destroy “our domestic unity,” the parliamentarian said.

According to the commission, the special services of a number of states “intensively collect” data on the situation in the regions of our country in order to ignite protests, and for this purpose, the corresponding instruction is regularly held in the European Parliament and the British Parliament with representatives of the “so-called Russian radical opposition”. But malicious actions will certainly receive an answer, said Piskarev.

A single voting day is held in 81 regions of the country from 12 to 14 September. In total, within the framework of the campaign, it is planned to replace about 47 000 deputy mandates and elected posts, including the election of 21 governors and new convocations of legislative assemblies in 11 subjects. On September 14, the chairman of the election commission, Ella Pamfilova, заявилаsaid at a briefing that the elections are held in the face of an unprecedented attack on the resources of the election commission. According to the head of the CEC, about 290 000 attacks were recorded during the vote.
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Putin will contact the regional laboratory centers of Rospotrebnadzor
tass.ru

Путин свяжется с региональными лабораторными центрами Роспотребнадзора

Видеосвязь с президентом России состоится 15 сентября
tass.ru tass.ru
Updated 14 September, 05:17
MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 15 will be released on video with a number of regions where new laboratory centers of Rospotrebnadzor begin their work. This is reported by the press service of the Kremlin.

"On September 15, on the Day of sanitary and epidemiological service workers, the president will be released on video communication with a number of regions where new laboratory centers of Rospotrebnadzor are starting their work," the report said.

In addition, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova will report to the head of state on the development and modernization of the infrastructure of the department, as well as on the implementation of the federal project "Sanitary Shield", which has been implemented from 2021 in order to strengthen the system of protection from epidemics, prevention and response to threats of biological security.

en.kremlin.ru

Infrastructure projects launched in Moscow

During his visit to the National Space Centre, Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in the launch of medical and transport infrastructure facilities in the capital.
en.kremlin.ru en.kremlin.ru
September 13, 2025
On City Day, 15 renovated outpatient clinics in Moscow received their first patients.

A new multi-purpose complex of the Children’s City Clinical Hospital of St Vladimir was opened which has 20 in-patient departments, including the leading ones: the departments of cranio-maxillofacial, thoracicand vascular surgery, neurosurgery and transfusionology. Additionally, a hemodialysis center will operate there.

In addition, Vladimir Putin inaugurated traffic on the new section of the Troitskaya metro line. The stations of Vavilovskaya, Akademicheskaya, Krymskaya and ZIL will connect the existing parts of the line with the Big CircleLine and the Moscow Central Ring.

* * *
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: As I greet Moscow on its City Day today, acknowledging medical professionals and transport workers, I would like to stress that all the developments in Moscow are undoubtedly related to the entire country because Moscow is Russia’s centre – a political, economic, industrial and logistical centre of Russia.

However, as I greet Moscow residents on this holiday,I would like to revisit the matter we began with here today: the space industry. It is a given that Moscow’s contribution to the development of the space industry is closely related to our entire country, as it marks a new stage in the development of the space industry and reaffirms Russia’s position as a centre and leader in this crucial area.

Yes, we are well aware, as is the Government –and even more so those present here – that we have many issues to address and tasks that must be set and accomplished. I believe that if we progress at this pace, all these issues will be resolved.

I would like to once again thank the Moscow government for the help they rendered in the construction of this centre. We can take pride in it, and we do; however, it is just one of the stages of our movement forward and in the progress of the space industry in Russia.

My congratulations, and I wish you all the very best.

Thank you.
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The Prosecutor General’s office recognized as undesirable in the Russian Federation more than 60 foreign organizations
tass.ru

Генпрокуратура признала нежелательными в РФ более 60 иностранных организаций

Речь идет о периоде с начала 2025 года
tass.ru tass.ru
MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. Since the beginning of 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation has decided on more than 60 foreign organizations to recognize them as undesirable in Russia. This was reported by the representative of the department Alexei Zhafyarov.

"Since the beginning of 2025, a decision has been made against 62 organizations to recognize their activities as undesirable," he said, speaking at the CEC.

Tags: Russia

"Hackers attacked the services of the CEC, DIT Moscow and DEG"

abnews.ru

Хакеры атаковали сервисы ЦИК, ДИТ Москвы и ДЭГ - АБН 24

АБН 24 - В воскресенье было зарегистрировано 99 DDos-атак на онлайн-платформы ЦИК, ДИТ Москвы и ДЭГ.
abnews.ru abnews.ru
14:52, 14 September 2025
On Sunday, 99 DDos attacks were registered on the online platforms of the CEC, DIT of Moscow and DEG, said the acting head of the Department of Permitting, Control and Supervision in the field of mass communications of Roskomnadzor Alexander Izhko

Their total duration was 3 hours and 40 minutes. A single voting day on September 14 takes place in 81 subjects of the Russian Federation.

As a result, about 47 thousand mandates will be allocated and the corresponding number of posts will be replaced. About 55 million citizens will be able to vote.

Earlier, ABN24 reported that the last day of voting is taking place in the regions of the Russian Federation. Russians elect heads of regions, deputies and other officials.

www.sofx.com

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia’s Largest Baltic Oil Port, Suspending Operations

Ukrainian security service drones struck Russia's Primorsk oil port on the Baltic Sea overnight September 12, forcing the suspension of
www.sofx.com www.sofx.com
End Snip:
The strike formed part of what Russian officials described as one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks in months. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 221 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including 85 over Bryansk Oblast, 42 over Smolensk Oblast, and 28 over Leningrad Oblast.

Ukrainian drones also targeted three oil pumping stations connected to the Ust-Luga port terminal pipeline system.

The assault also disrupted operations at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, forcing temporary closure and affecting nearly 50 flights. Russian Telegram channels reported explosions in Moscow Oblast communities of Mozhaysk and Dedovsk, while Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed nine drones were shot down near the capital.

Oil prices rose nearly 2% Friday following news of the Primorsk suspension. Brent crude futures gained $1.02 to $67.39 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased $1.08 to $63.45, according to market data reported by Reuters.

The attack continues Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian energy infrastructure to reduce Moscow’s revenue from oil exports. Ukrainian strikes have previously hit the Druzhba pipeline, disrupting exports to Hungary and Slovakia, and disabled approximately 20% of Russia’s oil refining capacity during August, according to a statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

www.rt.com

Cutting edge Russian tank heads into battle after Middle East expo (VIDEO)

An upgraded T-90MS showcased in the UAE has been repainted and deployed to reinforce troops fighting Ukraine
www.rt.com www.rt.com
 
I occasionally watch this charming citizen diplomat, Eli, as she warmly and curiously explores her native country of Russia—allowing a world audience to marvel at and enjoy it through her posted videos. In a world of animosity and ignorance, shining a light of humanity on the wonderful people of Russia is refreshing and uplifting.
This may not be her best vlog (included at the end of this post), but she is quite prolific and has produced many captivating vignettes.

https://youtu.be/PYmIabGGGPQ?si=uCPfClnrVzC11FlD
 
thorbiorn said:
Saturday there was a Eurovision like event in Russia with artists from many parts of the world, though some were absent, in part prohibited from performing.
20 minutes: «Интервидение» — музыкальный праздник, который всему миру подарила Россия. Новости. Первый канал or the longer four hours:
I only watched the 20 minutes summary, but it is really quite spectacular.
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This wasn't without some "interference" (from Tass):

MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. Attempts to disrupt the Intervision international music contest through pressure on participants have failed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"There were serious attempts to influence some participants and disrupt the contest, but they were unsuccessful," Lavrov said on Channel One.

He added that Russia welcomes interest in the Intervision contest from Western journalists and observers. "This is a wonderful event that brings together everyone who wants to stay updated and keep pace with developments in multinational, transcontinental art. We are glad to see our Western colleagues and journalists showing interest in the contest," he said.
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The results:
Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc has won the Intervision 2025 song contest
Second place went to The Nomad Trio from Kyrgyzstan
In third place was Qatar, represented by Dana al Meer
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I wholeheartedly join the numerous congratulations of the President of Russia on his birthday.
President's birthday: plans and congratulations

On October 7, the President of Russia celebrates his birthday, Vladimir Putin turned 73.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has congratulated his Russian counterpart on his birthday, wishing him health, happiness, prosperity, inexhaustible strength and energy for new successes in the highest state post.

In addition, Lukashenko expressed confidence that the existing foundations of the alliance between Russia and Belarus will be a guide for future generations of the two countries, noting that the Russian people firmly associate significant social achievements and economic development with Putin's name.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin congratulated the Russian president on his birthday, noting that Vladimir Putin had managed to gain the full trust of the country's citizens and rally people for its independence.

"Congratulations on the birthday of our president.

Vladimir Vladimirovich has managed the almost impossible — to gain the full trust of a huge, multinational, strong-minded country. To rally people for the sake of Russia's independence, integrity and sovereignty.

I am immensely grateful to the President for the support provided to Moscow. He has played an invaluable role in the implementation of major infrastructure projects in recent years," Sobyanin wrote.

He noted that together with Putin, Moscow has reached a new level of development and has become one of the world's leading capitals.

"From the bottom of my heart, I wish Vladimir Vladimirovich good health and new achievements for the benefit of Russia," the mayor emphasized.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated Vladimir Putin on his birthday, expressing special gratitude to the president for his attention to the Russian Orthodox Church and support for its public initiatives.

"Please accept my sincere congratulations on your birthday. More than a quarter of a century ago, you were called to a very important and difficult ministry, which involves great responsibility for the country, as well as caring for millions of fellow citizens.

It is gratifying to witness that all these years, under your leadership, Russia has been confidently following the path of socio-economic development, overcoming the challenges of the times, strengthening its sovereignty, scientific, technical and military potential, striving to ensure national security and build fair international relations," the Patriarch's message of greetings reads.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory telegram to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of his birthday.

"Thanks to your wise leadership and patriotic dedication, the Russian Federation is today demonstrating its glory as a world power with a powerful political system and enormous national power," the message of greetings reads.

In his address, Kim Jong-un stressed that Russia plays a leading role in building a new multipolar world.

The DPRK leader also expressed confidence in the further strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries.

The President's plans
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that on October 7, Vladimir Putin will celebrate his birthday in working mode.

According to him, the head of state will hold an operational meeting with the permanent members of the Security Council dedicated to current issues, rather than formal congratulations.

Peskov noted that the president, as a rule, receives congratulations from foreign leaders, and this time numerous telephone conversations are planned, which will be officially announced later.

He also added that the grandchildren congratulate Putin with love, as is customary in ordinary families, and stressed that the president has personal plans for this day.

Russian Spring joins all the good wishes and wishes Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin a happy birthday.
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Я от всей души присоединяюсь к многочисленным поздравлениям Президента России с днем рождения.
 
RUSSIA introduces DIGITAL ID under the State controlled MAX Messenger app

russia-max-1024x578.jpeg


In September the Russian government begun to quietly put its strategy for the implementation of Digital Identification of its citizens into action. While Vietnam used fraudulent banking accounts as its excuse to introduce Digital IDs; the United Kingdom hopes to ID tag its citizens under the disguise of tackling illegal immigration; Switzerland 'willingly' opt to Digital ID the entire population with only 50.4% voting approval (the joys of a Democracy and not a Republic). How remarkable various 'independent' countries looking to emphasise the issue of Digital IDs all within similar timeframes.

Russia opted for a different method. That of highlighting convenience and how 'airtight secure' such a system is (a one size fits all app/ an access point to all activities); while making little mention of data harvesting, tracking or surveillance. The initial target group for the program are the young adults. With only a persons cellphone number; not even a crown prince/ss, president nor silicon valley executive is exempt from having their movements/ whereabouts logged (or have their information accessible for sell on the black market or dark web). The MAX app goes beyond this but its optional 'for now'; thats the soft approach Russia has adopted as a strategy to Digital ID citizens.

Russian Biometric payment options in action


Izvestia

MAX started using a digital ID. What you need to know

A new feature is being introduced in the MAX messenger — the creation of a digital ID. It should replace the use of ordinary paper documents in everyday circumstances, for example, when it is required to confirm the age for the purchase of restricted goods, as well as when checking into a hotel.

Only users over the age of 18 will be able to issue a digital ID. To do this, you need a smartphone with a camera and a verified profile on the Gosuslug portal. Biometric information can be attached at registration or downloaded by scanning a new passport format. After that, you need to take a selfie to verify your identity.

The digital ID in the MAX messenger is a separate page with a verified photo and a dynamic QR code that automatically changes every half minute. You can use it exclusively on the device where it was designed. This reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access and enhances the protection of personal data. This feature makes it possible to confirm the age, status of a student or the presence of a large family, and all the necessary information is available right inside the application. The service is still operating in test mode.

After testing is completed, MAX will become a much more useful tool. Users will be able to undergo verification through Gosuslugi, and government agencies will receive verified accounts within the platform. This is a key competitive advantage compared to foreign messengers.

MAX is positioned as a national messenger and at the same time as a digital ecosystem of user services. It implements the functions of calls in audio and video formats, supports chats, voice messages, large file forwarding and money transfers. The news channels in the app are still working in a test version. {When it becomes ever difficult to distinguish between AI and human generated content the government could/ may promote these news apps as verified AI free content. It's reason Sam Altman is actively pushing for new human verification methods with the Orb device to combat the rising threat of AI-driven fraud}.

The application is included in the official registry of the Russian software and is available for installation both on mobile devices and in versions for computers and web browsers. In early September, the number of MAX users exceeded 30 million people.

Updates are released regularly and are aimed at improving functionality, increasing the level of protection and adding new convenient tools.

During the development of the domestic messenger, special attention was paid to security. WhatsApp (part of Meta, the organization is recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation) and Telegram have long undermined their credibility, as they are actively used by scammers for various schemes, and the application management is unable to effectively combat criminals. If a person becomes a victim of a fraud at MAX, the probability of detecting violators is higher, since the messenger interacts with domestic law enforcement agencies and responds to their requests.

MAX implements identity identification services, as well as built-in business tools to make life easier for users.
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If the young Russian adults take heed to recall the words of their Babushkas' or return the words of some Orthodox Saints; they will remember not to rush and get ID'd so soon.

Gerondissa Galaktia "Don't rush to get the ID..."


BiometricUpdate

Russia’s state-backed WeChat copy launches digital ID

The messenger app, created by Russian tech firm VKontakte, is designed to emulate China’s WeChat, combining digital IDs with messaging, money transfers, government and private services, e-signatures and social media functions.

The pilot phase of the digital ID was introduced by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.

Users over the age of 18 can create a digital ID by connecting to the county’s government services platform Gosuslugi and verifying their identity by using biometric data from the government’s Unified Biometric System (UBS). Those who do not have biometric data registered in the UBS can opt to use their passport to create the ID. Users are then asked to take a selfie to verify their identity.

Once the ID is stored on their phones, users will be able to display it by using a dynamic QR code. For now, users can show the app to verify their age at Magnit retail stores in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Krasnodar.

Once the pilot phase is completed, the Max app plans to turn the ID into a more useful tool.

Over the past months, the platform has integrated with the Goskey application (GosKlyuch) for signing electronic documents, the Sferum educational platform and the Telega.in advertising marketplace.

Government agencies will receive verified accounts within the platform, while businesses will be able to serve users with mini-applications and chatbots. Max users will be able to pay fines and taxes, make doctor appointments, order taxis and delivery. The company has also opened the app’s channels to creators.

The platform is heavily promoted by Moscow, which has mandated that all new smartphones sold in Russia come with Max pre-installed starting from September 1st.

The government’s involvement, however, is also fueling suspicions of surveillance. According to its policies, the app may share user information with government agencies. VKontakte has an extensive history of collaboration with the Russian authorities.

The introduction of the app comes as Russia attempts to introduce more control over information in its online sphere. In August, the country effectively blocked Max’s main competition, WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming that the foreign-owned messaging apps are being used for fraud and terrorism. WhatsApp’s owner, Meta, was labelled an extremist organisation by Moscow in 2022.

Despite this, WhatsApp and Telegram remained leaders in August, reaching 82.1 million and 68 million daily users, respectively. The Max app, on the other hand, saw 7 million daily visits during the month, according to data from research company Mediascope.
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