More than 19,000 people in Russia’s southern Kurgan region are at risk due to flooding, with 4,000 homes potentially affected. Emergency measures have been put in place, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations is closely monitoring the situation. The Ural River, which flows into the Caspian Sea, swelled dramatically due to meltwater, causing a dam to burst in the city of Orsk, east of Moscow. Residents are seeking help from President Vladimir Putin as they struggle with record-breaking floods.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that relations between Russia and China have reached an “unprecedented level,” with comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction. The re-election of Vladimir Putin has provided additional guarantees for strengthening the relationship. Cooperation between the two countries is said to exceed Cold War military-political alliances and is not directed against any third party. Despite China being seen as the senior partner, both countries enjoy a deep friendship and close ties.
Russia and Ukraine are trading accusations over recent events, with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant alleging that a Ukrainian drone was shot down over one of its reactors. Russia has also accused Ukraine of facilitating a terror attack in Moscow, which ISIS-K claimed responsibility for. Kyiv denies involvement in both incidents and accuses Moscow of conducting a campaign of provocations. The head of Ukraine’s center for countering disinformation dismissed Russia’s claims as propaganda.
Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina told lawmakers that production in the country is being limited by worker shortages. Despite Russia’s economy continuing to grow at an impressive rate, the lack of workers is hindering production. Nabiullina’s comments highlight a challenge facing the Russian economy and the need for solutions to address the shortage of workers. The impact of this issue on various sectors of the economy may have broader implications for the country’s growth and development.
The United Nations’ atomic energy watchdog raised concerns after drones struck a nuclear reactor at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, held by Russia. This attack on Europe’s largest nuclear plant marked a serious escalation of nuclear safety and security risks in the region. The International Atomic Energy Agency called for an immediate cessation of such attacks, warning of the increased risk of a major nuclear accident. Rosatom, a Russian nuclear power company, accused Ukraine’s military of the attack, which Ukraine denied, alleging that Russia launched the drones.
