bbc.com/news/articles/…

“Russia’s economy is rapidly moving towards freezing point,” warns one Russian paper today, adding “The economy risks going into the red.” Another paper reports: Russia’s Education Ministry has sent schools “a list of patriotic songs for children to learn.” #ReadingRussia

In Russia efforts continue to make life more the way it was before the war. Apple Pay hasn’t worked here since 2022. Now Вжух (vzhukh, “whoosh”) is being introduced by one bank here as a way to pay by iPhone using Bluetooth Low Energy rather than NFC technology. You still have to

CHINA AGREES TO DRASTICALLY INCREASE GAS IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA 🇨🇳🤝🇷🇺 🏗️ Gazprom inked a binding pact to build the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline to China, the biggest one yet for the country 🚨 This comes as Russia needs new buyers to replace Europe, and China cuts US imports

Putin says Russia will achieve all aims militarily if Ukraine does not agree deal bbc.com/news/articles/…

Our report from Vladivostok and our 1st time interviewing Russians who fought in Ukraine - a para ice hockey team founded by amputees. More and more teams are being set up, they say. Consequences of the “special military operation” can be felt even here. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

“Legitimate targets for destruction” bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

In Vladivostok Vladimir Putin warned that foreign troops in Ukraine would be viewed by Russia as “legitimate targets.” (But what, I asked his spokesman, about North Korean troops in Russia?) Our report from Vladivostok for BBC News (UK) Thanks to the Moscow team.

4,000 miles from Moscow is a Russia so calm, so peaceful on the surface. But like everywhere in Russia the war in Ukraine has left a mark here, too. Our report from Vladivostok. Thanks to the Moscow team.

MOSCOW, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Russia's central bank is expected to cut its key benchmark rate by two percentage points on September 12 to a median of 16%, as the economy is slowing more than anticipated, according to a Reuters poll of 28 economists conducted on Monday.

Couldn’t be clearer. One Russian paper lays out Moscow’s position on the war: “The Kremlin believes Russia is slowly but surely achieving its goals in Ukraine. So Moscow doesn't intend to stop or feel any desire for half-hearted solutions & half-baked compromises” #ReadingRussia

Economic problems again feature heavily in today’s Russian papers: “More & more regions of Russia are facing a shortage of petrol” ▪️ “Devaluation of the rouble is inevitable” ▪️ “Russians have less and less money left over.” #ReadingRussia

BREAKING: Kremlin refuses to be drawn on situation with drones in Poland - which Ukraine/EU/Nato say were Russian - saying it’s up to Russian Defence Ministry to comment. But adds “the EU, Nato leaderships accuse Russia of provocations every day, usually without any argument”.

BREAKING: Russian defence ministry says “no targets on Polish territory were planned”, that drones used only have max range of 700km and that it’s “prepared to discuss topic with Polish MOD”. Not exactly a full-throated denial.

“Here we go” with what exactly? Phase 2 (1?) of sanctions against Russia? Another deadline? Another taco?

How are today's Russian papers reporting the story of Russian drones over Poland? By turning things around & blaming Ukraine. But one paper highlights the seriousness of the situation: “Russia & Nato come dangerously close to a direct clash.” #ReadingRussia

US VILNIUS EMBASSY SPOKESPERSON - U.S.-LED DELEGATION IS HEADING TO VILNIUS AFTER NEGOTIATIONS IN MINSK WITH 52 RELEASED PRISONERS OF VARIOUS NATIONALITIES

MOSCOW, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble strengthened against the U.S. dollar on Monday in response to a smaller than expected interest rate cut by the central bank last Friday.