- Decree for monitoring damages caused by other countries – Russian President Vladimir Putin instructs prosecutors to gather information about the harm caused to Russia, its citizens, and organizations by other countries (excluding harm caused by financial sanctions). This was mentioned in a decree published on Monday on the Kremlin’s website, as reported by Meduza. The document refers to another decree signed by Putin in March 2022, which mentions „unfriendly states” that imposed sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.
- Kremlin bans Amnesty International – Russian authorities announced on Monday the ban of the human rights organization Amnesty International, as a new measure of suppressing civil society opposing the war in Ukraine. This decision comes amid increased internal repression and anti-Western rhetoric from the Kremlin. Details HERE.
Other relevant information
- EU adopts 17th package of sanctions against Russia - The EU has officially approved the 17th package of sanctions imposed on Russia for the invasion of Ukraine. This includes measures against nearly 200 vessels of the "phantom fleet," announced EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday. The targeted vessels are used to help Russia evade restrictions on oil sales and are often dilapidated, uninsured, and with unclear ownership, according to DW. "The new measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions against Russia are being prepared," Kallas stated. The 17th package was supported by EU ambassadors last week.
- Trial in Germany for espionage - Three German-Russian men, suspected of transmitting information to Moscow and preparing acts of sabotage targeting aid for Kyiv, are on trial starting Tuesday in Munich, as reported by AFP. One of the three accused, who holds dual Russian and German citizenship, Dieter S., is described by the prosecution as the mastermind of the operation, exchanging information for several months starting in October 2023 with a person linked to Russian intelligence services to carry out sabotage acts on German soil. Dieter S. declared readiness for explosive attacks and arson against military infrastructure and industrial targets. He also targeted railway lines used for transporting German military equipment. According to Der Spiegel, he gathered information about potential targets in the Bavaria region, particularly about the military base in Grafenwohr, where Ukrainian soldiers are trained to operate American Abrams tanks. The other two accused, Alexander J. and Alex D., assisted Dieter S. later, starting from March 2024, in spying on various potential targets. They allegedly filmed and photographed military transports, then transmitted the images to members of Russian intelligence services. Germany is the largest European arms supplier to Kyiv.