RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 11/2019

Contents
Russia Catches Heat over Bloody Air Raids in Syria’s Idlib

Russia Catches Heat over Bloody Air Raids in Syria’s Idlib

In the shadow of Turkey’s incursion against the Kurds in northeastern Syria, forces loyal to al-Assad and their Russian allies are pursuing a military offensive in Idlib Province. Located in northwestern Syria, the last remaining rebel enclave is still struggling against government forces. Syrian government army and its Russian allies keep their criminal assaults against civilians, seeking to crush their morale and force Idlib defenders to surrender.

Russia’s Gazprom Sold $3 Billion in Stocks to Mystery Buyer

Russia’s Gazprom Sold $3 Billion in Stocks to Mystery Buyer

Russia’s gas monopolist Gazprom sold 3.59 percent of its stocks in what it turned out to be a single buyer transaction, with the deal carried out via the trading platform of the Moscow Exchange. Also, the mystery bidder got a considerable discount. This is the second time that Gazprom has traded shares in recent months, with a total of 6.52 percent of the company’s voting stakes being sold. The firm has not informed whether the same buyer bought shares both in July and November.

Unwanted Success: Russia’s GRU Suffers Setback in Serbia

Unwanted Success: Russia’s GRU Suffers Setback in Serbia

A disclosed fact that in the Serbian army there are many people holding ties to Russian military intelligence has dealt a blow to the authorities in Belgrade. Recent time has seen Serbia making extra efforts to tighten cooperation with Russia, chiefly in the area of security. A spying incident involving an officer of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence, erupted right before President Aleksandar Vucic’s trip to Moscow. This might not have been incidental, especially that files showing links between Russian intelligence and the Serbian military were cooked up by Western services, as admitted by the country’s leader.

GRU Spies Accused of Destabilizing Situation in Catalonia

GRU Spies Accused of Destabilizing Situation in Catalonia

Spain is yet another European country where Russian military intelligence has engaged in a campaign to destabilize the internal situation. Spanish services and judiciary are investigating into a group within Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) known as Unit 29155, infamous for their subversive and terrorist actions across the European Union, including the United Kingdom and Bulgaria. Signs are that Russia has long been fuelled Catalonia’s pro-secession drive, not only through its information-related operations.

IEA Forecast Says Russian Oil Industry Will Record Losses

IEA Forecast Says Russian Oil Industry Will Record Losses

The United States is currently the world’s largest producer of gas and oil. With their shale output staying higher for longer, the Americans are poised to become the world’s second-biggest gas exporter only to Russia.

What’s True About Russian Military Spending?

What’s True About Russian Military Spending?

Russian President Vladimir Putin informed that his country spent less for defense in 2018, saying that gone is the peak of the Russian military’s equipment and hardware upgrade, and these do not need to be financed to the same extent as before.

The Fall of Morales: Russia Loses Bolivian Ally

The Fall of Morales: Russia Loses Bolivian Ally

Notwithstanding how events will further unfold in Bolivia, the ouster of Morales as the country’s president is likely to hit a severe blow to the Russian sphere of influence across Latin America.

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