Latest updates, insights, and analysis.
Russia is upgrading its Taman Port near Krasnodar to help develop urea and other fertilizer exports, specifically for Asian markets now seeking supply chain alternatives to the sole Middle East route. When completed, the port’s capacity will increase to 3.5 million tonnes of ammonia and 1.5 million tonnes of urea per year.
Russia’s Africa Corps have thwarted attempts by European and Ukrainian militia and mercenaries to instigate a coup d’etat in Mali, after Western backed forces attacked the capital, Bamako, as well as the cities of Kati, Gao, Kidal, and Sevare. An estimated 1,000 militia were killed and over 100 military vehicles destroyed by the Russian military in the fighting. The Malian Defense Minister was killed, and the situation remains tense.
The Iranian Foreign Minister is visiting Russia and meeting President Putin to examine ways to end the war with the United States. With US President Trump seemingly unable to enact coherent strategy to end the conflict, it appears Putin is the deal-maker for regional peace. The question then becomes the price to be paid by the United States and the European Union.
The Russian Defense Minister has been visiting Pyongyang and meeting with North Korea’s top military officials, as well as the President, Kim Jong-un, with the two sides agreeing a strategic military alliance to 2031.
Russia’s FESCO transport group have been making maritime deliveries to the Middle East markets and avoiding the Strait of Hormuz by introducing direct shipping services between Russia’s southern ports and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea.
Russia’s Rosatom have received an operating licence for Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which will commence operations this year and has been largely financed by Russian state loans.
2,500 foreign nationals have registered on a new Russian portal designed for skilled foreign nationals seeking expedited relocation to Russia, according to the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives. This includes in-demand specialists, and scientists. Family relocation is a key trend, with 35% planning to move to Russia with spouses and children.
Russia has agreed to sell diesel, auto and aviation fuel to Mongolia at the same domestic rates as are available in Russia. A liter of diesel in Mongolia is currently half the price in Germany.
Russia’s AGR auto group, together with its Chinese partner Defetoo, has relaunched production of automobile engines at the former Volkswagen site in Kaluga. The site has undergone significant Russian and Chinese investment and upgrading from its previous German ownership days. Volkswagen have cut back annual auto production in Germany while China’s auto industry is booming.
The Russian container market grew by 1.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reaching 1.8 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU). This is indicative of a small rebound over trade figures in the same period last year.
Russia’s VTB bank is rolling out a QR code payment system throughout Egypt to allow the bank’s clients to access up to US$4,600 per day in direct transactions from their Russian bank accounts while in the country. The QR code system is supported by national satellite telecommunications networks and is Western financial sanctions proof.
The Russian and Seychelles Presidents have been holding discussions in the Kremlin with both sides looking to enhance diplomatic and trade ties. Russia is an important source tourism market for the Seychelles, with Russian tourists making up about 15% of all arrivals, worth an estimated US$180 million to the local economy.
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