Ukraine’s Ex-President Yanukovych Convicted of Border Crimes, Sentenced in Absentia to 15 Years
On April 28, 2025, Ukraine's former president, Viktor Yanukovych, was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison
Russian energy giant Gazprom has faced a significant financial blow in 2024, recording net losses of 1.076 trillion rubles ($13.1 billion), according to the Moscow Times. This marks a steep decline, with the company averaging losses of $251 million weekly, $35 million daily, and $1.4 million per hour.
Despite a rise in total revenue by 11% and a 14% increase in gas-related revenue, Gazprom ended the year with a sales loss of 192 billion rubles ($2.3 billion). The company's financial struggles were worsened by falling share prices in its subsidiary Gazprom Neft and an increased income tax rate of 25%, which led to higher deferred tax liabilities.
Gazprom's troubles began earlier, with the company posting a net loss of 629 billion rubles ($7.6 billion) in 2023 under international accounting standards—its first such deficit in 25 years. The company's efforts to maintain its position in the European market were unsuccessful, with gas exports to the EU dropping dramatically. In 2023, Gazprom delivered just 32 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe, a stark contrast to the more than 180 billion cubic meters it supplied in 2018-2019.
As a result of the ongoing financial downturn, Gazprom has been forced to implement cost-saving measures, including layoffs. Reports from January 13 indicated that the company was preparing to lay off 1,600 employees from its central office.
The primary factor behind Gazprom’s decline is the European Union's decision to reduce its dependency on Russian energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, Gazprom has been cut off from its direct pipeline gas supplies to the EU after Ukraine refused to extend its transit agreement with the company, further exacerbating the financial impact.
A senior Russian general has been killed in a car explosion in Balashikha
Explosions occurred on April 22 at a military ammunition depot in Russia's Vladimir Oblast,
The Russian government has initiated its most extensive conscription campaign in over a decade, summoning 160,000 young men for military service
A massive drone strike on the Russian city of Kursk in the early hours of Tuesday resulted in the death of one civilian and left nine others injured
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is open to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a potential encounter during his planned visit to Saudi Arabia in May
For the first time since World War II, German tanks are now stationed on the Russian border
Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update
Housing Prices Soar in Bulgaria’s Major Cities as Demand and Supply Strain Increase