2022 March 3

Daily news wrap-up

Mar/3/2022: Gazprom's $165 contract; Armenia to measure gas quality on border __ Will produce fertilizer & meat locally __ Karabakh map on Russian TV __ Fiber optic __ Univ. revoked after "selling diplomas" __ Inflation __ Mining royalties __ North-South-East railway reconstruction __ Ukraine war
by ar_david_hh

---

Welcome, new readers. This is your daily 15-minute Thursday digest in 3871 words.

small farms will receive subsidies to purchase fertilizer

Global fertilizer prices skyrocketed recently. During today's session, the government approved a 50% subsidy ($18) for nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium fertilizer bags. The prices recently went from $16 to $39.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: I would like to use this opportunity and call on the villagers to cultivate their lands as much as possible because we anticipate serious food security challenges. On the other hand, we see that food prices are rising so agriculture could become more profitable in many areas again. //

Pashinyan: We've witnessed multiple "inflation earthquakes" in recent years. The first was Covid, and now the developments in Ukraine. Food prices are rising. The negatives aside, the land cultivation could become more profitable.

We decided not to charge small farmers for water if they install a drip irrigation system, but it's necessary to monitor this program. Traditional agriculture has no future because of water shortage. It's necessary to switch to intensive gardening. //

Kerobyan: Global climate change led to +3.5C temperatures in Armenia last year. It's unprecedented. We need to conserve water and redirect it to agriculture. //

[1](https://youtu.be/YkEkoVR4QGs) [2])(https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076987.html) [3](https://www.civilnet.am/news/652490/կառավարությունը-կսուբսիդավորի-թանկացած-պարարտանյութի-գինը/)

government is drafting a plan to produce fertilizer in Armenia

There will be subsidies to build small biological fertilizer plants. The goal is to reduce reliance on imports and negate price shocks.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076989.html

year over year inflation in February

Total +6.5%

Food +11.4%

Bottled mineral & water +5.7%

Wine +1.4%

Vodka +9.2%

Tobacco +9.1%

Eggs -1%

Potato +71%

Meat up 7%-30%

More: http://arka.am/en/news/society/in_february_2022_food_products_prices_in_armenia_rise_by_11_4_year_on_year_/

government is drafting a plan to make Armenia more self-sufficient in meat, poultry, cattle

A new pilot program will launch to help businesses invest in large-scale livestock projects.

Minister Kerobyan: Our self-sufficiency is quite low in cattle, pig, and poultry. The draft proposes up to 35% reimbursement of capital expenditures on large projects within 5 years of making the investment. It will be overseen by one of the Big Four audit firms to guarantee effectiveness.

The goal is to have large agricultural complexes that will provide enough food. Invest $1 million now, and we'll refund $350,000 within the next five years. //

Armenia's main poultry source is Ukraine. There are plans to increase imports from the U.S. and Brazil because of the conflict.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077000.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077005.html)

Armenia has egg surplus. What to do with them?

Egg prices recently plummeted, forcing one manufacturer to go out of business.

Competition Commission: We have a surplus in Armenia. The Economy Ministery and poultry businesses are discussing plans to either export the eggs or to turn them into other products.

What's notable is that this time the price drop was a result of policies by small manufacturers with <5% market share. There was a chain reaction.

We're trying to minimize regulatory intervention as much as possible, but we'll keep an eye on the egg market ahead of the Easter celebrations. //

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077005.html) [2](https://youtu.be/lP798zi4GfI)

Gas "price hike" or "calorie hike"? Negotiating for a $165 gas for 10 years.

For years, some consumers speculated that Russian gas supplier was "cheating" the consumer through calorie manipulations. People would anecdotally use a timer to measure how long it takes to boil water on a gas stove.

From a [January 14](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s436uv/jan142022_climateresilient_agriculture_drama/) report: The gas price for Armenia will remain $165, but it could reach $177 if the gas quality increases. This isn't a new gas agreement. The Gazprom contract, signed in 2013, envisaged adjustments of the calorific value of gas, which will be applied starting April 1. //

Higher quality gas gives more energy, so the seller wants to be "compensated". Gazprom has asked the public utility regulator to set the adaptive pricing model starting in April.

For consumers, it translates to between $266 and $283, depending on the quality. Studies conducted in the past few months indicate that Armenia has been receiving higher-quality gas. That means if the pricing were to be approved by the regulator today, consumers would pay $283. //

Pashinyan during today's session: Global gas prices skyrocketed last year. We negotiated to preserve the $165 contract. The April price change is related to gas calories. Gazprom raised the calorie for Armenia last year. This price change won't impact 100,000 low-income families, while the residents living near the borders receive subsidies.

Utility regulator: The issue of gas calories existed since 2013. There was a calorie adjustment formula but Gazprom repeatedly delayed its implementation due to accumulated problems. This year we addressed all the problems. The issue of preserving the $165 border price for the next 10 years is being solved. It makes sense to calculate the tariff by calorie now.

Pashinyan: It is important for all of this to be regulated through institutional means.

Utility regulator: We will monitor the gas calorie on the Armenia-Georgia border. The average will be applied to all consumers. [This year's] gas prices were calculated based on the average calorie in 2021, which was 8398. If this year the calorie is lower, the price will drop in 2023. //

Officials said there is an opportunity to use "gas volume correctors" in households, and didn't rule out that in the future the gas calorie could be monitored in each household instead of doing it on the border, but right now "it's better to do it on the border".

[1](https://youtu.be/P9rfJ-y6eCo) [2](https://youtu.be/t0JffDUk_5o) [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076994.html) [4](https://factor.am/482646.html)

Tags: #gas #Gazprom

Armenia's budget received $70 million additional revenues from a recent tax hike on miners: Economy Minister

Kerobyan: We are establishing a procedure for export licensing. The export of copper and molybdenum concentrates is temporarily restricted.

When we [raised the mining taxes because global metal prices were up] in July 2021, we expected it to generate an additional ֏35B in revenues within the following 6 months. That is exactly what happened.

High profits from the exploitation of the country's subsoil will be directed to the development of the manufacturing industry, etc. //

http://arka.am/en/news/business/armenia_imposes_temporary_restriction_on_export_of_copper_and_molybdenum_concentrates_/

the construction of Armenia-Iran-Azerbaijan railway is entering the fieldwork phase

Pashinyan: The field works of the Yeraskh-Julfa-Ordubad-Meghri-Horadiz railway's Armenian part, namely of the Meghri region are commencing. Preparatory work is planned for the 43km in the Yeraskh-Meghri section.

This is an important event. I'd like to express hope that simultaneously we will de jure record the agreements reached during trilateral meetings in Sochi and Brussels. //

Infrastructure Minister: We'll study these locations and specify the standards of ordering the blueprinting works. A number of topics will be studied in these locations: tunnels, halls, stations, irrigation pipes, etc. We're dispatching a specialized 9-member team, comprised of Armenian scientists and South-Caucasian Railways experts. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077021.html

dozens of famous cultural & gov't buildings will become disability-friendly

The government approved a plan drafted by the Urban Development Committee to revamp 20 buildings within the next few years.

Opera building, Sundukyan Theater, Madenadaran, National Library, govt/court/police buildings, etc.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/232326

Team Telecom lit up Jermuk's 25Gbps fiber-optic network

The ISP's NGN (Next Generation Network) continues to expand throughout Armenia.

Team Telecom: The 70-1000 Mbps internet packages will be available to almost every apartment in Jermuk, in addition to TV and phone. We plan to connect every settlement of Armenia to this network. It's already available in Gndevaz, Kajaran, and the districts of Davtashen and Arabkir in Yerevan. //

[1](https://youtu.be/nMMA1iCpc54) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077042.html)

High-Tech & Industry Minister Vahagn Khachaturyan is elected as president

The position is largely ceremonial. The Parliament elected him during the second round with 71-0 votes (64 needed).

Artsakh President Harutyunyan: Congratulations. Your rich experience, knowledge, and skills will greatly contribute to the successful implementation of your responsibilities in this responsible position, continuously strengthening the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora unity.

Russian President Putin: Congratulations. I am convinced that your activity in this high position will contribute to the further development of Russian-Armenian allied relations and the advancement of mutually beneficial Eurasian integration processes for the benefit of our brotherly peoples, for the benefit of regional security and stability.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076998.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077028.html) [3](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077046.html)

anti-corruption: a medical university loses license after NSS uncovers diploma scheme involving foreign students

On Tuesday, Education Ministry revoked the license belonging to St. Theresa Medical University in Yerevan, not to be confused with the main "Yerevan State Medical University". The students will be transferred elsewhere.

NSS reported on Thursday: In 2020-2021, the university officials sold diplomas to 105 Indian and Bangladeshi students after receiving a $3,000 bribe from each.

A criminal case is launched for giving and taking a bribe, and committing forgery. //

[1](https://factor.am/482590.html) [2](https://news.am/arm/news/689167.html)

Macron invites Pashinyan to attend Armenian-French forum on March 9

Macron: I am glad that our contacts continue to strengthen due to the adoption of the roadmap for economic cooperation, vaccine assistance, and the recent establishment of the French Institute in Armenia.

The march 9 forum will aim to promote the sustainable development and prosperity of Armenia. I will be glad to receive you in Paris on this occasion to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077057.html

Armenian man continues to gain international fame after setting a world record

Roman Sahradyan set a Guinness World Record by performing 23 pull-ups in 1 minute from a flying helicopter. [Video](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CaYHyGqDJbL/?ig_rid=f192e5e8-fe74-40a6-8d5b-f006b51873fe).

[1](https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/03/02/armenia-Guinness-World-Records-helicopter-pull-ups/5611646243335/) [2](https://www.thehansindia.com/offbeat/man-from-armenia-holds-new-guinness-world-record-fordoing-pull-ups-from-helicopter-731098?infinitescroll=1)

soccer star Henrikh Mkhitaryan is retiring from the national team

>I remember when I first put on my National Team jersey, this was in a friendly against Panama, and my first goal for my nation, in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia.

>It was an honor to play for my nation for the past 15 years

He will focus on the club career.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077010.html https://en.armradio.am/2022/03/03/henrikh-mkhitaryan-quits-armenian-national-team/

today in history

1842: Oil magnate and benefactor [Alexander Mantashyan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Mantashev) is born. He bought unprofitable oil wells in Baku and made them profitable

1861: Slavery is abolished in Russia

1918: [Treaty of Brest-Litovsk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Brest-Litovsk) is signed between Bolsheviks and Central Powers to end Russia's participation in WW1. Soviet Russia defaulted on all of Imperial Russia's commitments to the Allies and eleven nations became independent in eastern Europe and western Asia. Russia lost nearly all of Ukraine, and the three Baltic Republics were ceded to Germany. DON'T LET PUTIN KNOW.

1949: Architect and musician Arthur Meschyan is born.

1959: Matenadaran opens in Yerevan. It houses 23,000 manuscripts and 300,000 archived documents.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076955.html

COVID stats

3382 tested. 259 infected. 486 healed. 12 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1076982.html

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

Ethnic Armenian resident of Kherson was killed during the encirclement and capture of the town located north of Crimea.

In the southeast, Russian troops encircled the large city Mariupol. A group of Armenian residents successfully evacuated with a car column and headed towards the west. Some Armenians remain in the besieged city.

An amphibious operation is reportedly planned to capture Odessa in the southwest. The Russian convoy headed towards Kyiv from the north has "stalled", likely awaiting resupplies and reinforcements.

Ukrainian fighter jets were seen carrying out missions. Ukraine said they are targeting Russian convoys, but didn't specify where.

A week before the invasion the Ukrainian military presented its 125mph "Punisher" drone. This "stealth" drone can carry 3 explosives capable of destroying vehicles and personnel within 50 meters, they reported. At first they send a small surveillance drone, and once it locates the target, the Punisher is used. The Ukrainian engineer said they've been using it against the breakaway Donbas region for several years. Ukraine reported using the Punisher drone 60 times after the invasion to target Russian fuel storage, ammo supplies, and radars, "up to 30 miles behind enemy lines".

[1](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/game-changing-drones-helping-ukraine-in-battle-for-the-skies-lg68l8xjw) [2](https://www.the-sun.com/news/4694811/ukraine-punisher-drones-russian-forces-putin-invades/) [3](https://www.newsncr.com/world/amidst-the-threat-of-war-with-russia-ukraine-has-fielded-dangerous-punisher-drones-this-weapon-is-the-time-of-enemies-know-what-are-the-features/) [4](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077026.html) [5](https://factor.am/482972.html)

... VOMA's Vardanov about the war

Mil. expert Vova Vardanov: Russia is using jets and very rarely drones, while Ukraine relies on drones. Turkish armies used 80,000 soldiers against tiny Artsakh in 2020. Russia also advanced around 80,000, but on a much bigger territory in Ukraine.

Who is warring? On one corner it's our friend Ukraine that sent mercenaries to fight against us in the 1990s. On the other corner, it's Donbas that sent artillery officers to fight against Armenia in the 1990s. Then there is ally Russia that sold weapons to our enemy in exchange for cash, like a true mafia. Armenia must chill and observe the events to learn. //

Continue: [1](https://youtu.be/g6Lzn7SI1TY?t=338)

... negotiations

FM Lavrov: We remain committed to the demilitarization of Ukraine. There should be a list of weapons that can never be deployed or created in Ukraine. //

Russia recognizes Zelensky as Ukraine's leader and welcomed as a "positive step" the fact that Zelensky wanted to receive security guarantees. "Our negotiators are ready for the second round."

Zelensky said Russia needed to halt its bombing before further talks.

As of writing this, there were reports of Russia and Ukraine reaching a humanitarian agreement.

[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/lavrov-says-russia-wants-list-weapons-that-can-never-be-deployed-ukraine-2022-03-02/)

... I voted for independence of Donbas, not war: Russian MP

Mikhail Motveyev from the right-wing LDPR party (controlled opposition) was one of the MPs who voted for Russia to officially recognize the independence of Donbas.

MP Motveyev: The war must stop immediately. My vote for the independence of Donbas was a vote for Russia to become a shield so Donbas wouldn't be bombed, not for bombing Kyiv.

[1](https://youtu.be/xZhrQcjwotA?t=9241)

... Task Force KleptoCapture

The U.S. will launch a new Justice Department group "KleptoCapture" to enforce the sanctions against Russian oligarchs. It will combat efforts (including through crypto) that undermine the restrictions and will seize assets belonging to the sanctioned individuals.

[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-launches-special-unit-enforce-russia-sanctions-rcna18322)

... Japan and Sweden warn Russia after airspace violations

Japan scrambled a fighter jet to respond to an unwelcomed helicopter, believed to be Russian, near a northern island of Hokkaido. There were Russian military drills not far away.

Swedish MOD called its airspace violation "unacceptable" after 4 Russian jets briefly entered its territory over the Baltic Sea.

[1](https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/russia-ukraine-latest-news-2022-03-02/card/japan-alleges-russian-incursion-in-its-airspace-and-scrambles-jet-in-response-ZC95kfeNdyvpsTUr4pm9) [2](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-armed-forces-says-russian-fighter-jets-violated-swedish-airspace-2022-03-02/)

... Finnish airlines have to take a long detour to reach East Asia

Finnair had to suspend flights to Tokyo after Russia closed its air as a counter-sanction against European carriers. They will resume regular flights soon despite the detour. "We continue to evaluate possible alternative routes for our flights to China and South Korea."

[Here are the maps showing who is banned from where, what the common routes are, and the alternatives.](https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2022-russia-ukraine-flight-bans/) And [more](https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-avoiding-closed-airspace-with-creative-routings-russia-eu-2022-3).

[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/finnair-resumes-flights-tokyo-despite-detour-2022-03-02/)

... Russians started leaving the country for good: Finland Railways official

A wave of travelers started packing high-speech trains from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, they are leaving for good, you can see that from the luggage they carry, said the railways official.

[1](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/trains-russia-finland.html)

... Russia says its economy is taking serious blows as isolation grows

Putin's spokesman Peskov: Russia's economy is experiencing serious blows. But there is a certain margin of safety, there is potential, there are some plans, work is underway.

[1](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/business/russia-markets-economy-sberbank/index.html)

... Russian businessman places $1m bounty on Putin's head

Entrepreneur Alex Konanykhin: I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws. //

Kononyakin was arrested in the US in 1996 after Russian authorities claimed he had embezzled $8M from a Russian bank. FBI agents testified that the Russian mafia had taken out a contract on Konanykhin. He was granted political asylum.

[1](https://news.yahoo.com/russian-businessman-places-1m-bounty-231620021.html)

... >1 million Ukrainians have fled the country

[1](https://twitter.com/FilippoGrandi/status/1499156937644118022)

... Azerbaijani authorities dispersed an anti-Russian protest in Baku

A small group of protesters gathered in front of the Russian embassy to protest the "child killer Putin".

[1](https://oc-media.org/baku-police-break-up-russian-embassy-protest/)

... Russian stocks in London lose 98% of value, become penny stocks

$572B wiped out from the market in two weeks. Sberbank -99%, Gazprom -98%, Severstal -99.9%, Rosneft -79%, Lukoil -99%.

With the Russian central bank taking the unusual step of suspending stock trading on the Moscow exchange (3 days, longest since 1998), trading elsewhere is an indication of how local equities may react once it eventually resumes.

[1](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-02/london-listed-russian-stocks-erase-570-billion-in-two-weeks) [2](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gazprom-lukoil-and-sberbank-are-now-penny-stocks-as-russian-companies-collapse-in-london-11646227312)

... U.S. and EU impose new restrictions on Russia and Belarus

Russia's oil refining sector won't be able to import some products for the modernization of its oil & gas extraction equipment.

The EU banned 70% of Belarus exports to EU (wood, timber, steel and iron, cement, rubber, fuels), and the flow of European machinery to Belarus.

22 ranking Belarusian military officials were also sanctioned.

[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-imposing-additional-sanctions-russia-belarus-2022-03-02/) [2](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-approves-new-sanctions-against-belarus-over-ukraine-invasion-source-2022-03-02/) [3](https://thehill.com/policy/international/596560-biden-targets-belarus-russian-defense-sector-with-new-restrictions?rl=1)

... hundreds of Russian business owners want to move to Armenia

Many are from the IT industry and requested information on how to move an entire business, with its staff, to Armenia. Others are individuals who run small businesses.

[Diaspora Office is getting requests](https://youtu.be/h0PiBxrSKpY), including from non-ethnic Armenians.

[1](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/232240)

... war is forcing European "green" parties to consider coal

Europe could see the consequences of Russian sanctions in the coming weeks and months, warns the author. It's all about energy. Macron warned the French public about difficult days that are yet to come.

Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas. One option is nuclear energy, but they planned to shut down multiple reactors by the end of this year. Now there are discussions on whether it's a good idea.

Germany announced the establishment of a strategic stockpile of coal and gas. Germany's pro-environment party said "nothing is a taboo" when asked if they'd consider coal.

Italy's government has prepared plans to resort to coal or oil power plants if gas supplies drop.

[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/02/europe-russia-sanctions-backlash/)

... Canada will impose 35% tariffs on goods from Russia and Belarus

Russia and Belarus will no longer receive the benefits and low tariffs that Canada offers to other countries that are fellow members of the World Trade Organization. The only other country is Best Korea.

[1](https://globalnews.ca/news/8656153/canada-russia-belarus-tariffs-ukraine-war/)

... Russian oligarch Abramovich is selling British "Chelsea" soccer club

The proceeds will "benefit all victims of the war in Ukraine". He believes the "difficult decision" is "in the best interest of the club and the fans".

[1](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/russian-oligarch-abramovich-says-he-will-sell-chelsea-soccer-club-amid-ukraine-furor.html)

... Germany did not seize Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov's mega-yacht

Forbes initially reported: The 512ft yacht is reportedly worth almost $600M. It was seized by authorities in Hamburg while undergoing a refitting job. It took over 4 years to build the "customized" yacht for Usmanov. It is the world's largest motor yacht by gross tonnage and has the largest swimming pool ever installed on a yacht. //

Their correction says German authorities are having difficulty tying the yacht to Usmanov because of offshore registration shenanigans.

[1](https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2022/03/02/germans-seize-russian-billionaire-alisher-usmanovs-mega-yacht/?sh=2c63c81e52dd)

... Russia's isolation continues

Russian figure skaters are banned from world championships.

World Bank halts all programs in Russia and Belarus. There weren't many in recent years.

IKEA halts operations in Russia and Belarus. A video allegedly showed Russians forming long lines to make their last purchase. Just as in 2014, many Russians recently opted to purchase tangible goods with ruble in anticipation of further devaluation.

Smirnoff vodka and Guinness paused exports to Russia and Ukraine.

Netflix has paused new projects in Russia. Fashion outlets H&M has paused all sales. Oracle suspended all operations after pressure from Twitter. Ukrainian government has been urging 50 companies to boycott Russia.

Video game maker EA is removing Russian teams from its FIFA 22 soccer game and NHL 22 hockey game.

Winter clothing maker Canada Goose suspends sales to Russia.

Mercedes-Benz joined several other automakers today.

International Cat Federation bans Russian cats from competitions until May. [Thanks, Putin.]

Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot use the national flag and anthem during the Winter Paralympic Games.

[1](https://www.reuters.com/business/wrapup-apple-ford-other-big-american-brands-join-corporate-wave-shunning-russia-2022-03-02/) [2](https://sports.yahoo.com/russian-figure-skaters-banned-world-203709972.html) [3](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/world-bank-halts-all-programs-russia-belarus-with-immediate-effect-2022-03-02/) [4](https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-crisis-ikea-suspends-russia-belarus-smirnoff-maker-suspends-exports-to-ukraine-1516865) [5](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/03/russia-cat-ban-ukraine-war/) [6](https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/33410388/russian-belarusian-athletes-banned-winter-paralympic-games)

... journalists flee the country after Russia censors one of the last remaining opposition news networks

TV Rain (Dozhd) editor-in-chief, his family, and editorial staff have left Russia after receiving threats from the broadcasting regulator. "Personal safety of some of us is at risk."

Most outlets in Russia have followed state orders to call Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "special operation" instead of "invasion". TV Rain was defiant.

Their website is not loading in Russia but the YouTube channel remains operational. They will try to appeal the block soon. The following day they released a statement about temporarily suspending operations amid reports about a new law that could imprison journalists for 15 years.

[1](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/media/journalism-crackdown-russia/index.html)

... dozens of Russian chess players urged Putin to end the war

The letter, urging for a diplomatic solution, was co-signed by heavyweights Yan Nepomnyashchy and Pyotr Svidler.

The International Chess Federation pulled tournaments from Russia and Belarus in a "historic" move. Their players cannot use national flags elsewhere. "FIDE stands united against wars as well as condemns any use of military means to resolve political conflicts," said the FIDE administration.

[1](https://a1plus.am/hy/article/425993) [2](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/02/fide-suspends-russia-chess-tournaments-ukraine/)

... literally Space Wars 🍿🍿🍿

Friends of hacking group "Anonymous" claimed they broke into Russian space agency Roscosmos's control center and took control of Russian spy satellites. Screenshots of Russian-language servers were shared but the authenticity could not be verified.

Roscosmos leader Dmitri Rogozin confirmed the attacks but said they were automatically blocked by their firewall, and called the anonymous hackers "scammers and petty swindlers". He said all the servers were operational.

Rogozin went a step further: Russia will treat any hacking of its satellites as a justification for war. We will hunt down the perpetrators.

We're supposed to launch OneWeb satellites to space on Friday. It's already on the launchpad. However, we have questions for OneWeb. Not long ago, the UK government became a shareholder. In November we learned that OneWeb was in talks with a Pentagon-linked U.S. company to provide services to the NATO military.

Hundreds of OneWeb satellites have been launched. More is necessary to make it fully operational. In the meantime, Elon Musk's Starlink has provided satellite equipment to Ukrainian military. We doubt that OneWeb will abide by its 2019 contract that its satellites would only be used for civilian purposes.

After the UK government's recent behavior, it appears the 2019 contracts are void. So we demand OneWeb provide clear legal guarantees by Friday launch that its satellites won't be used by NATO. The only guarantee OneWeb can provide is if the UK government exits as a shareholder. //

UK responds: We will not sell our share in OneWeb. There are no negotiations.

Rogozin: You have two days to think and provide guarantees. OneWeb won't be able to complete its satellite network without our help. [trampoline?] //

OneWeb decided to remove its personnel from Baikonur cosmodrome. They are now "safely offsite and relocated elsewhere within Kazakhstan". European rocket builder Arianespace also evacuated its staff from Baikonur.

OneWeb had paid Roscosmos in advance. Rogozin said they won't be refunded due to "force majeure".

OneWeb's boss: We are getting the news from Rogozin's Twitter. It sounds crazy but I've seen the letters from Roscosmos and they say nothing that isn't already in Rogozin's tweets. I've just got a visual of that [Reservoir Dogs scene](https://youtu.be/ljjRZe6g5EM?t=193), where everyone’s pointing guns at everyone. //

OneWeb's board later voted to suspend all launched from Baikonur.

[1](https://www.newsweek.com/roscosmos-head-dmitry-rogozin-anonymous-russian-satellite-hack-1684033) [2](https://twitter.com/YourAnonTV/status/1498792639877074945) [3](https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-space-agency-head-says-satellite-hacking-would-justify-war-report-2022-03-02/) [4](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/russias-roscosmos-refusing-to-launch-oneweb-internet-satellites.html) [5](https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1498967071727706114?s=20&t=D2wFJWWgC9Lrse8WwxFpjA) [6](https://twitter.com/OneWeb/status/1499317405029437447)

... Russian state media uses a map showing Karabakh as separate from Azerbaijan

The main news program of the main government channel was giving advice to Russian tourists stranded abroad on how to return home. Several countries were suggested as transit hubs, including Armenia.

Karabakh map

ICYM

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/t622eg/mar32022_gazproms_165_contract_armenia_to_measure/