2022 March 8

Daily news wrap-up

News - Mar/8/2022: Exports rose 53% in January __ More Russians arrive in Armenia for remote work __ Who is Jakob Kunzler? __ Negotiations underway to repair Artsakh's damaged gas pipe __ International Women's Day; Flower wars; Female pilots __ Ukraine conflict, sanctions, fuel prices, and more
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 9-minute Tuesday digest in 2309 words.

today in history

1871: Swiss missionary and pharmacist Jakob Künzler is born. He resided in Urfa and witnessed the Armenian genocide. Künzler helped thousands of Armenian orphans. He authored the book In the Land of Blood and Tears.

Künzler about Armenians: "...two Turkish officials who appeared in Urfa. The rumor was that they hurried out in order to drive forward the extermination of the Armenian people with all their might, and they had the sanction of the highest state authority for doing so. They ordered on this basis, scarcely the moment they arrived in Urfa, the killing of all gathered prisoners. 'Why should we feed them any longer?' they said"

Künzler about Kurds: "No European newspaper has reported that the same Young Turks, who wanted to exterminate the Armenians, drove the Kurds who had been living in Upper Armenia from their house and home." [Continue reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakob_K%C3%BCnzler)

1887: Academician Hovsep Orbeli is born.

2014: Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 goes missing.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077342.html

Azerbaijan is preventing the repairs of damaged gas pipe

ArtsakhGaz: The main gas pipe [traveling near Shushi] was damaged this morning. We'll dispatch a team to fix it ASAP. Thanks for your patience.

Artsakh Infrastructure Ministry: The damage is near the Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan is preventing the repair works. Negotiations began with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to reach an agreement to launch repairs tomorrow.

Artsakh NSS: We will investigate the cause of the pipeline damage.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077356.html) [2](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077373.html) [3](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/232607)

Armenia celebrated International Women's Day

Ladies who clean the capital's streets every morning to increase your life expectancy have [received flowers and letters of appreciation](https://youtu.be/krAgzCz2ZNY) from the city administration. "Let's appreciate their work. Let's not litter the streets."

Cops walked around and [gave flowers to women](https://youtu.be/AE-NpR8K1Do). They also stopped random female drivers [to give flowers](https://youtu.be/AE-NpR8K1Do?t=47).

PHOTO: Yerevan Zoo's female tiger and bear received special gifts

https://factor.am/484643.html

VIDEO: this mom decided to become a pilot

Radiologist Diana Sahakyan decided to take flying exercises organized by Civil Aviation in 2020. She now has a license to fly small aircraft.

[Video](https://youtu.be/lRShW44IqX8). [Article.](https://www.1lurer.am/hy/2022/03/08/Ճախրել-երկնքում-Հայաստանի-կին-օդաչուն/677227)

VIDEO: the flower market was busy this morning

The flower market was flooded with roses this morning. The Lars checkpoint between Georgia and Russia was closed, forcing an Armenian rose exporter to sell the product in Armenia instead. It led to rose prices remaining stable despite the holidays.

https://youtu.be/OlfEi_82WWk

exports increased in January year-over-year

$249M in exports, up by 53%. What were the top destinations?

Russia 27.1%

China 14.5%

Netherlands 9%

Switzerland 9%

Iraq 6%

Bulgaria 6%

... EU share increased, EAEU decreased

28.2% of exports went to EAEU countries, down from 31.2%.

22.7% of exports went to EU, up from 17.1%.

https://factor.am/484663.html

COVID stats

2803 tested. 140 infected. 512 healed. 4 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077367.html

Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues

And so does the vigorous shitposting on social media. The latest episode is again brought to you by Russian space agency chief Dmitri Rogozin, who very recently told American astronauts to use broomsticks to reach orbit. This time he had a scuffle with a famous American astronaut Scott Kelly.

Rogozin: We decided that our rocket will look prettier without the flag of some countries. [shares a video of US, Japanese, and possibly other flags being covered with a paper]

Scott Kelly: Dimon, without those flags and the cooperation, your space program won't be worth a damn. Maybe you can find a job at McDonald's if it still exists in Russia. [The day after this exchange McDonals decided to suspend operations in Russia.]

Rogozin: That's coming from Scott. This Scott reached the cosmos on Russian Soyuz rocket twice, but remained true to himself - a cattle ["skot" means cattle in Russian]. I'm sharing this so that everyone understands the degree of American gratitude for what Russia has done to the US.

Scott Kelly: Dimon, why did you delete this tweet? Don't want everyone to see what kind of kid you really are? [In the allegedly deleted tweet Rogozin allegedly wrote "Get off, you moron! Otherwise, the death of the ISS will be on your conscience."]

Rogozin: You needlessly provoke me. We are not familiar with you, but you address me as [informal "you", used only with friends] and you call me "Dimon". I will not allow you to behave like that with me. You are being defiant and destructive. Perhaps the dementia and aggression that you have developed is a consequence of the overload and stress of four flights into space. I invite you to undergo an examination at the Brain Institute of our Federal Medical and Biological Agency. //

Scott Kelly has been heavily sharing pro-Ukraine content in recent days.

[1](https://www.jpost.com/international/article-700618) [2](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-scott-kelly-dmitry-rogozin/) [3](https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/ourstories.Russia-update.html)

... meanwhile in the warzone

Russian army continues to advance in the south and southeast faster than near Kyiv.

Around 2 million Ukrainians have fled the country. Dozens of Western foreign policy experts signed an open [letter](https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017f-6668-ddc5-a17f-f66d48630000&nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014f-8905-d780-a9ef-9d7f29710000&nlid=630318), calling for a partial no-fly zone in Ukraine to protect the humanitarian corridors for refugees.

Ukrainian forces killed Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov in Kharkiv. Analysts believe Russian troops have morale and organizational problems, forcing generals themselves to play a role in the immediate frontline. Gerasimov is the second general to be killed in recent days.

[1](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/vitaly-gerasimov-second-russian-general-killed-ukraine-defence-ministry-claims) [2](https://news.yahoo.com/foreign-policy-experts-call-for-limited-no-fly-zone-over-ukraine-142427349.html) [3](https://www.newsweek.com/sr-russian-military-official-who-helped-capture-crimea-killed-near-kharkiv-1685767)

... Vladimir Putin had two brothers who died when they were kids

Putin was the third son in the family. Albert died in infancy. Viktor died from diphtheria and starvation during the Nazi siege of St. Petersburg in 1941.

US State Secretary Blinken accused Putin of starving the besieged Ukrainian cities and drew parallels with the Nazi strategy. "Now, Russia is starving out cities like Mariupol. The world is saying to Russia stop these attacks immediately. Let the food and medicine in. Let the people out safely."

[1](https://meaww.com/putin-siblings-russian-president-leningrad) [2](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/blinken-invokes-putins-dead-brother-accusing-russia-starving/story?id=83298231)

... Iran nuclear deal, Russia, and oil prices

An agreement on Iran's nuclear deal appeared imminent, but a new Russian demand has cast doubt over the talks.

Russian MFA: [If a nuclear agreement is reached] We demand a written guarantee from the US that the sanctions will not hinder Moscow from cooperating with Tehran. //

Iran said it will not allow foreign powers to force its hand. They asked Moscow for clarification.

Iranian MFA: While standing firm in maintaining our red lines, we won't allow any foreign factors to impact our national interests.

Russian ambassador to Tehran: There has been a misunderstanding.

Iranian MFA after receiving clarification: It’s clear that Iran’s cooperation with no country, including Russia, should be impacted by the atmosphere of sanctions. //

Some analysts believe Russia is trying to spoil the Iran nuclear talks to keep oil prices high. "Russia realizes that the US needs a nuclear agreement now more than ever."

The average American family is expected to spend thousands of dollars more on fuel and inflation this year. However, a new survey shows that 71% of Americans are okay with paying more for gas if that means not relying on Russian oil.

Biden wants the nuclear deal [and oil] so much, he has been ignoring a report about an alleged plot by Iran to assassinate Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton. [relating to Qasem Soleimani air strike]

There are also reports that Biden could soon meet Saudi Arabian officials and ask them to pump more oil.

[1](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gas-prices-household-impact-2000-a-year/) [2](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/7/iran-says-wont-endanger-national-interests-after-russian-demand) [3](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/07/business/mideast-summary-07-03-2022-intl/index.html) [4](https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/biden-may-travel-to-saudi-arabia-in-quest-for-oil-report-says-as-russia-ban-remains-possibility) [5](https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/most-americans-back-banning-of-russian-oil-even-if-domestic-gas-prices-jump-higher-poll) [6](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10587269/Two-members-Irans-Revolutionary-Guard-want-assassinate-Trumps-National-Security-Advisor.html)

... speaking of oil & sanctions

Shell will stop buying Russian oil and gas, and will shut down its service stations.

Moscow warned that oil prices could reach $300 and they could shut down the main gas pipeline to Germany, if the West decided to cut energy imports from Russia. "European politicians need to honestly warn their citizens and consumers what to expect," said Russia.

It appears that's where we are headed. Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil and gas imports to the US. About 8% of US liquid fuel came from Russia last year.

The UK will phase out the import of Russian oil by the end of this year.

The EU announced plans to cut dependence on Russian gas by 80% this year. They will tap into new gas supplies and increase energy efficiency, one official said. The EU has sufficient gas for the remainder of this winter even if Russia abruptly cuts the supply.

[1](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1077374.html) [2](https://www.kcra.com/article/shell-won-t-buy-russian-oil-and-gas/39366200) [3](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-07/eu-aims-to-cut-dependence-on-russian-gas-by-almost-80-this-year?sref=1fgx274d) [4](https://thewest.com.au/business/energy/shell-to-stop-buying-russian-oil-gas-c-5982000) [5](https://factor.am/484474.html) [6](https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/08/business/oil-price-russia-warning/index.html) [7](https://www.reuters.com/business/biden-announce-ban-russian-oil-tuesday-sources-2022-03-08/) [8](https://factor.am/484745.html)

... Russia is headed towards a Venezuela-style default: Morgan Stanley & Co

>The odds of Russia making its foreign debt payments are diminishing as bond prices fall, recession in the nation looms and various payment restrictions pile up

Around April 15 is when Russia could default, said an expert. That's when a payment grace period ends.

[1](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-07/morgan-stanley-sees-russia-set-for-venezuela-style-debt-default)

... China is buying the dip 💎🙌

Bloomberg: China is considering buying or increasing stakes in Russian energy and commodities companies, such as Gazprom and Rusal. Experts believe the move is meant to increase domestic energy and food security and is not a support of Ukraine invasion. They are still discussing it.

[1](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-08/china-considers-buying-stakes-in-russian-energy-commodity-firms)

... diplomatic rift between Georgia and Ukraine widens

Georgia's Premier recently said his country won't join the sanctions against Russia because doing so would mean shooting themselves in the foot. Ukraine wasn't happy.

On Sunday, the Russian regulator lifted a ban on 15 Georgian and 1 Azeri companies, allowing them to export products to Russia.

Georgia's Agriculture Minister: This is an opportunity for our companies. In the meantime, we should work on diversifying our export markets.

Ukraine responds: Russia made this decision against the backdrop of the Georgian authorities’ disinclination to support the new EU sanctions against Russia. We believe the promotion of trade with Russia is unacceptable. We call on Tbilisi to distance itself publicly from the decision made by Russia.

Chair of Ukrainian Parliament: [Addresses his Georgian counterpart with his name] I have always addressed my Georgian colleagues from the Parliament like this. How did it happen, Genatsvale, that in the middle of a war against your brother Ukraine, you decided to trade with the country that attacked us and you?

[1](https://oc-media.org/ukraine-reproaches-georgia-for-seeking-to-renew-dairy-exports-to-russia/) [2](https://www.facebook.com/UkraineMFA/posts/332355968934875) [3](https://www.civilnet.am/news/652950/ուկրաինան-կշտամբում-է-վրաստանին-ռուսաստան-կաթնամթերքի-արտահանումը-վերականգնելու-մտադրության-համար/)

... Russian oligarch told the captain of his $120M yacht to sail from France to Turkey ASAP after learning about sanctions: WSJ report

The authorities learned that a luxury yacht, which was scheduled to undergo maintenance, was trying to leave abruptly. They learned that it belonged to Igor Sechin. They questioned the captain. He confessed that he was told to sail away ASAP. No one was arrested besides the yacht.

[1](https://news.yahoo.com/russian-oligarch-whose-120-million-115143117.html)

... drama around top Russian entertainers 🍿

Famous Russian singers Nikolay Baskov and Oleg Gazmanov supported the invasion of Ukraine. Baskov shared Russia's war symbol that resembles the letter "Z". Critics called it a "modern-day swastika". Ukrainian court reportedly arrested Baskov and Gazamnov in absentia.

YouTube, citing violation of Community Guidelines, blocked the popular channels belonging to Russian state TV's primetime talk-show host Vladimir Solovyov. The latter called it a declaration of war by YouTube and Google.

[1](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/232575) [2 redacted] [3 redacted] [4](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/232589)

... Russia steals the crown from Iran as the world's most-sanctioned country

Oof... 2.8k new sanctions have been imposed since February 24. Switzerland, of all countries, is leading with sanctions. Top-5 sanctioned countries:

Russia 5.5k (half of it after Feb. 24)

Iran 3.6k

Syria 2.6k

Best Korea 2.1k

Venezuela 0.6k

[1](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-07/russia-surges-past-iran-to-become-world-s-most-sanctioned-nation)

... Russians continue to arrive in Armenia from Moscow, Novosibirsk, and all over the country

25yo Alexei: I left my family in Russia because of the emergency situation. I want to continue the work from Yerevan. Don't know how long I'll stay in Armenia, but I won't be returning to Russia. My choice was between Yerevan and Tbilisi. It was easier to get here.

Russian man: I've heard that many companies plan to move out of Russia because trade is impossible now.

Economy Minister Kerobyan: Around a dozen Russian companies have already moved to Armenia. Many are considering.

[1](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31734616.html)

... Russian programmer-blogger moves to Gyumri to work remotely

Dmitri Bashkirov: I moved to Gyumri with my girlfriend and brother. We are in Armenia for the first time. We chose Gyumri because a close friend of mine, who was born here, recommended it.

We'll stay in Gyumri for now because at the moment it's difficult in Yerevan. Gyumri is a small city. It's easier to adapt here. We come from Ivanovo, which is not a big town either.

My profession allows me to live anywhere, but Armenia is a lot more convenient compared to more expensive Europe. Besides that, European countries are closed for Russians.

The majority of people who came to Gyumri with us planned to move to Yerevan and Tbilisi but we decided to stay. We'll travel across Armenia.

We're renting an apartment for a week but we could stay and work for 1.5 months to see how things play out. If we adapt to the conditions, I won't rule out that we will permanently settle here. We don't know the city very well yet.

We're impressed by the hospitality of Gyumri residents. Store employees greet us with a handshake. I've never seen anything like this, and I've been all over Europe.

The passport agency worker told me that I look Armenian and that perhaps I have Armenian family roots. Maybe, I answered. It is possible to adapt very quickly in Armenia. The impression is that you have come to your native place, everyone is friendly, everyone understands Russian to a degree.

We came to Armenia with a limited budget. The first step is to open an account in an Armenian bank so we can work. We have a contract. I won't rule out cooperation with Armenian IT experts. //

[1](https://factor.am/484500.html)

more

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/t9porz/news_mar82022_exports_rose_53_in_january_more/