@bbcstever.bsky.social
BBC Russia Editor, Moscow
@bbcstever.bsky.social PinnedToday’s Russian papers report on Russia’s “Anti-crisis petrol” – lower grade fuel now being sold “to prevent a petrol shortage.” One paper warns: “regular use of lower grade petrol” causes problems for modern cars. #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialThank you very much Sarah.
@bbcstever.bsky.social"In this building lived and worked journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Killed 7 October 2006"
@bbcstever.bsky.social20 years ago today Anna Politkovskaya, one of Russia’s most prominent investigative journalists, was murdered. I found no mention of the anniversary in today's Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialWhat’s top story today on Irkutsk TV?
Not the death of a Russian plague researcher.
I watch the local TV news bulletin and take a look at today’s Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialToday one Russian paper claims “Russia’s military has been given political blank cheque to carry out full demilitarisation & deindustrialisation of Ukraine.” But nothing in the papers from Irkutsk, where there have been reports of a potentially “dangerous infection.” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialMy musical tribute to legendary broadcaster and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen who has died at the age of 86.
@bbcstever.bsky.social"In the closed world of Russian politics, what clues can we find to what comes next?" Our report from Moscow on Vladimir Putin's appearance at a foreign policy forum.
@bbcstever.bsky.socialToday one Russian newspaper writes: “The parliamentary elections are over. The time has come for unpopular measures.” Another reports on contacts between the Kremlin and Germany's far-right AfD. #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialThe first part, yes. It's a challenging one!
@bbcstever.bsky.social“What should I do if I need my motherland, but she doesn’t need me?”
Superheroes, special operations and “shaping the mindset of children.”
An extended edition of #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialToday one Russian newspaper doubts that Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 summit in Miami and predicts “an even tougher and bloodier phase of the Ukraine conflict this winter.” Its headline: “Ahead Russia has not peace, but war.” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialToday’s Russian papers write about “the deterioration of the economic situation in Russia”, where “housing construction is deep in the red” & “increasingly expensive groceries & petrol are making people worry more about inflation.” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialToday’s Russian papers reflect the Kremlin’s take on the parliamentary election: “Putin won a referendum. Russians backed the special military operation.” Another paper predicts “at least 50” MPs will be war veterans: “These days you need people who know the smell of gunfire.” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialMoscow mayor says Moscow oil refinery hit in Ukrainian drone attack and claims that, since yesterday, more than 1,600 drones have been "repelled" over Russia; describes the attack as "unprecedented" and an attempt "to disrupt the [parliamentary] election."
@bbcstever.bsky.socialAmazing. What a claim to fame. Thanks for the message.
@bbcstever.bsky.socialIn Moscow I visit a new Metro station that references the war in Ukraine, a museum that heroises Russian & North Korean soldiers and I try to gauge the mood on the streets. An extended edition of #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialIn today’s Russian papers: “hole in the state budget” bigger than expected; “growing demand in Russia for insurance cover for drone attacks”. And a senior official claims: “Russia can survive only as a great power. We’re either a great power, or nothing.” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialFrom today’s Russian papers:
▪️“In Russia one in three companies is losing money”
▪️“severe shortage of workers”
▪️Plus, schoolchildren now being shown “films about the heroes of the special military operation” #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.socialChange, apples and a national idea.
An extended edition of #ReadingRussia
@bbcstever.bsky.social"Diplomacy of the Doomed" is how one of today's Russian papers sums up Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's talks with Vladimir Putin, adding "Their mission was doomed to underachievement from the outset." #ReadingRussia
