Here's Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday denying that Moscow is going to curb Internet access. Russian speakers will notice that he slurs his words as he speaks. Maybe he was tired...
Some economics news now (from RFE/RL's news desk):
The World Bank says the Ukrainian economy is likely to contract by 8 percent this year due to the crisis in the country's east caused by a separatist uprising.
The World Bank said today that it is downgrading an earlier forecast of a 5 percent decline in the economy in 2014.
It added that it is predicting a further contraction in Ukraine's economy in 2015.
Qimiao Fan, the World Bank's director for Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova, said in Kyiv that "disruption in economic activity in the east has resulted in a sharper GDP [gross domestic product] decline than we expected."
Elsewhere, Russian President Vladimir Putin has says his country remains committed to developing an open market economy.
Addressing the annual "Russia Calling" investment conference in Moscow today, Putin said Russia also remains committed to the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Putin, whose country has been hit with Western sanctions over its actions in Ukraine, added that this was unlike some countries that founded the organization.
The Russian president also said Moscow doesn't plan to introduce restrictions on cross-border capital and currency movements, following a dramatic slide in the value of the ruble.
He said Russia aims to "actively" use national currencies in trade deals with China and other countries, implying a shift away from the U.S. dollar.
Putin added that the state will help sectors and companies that are being affected by sanctions.
(Reuters, AFP, TASS, Interfax)
Donetsk, now. pic.twitter.com/E5Q7l9Af7w
— Paul Gypteau (@paulgypteau) October 2, 2014
VTB security goons desperate to throw out Asian press photographer at the back of a forum. Snapper peels right. Manhunt on as Putin speaks
— Jason Corcoran (@jason_corcoran) October 2, 2014
At least 7 people injured today, source from hospital of #Shchastya told. We are near southeastern checkpoint, can still hear shelling
— Silver Meikar (@meikar) October 1, 2014
Here's another update from RFE/RL's news desk:
Russian authorities say they have launched an investigation against Ukraine's defense minister and other senior military officials.
The spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee, Vladimir Markin, announced today that Ukraine's military leadership, including Defense Minister Valeriy Heletey and General Staff chief Viktor Muzhenko, is facing genocide and war crimes charges.
On September 29, Russia accused top Ukrainian political and military leaders as well as nationalist organizations of committing "genocide" against Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities dismissed the accusations and opened a criminal investigation against officials of Russia's Investigative Committee.
Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists have been fighting for six months in eastern Ukraine, leaving at least 3,000 people dead and causing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
(TASS, Interfax)
Here is the latest map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine issued by Kyiv's National Security and Defense Council:
Lots of talk at the investment forum about causes of Russia's economic woes (so far none of speakers has blamed Kremlin policy on Ukraine)
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) October 2, 2014
At least 10 killed in restive #Donetsk as bus gets hit http://t.co/7egVvQguDL - our video from the hospital yesterday.
— Paul Gypteau (@paulgypteau) October 2, 2014
Donetsk's kids go back to school while conflict continues http://t.co/WbLGxBPPgd - our video from yesterday.
— Paul Gypteau (@paulgypteau) October 2, 2014