Dmitri Medvedev appointed guardian of Russian technological sovereignty

Russian intelligence mobilised to create framework for drone development 

The Russian intelligence services are getting more closely involved in the development of drones, a key weapon in its war with Ukraine.

• RUSSIA - Kovalchuk clan adds another link to Kremlin spymasters

• IRAQ - INIS helps with Sudani's crackdown on corruption

• UNITED STATES/SAUDI ARABIA - Washington calls for greater intelligence sharing with Gulf Cooperation Council

• CHINA - Beijing relies on reserves to expand PLA

• CHINA - Lu Shaye, ambassador in Paris, in Beijing's good graces

Kremlin puts its think tank in media spotlight 

The Russian Institute of Strategic Research, headed by former external intelligence chief Mikhail Fradkov, is under orders to raise its media profile.

The man who spearheads Russia's new IT patriotism 

Between the commercial IT world and Moscow's power circles, civil society personality Ilya Massukh makes key contributions to the survival of Russia's sanctioned economy and regime.

• EGYPT/SYRIA - Cairo shifts position on Syria's return to Arab League 

• PORTUGAL - Military intelligence eyes US drones  

• RUSSIA - Yet another ex-FSO officer joins Security Council 

• FRANCE - DGSE wants seat on Order of the Liberation board

• UNITED STATES - Baer vs Redmond, score settling between former CIA officers over a book

Ruselectronics at centre of Russian Safe City monitoring programme 

Border surveillance, which has returned to the top of the list of critical projects carried out by the Rostec arms conglomerate, is mobilising all the know-how of its subsidiary Ruselectronics. Moscow has decided to move up a gear in the Safe City programme.

Before shakeups, Kremlin hawks engage in power game with siloviki 

Former president Dmitry Medvedev as well as Viasheslav Volodin and Andrei Turchak are hoping to profit from the war in Ukraine and the confrontation with the West to climb the ladder in the Russian regime.

Russian investors await Western asset nationalisation wave 

As the Russian parliament prepares the legal framework for nationalising foreign-held assets in Russia, the regulatory authorities are also taking steps to bring critical industries back under the Kremlin's control.

Russia's spatial imagery suppliers keep low profile in war on Ukraine 

Russian GEOINT giant ScanEx, which covers the whole of the CIS, is determinedly staying below the radar while Russia's war on Ukraine rages on. The company also has crucial assets for foreign GEOINT suppliers.

Russia's FSB tightens its grip in Armenia 

After its invason of Ukraine, European governments are nervous about Moscow stirring separatist tensions in other countries, such as Moldova. But the Caucasus remains the sensitive spot, with Russia strengthening its ties with Armenia's intelligence services.