In Russia, exercises involving non-strategic nuclear weapons have begun in the Southern Military District, as announced by the Ministry of Defense in early May. With so many events happening throughout the day, it can be difficult for a normal person to keep track of everything. That's why we're here. Our editorial team keeps an eye on what's happening in the country and the world, and we're always ready to share the top news of the day with you. Today, we summarize the events of May 21.
In Russia, exercises with non-strategic nuclear weapons have started in the Southern Military District. The first stage of the exercises involves the training of missile units to handle special ammunition for the Iskander operational-tactical missile system, as reported by the Ministry of Defense through its Telegram channel. Belarus will also join the exercises, as announced earlier in May. Russia has stationed non-strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus since 2023. The exercises aim to enhance the readiness and effectiveness of the armed forces in handling non-strategic nuclear weapons.
Anatoly Maslov, a 77-year-old physicist from Novosibirsk, has been found guilty of state treason. He has been sentenced to 14 years of strict regime imprisonment. Anatoly Maslov's lawyer, Olga Dintze, stated that the defense plans to appeal the verdict within the stipulated time frame. The criminal case against the Novosibirsk physicist, Anatoly Maslov, began eight months ago. According to lawyer Sergei Bujnovsky, the investigation currently lacks evidence of Popov's guilt, and the major general himself denies any involvement in criminal activities.
Ivan Popov, a former commander of the 58th Army, has been arrested on charges of fraud. This news was reported on May 21 by TASS, citing a source in law enforcement. According to Popov's lawyer, Sergei Bujnovsky, the investigation has been ongoing for 8 months. He claims that there is currently no evidence of Popov's guilt, and the major general denies any involvement in any unlawful acts. Popov was relieved of his command of the 58th Army in July 2023. At the time, he was involved in combat operations in the Zaporozhye direction of the Eastern Military District.
The Kemerovo Regional Court has found Spesivtsev, the serial killer, guilty of 15 more murders. The case was initiated 28 years ago after the discovery of human remains in the Aba River in Novokuznetsk. Spesivtsev, who had previously been confined to a psychiatric hospital for the murder of four people, was found guilty in this case as well. The court established his involvement in the murder of 15 more people. According to the prosecutor's office, Spesivtsev committed the murders with particular cruelty between March and September 1996. Some of his victims were minors.
A new law has been passed in Russia that allows for the denial of a passport to individuals with outstanding summonses. The law states that if a person's summons is included in the register of delivered (served) summonses, they may be denied a passport. As a result, a citizen is prohibited from leaving Russia until they appear before the military enlistment office. The explanatory note to the draft law states that it takes into account the interests of the defense capability of the country and the safety of citizens. Previously, it was announced that electronic summonses would begin to be sent out in Russia from November 1, 2024.
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