Russian priest arrested over 2014 photo with Ukrainian flag
Nikolai Savchenko posted on social media that police had come to his church to arrest him. A court sentenced him on a charge of displaying an extremist symbol, according to Savchenko and court documents quoted by Russian media.
The Russian Orthodox Church strongly backs the war in Ukraine and has punished dozens of priests who have defied its official line, for example by reading out prayers for peace instead of victory.
Last year, a priest who led a memorial service at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny was suspended from clerical duties and ordered to serve three years of "penance".
Ksenia Luchenko, an expert on the Russian Orthodox Church and is critical of its leadership, said Savchenko's arrest was unique, however.
"If this is true, then this is the first case of detention of an active cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church who was not banned and not defrocked," Luchenko, who is based outside Russia, posted on her blog.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Vladimir Putin bought me a £16k motorbike as a gift while in Alaska… I should probably write him a thank you letter'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSIAN tyrant Vladimir Putin gave an Alaskan local a brand new £16,000 motorbike while visiting the US for his high-stakes summit with Donald Trump. Mark Warren, 66, was given the bike after footage of him complaining he couldn't fix his Soviet-era motorcycle went viral on Russian media. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Mark Warren, 66, was given a new motorbike by Putin Credit: AP 8 He complained he couldn't get new parts for his Soviet-era bike Credit: Reuters 8 The Russian leader visited Alaska on Friday for talks with Trump Credit: Reuters The retired fire inspector, who lives in Anchorage, where the US and Russian leaders met last Friday, rode off with a brand new Ural Gear Up sidecar. Manufacturing firm Ural, a motors company founded in 1941 in Western Siberia when it was under Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union, now operates in Kazakhstan. Warren complained he was unable to obtain the correct parts to fix the motorcycle because of supply-and-demand issues and sanctions on Russia. State-sponsored Russian media spotted Warren running errands on the bike one week before the Trump and Putin summit. He said: "It went viral, it went crazy, and I have no idea why, because Im really just a super-duper normal guy. "They just interviewed some old guy on a Ural, and for some reason they think its cool." On August 13, two days before the Trump-Putin summit to discuss the war in Ukraine, Warren received a call from a Russian journalist. They told him: "They've decided to give you a bike." Warren said he was also sent a document noting the gift was arranged through the Russian Embassy in the States. The Alaska man thought it was a scam - but after Trump and Putin departed Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson following their three-hour summit, he got another call about the bike. Hilarious moment Zelensky gets revenge on reporter who criticised him for not wearing suit to first Oval Office meeting Warren was told his new £16,000 bike was at the same base the world leaders had met at. He was instructed to go to an Anchorage hotel for the handoff. After arriving alongside his wife, he met six Russian men who presented him with the mind-boggling gift. "I dropped my jaw," he said. "I went, 'You've got to be joking me'." He said the men only asked to interview and picture him. Two reporters and someone from the group got on the bike with him while he drove around the car park to show it off. The lucky punter had reservations about the Ural being a malicious Russian scam. 8 Putin pictured driving a motorbike in 2019 Credit: AP:Associated Press 8 Warren posing with his old and new bike Credit: AP 8 Putin speaking during the press conference in Alaska on Friday Credit: AP But he accepted the gift, which according to its paperwork was manufactured on August 12. He said: "The obvious thing here is that it rolled off the showroom floor and slid into a jet within probably 24 hours." And he told the Daily Mail: "I'm dumbfounded. I guess I should probably write Putin a thank you letter or something. "I haven't. I've been so busy it hasn't really sunk in yet." He added: "It's super cool, you know? I mean, it's just such a unique bike." It comes as Putin continues to wage his bloody war on Ukraine. The despot unleashed a fresh breakthrough assault just hours before his summit with Trump. And just hours after Trump's summit with European allies, Russia blitzed Ukraine over Monday night with 270 drones and missiles. The brutal attacks targeted energy and transport infrastructure. Just before Zelesnky and his European counterparts were set to meet Trump on Monday, another vicious attack killed 14 people and injured dozens in Ukraine. 8 He said he should write a thank you letter to Putin Credit: AP
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
US hikes steel, aluminum tariffs on imported appliances, railcars, EV parts
WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it is hiking steel and aluminum tariffs on more than 400 products including wind turbines, mobile cranes, appliances, bulldozers and other heavy equipment, along with railcars, motorcycles, marine engines, furniture and hundreds of other products. The department said 407 product categories are being added to the list of 'derivative' steel and aluminum products covered by sectoral tariffs, with a 50% tariff on any steel and aluminum content of these products plus the country rate on the non-steel and non-aluminum content. Evercore ISI said in a research note the move covers more than 400 product codes representing over $200 billion in imports last year and estimates it will raise the overall effective tariff rate by around 1 percentage point. The department is also adding imported parts for automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel needed for electric vehicles to the new tariffs as well as components for buses, air conditioners as well as appliances including refrigerators, freezers and dryers. A group of foreign automakers had urged the department not to add the parts, saying the U.S. does not have the domestic capacity to handle current demand. Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab unsuccessfully asked Commerce to reject a request to add steel products used in electric vehicle motors and wind turbines, saying there was no available U.S. capacity to produce steel for use in the drive unit of EVs. The new tariffs take effect immediately and also cover compressors and pumps and the metal in imported cosmetics and other personal care packaging like aerosol cans. "Today's action expands the reach of the steel and aluminum tariffs and shuts down avenues for circumvention – supporting the continued revitalization of the American steel and aluminum industries," said Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler. Steelmakers including Cleveland Cliffs (CLF.N), opens new tab, Nucor (NUE.N), opens new tab and others had petitioned the administration to expand the tariffs to include additional steel and aluminum auto parts.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Trump RULES OUT US troops patrolling Ukraine to police peace deal as he reveals role America would play when war is over
DONALD Trump today ruled out American troops patrolling Ukraine — but said he was looking at air cover for European boots on the ground. The US President publicly confirmed that Britain, France and Germany had committed manpower to police any deal with Russia but insisted his forces would play a back-seat role underwriting the peace. 6 Donald Trump has ruled out US troops patrolling Ukraine to police the peace deal with Russia Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Zelensky won concessions from Trump after turning up for a White House summit in a suit Credit: AFP 6 The White House did not deny claims Putin had suggested Moscow as a venue for face to face talks with Zelensky Credit: Reuters His comments came as the White House confirmed Mr Trump's team was negotiating a one-on-one showdown between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Dashing Ukraine ambitions, Mr Trump warned the country 'is not going to be a part of Nato'. He said instead: 'We've got the European nations, and they'll front-load it. When it comes to security, the Europeans are willing to put people on the ground. 'We're willing to help them with things — especially, probably, talk about by air, because there's nobody who has the kind of stuff we have. I don't think it's going to be a problem.' The White House released a remarkable series of behind the scenes photographs of world leaders, including PM Sir Keir Starmer, negotiating plans for the so-called Coalition of the Willing of 30 nations signed up to protect Ukraine. Mr Trump was snapped showing them a collection of MAGA caps, while, hours after the meeting a new portrait of the President, unsmiling and striding between lines of US flags was also unveiled. The candid snaps of Monday's summit also showed leaders studying a map of Ukraine in the Oval Office as they discussed Ukraine ceding territory to bring about an end to the war with Russia. It was claimed leaders used the talks to convince Mr Trump to take a stand against the Kremlin's demands to turn over all of the Donbas — comparing it to the US losing his beloved Florida. And it was reported by the Wall Street Journal that they talked the President into supporting Ukraine keeping heavily fortified parts of the eastern region by describing it as a 'bastion against the Huns'. Speaking about the chances of a deal, Mr Trump said: 'I think Putin is tired of it. I think they're all tired of it. Trump caught on hot mic during Zelensky summit revealing whether he thinks peace in Ukraine can happen 'But you never know. We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. 'It's possible he does not want to make a deal.' He added: 'I hope that President Putin will be good, and if he is not, it is going to be a rough situation and I hope President Zelensky is going to show flexibility as well.' The Sun told how Mr Zelensky won concessions from Mr Trump after turning up for a White House summit in a suit — as opposed to the combat fatigues he wore when they rowed six months ago. The White House did not deny claims Putin had suggested Moscow as a venue for face to face talks with Mr Zelensky. But the Kremlin would not publicly confirm they had even agreed to sit down with the Ukrainians. Russian Foreign minister Sertgai Lavrov said Moscow was 'not rejecting any forms of work, neither bilateral nor trilateral' but said any talks would have to be 'prepared extremely carefully'. He did suggest they were open to meeting the Ukraine leader if it was prepared with the 'utmost thoroughness'. Mr Zelensky has reportedly rebuffed the offer from Putin to hold the meeting in Moscow. However, Mr Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Putin was signed up for a meeting — and that the US was actively involved in the organisation of it. Geneva was being talked up as a more suitable location for the showdown. Switzerland, which remained neutral during both World Wars, has promised immunity to the Russian despot despite an International Criminal Court warrant out for his arrest. No knee bending is critical By Harry Cole AS the dust settles on that extraordinary White House gathering, what's left beyond some of the most astonishing pictures of world leaders in living memory? For Donald Trump's blowhard critics, even trying to seek an end to the bloody war is a new low, but that does not do the significance of Monday's meeting justice. The President pledged to continue to underwrite the safety of Ukraine with American might, in a huge U-turn on his campaign vows to withdraw from the world stage. Large swathes of his Maga base are going to hate that, but as British Ambassador Peter Mandelson said last night, Trump is a 'President with an appetite for risk that is enviable'. On territory — Ukraine is going to lose parts of the Donbas. Let's not sugarcoat it. For all the talk about 'not redrawing borders by force', that's exactly what is going to happen. Russia keeps 70 per cent of a region it's already flattened. But — and this is critical — Trump did not bend the knee to Moscow's Mad Vlad demand for the entire Donbas. He stated publicly negotiations must mirror current front lines. That matters. This isn't over. Not by a long shot. But here's the bottom line: if this ends with US planes patrolling the skies over Europe and Russia is forced to scale back its ambitions, that is not a win for Putin. And for Ukraine — beaten, bloodied, but still standing — it could be a far better deal than the disaster many feared. Although it is a signatory to the court, the Alpine nation said it could get around its obligations to handcuff Putin because of Geneva's role as the UN's European HQ. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said: 'We have always signalled our willingness, but it naturally depends on the will of the major powers.' Both France and Italy have signalled their enthusiasm for Geneva as a host country. Sir Keir Starmer chaired a virtual call of the pro-Ukraine Coalition of the Willing countries from Scotland, where he is on holiday. Britain, France and Germany are all prepared to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine in the event of a deal to end the war. A No10 spokesman said: 'The PM began by reflecting on the constructive meeting, saying it was clear there was a real sense of unity and shared goal of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.' At one awkward moment the PM was forced to tell other world leaders to 'mute themselves' so he could speak. 6 Sir Keir Starmer chaired a virtual call of the pro-Ukraine Coalition of the Willing countries from Scotland Credit: AFP 6 War in Ukraine is still ongoing after Russia's invasion on 24 February, 2022 Credit: Getty Meanwhile, despite the solidarity with President Zelensky, the Ukraine leader was told he would have to show 'flexibility' in negotiations — even if some supporters back home want him to refuse to budge. British ambassador to Washington Lord Mandelson said: 'He may go back to Kyiv and find he doesn't have the political support for the flexibility that he's got to show in order to help bring this to an end. 'So we've got to continue making sure that what Zelensky can take back is cast-iron assurance, so that if he does show flexibility, Ukraine can be safe.' European leaders continued to lavish praise on Mr Trump, with Emmanuel Macron saying his 'unpredictability' was a handy trait. The France President said: 'I think we have changed President Trump since he arrived in power in January. We rose up, united as Europeans, and he took it into account. He also brought a fundamental asset dealing with Russia — his unpredictability.' PREZ'S HEAVEN BID DONALD Trump has said he believes it will help pave his way into heaven if he can find an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The US President told the Fox & Friends chat show yesterday: 'I want to end it. You know, we're not losing American lives, we're not losing American soldiers. 'We're losing Russia and Ukrainian, mostly soldiers. Some people, as missiles hit wrong spots or get lobbed into cities. But if I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's pretty — I want to try to get to heaven if possible. 'I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I hear I'm really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.' DON'S HAT TRICK 6 Trump flaunts his collection of MAGA memorabilia to Zelensky and Macron Credit: x DONALD Trump shows Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron the real feather in his cap — a shelf full of MAGA memorabilia. The US President was seen with a red 'Four More Years' hat in the White House with the Ukraine and France leaders after the peace talks on Monday. Trump previously flaunted the collection to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev last week.
