Latest news with #DmitryKiselyov
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state jails journalist for working with Russian media
An Estonian court has sentenced journalist Svetlana Burtseva to six years in prison for treason and breaching Western sanctions over her work with Russian media, state broadcaster ERR reported on Wednesday. Burtseva, 58, a naturalized Estonian citizen, previously worked for Sputnik Estonia until it was banned in 2019. The authorities say she continued writing under a pseudonym for Baltnews, a portal operated by the EU-sanctioned Russian media group Rossiya Segodnya. The Harju District Court ruled that by writing articles and providing photographs to Baltnews, Burtseva had effectively made 'economic resources available' to Rossiya Segodnya, whose chief executive, Dmitry Kiselyov, is also under Western financial sanctions, according to the court spokesperson. '[The defendant's] collaboration with media outlets linked to Kiselyov can be considered a considerable contribution,' the court stated. 'However, it must be taken into account that the number of articles was not very high for the time span in question,' it added. Prosecutors also cited her alleged contact with Roman Romachev, whom they described as an operative engaged in 'information warfare and psychological operations' on behalf of Russia. Burtseva was further accused of authoring a book titled 'Hybrid War for Peace,' which the court claimed aimed to discredit Estonian state institutions. It concluded that she had 'committed treason intentionally,' but noted that her level of guilt was minor and she had no prior convictions. Burtseva became a naturalized Estonian citizen in 1994. The authorities allege she continued publishing content for Baltnews under the name Alan Torm between 2020 and 2023 and studied at Sevastopol State University in Russia from 2019 to 2021. She was arrested in February 2024. Russia has condemned the case as politically motivated. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Burtseva was being punished for her journalism and critical views of the Estonian government. Commenting on the case at the time, Zakharova noted that 'similar to other 'advanced democracies' of the Baltics, Estonia continues to systematically use repression as a routine tool for quashing dissent.' Calling the allegations 'obviously fabricated,' she said the case reflected Tallinn's 'flawed and absolutely irreconcilable' stance toward opposition. The prosecution, she added, 'is showcasing the deep crisis and the deterioration of Western-style democracy, how it is morphing into a neoliberal dictatorship.' The court ruling can be appealed within 30 days.
Voice of America
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Russia's Kiselyov misleads on European military capacities
On March 2, Dmitry Kiselyov, CEO of state-owned media group MIA Rossiya Segodnya, questioned Europe's ability to boost military aid to Ukraine following a London summit at which European leaders pledged to continue support for Kyiv. Kiselyov mocked the size of the British and French militaries, claiming that the U.K.'s largest stadium — Wembley — has enough seats to fit both armies, and that Europe has run out of its weapons stockpiles. While sarcastic, Kiselyov's comparison to Wembley is false. The stadium has a 90,000-seating capacity. The strength of the U.K. military personnel more than doubles that — 180,780 as of Jan. 1. In 2024, the European Union and U.K. had approximately 1.47 million combined active military personnel compared with Russia's 1.32 million. Kiselyov also misled on European stockpiles. In 2024, European nations, which significantly outspend Russia on defense, budgeted some $457 billion for military readiness compared with Russia's $146 billion. In terms of equipment, just five European countries — Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Greece — field 367,760 advanced armored vehicles, compared with Russia's 131,527. While Russia still has more tanks (5,750 vs. 4,649), the EU and U.K. compensate with superior technology, better logistics and a strong defense industry capable of rapid production increases. Naval forces also favor Europe, with a combined fleet of more than 2,000 warships, including six aircraft carriers, whereas Russia has 419 ships and one aircraft carrier. France and the U.K. operate modern nuclear-powered submarines and advanced frigates, giving them on the technological edge. The Russian Air Force operates 4,292 aircraft, including planes and helicopters. In comparison, the combined air fleets of the seven leading aviation countries in Europe —France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain — total 4,418 aircraft. European NATO members, including Germany, France and the U.K., account for 28% of NATO's total defense spending. Europe's industrial base, despite past underinvestment and fragmentation, is ramping up production to meet new defense demands. Britain and France maintain advanced military forces, including nuclear arsenals, modern air power and sophisticated naval fleets. France plans to allocate $448 billion for defense from 2024 to 2030, a $130 billion increase from the $318 billion budgeted for 2019-2025. Britain aims to raise annual defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a long-term goal of reaching 3%. Germany, long criticized for underinvestment in defense, has made a historic shift by establishing a roughly $108 billion special fund for military modernization. This includes purchasing F-35 fighter jets, replenishing ammunition stockpiles and expanding its armored forces. On March 4, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that plans to strengthen Europe's defense industry and enhance military capabilities could generate nearly $841.4 billion. By contrast, Russia, while increasing its military production, faces significant equipment losses in Ukraine, relying on outdated Soviet-era stockpiles and imports from Iran, China and North Korea. Despite its large army, Russia struggles with replenishing high-tech weapons due to sanctions and industrial limitations. Conclusion: European military outmatches Russian in key areas, with 1.47 million personnel, 367,760 armored vehicles and over 2,000 warships, including six aircraft carriers. France, Germany and Britain are increasing defense spending, while Russia struggles with losses, outdated stockpiles, and sanctions-limited weapons production.
