The fate of the $ 300 million Russian-owned superboat seized by US authorities in Fiji will soon be decided by an appeals court there.
The court heard arguments from the U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday, two weeks after federal agents won a lower court order in Fiji to seize a 348-foot boat from Fiji’s Ladoga port. U.S. officials say the ship belongs to Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian oligarch who has been allowed on board.
Russian prosecutors were involved when agents boarded the Amadia and ordered a group of 20 people to travel east. Edward Gudinatov, former chairman of the state-owned Russian oil and gas company Rosneft, has filed an affidavit claiming ownership of Amadeus.
Many super boats have been seized from the Russians allowed around the world. Gudinatov is not on the sanctions list, and U.S. officials say he is the paper owner of another super boat attached to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The United States says it is trying to protect Gudinatov Amedia – and its lobster tank, swimming pool and helipad – from global sanctions.
“The fact that Gudinadov is being treated as the owner of two large super boats attached to authorized persons shows that Gudinadov is being used as a clean, unlicensed straw owner to cover up the real beneficiaries,” the FBI said. Wrote in the court affidavit.
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Recent developments
$ The $ 40 billion package of military and economic aid to Ukraine and its allies is expected to be approved by the Senate on Thursday and sent to President Joe Biden’s desk for final approval.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky said Russia had fired 2,000 missiles during the attack on Ukraine.
A Russian foreign ministry official has said that Russia will close its CBC station in Moscow, Canada, following the suspension of Russian state – run television channels.
Russian soldier apologizes to Ukrainian widow after confessing to crime
A Russian prisoner of war who could face life imprisonment for shooting a Ukrainian citizen has apologized to the victim’s wife on Thursday. The day before, Sergeant. Vadim Shishimir pleaded guilty in the same Kiev court, claiming that he was following orders from a Russian official when he shot dead Alexander Shelipov, 62, through a car window abducted by Russians in the Sumi region of Ukraine.
Shishimarin, 21, said his group had fled to Ukraine early and the officer feared the man would point out their whereabouts to Ukrainian forces. He did not at first obey the order of his immediate commanding officer, but had to follow it when another officer re-commanded.
“I understand you can not forgive me, but I beg your pardon,” Shishimir said.
Katarina Shelipova described her husband as “my protector” and said the soldier deserved a life sentence. But he said Ukraine could be turned into a prisoner of war with Russia.
McDonald’s sells Russian restaurants to a Siberian businessman
McDonald’s announced plans Sells its 850 Russian restaurants To Alexander Gower, a Russian businessman who already owns 25 McDonald’s licensed outlets in Siberia. Gower will buy restaurants under a new brand, the company said in a statement. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close within a few weeks. McDonald’s owns 39,000 locations in more than 100 countries, 95% of which are owned and operated by local business owners.
The company, which did not disclose the selling price, announced on Monday that it was exiting the Russian market for more than 30 years due to the war.
The occupation of Ukraine, despite the landmines, expects a ‘decent harvest’
Nearly 25 million acres of crops have been planted in Ukraine so far this spring, and more are being planted every day, the Ukrainian agriculture official said on Thursday. According to Taras Vysotsky, the first deputy minister of agriculture and food, the Russian occupation in some areas and landmines in some areas – this year will be planted on about 9 million acres more than last year.
Ukrainian farms supply corn, wheat, sunflower seeds and wheat to much of the world, and war-related struggles have helped raise food prices, especially in developing countries. Vysotsky said the weather has been favorable so far.
“There is a possibility of a good harvest this year, which will begin in late June, early July,” Vysotsky said.
Reopens US embassy in Kiev; The Senate confirms Bridget Pring as ambassador
The Senate confirmed Bridget Bring, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine on Wednesday, was the latest signal of US diplomatic efforts during Ukraine’s ongoing war against the Russian invasion.
Bring was unanimously confirmed by the Senate without a formal roll call vote. This post has been vacant since 2019.
On the same day as Bring’s confirmation, the United States opened its Ukrainian embassy in Kiev, and the ambassadors returned to the city on a permanent basis. Brink told senators during his confirmation hearing earlier this month that he was working to reopen the embassy.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, “The Ukrainian people have defended their homeland with the help of our defense in the face of Russia’s unscrupulous invasion. As a result, stars and lines are flying over the embassy again.”
Russian authorities worried about marijuana abuse: US intelligence
New U.S. intelligence has revealed that some Russian officials are concerned that Russian forces may be abusing Mariupol, a U.S. official familiar with the findings said Wednesday.
Intelligence findings suggest that the alleged abuses include beating up city officials and assaulting electricians and looting homes.
The U.S. official, who spoke publicly and anonymously, said he was concerned that the abuse of Russian officials would undermine Russia’s claim that Ukrainian residents in Mariupol were resisting Russian occupation and liberating the port city.
After spending weeks at the Azovstel steel plant in Mariupol, most of the Ukrainian troops abandoned the city. Soldiers in Ukraine are considered heroes, hoping they will negotiate their return home in the event of a prisoner transfer.
Contributed by: Associated Press
