Moscow Calling – August 5
Kadyrov’s mother awarded for services to Kherson region
Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Russian administration in the occupied part of the Kherson region, awarded Ramzan Kadyrov’s mother, Aimani Kadyrova, with the Order of Merit for the Kherson Region, 1st degree, TASS reports. Magomed Daudov, the head of the Moscow-controlled “regional government,” presented the award and emphasized that Kadyrova had made a “personal contribution to strengthening military cooperation” and “assisted in solving problems during a special military operation in the region.” The ceremony took place on Kadyrova’s birthday (TASS).
Intended effect:
The material aims to legitimize the Russian administration in occupied Ukrainian territories, including symbolic “awards” for participating in the special military operation. It also highlights the contributions of Chechen agencies to the Russian military campaign and portrays Aimani Kadyrova as a national philanthropist.
TASS: Romania declares crisis over contaminated Azerbaijani oil
Romanian company OMV Petrom has refused to accept 184,000 tons of Azerbaijani oil contaminated with organic chlorides during loading at the Turkish port of Ceyhan, TASS reports, citing the Romanian Ministry of Energy. The contaminated raw materials were intended for the Petrobrazi oil refinery in Ploiești. According to TASS, in connection with the situation, the country’s authorities have declared an energy emergency to compensate for the fuel shortage from the national reserve. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said that OMV Petrom received 80,000 tons of crude oil and 30,000 tons of diesel fuel from state reserves, which is less than 5.5% of their volume. According to him, reserves exceed 2 million tons and will be restored within 60 days (TASS).
Intended effect:
The material can be used to discredit energy supplies from Azerbaijan and via Turkey, as well as an argument in favor of the reliability of Russian energy flows. It reinforces the perception that the EU’s energy security is unstable without Russia’s participation.
RIA: Trump’s ultimatum and Witcoff’s fifth visit to Moscow – an attempt to exert pressure or a gesture of desperation
Petr Akopov, a columnist at RIA Novosti, writes that amid threats to impose new sanctions against Russia, Donald Trump is sending his envoy Steve Witcoff to Moscow. This is Witkoff’s fifth visit, but according to the author, there are no real grounds for expecting a breakthrough: Russia’s position on Ukraine remains unchanged – an end to Western military aid, Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO, and the transfer of the remaining territories of the new federal subjects to Russia. According to Akopov, these conditions were announced long ago and are not subject to negotiation. He also claims that Trump has mistakenly interpreted signals from Moscow as a willingness to compromise and is now faced with the fact that his threats of sanctions are unlikely to work – neither India nor China will give up Russian energy supplies. Pressure on allies can only undermine trust in the U.S., especially in trade agreement negotiations. At the same time, Trump’s real steps remain demonstrative, while Russia, according to Akopov, continues its offensive and does not change its strategic goals (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The material conveys the idea that Russia is taking a firm and consistent position, while the U.S. is acting impulsively and without a clear plan. This undermines confidence in Trump’s initiatives, reinforces the perception of Western diplomatic weakness, and strengthens the internal legitimacy of continuing the special military operation.
RIA: Human rights activists appeal to Catholicos Garegin II amid Church-government conflict
Representatives of the “Five Human Rights Defenders” initiative presented Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II with their proposals for protecting the rights of the Church, RIA Novosti reports, citing the press office of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During the meeting, they discussed what they called an “illegal campaign” launched by the Armenian government against the Church and its clergy. The Catholicos expressed his gratitude for the initiative. RIA Novosti notes that the conflict between Yerevan and the Armenian Apostolic Church escalated after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made offensive statements against the Church on social media and proposed changing the procedure for electing the Catholicos, giving the state a decisive role. Later, businessman Samvel Karapetyan and Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikael Ajapahyan were arrested; the latter is accused of calling for the seizure of power (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The material highlights the growing confrontation between the secular government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, creating an image of Pashinyan’s repressive regime and politically motivated persecution. This could lead to increased distrust of the Armenian government within the country and in the diaspora, as well as undermine its legitimacy.