Summary of Recent Geopolitical and Economic Developments

Six members of banned organization Jehovah's Witnesses convicted of extremism In Moscow. To date, more than 30 members of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization have been involved in criminal cases in Moscow and the Moscow Region for their participation and involvement in the activities of an extremist organization.

Ukraine unable to intercept new models of Russia’s Geran drones — newspaper. According to an article in The Guardian, the new-model drones have a cruising speed of about 400 kilometers per hour, roughly twice that of the piston-engine version.

Putin urges students to believe in themselves in Knowledge Day message. The Russian president noted that today’s school and university students "are the ones who will continue our great Motherland’s track record of victories and achievements".

IN BRIEF: Change in effective date of new key rate and economic development scenarios. The regulator will change the effective date of the new key rate from Monday to Wednesday.

US considers limited strikes against Iran in Strait of Hormuz region — Axios. According to sources cited by the portal, the US goal is to prevent Iran from reconstituting its radar and missile capabilities to attack ships.

Putin’s talk with Pashinyan to be pragmatic, respectful — Kremlin. The Armenian prime minister now has different views on the possible future configurations for his country, but cooperation with Moscow brings great benefits to the Armenians, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Over 200 prominent Israelis urge PM to end West Bank violence — newspaper. The New York Times reported that the letter was signed by two former prime ministers, more than three dozen retired Army and Air Force generals, the former heads of the nation’s foreign and domestic intelligence services, as well as rabbis, a Nobel laureate and one of Israel’s most revered novelists.

Maduro posts photo of him in prison. Venezuelan President addressed it to his grandchildren and children.

US Treasury chief rules out agreements with Russia until Ukraine conflict ends — agency. According to a source cited by Reuters, Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no economic relief for Russia or agreements on other issues were possible until the conflict was over.

Trump says wants to get on with everyone when talking about inviting Russia to G20 events. The US president added that "getting along with everybody" is "one of the reasons that I'm so successful".

US seriously considers use of nuclear weapons in Europe — Russian MFA. According to Andrey Belousov, Washington’s efforts to initiate discussions on Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons serve to divert international attention from what he described as the threat posed by US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe.

US uses fewer weapons against Iran than provided to Ukraine under Biden — Trump. According to the US president, Washington gave Ukraine over $300 billion worth of ammunition during this period.

IN BRIEF: What is known about detention of two Russians working for Ukraine in Crimea. According to the FSB, two Crimean residents were recruited by officers of the Ukrainian army’s special operations force via a popular messenger.

Kremlin urges people to ignore ‘fake news’ in Western media, to focus on front realities. The fact is that nowadays, both less reputable publications and more reputable publications, as well as publications that were once reputable, do not shy away from any kind of fake news, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing develops in all areas — Putin. The Russian president specified that Moscow and Beijing are implementing major projects in the energy sector, industry, space, transport and logistics.

Russian billionaires’ wealth falls by $19.77 bln since start of 2026 — Bloomberg. According to the news agency's estimate, Mikhail Prokhorov recorded the largest decline in wealth among Russian index participants, losing $6.45 bln to $10.1 bln.

SCO has become independent center of emerging multipolar world — Putin. The Russian president emphasized that today, the SCO is effectively the largest regional association not only on the Eurasian continent but globally.

SCO leaders sign Bishkek Declaration — organizing committee. In addition to the declaration, 27 other documents were signed, including the regulations on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member States.

Trump claims about 30 ships pass through Strait of Hormuz every night with US assistance. The US president noted that "a lot of oil is coming out," and the price has not increased as some forecasts had predicted.

Russian air defenses down over 90 Flamingo cruise missiles in summer — TASS estimates. The largest number of the missiles was shot down in a single day on August 15.

Rosatom building 16 out of 28 reactors abroad in SCO countries, CEO says. According to Alexey Likhachev, units in China, India and other countries are currently in the commissioning phase.

Kalashnikov to unveil model of its latest AK-12+ assault rifle at Eastern Economic Forum. The weapon will be on display in the Voin Center pavilion at the Far East Street exhibition.

Call to prevent conflicts, not using finance as weapon: Putin’s statements. The Russian leader said that Russia is ready to host the 7th World Nomad Games in Kazan in 2028.

China ready to deepen energy cooperation with Russia, including Power of Siberia 2 — MFA. Guo Jiakun noted that Beijing is "ready to work with Russia to continuously deepen practical bilateral cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit".

Elections in Russia and readiness to receive Zelensky in Moscow: Kremlin's statements. Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow is still ready to receive Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict while Russia’s position on this issue has not changed.

Mass rollout of digital ruble begins in Russia. At the first stage, the country's largest banks will offer their clients the ability to conduct transactions using the digital national currency, while all credit institutions will join the system by September 2028.

Russia considers NATO risks 'on the water, on the ground, in the air' in military planning. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Moscow was observing the continued expansion of NATO infrastructure northward and was factoring these developments into its defense planning.