Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The 2025 60 Minutes Interview

Putin-Trump-Scholz Shadowy Corrupt Dealings with Putin Under Pretext of Peace Negotiations

By Irina SEVEIN | UAObserver

What is so "productive" about Trump's phone call with Putin and Russia's rejection of Trump's ceasefire? Is it about Putin productively corrupting both Trump and Scholz?

As multiyear practice shows, Russia's business deals with the West are part of Putin's warfare against the West - a way to corrupt the Western establishment, turning it into Russian lobbyists or Putin's secret weapons against their own countries. 

It is a usual practice for Putin to bribe corrupt foreign politicians, often using hidden bearer shares inside the energy deals. Otherwise, it would be inexplicable why Trump and Scholz would agree to a deal benefiting only Russia when Putin attacks an ally - Ukraine and wages a hidden warfare of attrition against both the US and the West, including Germany. 

Why Witkoff, US Special Envoy to Middle East, Negotiating with Russia and Not Specially Assigned nvoy Kellogg?

By Irina SEVEIN | UAObserver

The response is simple. The situation in the Middle East is directly connected to Putin. The deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which happened on Putin's birthday on October 7, was sponsored by Putin.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East

Putin needed to divert the attention and resources of the West from Ukraine to the Middle East, and this is precisely what happened. After the Russia-sponsored attack, for more than half a year, Ukraine was deprived of US military aid, and all the attention was redirected to the Middle East, which gave Russia a massive advantage against Ukraine.

The destruction of Gaza makes Putin's crimes in Ukraine the new normal, not a war crime or genocide. It was not only a Russia-sponsored Hamas terrorist attack. It was Putin's special operation, supported by Netanyahu, or their joint special operation from the start.

Chinese Peace Plan? There is no Chinese Peace Plan

By Irina Severin | UAObserver

Russian peace plan disguised as "Chinese peace plan"

What to know about the Chinese peace plan? There is no Chinese peace plan. China promotes a Russian peace plan disguised as a "Chinese peace plan." 

This is an old Russian false flag tactic of promoting its own plans as a third party's plan to increase the chances of its implementation by the weight and authority of the false flag used, in this case, the Chinese flag. 

Yes, China has introduced some decorations that should make the plan more acceptable, like phrases about sovereignty and territorial integrity, only to annihilate them with the following demands. Such an approach is hypocrisy as a political strategy - to obtain what Russia wants while preserving a semblance of decency. 

Putin's Uranium Obsession Makes Kazakhstan Next Target

By Irina Severin | UAObserver

Gurulyov: "Kazakhs are next after Ukrainians. The decision is taken."

Andrey Gurulyov, a deputy of the 8th State Duma for the ruling "United Russia" faction and a former deputy Commander of the Southern Military District of the Russian military, stated lately: "Kazakhs are next after Ukrainians. The decision is taken."

Why Kazakhstan? Does it mean that Europe can relax?

Russia desperately needs Kazakhstan, the largest producer of uranium, accounting for 43% of global production and possessing the biggest Uranium reserves—13% of global reserves. Russia is also mentioned among the major Uranium producers, but Russia processes Kazakh Uranium as Russia does not have its own Uranium deposits. Russia is afraid that it can lose access to Kazakhstan's fields. 

Recently to increase the reserves of Uranium, a Russia-sponsored coup d'état in Niger - one of the major producers of Uranium, which led to the expulsion of the West from the country.

But why Russia so desperately needs Uranium?

Putin's ambitions in Russia's economic and military development depend on Uranium. 

Russian Orthodoxy as Cover-up for Eurasian Military Shamanism

By Irina Severin | UAObserver

Russian Orthodoxy has nothing in common with Christianity. It is a cover for aggressive Shamanism professed by Genghis Khan - Putin and Shoigu's icon and a founding father of the Russian empire according to Russia's Eurasian ideology. 

The concept of Mongol Military Shamanism was to capture the entire world, formulated as "to reach the ultimate sea" and unite the world under their rule. Any state opposing Mongol rule was considered a rebel to be annihilated. 

This is precisely how Shoigu - the ideologist of Russian Eurasianism, sees the world. If Putin has the title of the Supreme Ruler of Russia, Shoigu, in the Russian Eurasian hierarchy, is a Supreme Shaman - who defines Russia's politics and to whom Putin secretly obeys. Both secretly worship Genghis Khan and his spiritual followers like Hitler. 

Russian orthodoxy, in fact, is a cover for Eurasian Military Shamanism. It is not strange that Hitler's cap is the main relic of the alleged Orthodox temple recently built by Shoigu. People have long called it a shamanic temple - something opposite to Christianity.

West's Soft Power vs. Russia's Reflexive Control

According to Politico, Speaker Mike Johnson eyes Russian assets in favor of Ukraine's military aid.  

Bipartisan legislation would let the U.S. seize $5B to $8B in Russian assets.

The US should lead strongly in seizing Russian assets to prove its credibility as a leader, not follow a European approach restrained by fear, which is definitely much better than no action.

To generate fear, Russians invest massively in fearmongering to scare the West. Fear is the most damaging factor and defining when reacting to Russian aggression.

Russians weaponize fear against the West.

According to Russian Reflexive Control, the mere threats of using nuclear weapons affect the enemies' brains in the same way as the real use of nuclear weapons - paralyzing and disabling them.

The massive threats Russians issue through their propaganda channels do scare the West to death and give Russia a huge advantage - the possibility of defeating the West without using weapons.

The West should overcome fear and act as smoothly as possible while emphasizing the fairness and inevitability of their steps, which are the Russian choice in the first hand.

Did Russia expect to be treated as a respected member of an international community while breaking all the rules?

Biden's "victory today" means Ukraine's capitulation to Moscow

 Irina Severin | UAObserver

Biden's adviser didn't mention regaining territories when talking about conditions for Ukraine's victory.

Sullivan's visit to Kyiv, demanding Ukraine's "victory today" without liberating Ukraine's territories, explains why Biden halted aid to Ukraine half a year ago, exactly when the land lease expired and Ukraine had no other options.

Biden's demand for "victory today" refers to Ukraine's capitulation of Russia today, which was planned in advance and orchestrated behind the scenes by Russia and their useful operatives in Biden's administration.

Putin clearly pointed this out in his interview and advanced demands to the Biden administration to deliver on his promise to make Ukraine capitulate.

This means not only the betrayal of Ukraine but also the betrayal of European NATO members. Nobody can trust the US's commitment anymore.

Next time, Biden will demand "victory today" from other European countries invaded by Russians, covertly playing into Russia's hands in expanding the Russian Empire. By demonstrating weakness and playing along with the adversary, Biden encourages not only Russia but also China.

The same Sullivan tricked Ukraine into launching "Formula of Peace" negotiations despite Ukraine's clear stance to get peace through military victory, which the West is interested in, not less than Ukraine.

Since then, Putin's useful operatives from the Biden administration suggested why to supply Ukraine with weapons if Ukraine is ready to capitulate - to negotiations for peace while it is still occupied by Russia?

Summer Ukraine's offensive without the necessary arms was another Russian scenario imposed on Ukraine by the Biden Administration as it guaranteed the physical obliteration of the Ukrainian army by a much better-equipped adversary and quick Russia's victory over Ukraine.

Biden chooses Putin over Ukraine and Putin reciprocates

  Irina Severin | UAObserver | 2024 

There is nothing strange about Putin preferring Biden to Trump. Joe Biden plays exactly into Putin's hands by depriving Ukraine of military aid. Despite having enough options to supply Ukraine with the necessary arms, Biden prefers appeasing Putin to win his support for reelection. 

The difference between Biden and Trump is that Trump talks about appeasing Putin, while Biden does appease Putin. The only preoccupation of Biden is to shift the responsibility for depriving Ukraine of military aid to Republicans to look good inside the country and abroad.  

Both Trump and Biden compete for Putin's favor as he possesses the "Golden share" in the American elections and could appoint the next president of the US as he did with two previous presidents by controlling the third-party candidates. 

Iran-backed, Russia-sponsored Houthis Special Military Operation in Red Sea

Irina Severin | UAObserver

The Hindustan Times video shows against whom the international coalition is fighting in the Red Sea. Officially, "Iran-backed" Houthis situationally are Russian proxies. Iran in Russia's false flag operation is a convenient cover-up for Russian covert operations and a scapegoat blindly used by Putin in Russia's big game for global dominance.

By employing Houthis, Putin achieves two goals. The first goal is to destroy the main maritime artery for world trade to favor the Russian Northern Sea Route in the Arctic as a "pirate-free" alternative compared with the troubled Suez Canal.

The second goal is to get Iran under attack by the Western coalition to drag it into a war with the United States and the West, thus completely diverting Western attention and resources from Ukraine.

Raising the world oil prices as the result of Russian-backed Houthis' blockage is rather a bonus compared with global reformatting tasks.

Putin's New Reflexive Control Operation

By Irina Severin | UAObserver

Why do Russians spread rumors about Putin's death?

Foremost, the rumor was addressed to Western leaders, not to the Russian public, as some suggested. From the Reflexive Control point of view, the information about Putin's death should provoke shock and fear about chaos in Russia as a country with nuclear weapons in case of Putin's death.

The Western leaders should imagine a nightmare scenario with terrifying pictures of a bloody civil war in Russia with chaos and nuclear weapons without control spread to the Middle East or elsewhere.

They should think: maybe it would be better that he is still alive - despite being predictably unpredictable, he is better than somebody unknown like semi-crazy Patrushev. At least Putin has mild manners, and it is possible to communicate with him. And this is precisely what happened.

Putin's Golden Share in American elections or Why Biden doesn't supply Ukraine with ATACAMS and F-16s?

 Irina Severin | UAObserver

Why Biden doesn’t supply Ukraine with ATACAMS despite Congress's bipartisan support, except for the radical Putinite faction inside the GOP opposing any aid to Ukraine.

Biden's reelection directly depends on Putin. Putin's "Golden share" in the American presidential election is the Russia-sponsored third-party candidates, which ultimately decide the destiny of the American elections, shifting the balance in favor of one or another candidate.  

This was the case in 2016 when the Green Party candidate shifted the balance in Trump's favor. The same happened in 2020 when the Libertarian candidate decided the election's result, favoring Biden's win. 

Both were Putin-sponsored spoilers meant to manipulate the result of the US election, and they did it in both cases very successfully.

Biden planned to turn Ukraine into big Bucha but something went wrong

Irina Severin | UAObserver

Biden named William Burns in his Cabinet.

Emboldened by Burns' new role, Putin plans to extend aggression 

CIA Director and former ambassador to Russia, Burns is famous for appeasing and accommodating Putin's regime and imposing limitations and bans on Ukraine's military actions - from refusing necessary for Ukraine's victory weapons to banning targeting Russian military objects, from which Russia terrorizes Ukraine with constant missile attacks. 

Nothing strange that Biden's appointment of him to the main decision-making role in the White House alarmed Ukraine and those who oppose Putin's regime. Considering Burns' passion for pleasing Putin, his new position means the direct Kremlin's ruling of the White House.

Obviously, Biden's decision is terrifying news both for Ukraine and NATO members. Putin's main goal is to neutralize NATO and move it back beyond the sphere of influence of the former USSR.

With Burns' central role in the White House, Putin got closer to achieving his goal than ever before. The nomination means direct reassurance of Biden's commitment to Putin, which means that NATO, in its current form, will exist until Russia's first challenge to NATO countries.

This explains, as insiders inform, Putin's sudden inspiration to occupy parts of Poland and Lituania to create the land corridor to Kaliningrad. With Burn's nomination, Putin's ambitions defy the limitations of the former Warsaw Pact. "Russia doesn't end anywhere" is Putin's mantra and strategic expansionist goal.

Since Burns officially became the main decision-maker in the US, Putin is sure that Biden won't react to Russia's aggression against Poland, Lithuania, etc., as without American support, NATO's Article 5 will never work. As soon as NATO fails to activate Article 5, NATO will stop to exist.

Why Ukraine's "broad counteroffensive" not started yet?

Irina Severin | UAobserver

June 27, 2023

 

Lack of offensive weapons supply by the US and other allies

Ukraine has to be prepared, and most of all, Ukraine needs offensive weapons. For now, Biden makes Ukraine advance without appropriate weapons, which would lead to the immediate obliteration of the entire Ukraine army by Russian forces, possessing supremacy in the air.

Ukraine can't take chances and doesn't have second chances for simple reasons. It is impossible to resurrect fallen fighters, who, in bulk - are civilians forced by Russian aggression to become soldiers. 

Ukraine should do everything to win and to win with minimal losses. Ukraine is a European nation and can't, like Russia, use its people as expandable material. 

Ukraine needs more time and weapons to prepare for the final attack, which will undoubtedly be swift and decisive.  

Ukraine needs to win, not commit spectacular self-sacrifice live 

Prigozhin's short-lived triumph and Putin's next failure to replace Shoigu

The videos of Prigozhin and Wagner leaving Rostov looks like Prigozhin's triumph Putin only can dream about.  For jealous Putin, this is what a nightmare looks like.

As for the continuation of the story, Putin and Prigozhin understood differently the deal they made via Lukashenko. Putin won't fire Shoigu, which was the main condition of Prigozhin. Not because Putin doesn't want to, he can't. 

The fact that yesterday, Alexei Diumin was called to the Kremlin means that Putin counted on Prigozhin to eliminate Shoigu to replace him with his long-time bodyguard and loyalist Diumin finally. 

In 2021 after the Duma elections, Putin already tried to replace Shoigu with his other former bodyguard Yevgeny Zinichev, who then occupied the same position as earlier Shoigu - the head of the Emergency Ministry. 

Did Shoigu overplay Prigozhin and who framed whom?

 UAObserver 

By swearing allegiance to Shoigu, "Akhmat" and Kadyrov crossed the line, which is punishable 

The scandal between Prigozhin and Shoigu involving Kadyrov, Delimkhanov, and Putin has changed the Russian political landscape a bit. However,  it was not Prigozhin who framed Putin by refusing to sign an agreement with Shoigu, as it looks like, but Kadyrov, who signed it. Especially so as Shoigu issued his order without Putin's approval, challenging him. 

The "Akhmat" Special Rapid Response Unit is a subdivision of the Russian Guard, personally subordinate to Putin and headed by his former bodyguard Zolotov.  "Akhmat" in no way is not "a volunteer unit" mentioned in Shoigu's order. 

Putin created the Russian Guard as a counterbalance to Shoigu's army for Putin's protection after one of the attempts on his life. Putin let Kadyrov create a de facto private army located in Chechnya which was formally subordinated to the Russian Guard in exchange for Kadyrov's promise to be "Putin's infantry" protecting him and his clan. But the sudden public Akhmat signing of an agreement with Shoigu meant an over to the side of the rival clan.

Shoigu targets Prigozhin, hits Putin clan

UAObserver

Defense minister Sergei Shoigu's directive demanding that all ‘volunteer detachments’ must sign military contracts by the end of the month aimed at taking under control Wagner and other paramilitary formations, not subordinates to him. 

The directive was not agreed with Putin. Which especially important that these paramilitary formations belong to the competing Putin clan and initially were meant to balance Shoigu's extensive military force, directly subordinated and loyal to him. By such a move made under the pretext of aligning all military formations, Shoigu substantially weakened Putin's clan.  

The main target of the Shoigu directive is Wagner, whose owner Prigozhin lately openly criticized Shoigu for ineffectiveness. Lately, there were more so-called private armies created to protect the Putin clan or, de facto, to protect the owners of companies and heads of the regions, as lately, weakened by sanctions and isolation Putin started to cease being a guarantor for their positions, or property rights.

Drone attack: Shoigu's attempt to force Putin to introduce martial law

Even if Putin tries to capitalize on the attack of drones on the Kremlin, the larger context shows it was Shoigu's way of forcing Putin to introduce martial law.

Martial law would mean a de facto military coup, as levers of power would pass from Putin and FSB to Shoigu and the military.

Despite Putin's attempts to increase his influence in the army by 'rotating" generals, it is still loyal to Shoigu. Moreover, Shoigu has created his own PMC, which could overcome the army's combat capabilities.

One thing is required of Putin - to sign the introduction of martial law, after which he and his clan will lose influence on the situation.

The situation is similar to the start of the war. After Putin agreed to the special military operation, he lost control over the army. Even if he desperately tried to preserve the image of Russia's only and all-powerful ruler.

Kremlin drone strike, Russia's reflexive control, nukes and fake deals

 UAObserver 

Who is behind the drone attack? Russia routinely blames US 

The incident looks like a typical Russian false flag operation. The reason for this carefully staged performance could be Russia's attempt to turn the West against Ukraine.

Apparently, there is an agreement between Russia and the US at the level of security officials that Ukraine doesn't strike the Red Square in exchange for Russia doesn't use nuclear weapons.

However, the Kremlin is a legitimate target for the Ukrainian army, as Russia attacked Ukraine. "We don't attack Putin or Moscow. We fight on our territory. We are defending our villages and cities," Zelensky said, speaking on a visit to Finland.”

Ukraine's lack of necessary weapons dooms Kyiv and Washington to defeat

 UAObserver 

The Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, is convinced that Ukraine doesn't need F-16 and long-range weapons in the counter-offensive against Russian invaders

Russian military trap in making

There is a really bizarre situation. The Russian propagandists, setting the main noise background of the war, talk about the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine but completely forget about the Russian offensive, which, apparently, is curtailed. Wagner's Prigozhin declares the need to stop where Russian forces are and begin to defend already occupied positions.

Russian propagandists actively praise the Ukrainian army and depict Russia's future defeat in the decisive battle, thus encouraging Ukraine's counter-offensive. Why stop the Russian offensive and spread the defeatist scenarios? And is Moscow really scared by the Ukrainian army?

Not that simple. The Russian side relies on the Ukrainian counter-offensive to win as Moscow is convinced that Ukraine's army will lose without airplanes and long-range weapons. 

Russia's calculation is that with predominance in the air Russian army will be able to stop Ukraine's counter-offensive, encircle unprotected Ukrainian troops and destroy them, and after that, launch a full-scale offensive against Ukraine. 

Political decision-making vs. military 

Despite massive Western military aid to Ukraine, Russia still has the advantage in airplanes and long-range weapons. Therefore, Ukraine's offensive on the ground without protection from the air benefits Russia's military enormously. 

Зерновое соглашение какперация прикрытия для атаки на Одессу?

Россия может использовать спецподлодку "Белгород" для высадки десанта в Одессе?

Украина сбила ракеты, запущенные с российской подводной лодки, но что, если Россия высадит свой  десант специального назначения в Одессе? Гарпуны и Нептуны против подводной лодки не помогут. Похоже, именно  для осуществления подобной операции Россия настаивала на том, чтобы российские военные осуществляли досмотр погрузки в Одессе. Москве для высадки десанта  моря нужны свои люди в Одессе  на берегу для указания целей и направлений. 

Украина не согласилась на это условие, но  получила согласие и закрепила в соглашении право  на проверку судов, перевозящих зерно, в Турции, якобы, чтобы не допустить перевозки вооружений. Вместе с тем, Россия может использовать такие проверки для установки устройства в корабле, которой сможет быть использовано субмариной как маячок, указывающий направление, которое не заминировано. 

Технические возможности для высадки десанта у России есть. Москва уже во время Второй мировой войны активно и относительно успешно  использовала высадку десанта с подводных лодок. Несомненно, за 80 лет удалось усовершенствовать подводные лодки, предназначенные  для высадки десанта. Так как Москва действуют под лозунгом "мы можем повторить", то, надо полагать, что ставка делается на усовершенствование старых технологий.  

Putin's "Food OPEC," Shoigu's reflexive control ops, and Ukraine's lonely "final stand" against Russia's horde

UAObserver

It appears that the US (and, even more so, European countries) still don't fully understand the implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Putin's end game. Additionally, to oil and gas prices increase, food prices lately had risen by 50% after Russia launched the war against Ukraine.

But if the US allows Russia to occupy Ukraine, even partly, as some Russia-paid experts suggest to the Biden Administration to save Putin's face, world food prices will double.

Russia plans to dramatically increase its share of the world food market by capturing Ukraine's fertile black soils to be able to dictate world prices. Russia is obsessed with the idea of maximizing its clout in the world's food markets, especially after losing its gas influence over Europe and the world. Controlling the world's food market would significantly improve Russia’s geopolitical standing.

Steinmeier Formula: from War of Attrition to War of Annihilation

Russia continues its war against Ukraine, concentrates its military forces on the border with Ukraine, massively increases its military presence inside the occupied Donbas, and simultaneously demands Ukrainian military disengagement as a precondition for the Normandy Summit of Four. Such a demand is pure nonsense. 

What does Zelensky expect from the Normandy Summit of Four - signing a capitulation in the presence of Putin, Merkel, and Macron? It would be suicidal not only for Zelensky and Ukraine but also for Europe as this would lead to a large-scale Syria kind of war in Europe, replacing controllable Russian partial occupation of Ukraine. 

Now Russia is leading a war of attrition against Ukraine. The recognition of the Russian military exclave inside Ukraine would provoke Moscow to start a war of annihilation against Ukraine while pretending to be a peace-maker. 

 

Shoigu already promised "to stop Ukrainian extremists" and regretted that "it was not done earlier."

Could be 'Russian trace' behind Ukrainian plane downing?

 UAObserver

The often-asked question lately could be ‘Russian trace’ behind the downing Ukrainian plane? 

While Iranians don't have a reason to hit a Ukrainian plane, Russia does have a clear motive. Therefore. the “Russian trace” should not be discarded. 

Since 2013, Russia has methodically pressured Ukraine into obedience by different military and terrorist means, using a false flag operation approach. The downing of the Ukrainian plane in Baghdad could be another false flag operation meant to increase pressure on Ukraine and personally on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 

The owner of the downed aircraft is a Ukrainian oligarch and one of Zelensky's close allies and sponsor of his campaign Kolomoisky. Downing the plane is a kind of threat to both Zelensky and Kolomoisky of what they should expect if they don't obey Russia. 

What's next: To save Putin's face or Ukraine?

By Irina Severin  |  UAObserver 

Frightened Putin after the downing of the Malaysian Boeing

Now that the Minsk agreement has proved incapable of ending Russia's war against Ukraine, it is important to remember the context in which it emerged. Why did negotiations take place in Minsk?

After the downing of Boeing NH17 and the Illovaisk tragedy, when the Russian military massively shot Ukrainian captives, Putin became a war criminal and was afraid that if he went to the West, he would be arrested. That is why it was decided to hold the negotiations in Minsk.

Then, in a strange way, all the efforts of the West were aimed at making Putin save face in exchange for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Multiple Western articles called "Let Putin save face." The phrase was repeated like a mantra.

For the same reason - saving Putin's face, "Minsk-1" did not blame Russia for military aggression against Ukraine but acknowledged the alleged "internal conflict" in Ukraine. Accordingly, the agreement envisaged mutual withdrawal of troops and offering special status to the Russia-occupied territories - all the measures for resolving internal conflicts which did not exist in Ukraine. The "harmless" lie imposed by Merkel on Ukraine was meant to achieve the main goal of saving Putin's face. 

Europeans cover up Russia's preparation for further military attacks on Ukraine

UAObserver

France and Germany's joint statement plays into Russia's hands

The author of the article with telling title “Russia demands prior warning after OSCE drone catches it transporting weapons of death to Ukraine by night” highlights that  "The Joint Statement from France and Germany was undiplomatically blunt in its message. It not only condemned the downing of the drone but stated that:

“Evidence collected by SMM suggests Russia and the separatists it backs bear responsibility for the targeting and downing of the LR UAV, blinding the mission at this particular spot."

However, mentioning inexistent "separatists" - the notion which is a product of Russian propaganda from the very beginning gives Russia an ideal pretext for plausible deniability. Russian hybrid and later military occupation from the start was orchestrated as a fake separatist uprising using propaganda and other deception tools. 

Russia intends to impose Transnistrization scheme on Ukraine

By Irina Severin | UAObserver 

The victory of the pro-Moscow candidate Igor Dodon in the Presidential election in Moldova is not only the EU's loss of the popularity contest to Russia but a sign of a complete failure of the EU policy in the region.

The EU loses its position even though it offers a massive amount of aid to the country and pays a significant part of its budget. However, the public either does not know about this or sees this as a bribing of Moldovan authorities by the EU bureaucrats as Russian propaganda touts this.
During the last decade, Moscow has run a relentless disinformation campaign in Moldova. Still, there are no signs of informing the public about the EU assistance, neither the EU nor the Moldovan authorities.

Moreover, the money paid by the EU for years for the construction and renovation of kindergartens, hospitals, and schools in Transnistria (not in Moldova!) is attributed by the locals to Moscow and seen as Russian investment in the region's development.