Russia Bans Amnesty International Amidst Widening Dissent Crackdown

Russia has officially designated Amnesty International as an "undesirable organization," making any involvement with the group a criminal offense. This decision, announced by the Russian Prosecutor General’s office on May 19, 2025, places Amnesty among 223 entities deemed undesirable under a 2015 law. The move marks a continuation of the Kremlin's sweeping repression of critics, activists, and journalists that has escalated following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Prosecutor General's statement accused Amnesty of conducting "Russophobic projects" that threaten Russia's political and economic interests. In its long history since 1961, Amnesty has documented human rights violations worldwide, including allegations of crimes committed by Moscow during the Ukraine conflict. The organization has also condemned the Russian government's crackdown on dissent, which has led to widespread arrests. Following this designation, individuals or groups cooperating with Amnesty in Russia are at risk of prosecution. Amnesty International has yet to respond to this recent ban.

A former FBI agent has claimed that Russia's top military intelligence agency, the GRU, actively sought to exploit the vulnerabilities of billionaire Elon Musk, employing tactics involving sex and drugs. Jonathan Buma, who served 16 years as a counterintelligence officer, stated that such operations were approved by President Vladimir Putin himself, according to a report aired by German broadcaster ZDF on May 18, 2025. Buma detailed that the GRU anticipated Musk's susceptibility to women and drug use, viewing it as an opportunity for potential blackmail. He alleged that Russian agents utilized Musk's known interests in desert raves and adult entertainment as direct access points. Buma further indicated that Musk had likely engaged in discussions with Putin, an assertion corroborated by a Wall Street Journal report detailing secret conversations between the two since at least 2022. The GRU is noted for its aggressive espionage operations globally, often employing unconventional means to achieve its objectives. Buma, who is currently on bail after being charged with leaking confidential information, asserted there is substantial evidence supporting his claims.

Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration have signed a memorandum to construct an automated nuclear power station on the Moon, targeting completion by 2035. The announcement, made on May 8, 2025, indicates that the power station will be part of the broader International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which aims to facilitate extensive space research and technological advancements for prolonged uncrewed operations. Located within 100 kilometers of the lunar south pole, the ILRS will support both autonomous missions and short-term human presence on the Moon. The initiative, first proposed in 2017, has garnered participation from nations including Venezuela, Belarus, and Pakistan, among others. Yuri Borisov, head of Roscosmos, highlighted ongoing developments such as a nuclear-powered cargo spaceship designed for diverse applications, including transporting goods in space and debris collection. This partnership comes amid NASA's recent budget proposals, which threaten the future of its own lunar missions, including the Gateway project slated for launch in 2027.