POLITICS

Pyongyang declared on Saturday that it was in a “state of war” with its southern neighbor and said that all issues between the two Koreas will from now on be dealt with in accordance with wartime regulations, while any provocation on the border might trigger a “full-scale conflict and a nuclear war.”

(Kommersant, Vedomosti, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

Mayoral elections in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow were held on Sunday amid reports of detentions and violations. Acting Moscow Region governor Andrei Vorobyov said the reports were only “an outbreak of blogosphere activity” and the polls were held in a “calm and friendly” atmosphere.

(Kommersant, Vedomosti)

Monday is the deadline for Russian officials to submit their tax reports. This year, for the first time ever, they had to provide information not only about their income and expenditure, but also about significant income among their family members.

(Kommersant)

The Urals Transport Investigative Department has launched a criminal inquiry into the crash of Russia’s Mi-8 helicopter in South Sudan in December. The helicopter, owned by the Nizhnevartovskavia company, was downed by Sudanese armed forces who reportedly mistook it for a military aircraft. Investigators hope to successfully prosecute those responsible.

(Kommersant)

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili may be summoned to testify as a witness in several criminal investigations, including one into possible war crimes and alleged genocide in South Ossetia during the 2008 armed conflict with Russia.

(Kommersant, Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

ECONOMY

The Russian Finance Ministry has no plans to review the existing budget for 2013, despite an increase in oil prices.

(Kommersant)

The Russian economy is unlikely to reach growth of about 5-6 percent, Russian deputy economics minister Andrei Klepach said.

(Vedomosti)

OIL & GAS

Gazprom head Alexei Miller said Ukraine’s purchases of Russian gas from European states are reminiscent of fraud schemes.

(Kommersant, Vedomosti)

Russian oil producer Rosneft and pipeline operator Transneft disagreed on delivery routes for increased oil supplies to China. Rosneft suggests Kazakhstan as a transit country, while Transneft wants to deliver oil via Mongolia.

(Izvestia)

IT & TELECOM

The tiny market of wearable computers and communication devices received an unexpected boost as two leading high-tech companies announced their own gadgets - smart watches and smart glasses.

(Kommersant)

Russia will set up its own cyber threat response center, according to Russia’s draft cyber security strategy through 2020.

(Izvestia)

TRANSPORT

A fourth international airport will be built near Moscow. According to experts, it is a pressing necessity for the Russian capital.

(Rossiiskaya Gazeta)

Armenia’s flagship air carrier Armavia has canceled all flights and filed for bankruptcy after two years of financial problems.

(Vedomosti)

DEFENSE

The Iraqi government has de facto approved a $4.2 billion contract to buy Russian air defense systems and helicopters. Deliveries may begin this year.

(Vedomosti)

SOCIETY

Among the main trends of the winter tourism season in Russia, experts cite the recovery of demand among Russian tourists for Egyptian resorts, which had declined significantly because of political turmoil in recent years, but has slowly returned to a normal level. Among other notable trends they name low demand for UAE tours and a 20-percent decrease in demand for Cuba.

(Kommersant)

Russian Post has been given the status of a “strategic enterprise,” giving the presidential administration the formal right to approve its heads.

(Kommersant, Vedomosti)

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