In Russia, the authorities shut down respected rights group the Sakharov Center and announced fresh international sanctions against its critics abroad. And earlier Friday Russian forces destroyed Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and its Black Sea Fleet. In Washington, a US State Department official said Denmark and the Netherlands had been given “formal assurances” for the jet transfer. The authorities shut down prominent rights group the Sakharov Center, saying it had illegally hosted conferences and exhibitions. Also Friday, a Russian court placed the co-chair of independent election monitoring group Golos in pre-trial detention until at least October 17.

Source: Pakistan Today August 19, 2023 20:16 UTC