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Kremlin seems concerned that war fatigue will prompt unexpected protest movements before the March 2024 presidential election,
CCTV: As a result of the government’s budget deficit, the Russian authorities are keen to save money on anything they can that isn’t connected to the war effort or defense industry. This includes the creation of a national system of surveillance cameras, new plans show. Initially, Russia wanted to create a unified access system for 1.2 million CCTV cameras at a cost of around $1.1 billion. But proposals announced last week show the Digital Development Ministry has devised a much cheaper alternative. The planned costs have been reduced in part by getting Russians themselves to pay for cameras to be installed in their own apartment blocks.
Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev has said he wants to combine regional and private CCTV systems into a single centrally accessible platform, the Kommersant newspaper reported. According to his ministry, only half of the 1.2 million cameras currently installed with state funds across Russia are connected to a centralized system, and the authorities in Moscow also have no access to privately installed cameras. The government wants to connect both those groups to a new central platform, along with installing a new network of compulsory cameras in apartment block entrances.
The aim is to have 5 million cameras with facial recognition technology installed by 2030. According to the ministry, this will help to solve 30% more crimes. Needless to say, these cameras are also widely used to suppress protests and track anti-Kremlin activists. Even before the war, they were used to identify participants in anti-government rallies. The Bell has previously written about the rise of Russia’s surveillance system here.
Kadyrov's teenage son given official military role. The 16-year-old son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been given an official role in a new Russian battalion, Kadyrov's right-hand man Adam Delimkhanov announced on Nov. 28.
● War
Russian forces have destroyed the first Leopard 1A5 tank in the course of the special military operation in the Kupyansk area, the Russian defence ministry told TASS on November 30. According to Lugovoy, the tank was trying to break through the defences of Russian forces but was burnt down. The soldier who hit the tank were awarded with a certificate for 700,000 rubles (7,890 US dollars). Apart from that, they were awarded Orders of Courage and other state awards. In early November, the German government announced the supply of 25 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. It also supplied reconnaissance drones and radars.
Russian submarines lurk in Black Sea despite inclement weather. Two Russian submarines capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles remain in combat mode in the Black Sea, defense officials reported on Nov. 28.
34 RUSSIA Country Report December 2023 www.intellinews.com