The Russian Orthodox Church demands university buildings, Putin signs law on loans for the military, the Kremlin interferes in Armenia's elections: NotMoscow digest
A fire monitoring plane crashed in Krasnoyarsk Krai, human rights activist Khamroev is in intensive care after months in solitary confinement, the Irkutsk diocese is laying claim to university buildings—and two more important news items from Russia and neighboring countries.
The pilot of the plane fell into intensive care along with the plane.
An Aeroprakt-22 aircraft crashed in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. It was monitoring forest fires and went down near the village of Osinovy Mys. Both crew members survived. However, the pilot-in-command was taken to intensive care in Krasnoyarsk. His condition is serious.
The investigation is considering two theories. The first is a technical malfunction. The second is a violation of piloting regulations.
Human rights activist Khamroev in Polar Owl: almost nine months in solitary confinement
Human rights activist Bakhrom Khamroev's health has sharply deteriorated. He is serving his sentence in the Polar Owl penal colony in Yamal. According to his wife, he was denied medication or glasses for the first month. Furthermore, his Koran was confiscated and he was poorly fed.
"Due to a lack of medication and poor nutrition, he began vomiting violently. Seeing what was happening to Bakhrom on the video camera, paramedics rushed in and provided assistance, only then did they start giving him medication," the human rights activist's wife said.
Khamroev was convicted of "justifying terrorism." The charges stemmed from his human rights work. He defended defendants in cases involving Hizb ut-Tahrir. As a result, he spent nearly nine months in solitary confinement and a punishment cell.
The Russian Orthodox Church demands the Irkutsk University building.
The Irkutsk Diocese demanded the transfer of two buildings of Irkutsk State University. Until 1920, they housed a theological seminary. The basis for this was the federal law on the return of religious property.
Currently, approximately two thousand students study in these buildings. Dozens of faculty members also work there. According to Professor Sergei Yazev, the university has no alternative premises. Consequently, the educational process is at risk. However, representatives of the diocese have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and promised a transition period.
Putin freed SVO members from overdue loans
Vladimir Putin signed a new law exempting contract service members and their families from repaying overdue loans. The law applies to those who signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense beginning May 1, 2026.
The debt must not exceed 10 million rubles. The loan must also have been taken out before the contract was signed. Finally, the court must not have yet collected the debt or issued a writ of execution.
The Kremlin is interfering in the elections in Armenia.
The Dossier Center reported on Moscow's interference in the Armenian elections. According to the center, Russian political strategists are developing a strategy against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Their goal is to weaken the politician who is leading the country toward closer ties with the European Union.
The Russian presidential administration is already developing alternative candidates. Political strategists are also consulting with the opposition and coordinating information campaigns. Two lines have been prepared: "For anyone but Pashinyan" and the mobilization line "Come." Nevertheless, Pashinyan's rating rose to 49% by May 2026. His party maintains a significant lead.
