(StraightNews.org) Russia has grounded five 18 Il-76 MD-90A aircraft due to poor quality parts. Local media reports indicate that a Moscow investigative committee has initiated a criminal probe targeting the Balashikhinsky Foundry and Mechanical Plant (BLMZ), which supplied the affected parts. Government investigators claim that BLMZ bought the parts from an unnamed manufacturer using forged documents before passing them on to the Aviastar firm, which manufactures the aircraft.
The parts in question impacted the plane’s landing gear, making them inoperational. The Moscow investigative panel said BLMZ had caused “substantial harm” to Russia’s defence capabilities, particularly in light of sanctions that prevent the sale of aviation technology or mechanical devices to the Russian military.
The US Treasury Department says the sanctions on Russia are having a significant impact on the country’s war efforts, as well as its economy. Figures show that in the first year of the sanctions – 2022 – the Russian economy shrank by 2.1%, causing increased government expenditure, inflation, and a squeezed labor market.
President Biden has added new sanctions as the war with Ukraine wore on, including 500 in February this year. Biden said those new sanctions would impact more than 100 Russian companies and individuals, including those suspected of involvement with the death of Vladimir Putin’s political rival, Alexei Navalny. The anti-Putin activist died in prison in circumstances that remain unclear. Mr. Navalny’s wife, who has vowed to carry on his work, insists that President Putin ordered his death.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and conducted an airstrike against a facility in the Sumy region, cutting power to more than 50,000 residents. Russian forces have been attacking power stations in Ukraine for months, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to plead for extra air support from his Western allies.
The latest casualty figures, released in July, claim that Russia has lost almost 500,000 troops in the war, as well as more than 15,000 armoured vehicles and 28 warships.
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