In April 2026, a picket was held in Novosibirsk against a new bill that gives regions the right to dispose of local architectural monuments (it passed the first reading in the State Duma). Most of the participants in this action are members of the local branch of VOOPIiK. This is the All-Russian Organization for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. In some regions of Russia it remains the only city-protection community.

This is the third attack on the city’s oil infrastructure in two weeks: after previous attacks, air pollution, “black rain” and an oil slick in the sea were recorded in Tuapse. “New Europe” tells what is happening in the city now. On the night of April 28, Tuapse was again attacked by drones; after the strike, the local oil refinery caught fire. Smoke appeared in the sky, and residents complained of a burning smell and black traces in the river, similar to petroleum products.

Photo: Information Analysis Portal of the Union State Belarus will no longer permit Russians subject to a military draft notice to leave the country, Polish-based news outlet Belsat reported on Wednesday, citing information from the Belarusian State Border Committee (GPK).

Drone strikes have sparked fires at Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery three times in recent weeks, most recently on 28 April. After each attack, thick smoke has risen over the city and residents have reported a strong smell of burning fuel. Meanwhile, dark streaks have appeared in the river and leaked oil has begun washing up on beaches. On socal media, residents have described air polluted with toxins, cars coated in black residue, and animals covered in petroleum products.

In the Sverdlovsk region, searches were conducted at the chairman of the regional branch of Yabloko, Maxim Petlin, the party’s press service reported . Petlin was also detained and taken to the department, New Europe sources clarify. The pro-government telegram channel “UralLIVE” was the first to report the searches at Petlin’s place.

In the Novosibirsk region, the head of the department for organizing anti-epizootic and quarantine measures of the veterinary department, Sergei Tur, was found dead. This was reported by Siberian Express and his wife Elena . Details of death. According to Siberian Express, Tur was found in his own car with a gunshot wound. One of the options being considered is suicide. Shortly before this, inspections began against the department.

Last week, Vladimir Putin returned the name of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder and head of the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (VChK) for the fight against counter-revolution and sabotage, created immediately after the October Revolution, to the FSB Academy, the main university where special services are trained. Almost simultaneously, the Stone of Sorrow and memorial stones to victims of political repression were dismantled in Tomsk.

Photo: Social media The head of the anti-epizootic and quarantine department at the regional Veterinary Authority in Russia’s Novosibirsk region has been found dead, according to local media reports and the official’s wife. According to the Telegram channel Siberian Express , Sergey Tur’s body was found in his own vehicle with a gunshot wound. Investigators are treating suicide as one possible cause of death.

Since the beginning of 2026, at least six people persecuted for political reasons have died in custody in Russia. The reasons are different: poor health, refusal of treatment, suicides... Human rights activists state: there may be more deaths, since information about the deaths, for example, of Ukrainians held captive appears only after many months, or even years.

Photo: information and analytical portal of the Union State Russian conscripts, for whom military registration and enlistment offices have imposed a travel ban, will not be able to leave Belarus abroad, the State Border Committee of the country confirmed to a Belsat journalist. Are Russians no longer allowed to leave Belarus with summonses?

What sources say . Communication restrictions in Moscow before the May 9 parade will be much stronger than before. Two people reported this to the BBC Russian Service: a source close to Rostelecom and an interlocutor close to one of the telecom operators. On May 5, 7 and 9 in Moscow, all mobile communications and, possibly, even SMS sending and the operation of “white lists” will be limited. The “white lists” include those Internet resources that should work during mobile Internet restrictions.

After the strikes on Tuapse, Ukrainian drones again attacked Russian oil infrastructure - this time in Perm and Orsk. The Transneft oil pumping station and one of the country's largest oil refineries, Orsknefteorgsintez, were hit. In Perm, a large fire broke out after the attack, and residents complained of “oil rain” - black marks on their skin, clothes and cars. Consequences of the Ukrainian attack on Perm, April 29, 2026. Photo: Exilenova+ Local residents complain about "black rain".