March 5, 2022 - The USA has imposed sanctions against the Russian oligarch Nikolai Petrovich Tokarev, so the company Katina, which is part of the business empire of Tokarev's daughter Maja Nikolaevna and owns a villa on Lošinj, has been blocked.

Among the assets of Russian oligarchs that have been seized or blocked around the world in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States has also imposed sanctions against a Russian oligarch whose family owns a villa on Lošinj, reports Novi List.

The US Treasury Department (OFAC) and the US State Department said in a statement that they had stepped up pressure on Russia by sanctioning many Russian rich people and their families, identifying certain assets as blocked. They say the sanctioned elites continue to provide direct and indirect support to the Government of the Russian Federation through their business empires, wealth, and other resources. As part of the operation, the assets of three Russian oligarchs, two of their spouses, three of their adult children, and six of their companies were blocked, as well as one of Russia's largest private jets and one of the world's largest superyachts.

These actions, according to the US Treasury Department, were taken in close coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. The targets are Russian oligarchs Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov, one of the richest people in Russia, who, among other things, owns the Dilbar megayacht worth about $600 million and recently seized in Germany, followed by Yevgeniy Prigozhin and Nikolay Petrovich Tokarev.

According to the US Treasury Department, Tokarev is a longtime Putin aide and president of one of Russia's most important companies, Transneft, a state-owned oil pipeline company responsible for transporting 90 percent of Russia's oil. As president of Transneft, Tokarev and his family became rich, amassing a business and real estate empire that stretches across Russia and Europe.

''Members of Tokarev's family, including his wife Galina Alekseevna Tokareva and daughter Maiya Nikolaevna Tokareva, benefited from his proximity to Putin. Maiya Tokareva's real estate empire is estimated at more than $50 million in Moscow, Russia alone, and includes at least three companies, the Moscow limited liability company Ostozhenka 19 and the Croatian companies Katina doo and TGA doo Katina owns top-class real estate by the sea, which includes a villa built by Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I'', could be read from the statement.

The company Katina, namely, is the owner of Villa Karolina in the bay Čikat on Lošinj. Villa Karolina, an imposing building in one of the most beautiful bays on the Adriatic, was sold by the company Jadranka dd to an Italian entrepreneur in 2003, and in 2009 it was resold to an unnamed Russian oilman for 12 million euros.

Karolina was the second villa built on Čikat, and local sources state that the villa on Lošinj is really associated with stories about love meetings between the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Francis Joseph and the actress of the Vienna Burgtheater Katarina von Schratt. 

For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.

ZAGREB, 5 March 2022 - The Russian aggression against Ukraine is certainly a blow to the UN's authority, Croatia's Ambassador to the UN, Ivan Šimonović, said on Saturday, noting that Moldova could be Russia's next target.

"The question is who guards the guardians? If permanent members of the Security Council are guardians of peace and security, who will protect us from them when they violate peace and security?" Šimonović asked in an interview with Croatian Radio.

He ruled out the possibility of the UN sending peace troops to Ukraine, which can be done if requested by one of the warring parties, which Šimonović described as improbable, or by a decision of the Security Council.

"But Russia has the right of veto there and we are again back to square one," he added.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution asking that Russia immediately stop using force in Ukraine.

Šimonović, a former Assistant UN Secretary-General for human rights, said that was the only way to exert pressure on Russia because in the General Assembly it does not have the right of veto.

Clear legal terminology was used, the operation involving the Russian Federation, and Belarus as an accomplice, was called aggression, and aggression is crime. Russia is becoming more and more isolated, said Šimonović.

The General Assembly resolution, however, does not have direct legal consequences.

"Only Security Council resolutions adopted under Chapter VII are legally binding and force may also be used to implement them," he said, adding that the steps the UN can take at the moment are very limited.

Everyone loses

The diplomat called the invasion of Ukraine a situation in which everyone loses.

"The consequences for Ukraine - from the loss of human lives to material destruction - are already very bad, and what could follow - urban warfare - would be a disaster of epic proportions," he said.

"That is a tragedy for Russia in terms of how much its economy will be affected, isolated and left to the mercy of China, which is its sole orientation," Šimonović said, adding that China, too, would distance itself from Russia if it was left isolated by the rest of the world.

Croatia, too, will be affected in terms of its tourism industry, and since it is part of Europe, where energy prices will go up, its citizens will feel the consequences of the Russian invasion as a drop in living standards, Šimonović believes.

Moldova next possible target

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday that civilians would be able to leave the port city of Mariupol through a humanitarian corridor to be open for five hours, which Šimonović called "the only positive contribution of the negotiations" that "would alleviate the suffering of people at least to some extent."

Šimonović also mentioned Moldova as the next possible target of Russian aggression.

"The south wing of the Russian attack that now goes in the direction of Mykolaiv and Odessa could also be going in the direction of Transnistria, that is, occupied areas of Moldova controlled by pro-Russian forces," said Šimonović.

"Quite certainly Moldova is not sleeping peacefully either," he concluded

March 5, 2022 - A gathering was held in Zagreb today as a show of solidarity and support of Ukraine, nine days after the Russian invasion started. A large number of people were present in Ban Jelačić Square, waving Ukrainian and Croatian flags. The Ambassador of Ukraine spoke at the gathering with an emotional message.

As an expression of solidarity and support of Ukraine and Ukrainian people due to Russia's aggression against that country, a rally organized by the Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) and the Union of Ukrainians of the City of Zagreb began in Zagreb's main square in the presence of several hundred citizens, reports Telegram.hr. Ukrainian Ambassador Vasily Kirilich spoke at the gathering, who spoke through tears about Russia's aggression against his homeland, especially emphasizing the attack on the largest European nuclear power plant, Zaporozhye.

"It's not a war anymore, it's genocide. I ask NATO to stop this devil. If we do not stop today without being late tomorrow, I am asking Europe, the world, and NATO to close the skies in Ukraine and save thousands of lives. No time to think and make statements. It is time to act.", Kirilic said. The Ambassador thanked the Republic of Croatia, the Government, and the Prime Minister. Gathered citizens greeted his speech chanting: "Ukraine, Ukraine."

Several banners were seen at the gathering. On the fence in front of the stage on Ban Jelačić Square on the Ukrainian national flag is the message "I stand with Ukraine", "#stoprussianagression", and songs by Ukrainian bands are played on the loudspeaker. More citizens who came to express their support for the attacked country came to the Square in robes or carrying Ukrainian and Croatian national flags.

Some of them carry banners written in Croatian, Ukrainian, and English, which read, among others, "Glory to the Heroes of Ukraine" and "Glory to Ukraine", "Let's Help Ukraine", "Help Ukraine to save Europe, establish no-fly zone!", “Stop the war in Ukraine!”, “Pray for Ukraine”, “Stop Putin, stop the war”, “Stop the war, save Europe”, “Ukraine is the heart of Europe”.

A leaflet printed in Croatian and English was distributed to those gathered, which reads - We want freedom! Help us realize the dream of our freedom. Russia is just brutally bombing our cities. Putin denies and denies the existence of the Ukrainian nation, we just want freedom and live as free people. Please support Ukraine and our people.

Announcing the rally in Zagreb, Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) President Ivan Zvonimir Cicak on Wednesday called on leaders of other cities and counties to join in supporting Ukraine with their rallies, which will take place in several cities - Split, Vukovar, Rijeka, and Pula.

For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.

ZAGREB, 5 March 2022 - In the last 24 hours 1,524 coronavirus cases, out of 5,165 tests, and 22 related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Saturday.

There are 10,297 active cases, including 971 hospitalised patients, of whom 72 on ventilators, while 7,384 persons are self-isolating.

Croatia has registered 1,062,953 coronavirus cases to date and the death toll stands at 15,194.

To date, 56.86% of the total population or 67.64% of adults have been vaccinated, including 65.55% of adults fully.

ZAGREB, 5 March (Hina) - More than 1,500 Ukrainian refugees arrived in Croatia by 7 a.m. Saturday, sources at the Red Cross Croatia (HCK) said.

The primary place of accommodation for the refugees is Motel Plitvice in Zagreb, but it has been filled to capacity and the refugees are now provided with accommodation at the Rakitje Hostel, Croatian Television said on Saturday.

Many of the refugees are deciding to stay at Motel Plitvice because they do not have any alternative plan.

HCK spokeswoman Katarina Zorić told Croatian Television that 119 Ukrainian refugees had found accommodation in Zagreb, 34 in Varaždin and 18 in Osijek.

Other reception locations are being considered as well, she said.

"The circumstances are horrible, but everyone has been putting a lot of effort into this, many do not know where to go, while some have found temporary accommodation. They are afraid to leave because they do not know their status, and here they will be able to obtain information faster and more easily. The refugees are mostly women and children, and there is among them a father with five children. Those who have three or more children are allowed to leave Ukraine," Zorić said.

Even though the refugees accommodated at Motel Plitvice have everything they need, citizens are coming and delivering aid, she said.

To help them think less about the tragedy in Ukraine, the refugee children will today be taken to the Zagreb Zoo.

Red Cross Croatia team visiting Ukraine, Romania, Hungary 

This weekend a team of the Red Cross Croatia is visiting Ukraine, Romania and Hungary, touring, with colleagues from those countries and members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), border crossings and preparing for the establishment of a major logistic centre in Ukraine.

The centre should facilitate the reception of humanitarian aid that has been arriving from all over the world, HCK said.

ZAGREB, 5 March 2022 - The Conflict of Interest Commission on Friday launched proceedings against Defence Minister Mario Banožić over his controversial decision to allocate himself a flat in downtown Zagreb for use at the time when he was State Assets Minister.

The proceedings were launched based on an article in the Nacional weekly, which in September 2021 reported that at the time when he was State Assets Minister, Banožić allocated himself a 92-square-metre flat in downtown Zagreb for use, as well as based on a report that sought determining the place of residence of Banožić's family.

The state-run Državne Nekretnine company, which manages state-owned property and which invested HRK 165,000 to renovate the flat allocated to Banožić, said in a submission to the Conflict of Interest Commission that the procedure to allocate the flat had been launched by the State Assets Ministry secretariat, by a note to Državne Nekretnine on 26 July 2019.

Državne Nekretnine said that in line with the relevant law, the allocation of the flat was conducted by the State Assets Ministry, and that the decision on the allocation of the flat in question was made by Banožić, at the time serving as State Assets Minister, on 6 September 2019.

Conflict of Interest Commission member Tatijana Vučetić said the Commission should establish if the office-holder met the criteria for the allocation of a flat of that size, to which he would be entitled in case his spouse and children lived with him.

However, it has been established that the place of residence of Banožić's wife and children is Vinkovci and that it has not been changed for the duration of both of his ministerial terms.

At the start of his term as State Assets Minister, Banožić was given a smaller flat in downtown Zagreb for use, with Državne Nekretnine saying at the time that the flat was not adequate and that another flat would possibly be available at another downtown location soon.

For that flat, as well as another two flats to be given to office-holders for use, their status had to be changed to that of flats used by office-holders, Vučetić said, noting that even though a decision to that effect is made by the competent commission, in this concrete case, Banožić himself made a decision changing the status of the flats in question and on the same day allocated himself one of the flats.

The Commission also notes that the regulation cited by the State Assets Ministry as the basis for changing the status of the flat and its allocation reads that decisions on the allocation of state-owned flats for use by office-holders are made by the competent body, which, the Conflict of Interest Commission notes, does not mean by default that such decisions are made by the body's head.

The Commission therefore believes the case is a possible violation of the law on the prevention of conflict of interest and that the official abused his special rights and made decisions securing for himself the right to use a state-owned flat.

Proceedings not launched against FinMin Marić

The Commission did not launch proceedings against Finance Minister Zdravko Marić for spending some of his vacation time on a yacht owned by his friend, businessman Blaž Pavičić.

It was established that Marić had in no way been involved in the making of decisions, identification of violations or misdemeanor proceedings involving businesses owned by his friend and that the ministry he heads did not have business relations with those companies.

Commission rapporteur Davorin Ivanjek said that the Commission had previously stated that in the case of declared friendships one could not speak of impermissible gifts considering that common gifts between family members, relatives and friends are allowed.

For more, check out our politics section.

March 5, 2022 - The new Kaštela promenade will transform the waterfront into the Croatian Monte Carlo, says Mayor Denis Ivanović.

Since the beginning of the first term, one of the main goals of the current city government has been clear. Along with caring for young people and building communal infrastructure, arranging the coastal part of Kaštela is the main priority, evidenced by millions of investments in the already unrecognizable, more than 20 kilometers long coast, located along the unique Kaštela Bay.

Kaštela is unique in many ways. It comprises seven villages, without a classic center, and is the only city in Croatia with six postcodes. It is probably the only one in the world directly bordering two UNESCO cities with the oldest, more than 1,500-year-old olive tree. It is a town with three football clubs, three fire brigades, three carnivals, and it will soon become the Croatian "Monte Carlo," a destination with nearly 20 kilometers of coastline as a prerequisite for the development of tourism and the economy.

On City Day, which is celebrated on March 4, Slobodna Dalmacija spoke with Denis Ivanović, the mayor of the second-largest city in Split-Dalmatia County, about the implemented projects but also those that will follow on the coastal part of Kaštela.

"Even before I became mayor, i.e., in the election campaign, I promised that the focus of my work would be landscaping. So naturally, this is a priority for city authorities and those at higher levels, from county to state. That we are going in the right direction is evidenced by the fact that an active project to build a new port and coast in Kaštel Stari is currently in the final stages despite the health crisis surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the most financially expensive project of the County Port Authority since its existence, in which almost 15 million kuna was invested from our budget. At the same time, the rest of the funds were provided from the Split-Dalmatia County Port Authority and other sources. With this project, a breakwater almost 200 meters long was built. In addition, a total of 9,500 square meters of the coastal belt was arranged, including stonework, horticultural landscaping, and nautical electricity and water connections.

Through this project, the people of Kaštela will get 150 communal berths for the domicile population, i.e., for those who use boats for entertainment and sports, but also completely change the look of the Kaštel Stari old town," says Ivanović.

The investment is worth almost 50 million kuna. In addition to the 15 million from the city, the County Port Authority has allocated about 30 million kuna. The rest of the money was provided by Split-Dalmatia County, the state, and the Ministry of the Sea.

"This is truly the largest investment in the coastal part of Kaštela, and our goal is for residents to get a modern utility project that will serve them in the first place, as well as tourists from whom we live for a good part of the year.

"The project in Kaštel Stari will certainly affect economic development, and we are glad that all the work took place without any interruptions and delays. The arrangement of this communal port is one of the major projects in the past decade in the area of Kaštela," adds the mayor.

When asked what the next projects are for the coast, the mayor announced an investment boom with one goal: Kaštela will be the Croatian Monte Carlo.

"After we soon complete the new port and coast in Kaštel Stari, and it is a matter of days when that will happen, we will start with a new investment, which is the complete arrangement of the Kaštel Novi coast, from Kaštel Stari to the Ćipiko tower, worth about 50 million kuna, and the Ministry of the Sea and the Split-Dalmatia County are ready to help with financing.

This project will completely change the look of Donji Kaštela, which is why it is called the "New Face of Kaštela," emphasized Ivanović.

Namely, the planned project will significantly expand the existing waterfront into the sea, arrange the entire promenade and the city's coastal part, roads, various facilities, and horticulture.

"So, that part of Kaštela will take on a completely new look as Kaštel Lukšić did after we arranged and built the most beautiful and most expensive in our county - Glavica beach. We are in the process of doing the main project," says Ivanović and adds that the citizens enthusiastically accepted the newly renovated part of the Lukšić coast. 

But that's not all. The town of Kaštela is preparing and arranging the coast in Kaštel Sućurac, Štafilić, and Gomilica.

"We have prepared a preliminary design for Kaštel Sućurac, for the area from Gojača to Sokolana, followed by preparing the main design, obtaining approval, and the start of work. In the fall, work should begin on the complete arrangement of the coast in Kaštel Štafilić, where part of the promenade has already been arranged.

With the completion of works in Kaštel Stari, then on the stretch to the Ćipiko and Štafilić towers, Donja Kaštela will undergo a complete coastal transformation, which, believe me, many will envy us," announces Ivanović and adds that a conceptual solution has been made for Kaštilca and Marina Kaštela.

"All this is proof that Kaštela is almost the most active area in terms of construction throughout the year, thanks to which the unique, almost 20 km long coast will be the most beautiful in this part of Dalmatia," concludes Mayor Denis Ivanović, congratulating all citizens on Kaštela Day. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 5, 2022 - Director of Operations of Ryanair’s subsidiary Lauda Europe, Tadej Notersberg, reveals the Ryanair Croatia expansion plans.

EX-YU Aviation News spoke to the Director of Operations of Ryanair’s subsidiary Lauda Europe, Tadej Notersberg, about the Ryanair Croatia expansion, which should be expected soon. 

“We can see that demand in Croatia is generally very high. We can also see that the Croatian market has huge potential. There were many routes missing, and the full potential of Croatia wasn’t utilized in the past. The Ryanair Group recognized this potential, and we, as Lauda Europe, are very happy that we can operate these flights for the Ryanair Group. There is also further growth planned for the future. This year we will operate three aircraft from Zagreb and out of Zadar as well. We won’t stop with these six aircraft in Croatia. Currently, we are planning operations with three aircraft from Zagreb this year. However, future growth is planned, and we are quite sure and optimistic that we will be able to increase operations out of Zagreb and out of Croatia in general soon," said Notersberg.

“We were so overwhelmed by the response of our recruitment open day last week that we are very excited to offer another chance to join Lauda Europe’s expanding Croatian bases, where Lauda Europe will operate six A320s this summer. Over the coming years, the Ryanair Group and Lauda Europe will expand opportunities in Croatia that will deliver more traffic, new jobs, and career benefits”, Notersberg said. Namely, in addition to the already held recruitment days in March, there will be a recruitment desk at Zagreb Airport until March 14. Those interested can apply in person and potentially be interviewed on the same day. 

How is the Zagreb Ryanair base going overall? 

“Currently, we are really satisfied with the majority of the markets served out of Zagreb. For example, the UK market performs really well, and Ireland with the Dublin route, despite Croatia Airlines not operating the service in the winter. Then we see German and Swedish markets, Swedish markets … so we are very happy with the current demand. Of course, we are adding some new routes out of Zagreb in the summer, like Bratislava and Corfu. Some tourist destinations in the future are of interest to us too. We really believe that Zagreb can be attractive all-year-round, not just for families and the diaspora, but for tourists as well, so we want to use all these opportunities in the future”.

Ryanair recently halted its Zagreb-Lviv line due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. 

“We see a lot of passengers from Slovenia on our Zagreb flights. Even if you go to Zagreb Airport, either in departures or arrivals, you will see that there are a lot of Slovenians. At the airport’s parking, one will notice many cars with Slovenian car plates. We know, and we are sure we are covering the Slovenian market well from Zagreb Airport”.

You can read more at EX-YU Aviation News.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.