Unconditional Support, Rising Pride: Russia’s National Identity Hardens
According to the latest Levada Center poll, feelings of national pride and identity have risen markedly in recent years.
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Ukraine Fortifies Itself Against a “Dictated Peace”: How Kyiv Is Building Its Own Security Guarantees
Even if President Donald Trump periodically signals a readiness to allow Kyiv to strike targets on Russian territory, Ukraine’s room for maneuver remains limited.
Germany: Uproar After Friedrich Merz’s Remarks on Possible Bundeswehr Participation in Ensuring Ukraine’s Security
As Le Monde notes, even a hypothetical mention of a potential role for the German army in security guarantees for Ukraine instantly split a country steeped in a pacifist political culture.
Mounting Pressure on VEB.RF: Shuvalov Faces Putin’s Criticism, Corruption Scandals, and Loss of Strategic Autonomy
President Putin signals dissatisfaction with VEB.RF’s performance amid corruption scandals, failed tech investments, and growing scrutiny from the Central Bank — while Shuvalov loses control over setting national innovation priorities.
Most Russians Concerned About Civil Aviation Disruptions Caused by Drone Attacks — Levada Center
Concerns are highest in Moscow, with many blaming either Ukraine or overly cautious Russian authorities.
Digital Noose: How Russia Is Turning the Internet Into a Tool of Total Control
In the summer of 2025, a new wave of repressive legislation came into force in Russia, marking a dangerous turning point in the state’s control over the internet.
Russian Oligarchs Lose Legal Ground in Europe as Sanctions Remain Firm
A segment of the Russian oligarchic class—those whose assets privatized during the 1990s are now vulnerable to potential nationalization—continues to wage unsuccessful legal battles in European courts, seeking relief from sanctions.
Public Support in Russia Is Slowly Eroding — Even the War No Longer Unites
Public approval of the Russian government appears to be past its peak.
Russia Cracks Down on Information Leaks and the B2B Data Market
The initiative targets both journalists attempting to buy classified materials from law enforcement officers and the broader black market for personal data, including services that offer access to government databases.
Since early 2022, Russia has faced unprecedented cyber pressure
While cyberattacks on the IT infrastructure of Russian enterprises used to be sporadic, by 2025 the situation has become systemic.
Loyalty Over Law: Ukraine Rolls Back Maidan-Era Anti-Corruption Reforms
On the evening of July 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Bill No. 12414, sparking outrage both inside the country and abroad.
Stalin Returns: How Putin Uses the Legacy of the Dictator in a New Wave of Repression
As the war in Ukraine drags on, President Vladimir Putin is tightening domestic repression, increasingly drawing on Soviet-era methods.
Putin Tightens Control Over Foreign Ships Entering Russian Ports: FSB Gets Expanded Powers
Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree significantly tightening the rules for foreign vessels entering Russian ports.
