How Russia’s Military Operation Has Impacted Ordinary Citizens, According to a New Survey
The findings reveal a nation facing economic strain, emotional toll, and shifting views—while many feel unaffected.
And a whole world in BRIEFLY.
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Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Steve Witkoff Has Business Ties to Sanctioned Billionaire Len Blavatnik
Blavatnik holds both U.S. and U.K. citizenship and has generously funded election campaigns for both Democrats and Republicans.
Fanny Ardant in Moscow: The Actress’s Cultural Visit Delights Kremlin Circles
Her trip, organized at the invitation of the celebrated Russian actor and director Vladimir Mashkov, became a notable event for Russia’s cultural and political elite.
Submarines and the “Madman Theory”: How Donald Trump Tries to Force Russia to the Negotiating Table
In response to provocative statements made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russian borders.
Indian Oil Refiner Turns to US and UAE Crude Amid Trump’s Threats
India’s largest state-owned oil refiner, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), has sharply increased its purchases of crude oil from alternative suppliers, acquiring at least 5 million barrels from the United States and another 2 million from Abu Dhabi. According to Bloomberg, citing traders familiar with the transactions, the deliveries are scheduled for the near future—making them unusually urgent by the company’s usual standards. Washington Increases Pressure on New Delhi IOC’s intensified activity follows mounting pressure from both the United States and the European Union, which have recently criticized India for increasing its imports of Russian oil. President Donald Trump has once
Trump Calls Russian and Indian Economies ‘Dead’ as Tariff Dispute Escalates — Medvedev Responds
The dispute escalated after Trump published a statement on Truth Social criticizing the Indo-Russian relationship.
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.
Central Bank Retreats: Interest Rate Cut Reveals the Cost of a Failed Monetary Policy
The Central Bank has lowered its key interest rate by two percentage points, bringing it down to 18%.
“Every Governor Has His Turn.” Regional Elites Are Alarmed by the Wave of Resignations — and Possibly Arrests. The Security Apparatus Is Gaining Strength
Over the next 10–12 months, direct arrests of regional governors on corruption charges remain unlikely. However, within the political system, there is a growing demand for high-profile purges.
Russia’s Economy Is Cooling: Why the Central Bank May Opt for a Sharp Key Rate Cut
According to a Bloomberg survey, all economists expect a rate reduction at Friday’s meeting — and some predict the most aggressive move yet this year.
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.
On the Prospects of Russian Technocracy
For many months now, there has been ongoing debate about what awaits Russia after the end of the “special military operation” (SMO) and, more broadly, after the eventual departure of President Putin.
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.
