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.
Will 2026 Be the Year Putin Tries to Exit the War in Ukraine — and What Could Push Him to Do So
At present, experts see no reason for the Kremlin leader to end the war, despite the high costs and heavy losses.
62% “Living on Credit and a Paycheck”: The New Pillar of Russia’s Stability — According to the Russian Academy of Sciences
New RAS research finds a “limited-consumption” majority underpinning Russia’s stability: state-paid wages and easy credit secure loyalty, while appetite for reform and growth wanes.
Russia’s Unmanned Systems Troops: Grand Plans, Slipping Deadlines
The effort to establish a dedicated Unmanned Systems branch within Russia’s Armed Forces is sputtering. The deadline Defense Minister Andrei Belousov set for standing up an independent service by the third quarter of 2025 now appears likely to slip.
Putin Demands Monetary Normalization and Industrial Growth
At a recent meeting with cabinet members, President Vladimir Putin forcefully raised the need to normalize monetary policy and secure industrial growth.
China Receives First LNG Cargo From a U.S.-Sanctioned Russian Project
If confirmed, this would mark the first such delivery amid Moscow’s efforts to sustain energy exports, Bloomberg notes.
The EU Moves Closer to Using Russian Assets to Rebuild Ukraine
Brussels is seeking a way to channel the returns from frozen Russian funds into Ukraine’s defense and postwar reconstruction without resorting to immediate confiscation.
Why the Russia–India–China Reboot Won’t Last
Trump’s trade war has pushed Moscow, New Delhi, and Beijing into a tactical rapprochement. Yet beneath the outward unity lies an old, deep-seated mistrust.
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.
Rubio’s Mission: How Washington Is Building “Security Guarantees” for Ukraine
The administration of President Donald Trump is trying to jump-start the stalled peacea process in the war in Ukraine—and a key role in that effort has been assigned to Marco Rubio.
India’s Nayara Turns to the “Dark Fleet” and Russian Crude: How EU Sanctions Reshaped Its Logistics
Nayara is a major player in India: its refinery of about 400,000 barrels per day accounts for 8% of the country’s processing capacity, and its network of filling stations covers roughly 7% of the retail fuel market.
Bastrykin’s Path to the Supreme Court Meets Resistance
Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, should first pass the state examinations required for judicial status before seeking the post of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a retired federal judge said.
