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.
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.
Russian Railways Faces Mounting Debt Amid Suspicions of Engineered Financial Crisis
Amid a new multi-billion-ruble bond issue, analysts suspect Russian Railways’ deepening financial troubles may be part of a calculated strategy to trigger a covert ownership change.
Russia Is “Weekly” Jamming UK Military Satellites — Head of UK Space Command
Attempts at electronic jamming are observed on a regular basis and are accompanied by close monitoring of Britain’s space assets.
Belgium Cools EU Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets
The European Union has encountered pushback in its attempt to turn income from frozen Russian central bank assets into a steady funding source for Ukraine.
“Europe Lacks Air Defense: The Race for a ‘Drone Wall’ Runs Into Money, Coordination, and Time”
The continent faces a whole set of constraints — from shortages in air-defense assets and technological inertia to the complexity of intergovernmental coordination and financing.
The Euro-LNG Paradox: How Russian LNG Supplies Added €8.10 Billion to Moscow’s Budget — and Why the EU Is Rushing to Close the “Gas Trap”
The report translates these sums into military equivalents: with such revenues, Russia could acquire up to 9.4 million 152 mm artillery shells (roughly three years at today’s 3 million-per-year output), about 270,000 Shahed-type attack drones, or 2,658 tanks.
Buyers Ignore Trump’s Calls: Russia’s Seaborne Oil Shipments Hold at a 16-Month High
Despite political pressure from President Donald Trump directed at key importers — India, Turkey, Hungary, and Slovakia — these countries are in no hurry to abandon Russian crude.
Russia’s Oil & Gas Take Slips to 2020 Lows as the Wartime Budget Feels the Strain
The Russian authorities are projecting for 2025 the lowest oil and gas receipts since the 2020 pandemic: softer commodity prices and a stronger ruble are “eating into” budget collections.
Costa seeks to bypass Orbán’s veto on Ukraine’s EU membership
Brussels is preparing a controversial move: at this week’s summit in Copenhagen, leaders will discuss how to speed up Kyiv’s application and prevent a single veto from stalling the entire process.
Indian Refinery with Rosneft Stake Ramps Back Up After Sanctions Shock
The recovery was enabled by government support, settlement workarounds, and a shift from exports to the domestic market.
Moscow Signals “Soft Stagflation” as Growth Forecasts Are Slashed
Ministry cuts GDP, investment, and demand outlooks—paving the way for a 22% VAT and a new low-growth normal.
Russia’s 2026–2028 Budget Draft: Higher VAT, Tighter Rules for SMEs, and a Policy Standoff
The most significant changes are as follows: the value-added tax (VAT) will increase from 20% to 22% (the 10% rate for socially important goods is retained).
