Exclusives
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Australia gives Ukraine 49 Abrams tanks. Now they must survive the drones.. 87% of the original US batch was destroyed in under two years. |
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Russia’s last giant An-22 airlifter broke apart mid-flight. Its air force is next.. A Russian air force An-22 that disintegrated near Moscow is indicative of deeper Russian dysfunction. |
| Europe kicks the €210 billion question down the road—deadline: end-2027. EU leaders told the Commission to keep trying. The deadline: end of 2027. |
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Russia cuts rates to save businesses it’s about to crush with taxes. The governor who defended high rates as “economic Darwinism,” has just reversed course. |
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“Neutral” Russians return to winter sports as Ukraine calls their status a fiction. Three Russian athletes already barred. More face scrutiny before Milan-Cortina 2026. |
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EU approves €90bn joint debt for Ukraine as reparations loan hits wall. Three countries opt out amid Belgium standoff over frozen Russian assets. |
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Markets shrug off EU’s Ukraine deal—analysts warn the calm may not last. Europe’s benchmark bonds barely moved. One analyst calls it “a risk for 2026 that is not priced in.” |
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Mystery drones spook Europe into spending hundreds of millions. That’s hundreds of millions Ukraine won’t see.. A low-cost, low-risk gambit, with big potential upsides for Moscow. |
Military
Frontline report: Moscow's Black Sea gamble threatens the partnership keeping its war economy afloat — Turkish F-16 sends clear message after Russian strikes on Ankara-linked ships.
Nearly 12,000 Russian chemical attacks documented since 2022, Ukraine says — April 2025 saw the highest monthly toll with 894 documented incidents.
Ukrainian drones hit another Russian oil platform in Caspian Sea, 900km away – fourth strike this month — Rakushychne field hit days after Filanovsky and Korchagin attacks.
Putin and Gerasimov inflate battlefield wins, but ISW data exposes the gap — ISW says Gerasimov claimed 50% of Kostiantynivka; verified data shows 1.6%.
Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean – 2,000 km from its borders — SBU drones hit shadow fleet tanker in neutral waters, marking farthest confirmed naval strike.
Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile now on combat duty in Belarus, Lukashenka says — Deployment follows months of announcements as Minsk deepens military integration with Moscow.
Intelligence and technology
After sinking Russian warships, Ukraine's maritime drones draw Pentagon interest — US delegation arrived in Ukraine to conduct first official tests of combat-proven platforms.
Russian Orlan-10 drone crashes near Istanbul as Black Sea surveillance intensifies — Second drone incident in Turkish airspace this week.
Estonia weighs border closure after Russian guards walk into its territory — Tallinn now considers shutting NATO's eastern frontier.
International
India confirms 202 citizens served in Russian Army — 119 returned, 50 still stuck, 26 killed, 7 missing — Indian authorities say Moscow was given DNA samples to help identify victims.
US quietly removes sanctions from firms accused of supplying Russia's military — Treasury offers no explanation for lifting restrictions on Cyprus, Dubai, Turkish, and Finnish companies.
UN General Assembly condemns Russia's war crimes in occupied Ukraine, demands prisoner access — Resolution strengthens torture provisions, invokes "list of shame" for child killings.
Swiss court hands suspended sentence to fighter who served in Ukraine — First prosecution of a Swiss citizen for joining Ukrainian forces.
Humanitarian and social impact
Russia lured Colombians with $2,500 welding jobs, confiscated their passports, and sent them to storm Pokrovsk — Three of seven are already dead. The survivors surrendered to Ukraine without firing a shot.
Kyiv installs first mobile bomb shelter – with more planned as Russian attacks continue — Officials say expanding civilian protection remains a priority.
"Cynical war crime": Russian drone strikes car near Odesa, killing mother and injuring her three children — Odesa officials condemn the attack at site hit three times previously.
Political and legal developments
Zelenskyy: If Russia rejects diplomacy, allies must respond with more weapons and sanctions — "If one side refuses diplomacy, the other must be strengthened," Ukrainian president says.
Belgium importing two-thirds more Russian gas since EU transit ban — Sanctions blocking Asian buyers pushed Novatek's Arctic gas into the European grid instead.
"Money today or blood tomorrow": Tusk warns Polish independence threatened if Europe lets Ukraine fall — Polish PM urges EU to unlock frozen Russian assets at Brussels summit.
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