Exclusives
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Europe's hesitant resolve. Europe chose an interest-free loan over frozen Russian assets. It didn't drop the ball—but it didn't play the game either. |
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"No more wars if you respect us": the 5-step invasion script that's worked since 1939. Criminologists call it "neutralization." Hitler used it at the Reichstag in 1939. We caught Putin using it in 2015. He's still at it. |
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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. |
Military
Ukraine destroys two more Russian jets at Belbek after hitting radars and MiG-31 days earlier. Ukraine's second strike on Crimea airfield in days costs Russia $70 million more.
Intelligence and technology
Ukraine's DARPA was supposed to exist since 2020. Its absence has caused Ukraine to fall behind Russia in technologies, says expert. No unified system means no coordinated progress.
International
US intelligence say Putin wants Ukraine, Baltics, Poland, and more. Trump's team says Russia wants peace. Meanwhile, the security guarantee proposal includes the deployment of European forces, potentially from countries Putin also wants.
Ukraine can't afford its 800,000-strong army alone: Zelenskyy says allied funding is now post-war security guarantee. After the war, Ukraine will need time to rebuild before funding its own military.
"Special significance": Portuguese PM makes first Kyiv visit, offers troops and drone partnership. Luís Montenegro says, "We've stood by Ukraine from day one."
"Russia cannot destroy friendship between Poland and Ukraine": Delegations meet in Volyn to prepare exhumation of 1943 victims. From painful history to shared work.
Japan's $6 billion for Ukraine says more than money: Zelenskyy thanks Tokyo for defending global order. Zelenskyy thanks the Pacific ally for the large financial commitment.
Humanitarian and social impact
Ukrainians already live 12–16 hours without power. Now Russia threatens 60% of their fuel supply. Russia tries to cut off southwest of Ukraine.
Ukrainians forced to kill Ukrainians: Russia makes occupied Ukrainians choose between debt and killing their own people. Moscow's Donbas strategy: turn Ukrainians into soldiers, send them to the front line.
Political and legal developments
"There are many Putins": Zelenskyy's cryptic remark hints at what many have long suspected about Kremlin leader. "One talks to Americans, another delivers speeches."
New developments
Russia and Iran rewriting rules of Eurasian power with new sanctions-proof INSTC trade route. The map is changing: Russia and Iran construct trade corridor that challenges Western influence.
Read our earlier daily review here.
