Exclusives
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Hungary will survive without Russian oil—but Orbán’s regime will not. The money trail from Moscow to MOL to Brussels explains why |
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While Trump denounces free trade, China opens its markets to an entire continent. Beijing scraps tariffs for 53 African nations—then pledges energy aid to Ukraine while arming Russia’s drones. |
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US, Dutch veterans join international F-16 squadron defending Kyiv. Foreign pilots are pros at using high-tech sensors used to detect and target Russian missiles |
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One night, two of Russia’s scarcest military assets gone — Ka-27 helicopter and S-300VM SAM launcher. Ukraine hit the naval helicopter near Kamyshly in occupied Crimea and destroyed the air defense launcher near Mariupol, while also striking troop concentrations, logistics warehouses in Donetsk, and a communications node. |
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In memoriam: Semyon Gluzman (1946–2026), sentenced to 10 years for diagnosing a Soviet general as sane. A personal tribute to the man "whose only currency was the truth," by Robert van Voren |
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What can be seen in this darkness. Ten theses on the future. War doesn’t just destroy cities — it rewrites what “after” can mean. |
Military
4.4 million shells and counting: the Czech initiative Ukraine's artillery depends on. President Pavel says program accounts for more than half of all large-caliber ammunition deliveries.
"We simply don't have any left": Germany has run out of air defense missiles for Ukraine, foreign minister says. Wadephul calls on European partners to step up as newly produced missiles go straight to front lines.
Russia's Ilsky refinery is burning again — the plant that fuels the occupation keeps getting hit. A petroleum storage tank reportedly caught fire overnight as 72 firefighters and a firefighting train rushed to the scene in Krasnodar Krai, while a blackout struck near Russia's Baltic Fleet base, next to Finland.
North Korean artillery caught firing at Kupiansk, hit three times by drones. The 170mm Koksan self-propelled gun was firing toward Kupiansk from occupied Luhansk Oblast when a recon drone's thermal camera spotted its hot barrel. Three FPV drone strikes followed.
Germany's arms giant says it can flood Ukraine with ammo right now—if Western governments unlock funding. Europe's biggest weapons maker is ready to arm Ukraine at bigger scale.
Russia spent two months advancing in Zaporizhzhia Oblast — Ukraine clawed back up to 9.5 km in a week. Counterattacks pushed Russian forces from over a dozen settlements and disrupted the timeline for a hypothetical Orikhiv-Zaporizhzhia operation, though Mashovets cautions Ukraine lacks the forces for anything beyond tactical stabilization.
Oreshnik missile lands near Ukraine-Poland border—now Warsaw weighs nukes. Poland's president was asked about Moscow's reaction to nuclear plans. His answer dismissed the concern.
Russia says Bryansk experienced "most powerful" attack ever — it's where missiles reach Kyiv in minutes. "Civilians without electricity is not the primary goal," expert says. "But these are consequences, and Russian citizens need to feel the full burden of the war."
Intelligence and technology
"It's ass": Ukraine's intelligence intercepts Russian troops struggling with Gazprom terminals after Starlink shutdown. The replacement satellite system runs on just five geostationary satellites whose capacity is mostly tied up serving civilian subscribers inside Russia — leaving front-line units without stable video feeds or reliable drone links.
Ukraine builds NATO-standard digital logistics for EW: ULZ promises faster gear delivery to front lines. Using a platform already deployed by 90% of NATO armies, Kyiv ensures transparency, faster maintenance, and smoother coordination for its forces.
Ukraine's battle-hardened soldiers to teach Bundeswehr—Germany braces for real-world drone and mass-strike warfare. German troops will gain hands-on lessons in high-intensity combat scenarios that only Ukrainian soldiers have faced daily since 2022.
21,400 disinformation posts in three days: Russia returns "ungrateful Ukraine" narrative to Europe ahead of Geneva talks. Splitting NATO, portraying Ukraine as failed state, labeling it terrorist — it's Russia's pre-Geneva push.
Sanctions working: Russia's Beriev aircraft complex swings from $15M profit to $65M loss in one year. Russia's A-50 surveillance aircraft manufacturer just posted financials. The swing from 2024 to 2025 is dramatic.
International
Russia offered Ukraine a one-day ceasefire to hold a national vote. Zelenskyy called it "absurd". Ukraine says it needs 60 days for a referendum on any peace deal; Russia proposed one.
It's easier for Trump to publicly pressure Ukraine than the much larger Russia, Zelenskyy says. Ukrainian president warns Ukrainians "will never forgive" a unilateral Donbas withdrawal.
Third round of Ukraine-Russia-US talks opens in Geneva with European presence. Umerov says Kyiv working "without excessive expectations" as discussions expand beyond Abu Dhabi format.
Munich-2026 marks shift: Ukraine is no longer just frontline state but core pillar of Europe's security system. Ukraine and Europe are increasingly creating joint industrial bases.
How Ukrainian soldier sees European aid strategy: War is Europe's best security guarantee — that's why quick pressure on Russia isn't its goal. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are already in Russia's constitution.
Humanitarian and social impact
Ukraine brings 2,000 children home from Russian captivity through Bring Kids Back initiative. Zelenskyy says work continues as tens of thousands remain under Russian control.
Russia can keep war going into 13th year: Over 100,000 Ukrainians may flee again this winter, most heading to Europe. After four years of war, even resilience and determination cannot sustain families through another winter with electricity cuts and freezing temperatures.
Political and legal developments
Latvia's Russian-language radio survives on a hidden state subsidy — the media regulator wants it over. 13 private stations use free state-owned frequencies, making up almost a third of Latvia's entire radio landscape.
Kyiv IT worker jailed for life — court finds he helped Russia strike the power grid that heats his city. He also gave the enemy coordinates of the defense enterprise where his stepfather worked — and reported back on whether the strikes hit their targets, per the PG Office.
Read our previous daily review here.
