Russian businesses face increased payment scrutiny as UAE banks are now blocking and delaying transactions linked to Russian companies amidst a fresh wave of U.S. sanctions. These new restrictions add to the immense challenges the Russian economy faces due to Western-imposed sanctions, tightening the financial noose as overseas anti-sanction "hubs" fall apart under the threat of secondary sanctions.

The UAE had emerged as a crucial financial "hub" for Russian entities, facilitating their trade …

Bashar al-Assad and his family have been granted asylum in Russia on "humanitarian grounds." While there are no official photos yet of Assad settling into his new surroundings, speculation is rife about what he might owe Vladimir Putin for this hospitality and who his new neighbors might be, Digi 24 reports.

Columnist Mark Galeotti suggests that the discredited Syrian ruler will make his home in Barvikha, an upscale enclave for Russia's affluent near Moscow. Historically, this area housed …

In a push from Moscow to assert Russia's indispensability to Ukraine, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president, suggests that Ukrainians need to "tame the pride of their distinctiveness."

Russian policymakers have advised Ukraine to "curb its pride and stop opposing everything Russian" to avoid disappearing from the world's map. These remarks come from Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and former president, in an article for "International Affairs" magazine. …

In a recent briefing held on Friday, December 13, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the possibility of a truce with Ukraine, acknowledging for the first time that European troops might be deployed in Ukraine. According to Peskov, Russia is seeking not just a ceasefire, but peace that will follow the fulfillment of all Moscow's conditions.

When asked about the idea of sending a European contingent to Ukraine to uphold a potential ceasefire, Peskov stated, "All of this can and should …

In an interview with Russian outlet Gazeta.ru, Dmitry Kuznetsov, a member of Russia's State Duma and the International Affairs Committee, has proposed that Bashar al-Assad, the ousted Syrian president who fled to Russia following rebel capture of Syria's capital Damascus, could be relocated to occupied Mariupol

Kuznetsov argued that the former Syrian leader, along with his family, should settle in Mariupol, where they could "take it under their wing." For his "contribution to the restoration …

According to data released on Friday, December 13, by the BBC Russian Service, at least 83,338 Russian soldiers have perished in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The figure, compiled in collaboration with Mediazona and a network of volunteers, is based on publicly available information.

In the past two weeks alone, 2,365 additional names have been added to the list. Only confirmed deaths of Russian soldiers with public reports are included. Experts estimate this number reflects only 45-65% of …

The Ukrainian Ground Forces are poised for a significant overhaul aimed at shifting the balance on the frontlines in favor of Ukraine. In a detailed announcement, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of the Ground Forces, laid out the upcoming changes.

This transformation, according to him, will primarily focus on recruitment and soldier training procedures.

The overhaul promises to integrate cutting-edge technology and battle management, digitize military processes, and revamp …

A recent government initiative to grant the State Border Guard Service the authority for defense procurement worth 23 billion hryvnias ($550 million) has sparked public debate.

On November 29, the Cabinet of Ministers, via Resolution No. 1191, approved the Ministry of Defense's proposal to delegate the State Border Guard Administration the power to purchase defense goods valued at 23 billion hryvnias ($550 million) for the needs of the Defense Forces, with the subsequent transfer of goods to …