• Ammunition depo explosions disrupt Russian counteroffensive in Kursk Region

    A Ukrainian strike on yet another Russian arsenal signals significant challenges for Russia's counteroffensive efforts in the Kursk region, military analyst Alexander Kovalenko notes. The Russian group of troops is now expected to face serious ammunition shortages.

    An incident at the 67th Main Missile and Artillery Directorate arsenal in the Bryansk region compels a fresh look at the evolving dynamics in the Kursk region. The arsenal, where 152mm and 122mm ammunition, among others, detonated …

  • Ukraine to allow foreigners to hold officer roles in Armed Forces

    In a new development reported by Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak, foreigners serving in Ukraine's Defense Forces may soon be eligible for officer positions. Analysts from "Militarnyi" note that the law will establish a Foreign Recruitment Center responsible for the screening and selection of candidates. Foreign candidates aspiring to officer roles must undergo a thorough examination process that includes:

    - Verification of their legal residency in Ukraine;

    - Screening for any …

  • Chechen leader Kadyrov vows blood feud against Russian lawmakers amid alleged assassination plot

    Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has declared his readiness to announce a blood feud against Dagestan Senator Suleyman Kerimov and two members of the Russian State Duma, accusing them of plotting to assassinate him. In a Telegram post on Wednesday, October 9, Kadyrov disclosed that he held a meeting with Chechnya's security chiefs. He also shared a nine-minute video featuring excerpts from the meeting, where he primarily spoke in the Chechen language.

    According to TASS, Kadyrov mentioned Kerimov, …

  • Ukrainian Forces repel renewed Russian attempts to regain control in Kursk Region

    In a developing situation on the front lines, Ukrainian Armed Forces report that Russian forces have advanced and are now attempting to establish control near the village of Lyubimovka. Russian troops have renewed efforts to recapture the settlement in the Kursk region, a territory Russian media had already claimed to have seized multiple times. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) assert that Russian forces are launching these assaults "in great numbers," according to Lieutenant "Alex" of the …

  • Chinese companies limit raw material exports to Russian pharma amid sanctions

    Amid a backdrop of international sanctions, Chinese companies are reportedly limiting shipments of raw materials to Russian pharmaceutical manufacturers. This development comes as a result of the latest restrictions that target specific trade codes related to intermediates, assets, and reagents now barred from entering Russia. The information was shared by Alexander Semenov, president of the Russian pharmaceutical company Aktivny Komponent, during remarks at the BIOTECH-PROM 2024 forum, …

  • Massive fire engulfs Feodosiya oil terminal following Ukrainian strike on Crimea

    A massive fire erupted following a drone strike allegedly by Ukrainian forces, targeting an oil depot in Feodosia within annexed Crimea. The blaze, ongoing for over a day, necessitated the evacuation of 1,047 residents, as confirmed on Tuesday, October 8, by Igor Tkachenko, the Moscow-appointed head of the city's administration. According to Tkachenko, residents of Chernomorskaya promenade and the Blizhnie Kamyshi area were forced to leave. Firefighters continue to battle the flames, he added. …

  • Fierce battles in Toretsk: Russian forces make gains as Ukraine fights to hold key defensive positions

    The Toretsk direction has recently become the hottest spot on the entire eastern front. Unlike in Vuhledar, Russian forces have deeply entrenched themselves straight into Toretsk but are not making moves on the flanks, though defending the city remains a significant challenge. Is there hope to hold the city?

    On June 18-19, 2024, Russian troops began a slow push toward Toretsk in the Donetsk region, initially capturing nearby settlements like Zalizne, Sjeverne, Zhelanne, Serhiyivka, and …

  • Putin's 72nd birthday: sparse greetings highlight shift in global alliances

    In a repeat of last year, leaders of the BRICS nations did not extend birthday wishes to Vladimir Putin. Notably this year, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian president received the fewest birthday greetings from foreign heads of state. Among world leaders, only Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to Putin, while others opted for sending telegrams, reported on Monday, October 7th, by the news outlet Agentstvo, …

  • Ukrainian Security Service detains key Kremlin propagandist in Moldova

    The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in conjunction with international partners and the State Border Guard Service, has detained Dmitry Chistilin, a Ukrainian citizen and Kremlin ideologist, in Moldova. Since 2016, Chistilin has been publishing a series of "analytical materials" justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine and advocating for the "integration" of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation.

    SBU reported that Chistilin was apprehended during a special …

  • Putin abandons beloved Sochi residence over drone attack fears

    Russian president Vladimir Putin has reportedly stopped visiting his favored residence, "Bocharov Ruchey" in Sochi, fearing a potential Ukrainian drone attack, reports Proekt.

    Proekt discloses that prior to launching his full-scale war against Ukraine, Putin spent about one month annually at "Bocharov Ruchey," primarily during the "velvet season" in the fall. It was a tradition for him to celebrate the birthday of former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, mother of his two sons, at this location on May 12. …