Contents tagged with Putin

  • Dagestan on the edge: rising tensions threaten Moscow’s grip as radicalization and unrest loom

    With the Kremlin preoccupied by military operations in Ukraine and preparations for grand parades, tensions in Dagestan—still part of the Russian Federation—are nearing a boiling point that could exceed the Kremlin’s ability to control them.

    Dmitry Steshin, a well-known Russian correspondent, paints a grim picture of the current situation in Dagestan: rampant radicalization, unemployment, a record-high birth rate, and the collapse of administrative verticals. In a post on May 6, he …

  • Key Russian commander appointed by Putin killed in Ukraine

    Ukrainian forces have killed Russian Colonel Abduzazid Shikhabidov, personally appointed by President Vladimir Putin to lead a key airborne division. Shikhabidov, commander of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, was killed less than two months into his appointment, according to a report by Agentsvo.

    His death was announced on May 6 by schools in Dagestan, where mourning activities have commenced. Widely known for his leadership in one of Russia's most renowned airborne divisions, Shikhabidov’ …

  • EU prepared to boost Ukraine military aid if Trump's diplomacy with Putin falls short, says EU Defense Commissioner

    In a significant move, European Union nations are positioned to ramp up their military aid to Ukraine, should President Donald Trump not successfully convince Vladimir Putin to swiftly end the conflict, according to EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. To date, the EU and the U.S. have jointly provided Ukraine with military assistance totaling approximately €40 billion annually; however, Kubilius emphasizes the potential to utilize these funds more efficiently. This strategy could …

  • Russia on the brink: economic and social crisis loom as war nears end

    As the war draws to a close, Russia faces the threat of an impending catastrophe. President Vladimir Putin is acutely aware of what lies ahead. The ongoing conflict has been the sole factor keeping the Russian economy afloat. Without it, the nation’s defense industry could collapse, triggering a recession, a surge in crime, and a burst of social unrest within the Kremlin’s walls.

    Ceasing hostilities with Ukraine might herald not peace, but the fragmentation of Russia. The economy faces a …

  • Putin rules out use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, affirms sufficient strength for ending the war

    In an interview for the film "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. 25 Years," airing Sunday, May 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated there was "no necessity" for the Russian Armed Forces to use nuclear weapons in their ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He emphasized, "They wanted to provoke us into making mistakes. But there was no need to use the weapon you mentioned, and hopefully, it will remain unnecessary." Putin asserted that the Russian military has "enough strength and means to bring what was …

  • Zelensky rejects Putin's May 9 ceasefire, proposes 30-day truce instead

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down Russian leader Vladimir Putin's proposal for a three-day "ceasefire" on May 9, advocating instead for a 30-day cessation of hostilities. According to Ukrinform, Zelensky made this clear during a press briefing, emphasizing his reluctance to engage in "short-term ceasefires" suggested by Putin. He argued that a 30-day model is the most viable as it is impractical to negotiate within just a few days.

    The Ukrainian President clarified, " …

  • Kyiv develops contingency plan amid stalled U.S.-brokered peace talks with Russia

    Kyiv is reportedly preparing a contingency "Plan B" should U.S. President Donald Trump's peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia fail to materialize, reports Bild.

    For the past four months, Ukraine has been enduring the conflict with Russia without new supplies from the U.S., relying only on previously promised arms. In response, Kyiv has intensified efforts to bolster its defense industry. A notable increase in the production of kamikaze drones has been observed, significantly impacting …

  • Ukraine calls for immediate and genuine ceasefire in response to Putin's Victory Day truce announcement

    Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a ceasefire during the commemoration of Victory Day over Germany in World War II. "If Russia truly wants peace, it must cease fire immediately," stated Foreign Ministry head Andriy Sybiha on Monday, April 28.

    According to Sybiha, there's no need to wait until May 8, "if a ceasefire can start now from any date and last for 30 days, to be real and not just a show." "Ukraine is ready to support a …

  • Putin's strategic 'Easter Ceasefire': a tactical move to deceive and prepare for escalation

    The "Easter ceasefire," as Ukrainian analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko suggests, aims to maintain Washington's favorable stance while preparing for renewed offensives. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing this ceasefire, Russian forces have reportedly conducted over 20 assaults and more than 400 bombardments employing both barrel and rocket artillery in conflict zones, not to mention the active use of strike drones. All this has occurred within less than a day since the "ceasefire" …

  • Ukraine and Russia trade accusations over breaching the Easter Ceasefire

    In a worrying escalation, Russian military forces are reportedly ignoring a recently declared Easter ceasefire and continue their assaults on Ukrainian positions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, April 20, in a Telegram message. You can view the message.

    According to Zelensky, Ukrainian positions were attacked 59 times overnight, with five storming actions by Russian troops observed. "Our forces are responding appropriately given the circumstances," Zelensky wrote, adding …