Contents tagged with Russia

  • Russian forces turn to motorcycles amid equipment shortages in Ukraine

    Russian troops are increasingly using motorcycles and light vehicles for assaults as they try to make up for a shortage of armored vehicles.

    As early as spring 2024, it became apparent that Russian forces were frequently utilizing motorcycles to assault positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, aiming to compensate for losses of armored vehicles and evade destruction by Ukrainian drones. These attempts to storm the Ukrainian Defense Forces' fortifications on motorcycles, cars, or even quad …

  • U.S. military warns of escalating risk of conflict with Russia and its allies

    In a stark address to Congress, General Gregory Guillot, head of the U.S. Northern Command (NORAD), cautioned that the risk of direct confrontation with adversaries like China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia has heightened amidst a progressively volatile global atmosphere.

    During his speech, General Guillot highlighted the threats posed by the collaboration between China and Russia to the U.S.

    Guillot identified three pivotal trends causing deep concern due to their immediate implications for …

  • Russian military's financial and human costs in Ukraine war reach staggering heights in 2025

    The Russian military's losses in its war against Ukraine have reached nearly $94 billion as of May 14, 2025, according to a report published on the Ukrainian Finance Ministry's portal. This figure has been accumulating since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.

    The data on Russian troop losses are based on summaries from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. "The information regarding the average cost of equipment lost by the …

  • Russia faces economic challenges as oil revenue dwindles and borrowing efforts falter

    Efforts by Russia’s Finance Ministry to curb its budget deficit through foreign borrowing have faltered significantly.

    The collapse in oil prices, fueled by President Donald Trump's trade war, is taking a significant toll on Russia’s economy, leaving a gaping hole in the country's budget without an apparent solution. This issue is highlighted in a blog post by Russian economist Vyacheslav Shiryaev.

    The Finance Ministry is scrambling to fill the budget void as oil revenues plummet, but it …

  • Estonia warns of EU's dilemma: Putin could gain frozen assets if Orban blocks Russia sanctions renewal

    Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has issued a stark warning, suggesting that the European Union might have to yield €240 billion of frozen assets to Russian President Vladimir Putin should Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban obstruct the renewal of sanctions against Russia in June, as reported by Spiegel.

    Tsahkna called for a more resolute stance from European leaders towards Orban, signaling that Budapest's voting rights might be revoked to prevent fractures within the EU. He …

  • Russia's spring draft targets record 160,000 conscripts amidst mounting Ukraine war casualties

    The spring military draft has begun in Russia, with plans to enlist 160,000 conscripts—many of whom are reportedly signing contracts to be sent as "cannon fodder" to Ukraine. In light of enormous losses in the war with Ukraine, the Russian army leadership has planned to draft 160,000 conscripts aged 18 to 30 during the current enlistment period, running from April 1 to July 15. This marks a record number since the invasion began. According to The Moscow Times, law enforcement officers, …

  • Russian coal export crisis: Economic decline and social instability loom

    The Russian economy is facing a rapid decline, as coal exports—one of the last pillars of the Kremlin's natural resource budget—plummeted by tens of percent in March. The economic collapse in Russia's coal industry is becoming increasingly apparent, with statistics from March revealing the catastrophic scale of the export drop. According to the Institute of Energy and Finance, coal shipments via major ports have significantly decreased, down 30% at Ust-Luga and 21% at Nakhodka and Vostochny …

  • Russian tank fleet dwindles as production and repair lag

    Russia is grappling with a significant problem on the front lines as Ukraine claims a crucial victory in the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian military has reportedly decimated nearly the entire Russian tank fleet over the past three years, leading to severe challenges for the Russian armed forces. The Russian army is experiencing a dire shortage of military equipment, as its tank reserves are dwindling, and the pace of production and repair efforts can't keep up with battlefield losses. This …

  • Cypriot authorities and FBI team up for new investigations into Russian sanctions evasion

    Cypriot police are set to initiate new probes targeting Russian nationals for alleged evasion of U.S. and EU sanctions, with pivotal support from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A specialized task force, including FBI experts, recently wrapped up a nine-month assignment on the Mediterranean island. Their collaborative efforts with Cypriot police and government agencies led to the identification of Russian nationals and other offenders defying sanctions imposed by the U.S. and …

  • Russian defence ministry claims 59 Ukrainian drones intercepted and destroyed overnight

    In a recent update, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed the destruction and interception of 59 Ukrainian drones overnight on Sunday, March 23. The drones were allegedly shot down over several regions, including Rostov, Astrakhan, Voronezh, Volgograd, Kursk, the Saratov regions, and the occupied Crimea.

    Artem Korenyako, the spokesperson for Rosaviatsiya, announced on Telegram the temporary closure of airports in Volgograd and Saratov.

    Meanwhile, Acting Governor of the Rostov Region Yuri …