The U.K. is likely to drop its plans to deploy thousands of troops to help defend Ukraine, The Times reported Thursday, citing diplomatic sources. “The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task,” one source told the paper. Instead, the revised strategy would focus on air and naval defense, as well…
The British military has discovered sensors in waters near the United Kingdom that may have been used by Russia to monitor the country’s nuclear submarines, the Sunday Times reported, citing former defense officials, senior military personnel, and military experts. The outlet said the devices were recovered “in recent years.” According to the U.K. Defense Ministry,…
Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to visit Moscow on May 9, 2025, for Victory Day events marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II, Russia’s ambassador to China, Igor Morgulov, said in an interview with the state television channel Russia 24 on Monday. Xi has accepted an invitation to attend the…
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry and the federal censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, are considering a proposal to block calls made through messaging apps, citing efforts to combat fraud, Kommersant reported on December 24. According to the Kommersant’s sources, officials are exploring two options: a complete ban on voice calls via such apps or restrictions on calls originating…
Google Play will suspend payments to app developers with Russian bank accounts starting December 26, with no timeline for resumption. The Android app store notified Russian sellers of the decision, Habr reported, sharing a copy of the letter. “Starting December 26, 2024, we will reject all attempts by users to purchase your paid apps, make…
The sudden overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has dumped a bucket of ice on the infamous “z-blogosphere,” triggering a mix of emotions and rationalizations among Russia’s most militaristic and widely read Telegram channels. As journalists at The Insider report, some “war correspondents” have retreated into denial, arguing that Moscow never really “needed” Assad, while…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree postponing the 2024 World Friendship Games until further notice. The decree cites the postponement as necessary to “protect the rights of athletes and sports organizations to free access to international sporting activities.” In October 2023, Putin announced plans for the World Friendship Games following the suspension of…
Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to discuss a potential ceasefire in Ukraine with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, though he has ruled out significant territorial concessions and insists that Ukraine must not join NATO, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing five current and former officials familiar with the Kremlin’s thinking. According to the agency’s sources, who…
Russia’s ruling elites, including Vladimir Putin, have conveyed their congratulations to Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election — not through an official call, but “through acquaintances,” according to a high-ranking parliamentary source who spoke to the independent outlet Verstka. Earlier on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists that he had no…
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, is prepared to run for president of Russia if she ever returns to the country, she told BBC News Russian in an interview published Monday. As long as Vladimir Putin remains in power, however, her return is “unfortunately impossible,” she said. She pointed out that…