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lukashenko’s Oil Dream in Siberia Has Turned into Tens of Millions of Dollars in Losses

“belorusneft”’s oilfield services subsidiary, “belorusneft-sibir”, has been operating in siberia since 2008. In 2025, it incurred $14.5 million in losses – also a record. This amount exceeds the total net profit the company has earned over the years of its operations in the russian north.
5/4/2026
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The kremlin-Style Statistics: Minuses Turning into Pluses, russians Borrowing at 250% Annual Interest

While officials are dividing up other people’s savings, millions of russians are already living in debt. 2025 was a record year for microfinance organizations: citizens borrowed 2.1 trillion rubles (~$28 billion) from them – by 35% more than the previous year.
5/4/2026
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No Fuss, No Severance Pay: a Wave of “Quiet” Layoffs Has Begun in russia

Key indicators of a “quiet” layoff include a sharp increase in sales targets, an increase in reporting requirements, tighter controls and inspections, as well as the reduction or complete elimination of bonuses. All of this creates both psychological and financial pressure on employees.
5/4/2026
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moscow Is Completing the Construction of a Digital Ghetto

The ministry of digital development of the rf is developing a set of measures designed to transform the russian segment of the internet into an infrastructure fully controlled by the state. Instead of obvious blockades, there will be a slow economic and licensing crackdown which the average user will feel gradually: through higher bills, poor connectivity, and a lack of alternatives.
5/3/2026
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In Mali, russia Has Once Again Proven Itself to Be an Unreliable Partner

moscow’s focus on the Sahel had its own logic. Following a wave of military coups in the region, russia actively filled the vacuum created by the withdrawal of Western forces. The scheme is simple: sell security services to the junta in exchange for access to mineral deposits – all without any inconvenient questions about human rights or elections.
5/3/2026
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We Continue Our Work with Partners and Expect Substantive Outcomes from the Talks in May – Address by the President

We are preparing new sanctions decisions – several sanctions packages – for today and the near future. We continue our work with partners – in Europe, in the Middle East and the Gulf, and in other parts of the world – with everyone who can strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and provide Ukraine with greater economic strength.
5/2/2026
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A Parade of Fear: russia Cancels Columns of Military Equipment and Shuts Down the Internet on May 9

putin celebrates May 9 just as he wages war: hiding losses and passing off retreat as strategy.
5/2/2026
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1,800 Vanished Villages and $100 Billion Down the Drain: the Results of Three Decades of lukashenko’s Rule in Rural Areas

70% of belarusian agricultural enterprises are unable to operate without constant state subsidies. The profitability of grain production has fallen from 71% in 1995 to less than 10% in 2020. The agricultural sector’s debts to banks exceed its annual production volume by one-fifth.
5/2/2026
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The Financial Crisis Is Driving russians to Backstreet Loan Sharks and Debt Bondage

Strict rules for obtaining money – which is not enough to live on – are driving russians to seek financial assistance in the shadow economy.
5/2/2026
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Financial Support for Our Military Personnel Will Be Increased – Address by the President

On the contact line, infantry must be provided with the strongest possible conditions. This will also apply to financial support. I have instructed that monthly contract levels for infantry on the contact line be set at 250,000 to 400,000 hryvnias.
5/2/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, commenting on the russian leadership’s decision to hold a parade on May 9 without military equipment, has stated that this reflects the true course of the war against Ukraine.
5/1/2026
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russia Eating into Reserves Accumulated over Twenty Years

Now it is selling it. In the first quarter of 2026, the central bank of the rf sold approximately 21.8 tons from its own reserves, reducing the country’s gold reserves to 2,305 tons. For a budget with a gaping hole of nearly $62 billion, the precious metal has become the last resort.
5/1/2026
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Chinese Tyres Have Strangled the russian Market

Domestic production has also plummeted. In 2025, tyre production in russia fell by 21% – from 44.7 million to 35.1 million units. The share of russian companies in the domestic market dropped to 51.5%.
5/1/2026
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The Mystery of Stepan Fedak Jr.’s Disappearance

The fate of Stepan Fedak, whose sisters were married to Yevhen Konovalets and Andriy Melnyk, is full of mysteries and blank spots. It was believed that he disappeared without a trace around 1945, at the end of World War II.
5/1/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has stated that European countries should not beg russia for negotiations to end the war, but instead put it in a position where moscow would move toward a genuine dialogue.
4/30/2026
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russia to Face Hidden Deindustrialization

The first quarter of 2026 proved disastrous for “severstal”, one of russia’s largest steel companies. Net profit plummeted 370-fold – from $281.6 million to $0.76 million. Free cash flow turned negative at $539.5 million. Cash reserves fell to $65.5 million by the end of March, down from $513.2 million at the start of the year and $1.72 billion at the start of 2025.
4/30/2026
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The Tax Trap: moscow Has Strangled Small Businesses and Is Missing Out on Revenue

Small businesses in russia are moving into the shadow en masse – and the state treasury is already feeling the consequences. According to the results of the first quarter of 2026, the federal Tax service recorded a collapse in revenue from small businesses and the self-employed: just $7.5 billion – by 16% less than a year ago.
4/30/2026
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russia and China May Become Rivals in the 2030s

Their long-term goals differ: russia is focused on forming its own pan-region, while China seeks global dominance. This creates the conditions for competition over resources, territories, and allies.
4/30/2026
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Today, I Approved Our New Operations – If Russia Does Not Want Diplomacy, Diplomacy Must Be Imposed on It – Address by the President

I also spoke today with the Foreign Intelligence Service. We have clear documents – Russian documents – showing that Russia considers our work on arms exports and bilateral security agreements a specific threat to itself. The political leadership of the Russian Federation is explicitly setting the task of disrupting Ukraine’s access to such new investments in our defense sector. We will counter this.
4/30/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

King Charles III of the United Kingdom, in an address to the US Congress, emphasized the need for “resolute support” for Ukraine amid global instability. In his view, this is what will help achieve “a just and lasting peace”.
4/29/2026