Russia / News

Russia floats missile supplies to Maduro as US pressure mounts

bnl editorial staff November 4, 2025

A prominent Russian lawmaker has suggested that Moscow could supply Venezuela with advanced weapons systems, including the new Oreshnik ballistic missile, as Caracas desperately seeks military assistance amid the escalating US military build-up.

Russia closing the trap as its forces expand control of Pokrovsk

Ben Aris in Berlin November 4, 2025

The stronghold city of Pokrovsk in the heart of the Donbas now risks “becoming a graveyard for Ukraine’s finest,” Euromaidan Press reports as Russian forces expand their control and threaten to encircle hundreds of Ukraine’s best troops.

Russia launches Khabarovsk nuclear submarine designed to deploy nuclear-capable Poseidon drones

Ben Aris in Berlin November 2, 2025

Russia has launched a new strategic nuclear submarine, the Khabarovsk, which is capable of carrying a dozen of the Kremlin’s recently unveiled nuclear-powered Poseidon torpedo—a next-generation weapons system that Putin called "unstoppable."

Ukraine’s elite HUR forces turn the tide in the battle for Pokrovsk, as Russia’s effort to capture key logistics hub fails

Ben Aris in Berlin November 1, 2025

The battle for Pokrovsk became intense early on November 1and it looked like the fall of the key logistics hub to Russia was imminent. But a bold counterattack by Ukraine’s elite HUR forces seems to have turned the tide.

US prepares attack on Venezuela as Maduro begs Putin for aid

bnl editorial staff November 1, 2025

The Trump administration has reportedly drawn up a list of potential military targets within Venezuela as part of its intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, who has turned to Moscow seeking urgent military assistance.

Bulgaria suspends fuel exports to EU after US sanctions Lukoil

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade November 1, 2025

Bulgaria has temporarily suspended exports of petroleum products to European Union countries after the United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil giant Lukoil.

Russia faces $50bn annual losses from oil sanctions as Lukoil exits international assets

Ben Aris in Berlin October 31, 2025

Russia is expected to lose at least $50bn annually due to oil-related sanctions, as Moscow’s largest private oil producer Lukoil agrees to sell its international assets and Germany considers nationalising operations owned by state-run Rosneft.

Situation critical in Ukraine’s frontline key logistics hub Pokrovsk

Ben Aris in Berlin October 30, 2025

Russian infantry units have breached Ukrainian defensive lines and entered the key eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, sparking intense street fighting and threatening to encircle Ukrainian forces as the situation becomes "critical."

Trump–Xi dialogue in Busan aims to cool tariff dispute

bno - Busan Office October 30, 2025

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began direct discussions on October 30, marking their first in person meeting since Trump returned to the White House.

Russia tests nuclear-powered Poseidon torpedo, Putin says

bne IntelliNews October 30, 2025

Speaking during a hospital visit with soldiers wounded in Ukraine, Putin said the device was launched from a submarine and that its onboard nuclear power unit had been successfully activated.

Russia withdraws from Cold War plutonium disposal pact with US

Ben Aris in Berlin October 29, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally withdrawn from a key arms control agreement with the United States governing the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium, as the few remaining nuclear security accords between the two powers vanish.

Zelenskiy allows the start of controlled arms exports

Ben Aris in Berlin October 29, 2025

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence to begin the controlled export of domestically produced weapons starting in November for the first time in the hope of boosting production and attracting investment.

Russia's Lukoil to sell international assets as a result of new US oil sanctions

Ben Aris in Berlin October 28, 2025

Russia's second-largest oil producer, the privately owned Lukoil, will sell its international assets as a result of the new oil sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump last week.

Ukraine accuses Russia of using energy blackmail against Serbia

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade October 27, 2025

Ukraine says Moscow is repeating tactics it previously deployed against Kyiv after Russia refuses to sell its stake in Serbia's NIS.

US senator tells Maduro "head to Russia or China" as warships close in on Venezuela

bnl editorial staff October 27, 2025

A senior US Republican senator has warned that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's time in power is running out and suggested he leave the country, as military tensions in the Caribbean continue to escalate.

Zelenskiy accuses China of aiding Russia’s war effort through industrial and military support

bne IntelliNews October 27, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused China of materially supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex, providing key technologies and resources that have enabled Moscow to sustain and scale its war effort against Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent blasts “Russian propagandist” special envoy Dmitriev in Washington PR debacle

Ben Aris in Berlin October 27, 2025

A trip to Washington by the Kremlin’s special business envoy Kirill Dmitriev days after the US imposed new oil sanctions turned into a debacle after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent blasted him as a “Russian propagandist.”

Russia test fires its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile

bne IntelliNews October 26, 2025

Russia’s Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile has no analogues in the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as the Kremlin escalates the unfolding missile arms race with Ukraine another notch.

Russia claims to surround Pokrovsk

bne IntelliNews October 26, 2025

Russia’s chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov triumphantly reported to Putin that 31 Ukrainian battalions have been encircled in Pokrovsk and 18 battalions in Kupyansk, the hottest spot in the war.

Bulgaria tightens control over Lukoil sale after fresh US sanctions on Russia

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade October 26, 2025

Bulgaria’s parliament passed new legislation tightening state control over the sale of Russian oil major Lukoil’s assets in the country, after Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s top energy firms.

Dismiss