Russia
Kazakh special economic zone court rules in favour of Ukraine over Russia
Ruling in Naftogaz versus Gazprom case sends reassuring signal to potential foreign investors.
EU’s foreign policy boss Kallas is undermining Europe’s credibility
Kaja Kallas has done it again. The EU’s top foreign policy high representative called China a “cancer” that needs decisive treatment with chemotherapy rather than temporary relief with morphine.
The baby bust: how a global demographic crisis crept up on everyone
Just a decade ago, the dominant demographic narrative was of "dying Russia" — a population hollowed out by the chaos that followed the Soviet collapse, shrinking through a combination of low birth rates, high mortality and mass emigration.
Who is going to run out of men sooner and be forced to end the war: Russia or Ukraine?
Who is going to run out of men sooner and have to end the war? Russia or Ukraine? Much has been made of the slowdown of Russia’s volunteer recruitment drive which is now unable to replace the estimated 30,000 dead and wounded a month.
Russia plans to build nine fast-neutron nuclear power units by 2042
Russia plans to build nine fast-neutron nuclear power units by 2042 as part of its long-term electricity generation strategy, according to Alexander Lokshin, first deputy director-general of the state nuclear corporation Rosatom.
Russia moves nuclear weapons to Belarus for joint exercise
Drills taking place amid heightened tensions between Russia and Nato members, with regional security concerns rising following recent incidents involving drones in the Baltic region.
COMMENT: Russia and China deepen strategic alignment as partnership reaches “highest level in history”
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping set out an expansive vision for their bilateral relationship in a joint statement issued during a state visit to Beijing this week, marking 30 years of strategic partnership.
Ukraine tests balloon-launched drone system to extend strike range
Ukraine has tested a balloon-assisted launch system designed to greatly extend the operational range of its intermediate range attack drones and improve its strike capabilities against Russian targets.
Russia plans Africa summit in October as Moscow deepens Sahel ties
Russia will hold its latest Russia-Africa summit in October, according to officials involved in preparations for the event, as Moscow seeks to expand political, military and economic influence across Africa.
Autonomous trucks clock 250,000 km a week on Russian highways
Autonomous freight trucks are travelling around 250,000 kilometres each week on Russian federal highways, according to Alexey Raikevich, chief executive of JSC GLONASS, as Moscow accelerates plans to expand driverless logistics operations.
Russian medtech market up 21% to $0.7bn in 2025
Since foreign players pulled out of Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the domestic pharma sector expanded rapidly and gave rise to five new billionaires.
Russia irked by US, EU moves to secure Central Asia critical minerals
Kremlin official talks of “attempt to push Russia out and create a Western-controlled infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of our borders".
Russia climbs to sixth place among Europe’s wine producers
Russia became Europe’s sixth-largest wine producer and the world’s 11th-largest in 2025, accounting for 2.5% of global output, according to data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
Autonomous trucks clock 250,000 km a week on Russian highways
Autonomous freight trucks are travelling around 250,000 kilometres each week on Russian federal highways, according to Alexey Raikevich, chief executive of JSC GLONASS, as Moscow accelerates plans to expand driverless logistics operations.
Lithuania’s PM apologises for communication failures during drone alerts
Nato air policing was activated, airspace above Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed, and train traffic in Vilnius County was halted after reports of an incoming drone.
Putin leaves Beijing with no Power of Siberia pipeline deal
Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on May 20 hoping that the Iran war's disruption to global energy markets would finally give him the leverage to close one of the most consequential energy deals of his presidency. He left empty handed.
Russia oil and gas revenues up 40% in May on Iran war pressures
Russia’s oil and gas revenues are expected to jump 39% year on year in May to about RUB700bn ($9.8bn), buoyed by higher global crude prices driven by the conflict involving Iran, according to Reuters calculations published on May 20.
Putin arrives in Beijing with high powered delegation
Russian President Vladimir Putin kicked off a two-day visit to Beijing on May 19, arriving with a high-powered delegations containing top officials and leading businessmen.
Putin and Xi deepen anti-West axis
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that the presence of the Russian president is intended to introduce stability into an unpredictable international landscape.
Russia’s ruble best performing currency in the world in 1Q26
The Russian ruble has become the world’s best-performing currency for a second consecutive year, buoyed by high oil revenues, capital controls and tight monetary policy that analysts say have entrenched structural imbalances in the economy.