Russia
Trump sets new 10-12 day deadline for Russia to act on Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has set a new deadline of 10 to 12 days for Russia to make progress towards ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences.
KSE: Russia’s military-industrial expansion may be unsustainable
Russia’s wartime economy has delivered a dramatic expansion in defence production since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But according to KSE, this growth could prove both unsustainable and destabilising in the medium term.
Trump to shorten Russia’s 50-day ceasefire deadline to 10-12 days
US President Donald Trump he will greatly reduce a 50-day deadline for Russia to sign a ceasefire with Ukraine and end hostilities there, because he was “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reports on July 28.
Putin worked as a stuntman in 1970s Soviet movie industry – report
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have performed stunt work in Soviet war films during the 1970s, according to former colleagues and a recently resurfaced caption in a St Petersburg university exhibit.
Ukraine’s EU bid should remain linked to Moldova’s accession - Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine’s EU accession bid should remain linked to Moldova’s in a wake of the passage of the controversial Law 21414 that guts Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms.
Russian oil tanker diverts from India’s sanctioned Nayara Energy Terminal to Mundra Port
A tanker carrying Russian Urals crude oil, originally scheduled to dock at Nayara Energy’s Vadinar terminal on India’s western coast, has diverted to the nearby Mundra port, according to shipping data and industry sources.
Russia pulling ahead of Ukraine in optical fibre drone arms race edge
Ukraine’s early advantage in battlefield drone technology is eroding as Russian investment, industrial scaling, and technological innovation reshape the aerial landscape of the conflict, particularly in the deployment of fibre-optic UAVs.
Ukraine’s top general Zaluzhnyi warns war could last a decade without systemic Western support
Ukrainian former top general and current UK ambassador Valerii Zaluzhnyi has given another controversial interview accusing Nato allies of “strategic infantilism” that could drag out the fighting for another decade.
Russia central bank governor Nabiullina says economy coming back on track, but big problems remain
Russia’s Central Bank of Russia has started easing monetary policy with a 200bp rate cut to bring down the interest rate to 18% on July 25. That is welcome relief for companies that have been increasingly struggling to cope with high rates.
RIDDLE: Why Russia’s housing market defied the mortgage subsidy collapse
In early July 2025 a year passed since the end of Russia’s subsidised mortgage programme, which many expected would trigger a massive crisis in the construction industry. This didn't happen and the market continues to grow.
Russia, China to set their own gold exchanges, cut ties with Western control
Russia and China are taking concrete steps to reduce Western influence over global gold markets, signalling a broader move towards monetary self-reliance and the redomiciliation of gold reserves away from traditional Western centres.
Intense fighting around Pokrovsk as Russia targets logistics hub
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 26 that fierce battles are raging around the key logistical hub eastern city of Pokrovsk, which Russian forces make making an intensified effort to capture.
IPCC releases dire sixth climate update in run-up to COP30
“Any further delay in global action to slow climate change and adapt to its impacts will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.
China is supplying Russia with new decoy drones and engines to boost Russia’s production
China is covertly supplying a new decoy drone using entirely Chinese technology as well as engines sent to Russia’s state-owned drone manufacturer Kupol that has allowed russia to boost drone strikes to 500 per day, NV reports.
COMMENT: Why Russia's economic model no longer delivers
At this year’s St. Petersburg Economic Forum—a once-prestigious event that has grown increasingly insular—Russian economic officials faced uncomfortable questions about the country’s future.
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Russia’s CBR cuts key rate to 18% to help cooling economy
The board of the Central Bank of Russia resolved to cut the key interest rate by 200 basis points from 20% to 18%, as strong disinflation trend in July untied the regulator’s hand in supporting the economy that slides from overheating to recession.
Putin’s public trust rating steady at 77.9% in July - VTsIOM
President Vladimir Putin’s public trust rating rose slightly to 77.9%, according to the latest data from the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM), TASS reported on July 25.
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Weekly deflation ahead of Russia’s CBR meeting
Russia's consumer prices fell by 0.05% week on week during the week of July 15 to July 21, following a slight increase of 0.02% the week before.
Strike breaks out at construction site where Russia is building Turkey’s first nuclear power plant
Rosatom blames unpaid wages on “unfriendly countries” blocking project funds. Launch of first reactor years behind schedule.
PANNIER: Stakes in fight against terrorism raised as Uzbekistan discovers ISKP cell led by teenage woman
Suspect in custody allegedly radicalised at Islamic school in Turkey. Development is disturbing for authorities.