Russia
Employee of Russian plague institute dies of suspected pneumonic infection, Trump offers help
Early Russian reports wrote that Shipilova had contracted the pneumonia after breaking a vial of plague bacteria.
Russia shares jet-drone technology with North Korea, Zelensky claims
Revealed Russian winter assault plans cripple Ukraine power grid, heat, water systems - report
Silver coin hoard found in the outskirts of Moscow may have been buried by a medieval plague victim
Lithuania prepares evacuation plans as PM warns of growing Russian threats
"We're thinking about a variety of scenarios; not all of them are being discussed very much publicly," Lithuanian Prime Minister Sinkevicius told the BBC.
What does Russia’s election reveal about Putin’s grip on power, political opposition? - analysis
Preliminary results released on Monday indicated that United Russia won 355 of 450 seats in the state’s lower house of the legislature, or approximately 57.8% of the vote.
Russia or the US? Post-Assad Syria tries to keep both powers in play - analysis
As Russian ships resupply Moscow’s remaining military presence and US companies arrive seeking investment opportunities, Damascus is trying to build ties with Washington without abandoning Moscow.
AI, Middle East escalation, Ukraine-Russia war on agenda for upcoming UN General Assembly
Nearly 130 heads of state meet with the post-World War Two order under strain and with the UN itself struggling to remain relevant and weathering attacks from Trump.
Putin prepares to escalate Ukraine war with draft surge, attacks targeting NATO - report
The expected escalation, the sources said, is likely to come in the form of a draft surge, accelerated mobilization, and intensified strikes against Ukraine and its allies in Europe.
Putin accuses Ukraine of interfering in Russian parliamentary election
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Ukraine had "long degenerated into a dictatorship," referring to the country not holding a new presidential election since Russia's 2022 invasion.
Trump signs new law expanding Russia sanctions, extending Iran sanctions
According to the White House, the new law authorizes and expands economic measures against Moscow, including statutory sanctions and tariff authorities, while extending existing restrictions on Iran.
Moscow summons British envoy over weapons supplies to Ukraine
Also on Friday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland has joined an anti-ballistic missile coalition with Ukraine and other allies.
Russians vote in election that Putin sees as barometer of public support for his war in Ukraine
The vote comes amid signs of war fatigue, economic pressure and speculation about a possible new mobilization.
US House approves Russia sanctions bill allowing Trump tariffs of up to 100% on Kremlin partners
Notably, the Kremlin said that if Trump signed the sanctions into law, it would make it harder to reach a peace deal in Ukraine.
