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Ukrainians Detained in Russia Offered Army Enlistment
Mediazona, an independent Russian investigative journalism outlet has reported the case of four Ukrainian civilians held in a special detention center in Tambov, approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) southeast of Moscow. These individuals are detained because their presence in Russia is deemed “undesirable” by authorities, but their deportation is hindered by complications arising from the…
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Ukrainian Drones Strike Residential Buildings in Kazan
Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in Kazan, a city in central Russia located about 1,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, early Saturday morning, according to local authorities. The attack caused damage to buildings and triggered evacuations, though no casualties have been reported. The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure in the…
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Assad Regime Falls: Ukraine’s Role, Russian Retrenchment, and US Diplomacy
Russian troops in Khmeimim Air Base, Syria, 2017. CREDIT: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (Mil.ru).The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reshaped the political and military landscape of Syria, amid suspicion of covert support from Ukraine to the rebel advance. As a consequence, Russia is withdrawing their forces from northern Syria while retaining key military bases, and the United States is exploring engagement with new leadership. Context In…
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Shaping Peace in Ukraine: Recent European Diplomatic Efforts
International discussions on peace efforts regarding the ongoing war in Donbas explore new solutions for achieving a concrete ceasefire. Credit: Australian Institute of International Affairs.The ongoing conflict in Donbas continues to draw international attention, with recent discussions involving European leaders, the United States, and Ukraine. These developments include French-Polish talks about the possible deployment of a peacekeeping force and Hungarian President Viktor Orban’s proposal for a ceasefire. Previous Discussions
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Putin and Lukashenko Sign New Security Pact
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko convened in Minsk to celebrate 25 years of the Union State – a political and economic alliance between Russia and Belarus. Key outcomes included the Interstate Treaty on Security Guarantees, a new a pact aimed at mutual defense. The Interstate Treaty includes: Mutual obligations for defense…
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Russia Accused of Systematic Deportation of Ukrainian Children
Yale’s School of Public Health has released a US State Department-backed report alleging that 314 Ukrainian children were forcibly deported to Russia and subjected to a Kremlin-funded program of “Russification.” Of these children, 166 were placed with Russian families, 148 were listed in adoption databases, and others remain in institutions. The report claims Russian presidential…
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Russia Recruits Houthis for War in Donbas
The Financial Times reported that Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, facilitated by a Houthi-linked operation. Recruits were reportedly promised lucrative jobs and Russian citizenship but were coerced into signing military contracts upon arrival. Many lacked training and were deployed to Ukraine, facing harsh conditions and significant casualties. The operation,…