Russo-Ukrainian War

EU Inaction on Ukraine Will Cost More Than Support, Study Finds

A recent study by Corisk and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs has revealed that a Russian military victory in Ukraine would be significantly more costly for Europe compared to a Ukrainian victory. The researchers outlined two scenarios: a Russian partial victory, which could lead to long-term political instability and a surge of refugees, resulting in costs ranging from €1.2 to €1.6 trillion due to defense spending and refugee-related expenses. Conversely, a Ukrainian victory, facilitated by substantial military aid, would cost Europe approximately €522–838 billion. The study highlights the urgency for Europe to support Ukraine as the United States’ support may wane, and the European Commission is exploring a reparations loan scheme to finance Ukraine’s needs.

Read More

Jordan Urges Russia to Halt Recruitment of Jordanian Citizens

Jordan has urged Russia to cease recruiting its citizens into the Russian military following the deaths of two Jordanian nationals fighting for Russia. The Foreign Ministry communicated this message to Moscow and other entities involved in recruiting Jordanians. The ministry has warned of legal consequences for those who attempt to join the Russian army, as well as those recruiting and endangering Jordanians, while also working to stop the recruitment of Jordanians and seeking the termination of contracts for currently enlisted Jordanians.

Read More

Russia’s Space Program Suffers: Human Spaceflight Capability Lost After 60 Years

Following the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, an accident caused significant damage to the launch pad, including the collapse of the mobile service cabin. Footage suggests a service module remained in the rocket’s exhaust duct, contributing to the incident. The affected launch pad is the only operational platform for crewed missions to the ISS, potentially delaying all future Soyuz and Progress flights. Russia’s State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS has acknowledged the damage and stated repairs will be conducted, however, no timeline has been announced.

Read More

Russian Cities Report Explosions Amid Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Overnight on November 28, multiple Russian cities experienced explosions amid a reported drone attack. Explosions were reported near military airfields and other locations in Taganrog, Smolensk, and Saratov, with air raid sirens sounding in Novorossiysk. While details remain unverified, eyewitness footage purportedly shows blasts in multiple cities. These strikes align with Kyiv’s ongoing efforts to target Russian military infrastructure.

Read More

Tanker Explosions Hit Russian Shadow Fleet Off Turkey, Rescues Underway

On Friday, explosions caused fires on two tankers, Kairos and Virat, in the Black Sea near Turkey’s Bosphorus strait. The Kairos, en route from Egypt to Russia, experienced an external impact, leading to a fire, and its 25 crew members were rescued. The Virat also reported an incident, with its 20 personnel reported in good condition. Both tankers are on a list of ships subject to sanctions against Russia, and the incidents sparked speculation about potential mine strikes.

Read More

Failed Sarmat ICBM Launch: Purple Plume and Questions of Russian Reliability

A recent missile launch from the Yasny test site in Russia resulted in a failure shortly after takeoff, producing a large plume of purple smoke. While regional authorities have not disclosed the type of missile, reports suggest the launch may have been an RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, based on the site’s configuration and fuel characteristics. However, some outlets propose the incident may involve a UR-100N intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, as the site supports both systems. This potential failure marks another setback for Russia’s missile program, which has faced previous challenges, including damage to launch infrastructure.

Read More

India’s Russian Crude Imports: Report Highlights False-Flag Vessels

A recent report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that India imported 5.4 million tonnes of Russian oil worth €2.1 billion between January and September 2025 using 30 vessels sailing under false flags. This comprised the largest single national destination for crude transported by Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is comprised of aged tankers operating in legal grey areas. The report indicated a concerning rise in the number of Russian vessels utilizing false flags, with 113 such vessels transporting 13% of all Russian crude oil during the first nine months of the year. CREA emphasized the need for global reforms, urging the EU and UK to address the environmental and security threats posed by these practices and to disrupt the logistics that support Russia’s war effort.

Read More

Kim Jong-un Orders North Korean Troops to Self-Detonate in Ukraine

According to a recent report, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has instructed troops in Ukraine to commit suicide with grenades if captured. This directive is reinforced through twice-weekly political indoctrination sessions that glorify self-sacrifice as an act of loyalty, using religious-style martyrdom narratives. Experts suggest this reflects a complete disregard for the soldiers’ lives, with North Korea already publicly acknowledging casualties. Despite reports of their presence in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian intelligence primarily indicates North Korean troops are involved in fortification work and engineering tasks, not frontline combat, in the Kursk region.

Read More