The Russian government has initiated a campaign to nationalize the assets of Konstantin Strukov, a billionaire and owner of Russia’s largest gold mining company, marking an escalation in the Kremlin’s efforts to seize wealth from its elite. Strukov, despite his history of loyalty and political ties, had his private jet grounded and passport seized, with the FSB involved in preventing his departure from the country. This action is part of a broader pattern of reclaiming private wealth to support the war economy, particularly in sectors like gold and oil, amidst shrinking revenues and growing budget deficits. This case, along with others, indicates a shift in the Putin-era social contract, where loyalty no longer guarantees protection from asset seizure as the Kremlin seeks new funding sources.
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President Donald Trump has threatened a 10 percent tariff on countries aligning with the BRICS nations, which includes Russia, potentially impacting Russian President Vladimir Putin. This follows a BRICS summit where they condemned Trump’s import tariffs and strikes on Iran. Trump’s warning, posted on Truth Social, also comes after the group criticized U.S. tariffs and NATO’s increased defense spending. This could signal a tougher stance toward Russia, with the 90-day pause on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs set to expire soon.
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On July 5th, President Trump stated that Russian President Putin does not appear interested in ending the war in Ukraine, expressing his unhappiness with their recent phone call. During the call, which focused on Ukraine, Putin reportedly indicated that Russia would continue pursuing its goals. Following escalating attacks by Russia, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Zelensky, calling the conversation “strategic” and hinting at the potential supply of Patriot air defense systems. However, Trump’s administration has yet to impose new sanctions or approve additional aid packages, while also directing strikes against Iran.
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Ukraine just stripped the leader of Putin’s favorite church – his 8,000 parishes are next. This is a major development, and it’s hard not to see it as a significant blow to Russia’s influence in Ukraine. Stripping someone of their citizenship is a serious move, and in this case, it targets the head of the Moscow-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It’s a clear message: Ukraine will not tolerate those seen as agents of Russia within its borders.
The implications are massive, especially when you consider the scope of the church. We’re talking about a network of roughly 8,000 parishes. That’s a vast infrastructure of influence, a pipeline for ideas and values, all of which could potentially align with Putin’s agenda.… Continue reading
Andrey Bedelov, Vice President of the Russian oil pipeline company “Transneft,” has died after a fall from his apartment window on Moscow’s Rublevskoye Highway. According to reports, the incident occurred this morning, and investigators are currently at the scene. Bedelov had served as Vice President since 2021 and previously held a position at the Voskhod Scientific Research Institute. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
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Following a recent hour-long phone call between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin, Trump reported that no progress was made regarding ending the war in Ukraine. The call, the sixth between the two leaders since January, focused on the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. Putin, according to a Kremlin aide, indicated Russia would continue pursuing its goals in the war. This comes as Russia intensifies attacks, and the U.S. paused weapons shipments, while Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the need for direct talks between national leaders to achieve peace.
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Breaking news confirms the death of Russian Navy Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mikhail Gudkov in the Kursk region during a combat mission near the Ukrainian border on July 2nd. While Ukrainian media initially reported his death in a HIMARS strike, both the Russian Ministry of Defence and the Governor of Primorye have now confirmed the loss. Gudkov, appointed to his position by President Putin in March 2025, previously led the 155th Separate Guards Brigade of the Pacific Fleet Naval Infantry.
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With the White House’s focus shifting toward the Middle East, Russia has intensified its military operations in Ukraine, seizing more territory in June than in previous months. Experts suggest this increased aggression, particularly around Sumy, may be a strategic move to strengthen Russia’s position in potential peace talks. Moscow aims to secure control over regions it claims, including Crimea and the Donbas, as potential bargaining chips. Despite suffering losses, Russia appears to be leveraging its manpower to achieve incremental territorial gains, while Ukraine is struggling to effectively counter these advances.
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Amidst warnings of an impending recession, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to reduce military spending over the next three years, despite current spending reaching nearly $172 billion annually. This decision follows warnings from economic officials regarding dwindling resources and a slowdown in wartime economic growth, despite 4.3% growth in 2024. Russia faces challenges including high inflation, labor shortages, and the impact of Western sanctions, leading to cuts in non-military spending, particularly social programs. Furthermore, private industries are suffering, and banking officials have privately warned about a potential crisis next year, while the country struggles with reintegrating returning veterans.
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Although Russia has inflicted substantial casualties and destruction in Ukraine, Moscow has not formally declared war. This strategic decision stems from the Kremlin’s fear of domestic backlash, as a declaration of war would necessitate full mobilization and economic shifts. Despite the denial, experts note Russia’s economy is already on a wartime footing, with increased defense spending and production. Furthermore, a formal declaration would have significant geopolitical implications, signaling a more aggressive stance to the international community and potentially affecting Russia’s relationship with other nations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood