Putin’s recent decision to forgive debt arrears for new Russian recruits fighting in the Ukraine war is a move that speaks volumes about the current state of affairs. It’s a stark, almost desperate measure, revealing the lengths to which the Kremlin is willing to go to bolster its flagging military efforts.
The immediate implication is straightforward: financial burdens are removed as an obstacle to enlistment. This means that individuals previously hesitant due to crippling debt can now join the ranks without worrying about leaving their families in dire straits. It’s a cynical calculation, essentially offering a lottery where the prize is freedom from debt, and the cost is potentially one’s life.… Continue reading
In exchange for North Korean troops supporting its war effort in Ukraine, Russia has supplied Pyongyang with air defense missile systems, bolstering its air defense network. South Korean officials believe these systems, potentially including S-400 missiles, were provided alongside other military technologies and economic aid. This arms transfer is seen as a significant development, particularly given North Korea’s recent concerns about drone incursions. While experts question the overall effectiveness of the transferred systems, the deal highlights growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in the face of Western sanctions and opposition.
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Satellite imagery analysis by the Open Source Centre reveals that Russia has provided North Korea with over one million barrels of oil since March 2024, violating UN sanctions. This oil is believed to be compensation for weapons and troops North Korea has supplied to Russia for its war in Ukraine. These transfers, documented across 43 tanker voyages, represent a significant breach of international agreements and demonstrate a deepening relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. Experts warn that this oil-for-arms exchange destabilizes regional security and shows disregard for international sanctions.
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The United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, the last major Russian bank not previously sanctioned, citing its role in facilitating Russia’s military operations, including equipment purchases and soldier payments. These sanctions target Gazprombank and six subsidiaries, significantly limiting its access to global finance. While the US previously avoided sanctioning the bank to maintain European gas supplies, this decision reflects a shift in energy dynamics and aims to further degrade Russia’s war machine. The sanctions also target over 50 other Russian banks and 15 officials, and warn against participation in Russia’s alternative financial messaging system.
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Putin’s recent pronouncements that the Ukraine war is becoming global are, frankly, a bit rich. He claims the conflict, which he initiated, has been pushed into a global scenario by the West. This, of course, ignores the reality of his actions. He’s actively brought mercenaries from across the globe—Africa, the Middle East, India, Cuba—to fight on his behalf, essentially turning the war into an international affair through his own recruitment efforts. It’s a blatant disregard for the truth, a convenient narrative to deflect blame for his own aggressive actions.
The fact that he’s also enlisted North Korea in this conflict speaks volumes.… Continue reading
Addressing the European Parliament on the 1000th day of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a potential deployment of up to 100,000 North Korean troops to aid Russia. This alarming figure, corroborated by Ukraine’s ambassador to South Korea, suggests a significant escalation of the conflict. Reports also indicate that North Korea has supplied Russia with additional long-range artillery systems. The deployment of North Korean troops, coupled with Russia’s recent nuclear doctrine changes, underscores growing international concern over the war’s expansion.
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Over 1,000 soldiers, including officers, deserted Russia’s 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, as revealed by an internal document obtained by iStories. This mass desertion, comprised of contract soldiers, mobilized personnel, and conscripts, followed significant losses and repeated Ukrainian attacks on the division’s headquarters. The desertion rate has steadily increased since the war’s beginning, peaking in July 2024. While the desertion of such a large number of soldiers from a single division is significant, Russia continues to field multiple divisions in the conflict.
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President Duda, speaking before departing for Jordan, hailed President Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles within Russia as a potential turning point in the war. This decision, mirroring similar approvals from France and Britain, signifies a unified Western front providing robust support to Ukraine. Duda emphasized the importance of this aid in countering Russia’s escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure and the mobilization of allies, including North Korean troops. He viewed the timing as significant, contrasting the Western resolve with Chancellor Scholz’s recent phone call with Putin, suggesting a potential attempt to broker a ceasefire before a potential Trump presidency.
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A leaked document reveals that over 1,000 soldiers from Russia’s 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division have deserted since the beginning of the Ukraine war. This figure comprises professional soldiers, mobilized troops, and conscripts, highlighting a significant desertion rate within a single division. The IStories report suggests this may represent a much larger problem, given the numerous divisions involved in the conflict. Many desertions occurred early in the war, fueled by the conflict’s extended duration exceeding initial promises. The report underscores the limitations of official Russian accounts regarding military desertions.
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Reports indicate that Russia is paying approximately $2,000 per month to as many as 100,000 North Korean troops deployed to aid its war effort in Ukraine. However, analysts believe Kim Jong Un will likely retain the majority of these funds, using them to maintain loyalty among the elite and bolster the regime’s resources. This financial influx could significantly impact North Korea’s economy, despite the dire conditions faced by the soldiers themselves, who are unlikely to receive any substantial compensation. The money may instead be used for military equipment, luxury goods for elites, or improved food supplies to quell potential unrest.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker