The Russian Finance Ministry announced a significant decrease in oil and gas revenues for November, marking a 34% drop year-over-year. This decline, attributed to sanctions, weak crude prices, and a strong ruble, resulted in 530.9 billion rubles collected in oil and gas taxes. Mineral extraction tax revenue decreased by 36% and export duties by nearly 40%, further contributing to the revenue shortfall. The Urals crude average price also fell to its lowest point since March 2023 at $44.87 per barrel in November, which added to the economic pressures.
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EU unveils ‘defense readiness roadmap’ to prepare continent for possible Russia war, and it’s certainly a topic that’s sparking a lot of thought. It’s a fundamental shift, acknowledging the need to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. The fact that this roadmap exists at all, years into an ongoing conflict, raises some eyebrows. It’s a little late in the game, some might say.
There’s a lot of debate brewing about the timing. Some find it rather ironic that a comprehensive defense strategy is only now being solidified, especially considering the long-standing tensions and the recent escalation of aggression.… Continue reading
A recent 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia offered a glimmer of hope for thousands of Ukrainian families. However, the exchange highlighted the dire conditions faced by Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs), with nine out of ten reporting torture, including physical and sexual abuse. This brutality extends to thousands of Ukrainian civilians held captive by Russia, who face similar treatment and forced assimilation. A Ukrainian POW, Dr. Volodymyr Labuzov, detailed the horrors he witnessed, including the destruction of cities and offers from captors to join them in conquering Europe. Labuzov urged the international community to acknowledge and address the ongoing genocide against Ukrainian people.
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Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, identified the Russian 112th and 448th missile brigades as responsible for the April 13th Sumy attack, which killed at least 34 civilians, including two children, and injured 117 more. The Iskander-M ballistic missile strikes, launched from Voronezh and Kursk oblasts, utilized cluster munitions, a violation of international humanitarian law. This attack, condemned internationally as a war crime, occurred during Palm Sunday church services. Budanov vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
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Addressing a summit in Bucha, President Zelenskiy urged the international community to hold Russia accountable for over 183,000 documented war crimes committed since the 2022 invasion. This figure, compiled by Ukraine, excludes crimes in currently occupied territories. Zelenskiy stressed the need for effective international law and sanctions to prevent further atrocities and ensure justice. Investigations are underway domestically and internationally, including by the International Criminal Court, though challenges remain, such as the lack of U.S. and Russian recognition of the court’s jurisdiction.
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A developing scandal surrounding the tracking of children has intensified, with allegations that data related to their monitoring has been deleted following contract termination. This deletion, coupled with potential loss of satellite imagery access, jeopardizes the ability to track these children. The claim is detailed in a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Rubio from over a dozen members of Congress, expressing serious concern about the potential for devastating consequences. The letter, led by Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), includes support from Republicans Reps. Don Bacon (NE) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA).
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Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, revealed that Russia’s February 2022 invasion was preceded by extensive preparations for genocide, including the creation of kill lists and plans for mass graves and crematoria. This genocidal intent, Budanov argued, stemmed from a deeply ingrained Ukrainophobia within Russian society and was fueled by official rhetoric denying Ukrainian nationhood. Mass atrocities in cities like Bucha and Mariupol serve as evidence of this systematic policy, according to Budanov. Further, the abduction and forced re-education of Ukrainian children underscore Russia’s attempt to erase Ukrainian identity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood