Ukraine’s drone industry is experiencing significant expansion into Europe, driven by the war with Russia and growing demand from NATO members. Leading Ukrainian drone manufacturers, like TSIR, are establishing production facilities in NATO countries like Finland, in partnership with local firms, to produce tactical drones for both Ukrainian and allied forces. This trend includes raising funds for additional production and R&D projects, and has led to the establishment of arms export offices in several European countries. With a rapidly growing drone production capacity, Ukraine is producing more drone varieties than all NATO countries combined, potentially transforming NATO’s approach to unmanned warfare.
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Zelenskyy demands tougher sanctions as Russia’s oil revenues plunge 27%, and honestly, it’s about time. We’re talking about a significant drop in legitimate revenue, a 27% year-on-year collapse in Moscow’s oil revenues in October, specifically. This translates to Russia collecting 888.6 billion rubles, or roughly $9.7 billion, in oil and gas taxes that month. While that’s still a substantial sum, it reflects the impact of existing restrictions and falling crude prices. The fact that President Zelenskyy is pushing for harsher measures underscores the understanding that what’s currently in place isn’t enough.
Now, you might be thinking, if Russia’s oil exports were really down, wouldn’t we feel it at the pump?… Continue reading
The Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service reports a crisis of confidence in Russia’s banking system, marked by a shift towards short-term deposits and dwindling demand for longer-term investments. Three-month deposits have surged in popularity, while those exceeding a year have plummeted, reflecting widespread distrust in the unstable Russian economy. This trend suggests a deepening economic crisis, as banks struggle to attract clients and key sectors falter. The situation is further compounded by the ongoing war in Ukraine, international sanctions, and predictions of long-term economic stagnation.
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In a surprising turn of events, the Russian government is cracking down on some of its most ardent supporters of the war in Ukraine, including pro-Kremlin pundits, military bloggers, and commentators. These individuals, once rewarded for their loyalty and enthusiasm, are now facing labels such as “foreign agent,” “terrorist,” and “extremist.” Analysts suggest these actions indicate a power struggle between rival factions within the regime, including a clash between the “loyalists” tied to the defense ministry and the “militarists” or Z-bloggers who have mobilized grassroots support for the war. This purge appears to be fueled by control over resources, as well as Moscow’s fear of any form of civic mobilization, even pro-war movements, with more arrests expected as the repressive apparatus continues its internal search for enemies.
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The UK has provided Ukraine with additional Storm Shadow cruise missiles, strengthening its long-range strike capabilities against targets within Russia. These missiles, capable of hitting targets up to 560 kilometers away, have already been used to strike sites in Russian-occupied territories. This transfer follows Ukraine’s requests for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles, which offer an even greater range, though a decision on supplying these has been postponed. The recent delivery aims to replenish stockpiles before winter, amid expectations of intensified Russian attacks.
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Overnight on November 4, a Lukoil oil refinery in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Oblast was targeted by Ukrainian drones in a joint operation involving multiple branches of the Ukrainian military. The attack, employing over 50 drones, reportedly struck the refinery during repairs to a critical processing component. Simultaneously, multiple other regions within Russia experienced drone attacks, including sites in Voronezh, Belgorod, Kursk, Lipetsk, Volgograd, Sverdlovsk, and the Republic of Bashkortostan. These attacks align with Ukraine’s strategy of targeting facilities that contribute to Russia’s war effort, including energy infrastructure.
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Overnight drone strikes targeted multiple industrial and energy sites deep within Russia, resulting in fires at refineries and petrochemical plants. One such attack led to a fire at the Frolovskaya electrical substation in the Volgograd region, confirmed by Governor Andrei Bocharov, causing power outages in Frolovo and surrounding districts. The Kursk region also experienced power outages impacting over 16,000 consumers due to what was described as an “enemy strike” on a substation, according to Governor Alexander Khinshtein.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced advancements in eliminating Russian forces along the Pokrovsk front, specifically highlighting the efforts of various Ukrainian units. The 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade and other special forces were commended for their active and effective actions in the Pokrovsk and Kupiansk areas. Reports indicate that special forces from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) are involved in stabilization operations in Pokrovsk, as a comprehensive operation is underway to expel Russian forces from the region. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that Pokrovsk is not surrounded or blocked.
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In a move to bolster its military, Russia’s State Duma approved a bill shifting towards year-round conscription starting next year. The legislation allows draft boards to conduct enlistment procedures throughout the year, though conscripts will still be sent to service during the traditional spring and autumn periods. A significant amendment introduces a 30-day expiration for electronic draft notices, streamlining the process. This reform, pending further approvals, aims to improve recruitment efficiency and distribute the workload for military offices, ultimately enhancing conscription quality.
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Putin fears a coup, and honestly, can you blame him? He’s been orchestrating a certain level of fear in others for years. It’s a natural consequence, almost a karmic boomerang, of ruling with an iron fist, and the whispers of a coup are getting louder. With the country sinking deeper into debt, the constant barrage of drone strikes, and the ever-tightening grip of sanctions, the foundations of his power seem to be cracking.
It’s clear that Russia’s economic woes are playing a significant role. The sanctions, meant to cripple the war effort, are having a wider impact, squeezing the entire economy.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood