The National Payment Card System (NSPK) is recommending that Russian banks remove all remaining Visa and Mastercard cards from circulation. This is due to the expiration of security certificates embedded in the cards’ chips on January 1, 2025, rendering them unusable. The NSPK, established by the Central Bank, will work with credit institutions to determine a timeline for this withdrawal following Visa and Mastercard’s exit from Russia in 2022. This decision aligns with the Central Bank’s plans to restrict the validity of expired cards to combat fraud, a measure that was first announced in July 2025.
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Ukrainian soldiers broke through open-steppe defenses, liberating Sichneve village from Russian troops, a significant achievement that definitely deserves attention. The open steppe presents a formidable challenge, a vast expanse where every move is potentially observed, making any advance incredibly dangerous. The constant threat of drone surveillance, the possibility of immediate artillery strikes, and the ever-present danger of FPV drones make crossing such terrain a harrowing experience. To see Ukrainian forces succeed in the face of such adversity is, without a doubt, a testament to their bravery and determination.
This victory in Sichneve, no matter its relative size, should be a source of encouragement.… Continue reading
In response to Nicaragua’s recognition of Crimea and other Ukrainian territories as Russian, Ukraine has officially severed diplomatic ties with Managua. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned this action, deeming it a violation of international law and an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Kyiv emphasized that the recognition is invalid and will not alter Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. This decision follows Nicaragua’s previous support for Russia’s actions and recognition of separatist entities, reflecting a broader policy of Ukraine to strongly react to any infringement upon its territorial integrity.
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Putin says Russia has captured nearly 5,000 square km in Ukraine this year, and it immediately sparks a question: is that really as impressive as it sounds? Let’s put this into perspective. That’s roughly a 70km by 70km square. It’s not insignificant, sure, but when you zoom out and consider the scale of the war, the price being paid, it really makes you pause and think.
This area of land, it’s almost insignificant compared to the overall size of Ukraine. It’s just a tiny fraction of Ukraine’s total landmass. If we’re being generous, it’s like conquering a small town for a truly staggering cost.… Continue reading
In a second night of significant air attacks, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported the destruction of nearly 200 Ukrainian drones. The Nizhny Novgorod region experienced a drone attack on an industrial zone, with debris causing minor damage to one enterprise. Ukrainian sources claim their drones targeted the Y.M. Sverdlov explosives factory near Dzerzhinsk, reportedly Russia’s key producer of high explosives. This action followed a previous day’s attack involving 20 drones in the same area.
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Zelenskyy: Ukrainian defense industry produces 40% of frontline weapons, a figure that truly speaks volumes about the nation’s resilience and determination. The fact that they’re now manufacturing a significant portion of their own weaponry, right in the midst of a full-scale war, is a testament to their ingenuity and the rapid evolution of their defense capabilities. To think, just a couple of years ago, they were largely dependent on external supplies. Now, they’re forging their own path to self-sufficiency.
This shift toward local production is particularly noteworthy when we consider the example of the 2S22 Bohdana howitzer. It’s amazing that they are producing around 40 of these per month.… Continue reading
Ukraine has revealed a new Neptune cruise missile variant featuring bulges likely for increased fuel capacity, suggesting an extended range. This missile, distinct from the longer-range Long Neptune, was showcased to Western dignitaries alongside other domestically developed weapons systems. The Neptune family, originally designed for anti-ship roles, has become crucial for striking targets inside Russia, with existing versions reportedly hitting over 50 Russian targets in the past year. This continued development of the Neptune family is part of a larger push by Ukraine to enhance its domestic arms production.
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Russia loses one million tons of fuel in September alone as strikes and sanctions converge, a staggering figure that highlights the complex challenges facing the Russian energy sector. It’s a situation that paints a picture of significant disruption, with a combination of factors contributing to this massive loss of fuel production.
The Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, specifically, are a key part of this story. While precise numbers are always tricky to pin down, with some news outlets claiming up to 38% of Russian oil refining capacity is offline, the situation isn’t quite that simple. Considering that Russia can refine 327 million tons of oil annually, or roughly 6.5 million barrels per day, the impact of these attacks, targeting 16 refineries, is significant.… Continue reading
Overnight on Tuesday, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia, impacting targets as far as Tyumen, over 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, coinciding with Vladimir Putin’s birthday. Moscow reported intercepting 209 projectiles, primarily over border regions, following a previous day’s retaliatory strike by Russia. The attack on Tyumen, which included an industrial site and potentially the Tyumen Oil Refinery, marks one of Ukraine’s deepest strikes and has contributed to Russia’s fuel shortages. These attacks have intensified in recent months, significantly impacting Russian refining capacity and gasoline output, prompting government measures to address the supply issues.
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Kremlin-linked media mogul dies in mysterious 21-meter fall. Well, that’s a headline that certainly grabs your attention, doesn’t it? The phrase “mysterious death” is almost a cliché at this point, especially when it comes to events involving powerful figures in Russia. It seems like another day, another high-profile person, allegedly connected to the Kremlin, has taken a tumble from a significant height. Twenty-one meters, which is roughly equivalent to a seven-story building, is quite a drop. You can’t help but wonder about the circumstances, and if “mysterious” is really the most accurate descriptor.
Kremlin-linked media mogul dies in mysterious 21-meter fall.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood