Russia
COMMENT: Russian drone and jet incursions highlight shortcomings in Nato’s multilayered air defence system
A spate of Russian drone incursions has stress-tested Nato’s air defences. On September 10, nineteen Russian drones violated Poland’s airspace — the alliance’s worst such breach in more than seventy-five years.
Iran delivers high efficiency gas turbines to Russia to replace sanctioned Siemens equipment
The extreme sanctions imposed on Russia have hit industrial sectors the hardest, which have been almost entirely dependent on imports of high quality foreign made machinery for almost all of the last three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union.
COMMENT: Can Ukraine avoid a macroeconomic collapse? - Shevchenko
“As Ukraine enters autumn 2025, its economy teeters on the brink of a new macroeconomic shock, with its recovery potential exhausted,” Kyrylo Shevchenko, the former head of the National Bank of Ukraine said in an opinion piece on September 18.
North Korean leader oversees test of AI-powered attack drones
Pyongyang unveiled its first attack drones last year, a move that experts warned was closely linked to its growing military partnership with Russia, and may also be linked to Chinese agencies supplying Pyongyang with technical support.
EU passes nineteenth sanctions package, accelerates LNG phase out
The European Commission has published proposals for a 19th sanctions package against Russia that would tighten curbs on energy trade and payments, with new measures aimed at oil refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries.
US cancels Chabahar port sanctions exemption in blow to India's regional strategy
US terminates Iran Chabahar port sanctions waiver from September 29, jeopardising India's strategic trade operations and regional connectivity initiatives through the key facility.
Inflation falls in 70 Russian regions but remains above target
Consumer prices declined in 70 Russian regions in August compared with July, according to data released by the Central Bank of Russia on September 18, as annual inflation also eased in 77 of the country’s regions. (chart)
Polish border shutdown poses questions on Asia-Europe rail freight
The closure of Poland’s crossings with Belarus on September 12 has rattled transport and logistics companies, which warn that a prolonged halt could drive cargo away from the country, disrupt supply chains and inflate costs for businesses,
Washington has “surrendered” in the Central Asia battle for influence, says ex-ambassador
Russia and China now dominate narrative across region, Daniel N. Rosenblum tells students at Yale. If US cuts itself off from the world, “we will ultimately be less secure and less prosperous,” he warns.
Europe faces harsh realities in Ukraine as long war looms - Ash
Timothy Ash, senior sovereign strategist at BlueBay Asset Management in London, says European policymakers are belatedly waking up to the fact that the war in Ukraine is set to be prolonged — and that they alone may have to foot the bill.
Poland closes its border with Belarus, cutting off China's rail link to Europe
Poland’s decision to close its border with Belarus in response to the quadrennial Zapad-2025 military exercises and Russian drone incursion on September 10 has abruptly severed one of the fastest-growing trade arteries between China and the EU.
Russia to build large-scale high-speed train network
When Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that Vladimir Putin had approved more than 4,500km of new high-speed rail, the tone was businesslike, almost perfunctory, but the project could be a game-changer.
Europe remains Russia's number one biggest importer of gas, top five importer of oil in August
US President Donald Trump complained that the EU is still importing too much Russian oil and that the White House will not put sanctions on Russia unless the EU cuts back on this business.
COMMENT: US-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal exposes Russia’s strategic failures
The recent peace breakthrough between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a major diplomatic win for the United States and a setback for Russia, according to a new report published by the Atlantic Council.
Russian team comes dead last in Hungary’s annual grave digging contest
In a surprise move, Hungary invited a Russian team to its annual grave digging competition. In an even bigger surprise the team from Novosibirsk came dead last.
The European Commission proposes to “creatively” tap Russia’s $300bn of frozen assets with Reparation Loans
The European Commission is floating a new idea of how to “creatively” tap Russia’s $300bn of frozen assets without the need to appropriate, which is legally questionable, by replacing the money transferred to Kyiv with EU-backed bonds.
Russia to double its nuclear power plant fleet with 38 new reactors
Russia has announced an ambitious programme to double its nuclear power plant fleet with 38 new reactors, according to the state-owned nuclear power agency Rosatom.
Serbia in talks with Russia on nuclear power plant construction
Talks follow Serbia’s November 2024 decision to lift a historic ban on nuclear power, imposed by its predecessor state Yugoslavia in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster.
“Yuri Gagarin” cosmodrome seeking a future in space – and tourism
Golden age of spaceport is long over, with Moscow focused on facilities in Russia. Kazakhstan, however, hopes it can find profitable niche in launching satellites.
Russia’s 13 “drowning men” sink into corporate debt – The Bell
The Central Bank of Russia has quietly acknowledged growing financial distress among the country’s largest companies, identifying 13 corporations as "truly problematic" borrowers at the end of the first quarter.