India plans to invest up to $100 billion in domestic exploration and increase refining capacity to 6 million barrels per day by 2030. This aims to reduce dependence on imports, which currently cover 85-88% of domestic oil consumption.
Internal assessments by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development indicate the continued critical dependence of the economy on imports of high-tech products. This casts doubt on the realism of Russia's plans to achieve technological independence by 2030.
According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Chinese investments in Russia since 2022 do not exceed $17. 4 billion. Chinese investors avoid investing in sectors that could fall under secondary sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Oleh Luhovskyi as acting head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Luhovskyi has served as First Deputy Head of the SZR since October 2024.
The demographic situation in Russia is deteriorating, creating risks for the economy and stability. By 2040, the country could become a "society of elderly people," where the median resident will be a woman aged 50-55.
The sale of LUKOIL International GmbH for $22 billion and the loss of Gazprom Germania by Gazprom indicate the degradation of Russia's international business. Sberbank and VTB also lost their European assets.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a new structure for Ukraine's defense plan. The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to develop a defense plan with the participation of the SBU, Foreign Intelligence Service, and the NBU.
The Kremlin continues to use prisoners as a resource in the war, and the State Duma has rejected eight amnesty projects. The only path to freedom for Russians is participation in the war, which leads to an increase in crime.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine states that inflation in Russia is artificial and controlled to fill the budget and finance the war. The price increase is explained by the increase in VAT and tariffs, which is passed on to consumers.
Russia is tightening control over internal political processes in Belarus through the Union State, aiming to minimize the risks of regime change. Economic cooperation is taking on a military character, integrating Belarusian enterprises into Russia's military production.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported a new information attack by the Kremlin, aimed at intimidating Western countries with widely publicized samples of new weapons. Naryshkin's statements about successful missile tests are part of a disinformation strategy.
Financial analysts predict the closure of up to 30% of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia due to VAT increases and restrictions on access to the simplified tax system. This is a consequence of the budget crisis caused by the war.
President Zelenskyy called for the creation of a strong intelligence unit for foreign operations. He emphasized the importance of combat and asymmetric operations to protect Ukraine's interests.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba announced that 100 million tons of grain have been transported via the Ukrainian sea corridor. In total, 168.9 million tons of cargo have been moved through this route since September 2023.
Russian airlines plan to bring mothballed aircraft over 30 years old back into service. This is a forced step due to the reduction of the aircraft fleet and the lack of updates under sanctions.
Housing prices in Russia have risen by 8-14% over the year, making it unaffordable for many citizens. In 2026, an average Russian will need 60 to 86 monthly salaries to buy an apartment.
Russia exported over 2 million tons of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in 2025, passing it off as its own product. To do this, captured ports and a "ship-to-ship" scheme were used to circumvent sanctions.
Russia plans to launch a large-scale geological exploration program in Donetsk region in 2026. It is designed to run until 2031 and involves the exploration of deposits of strategic and rare metals.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine seized 25% of the shares of the "Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works" into state revenue. The High Anti-Corruption Court satisfied the claim against Stanislav Hamzalov, owner of Russian enterprises that supplied goods for the Russian military-industrial complex.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Luhovskyi. They discussed the fight against Russia's "shadow" fleet and the non-public approaches of partners to communication with the Russian Federation.
The UK is investing over £210 million in cybersecurity, establishing a Government Cyber Unit to centralize risk management. This unit will coordinate responses to cyber incidents and protect government digital services.
In 2025, Russia nationalized private assets worth over 3. 1 trillion rubles, and since 2022, this amount has reached 4.3 trillion rubles. Property was seized from large businesses and strategic enterprises.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not disclosing details on whether Dmytro Kuleba could be appointed to a new position. The head of state commented on the meeting with the former Foreign Minister to journalists.
International financial institutions predict a prolonged slowdown of the Belarusian economy until 2026 due to sanctions and dependence on Russia. GDP growth of 1.4–1.8% and inflation of 7–7.5% are projected under the baseline scenario.
Western sanctions have led to the freezing of approximately $500 million worth of Telegram bonds held in Russia. This demonstrates the messenger's financial vulnerability to the Russian market, despite the founder's attempts to distance himself from Russia.
According to the results of 2025, Russia's foreign trade continued to degrade due to falling world energy prices and oil production quotas. The share of fuel and energy goods in exports decreased to 54.9%, and imports of investment goods decreased by 8.7%.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is appointing Oleh Ivashchenko to a position in Ukraine's military intelligence. This happened after Kyrylo Budanov agreed to head the Presidential Office.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine warns of the Kremlin's preparation of an armed provocation with significant human casualties. It may occur on the eve or during Christmas according to the Julian calendar, likely in a religious building or another symbolic object.
The share of oil and gas revenues in Russia's budget will decrease to 23% this year, compared to 50% a few years ago. The reason is the war against Ukraine and sanctions that force Russia to sell oil at significant discounts.
Russia is preparing for the militarization of children, including adding drone control to GTO standards and expanding state regulation of military-sports training. Militarization has been extended to New Year's events, where children are given rides on military equipment and allowed to shoot.
