The General Directorate of Intelligence of the Taliban movement is tightening control over the activities of Russian and Belarusian agents in Afghanistan. Taliban special services suspect them of attempting to provoke tensions between East and West.
The Russian government saved over 207 billion rubles by cutting funding for a number of state programs, including healthcare and the aviation industry. At the same time, spending on government bodies and propaganda significantly increased, particularly on the "Russia in the World" program and state TV channels.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported that Belarus has resumed gasoline supplies to Russia through the St. Petersburg Exchange after an almost year-long hiatus. This comes amid high demand in Russia and an increase in sales of petroleum products. Simultaneously, Belarus and Russia are deepening their military-industrial cooperation.
In occupied Crimea, the volume of fuel sales at gas stations has been reduced to 20 liters per person. The restriction was introduced due to the fuel shortage that persists on the peninsula.
The Russian government expects a budget deficit of $68 billion by the end of 2025, almost double previous forecasts. This is due to a reduction in oil and gas revenues and high war expenditures.
International sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine have significantly weakened Moscow's position in Latin America. Military-technical cooperation has sharply declined, while Iran and China have intensified their influence in the region.
The European Union has launched an official investigation into the supply of urea from Russia. Finland and Sweden are strengthening the defense of NATO's eastern flank, while Serbia and Kenya have detained suspects in pro-Russian activities.
Ukraine is increasing the production and contracting of UAVs, including interceptor drones, according to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov. Next week, a technology Staff meeting will be held to scale up Ukrainian drone programs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard reports from the Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) and the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) regarding Russian arms production and the fuel complex. Based on the intelligence findings, new tasks for Ukraine have been outlined.
In Russia, 2. 6% of gas stations, or 360 facilities, closed in two months. Independent gas stations and the Southern Federal District, as well as temporarily occupied Crimea, were most affected.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that the Russian government has approved a draft federal budget for 2026–2028 with a record deficit of $54. 6 billion. The Russian Ministry of Finance proposes to increase VAT to 22% and lower the threshold for the "simplified tax system" to cover the lack of resources.
In September, China ceased unofficial subsidies for the import of russian copper and nickel to reduce the competitive advantage of suppliers from the russian frederation. This decision is part of China's strategy to optimize state spending and diversify import flows, which will lead to a decrease in the profits of Russian producers.
Russian government officials plan to legally limit the export of gold from the country to 100 grams in an attempt to cut off the channel for capital outflow. This comes against the backdrop of a 60% increase in gold purchases by Russians since the beginning of the full-scale aggression.
A severe fuel shortage persists in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, leading to a fuel collapse. Gas stations are empty, and prices are rapidly increasing, despite statements from the occupation authorities about "stabilization."
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that tax pressure is growing in the Russian Federation due to the war and budget deficit. Banks will be the first to be hit, and an increase in VAT from 20% to 22% is also being discussed.
The fuel shortage has affected at least 20 regions of Russia, including the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The price of AI-92 gasoline rose and exceeded 73.2 thousand rubles per ton, which became a historical maximum.
The thawing of permafrost and extreme weather events will cost the Russian economy trillions of rubles; up to 60% of buildings in the Arctic have already been affected. The total damage to infrastructure will exceed $100 billion, and the total losses for the Russian economy are estimated at least at 5 trillion rubles by 2050.
After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin almost completely cleared the independent media space. Russian authorities added 62 organizations to the list of "foreign-influenced individuals" since the beginning of the year alone.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the "Servant of the People" faction, where issues of war were discussed, including military salaries, housing provision for IDPs, and the personnel crisis in the public sector. The meeting also touched upon support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the negotiation process.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service regarding long-range strikes on Russia's fuel sector and the intentions of the Russian leadership. He emphasized that Russia is rebuilding itself for war capabilities, and this can only be countered by strong sanctions and Ukrainian long-range capabilities.
In the 2026 state budget, expenditures for the National Academy of Medical Sciences, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Community Development significantly increased. At the same time, expenditures for the State Property Fund, the State Space Agency, and the Ministry of Defense were reduced.
This autumn, every tenth company in Russia plans to cut staff. Businesses are forced to cut costs due to falling demand, rising taxes, and more expensive loans.
The government approved an experimental project by the Ministry of Defense. Military personnel undergoing treatment abroad can now undergo military medical commission remotely.
The rules for military medical examination of the Armed Forces of Ukraine now apply to the SBU, Foreign Intelligence Service, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Protection Department. The process of medical examinations has been simplified, including remotely, for military personnel undergoing treatment abroad.
The cost of access to open state data in Russia, including real estate registry extracts and subscriptions to analytical systems, has increased tenfold. This creates a significant financial burden on small businesses, pushing them out of the market and limiting access to information.
The Russian pulp and paper industry is experiencing a deep crisis, with enterprises operating at a loss and accumulating debts. The largest timber industry holding "Segezha Group" declared a net debt of 147.9 billion rubles.
The Kremlin is expanding its influence on the education and leisure of Russian schoolchildren, forming a centralized model of ideological control. This is happening through state funding, media assets, and educational platforms controlled by structures close to the president.
The Russian PMC "Wagner" failed in Mali, not taking control of resources and intensifying violence. Relations with the junta are deteriorating, and the Kremlin has not gained access to gold mines.
Russia is recruiting youth from Africa, Asia, and Latin America to produce attack drones in the Alabuga special economic zone. They are promised high salaries but are forced to assemble drones used for strikes against Ukraine.
Member of the Iranian Council, Seyed Mohammad Sadr, accused Russia of transferring data on Iranian air defense systems to Israel during the June 2025 conflict. This incident, according to him, indicates the illusory nature of the "strategic alliance" between Moscow and Tehran.
