The Russian Federation and Belarus have completed nuclear exercises using Iskander-M systems. ISW notes the strengthening of the Kremlin's actual control over Minsk.
Russia is losing 35,000 soldiers every month, while Ukraine is reclaiming territories. Strikes on Moscow and infrastructure are becoming a new reality for the Kremlin.
Representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi stated that international social networks are being systematically pushed out of the RF to ensure control by special services. Telegram and WhatsApp remain the most popular.
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated Russia's readiness for dialogue with Europe, provided it changes its position. The EU is preparing its own initiative for negotiations with Putin.
Dmitry Peskov denied data regarding the secret training of 200 Russian military personnel at bases in China. According to the alleged agreement, the soldiers were studying drone operations.
Andrius Kubilius has accused the Russian Federation of conducting hybrid attacks on the Baltic states to undermine support for Ukraine. He called for the strengthening of air defense and drone detection systems.
Melnyk called for stripping the Russian Federation of its status in the UN Security Council due to terror against civilians. The beginning of 2026 has become the deadliest for civilians in history.
Shares of Gazprom and TMK depreciated following Putin's visit to Beijing. The parties failed to sign a contract for the construction of the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline.
Drone strikes have knocked out plants with a capacity of over 83 million tons per year. This represents a quarter of Russia's total oil refining and reduces budget revenues.
The leaders of China and the Russian Federation discussed the war in Ukraine and a joint strategy during a meeting in Beijing. The parties also criticized US nuclear policy.
Xi Jinping and Putin condemned US nuclear policy and the Golden Dome system. Despite the rapprochement, the parties were unable to sign a large-scale gas deal.
Beijing views the Russian Federation as a weak raw material appendage for obtaining cheap resources. Joint projects remain without agreed-upon details due to toxicity.
Donald Trump called his trip to Beijing grander than Putin's visit. He believes that the reception ceremony in China surpassed the Russian festivities.
The political scientist called Belarus's entry into the war unlikely due to Lukashenko's fear of protests. The country's army has been depleted by the transfer of equipment to Russia.
During a tea ceremony with Xi Jinping, Putin described the visit to China as "successful and fruitful work. " He expressed gratitude for the organization of the negotiations between both delegations.
Trump denied Xi Jinping's words that Putin would regret the invasion of Ukraine. China called these reports fabricated and groundless.
Zelenskyy reported on Russia's plans to mobilize 100,000 people. Ukraine is preparing to expand long-range sanctions and defense against new war scenarios.
The parties agreed on the route for Power of Siberia 2, but the schedule and prices remain open. An agreement on a new railway was signed and the visa-free regime was extended.
The US is asking Ukraine and the EU to ease sanctions on Belarusian potash to improve relations with Minsk. Lithuania is currently refusing to restore transit.
Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Russia in the near future. This was stated by Putin's representative Kirill Dmitriev during his stay in China.
Putin declared unprecedented cooperation with China and invited Xi to the RF. The leaders discussed a new world order, with the construction of a gas pipeline on the agenda.
Kirkorov claimed credit for Bulgaria's victory at Eurovision 2026, but the country denied his involvement. Meanwhile, Lavrov called the contest satanism.
Andriy Melnyk at the UN rejected Russia's demands for surrender and called the attacks on Russia a boomerang. He urged the world to respond to Putin's nuclear blackmail.
The Russian dictator arrived in Beijing for his first foreign visit of 2026. The meeting with Xi Jinping takes place immediately after Donald Trump's trip.
About 200 Russian military personnel underwent secret training on drone usage at bases in China. Some of them have reportedly returned to fight against Ukraine at the front.
After the elections, the RF may start a general mobilization due to a shortage of contract soldiers. Reserves will be used for the war in Ukraine and to intimidate NATO countries.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called the FT report regarding criticism of Putin at the summit with the US false.
Due to Putin's rating falling to 65. 6%, VTsIOM introduced door-to-door surveys. The new methodology is based on fear and has already shown an artificial increase in the numbers.
Putin will discuss the construction of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline in Beijing. Russia's economic dependence on sanctioned technologies from China has reached over 90%.
Xi Jinping told Trump that Putin might regret the invasion of Ukraine. The leaders also discussed cooperation against the International Criminal Court.
