russian military personnel complain that they are being forced under threat of being sent to storming units to refuse participation in putin’s personnel program “time of heroes” — an initiative that the kremlin presents as a “social elevator” for participants in the war against Ukraine and a forge of the “new elite of russia.” ▫️…
At the meeting of the federation council of the russian federation, representatives of the moscow pedagogical university announced that they are preparing new “unified” textbooks on the russian language and literature with a “patriotic, nationally oriented approach.” The authors explicitly state that it is necessary to “educate citizens interested in preserving THE RUSSIAN language” and…
Sanctions and the “war economy” continue to destroy russian business. In 2026, entrepreneurs are preparing for another blow – a tax increase that the kremlin justifies by the need to fill the military budget. ▫️According to data from the russian central bank, most companies plan to raise prices to survive in the new conditions. It…
Kazakhstan is steadily reducing its dependence on russia in the energy sector. Three new thermal power plants — in Semey, Kokshetau, and Ust-Kamenogorsk — are being built without the participation of russian companies, as was originally planned. Another new plant, in Uralsk, is being developed with the involvement of Chinese investors. ▫️Not long ago, moscow…
state duma of the russian federation proposes to introduce mandatory “expertise” of foreign toys, strengthen customs control, and provide subsidies to “domestic” manufacturers under the slogan of “traditional values.” At a discussion with the telling title “toys as a channel of hidden propaganda…” it was stated that toys are allegedly a tool of “hybrid warfare”…
The first “russian-Arab Summit” announced in moscow has been canceled after key leaders of the Arab League did not confirm their participation. The event was planned as a demonstration of support for the kremlin in the Arab world, but the failure at the final stage showed the limits of russian influence. ▫️ In explanations, the…
russian government has planned to cut spending on the production of airplanes and helicopters. In 2026, funding for the corresponding federal project will decrease by more than one and a half times – from 139 to 85 billion rubles (approximately $1.47 and $0.90 billion, respectively). ▫️Funding cuts will also affect the industry in 2027 –…
Raising the value-added tax (VAT) from 20% to 22% and lowering the income threshold for payment will lead to a sharp increase in marketplace prices — from 10% to 25%. Higher taxes will trigger a chain reaction of price increases — from logistics to raw materials. Businesses are already forecasting a drop in sales and…
The kremlin is intensifying the militarization of children and youth. At the latest congress of putin’s “movement of the first,” its leader artur orlov announced a plan to increase the organization’s membership from the current 12.5 million to 18 million by 2030. In fact, every second russian aged 6 to 25 is expected to become…
russia’s budget spending on state TV channels in 2026 will reach 106.4 billion rubles ($1.27 billion). This is 54% higher than previously planned and even exceeds the current year’s figures. ▫️ Funding will increase most for entertainment and secondary federal channels — subsidies have more than doubled. Budgets for major kremlin broadcasters — “perviy,” “rossiya…
ministry of finance of russia has prepared bills to increase VAT from 20% to 22% starting January 1, 2026. The ministry stated that the purpose of the increase is “financing defense and security,” meaning additional budget funds will go to the war against Ukraine. Huge war expenditures, sanctions, and falling oil and gas revenues continue…
russia’s media are actively promoting the song contest “intervision,” organized in moscow, claiming that it generated phenomenal global interest and became a “symbol of a multipolar world and traditional values.” ▫️ However, organized as an alternative to Eurovision, “intervision” became another costly russian propaganda project, aimed primarily at a domestic audience. The large-scale show was…
