KREM

The Kremlin declared that Ukraine is now 'paying the price' for its own attacks on Russian territory, according to Reuters. The statement frames Russian military actions as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia, and comes amid ongoing escalation in the war, with both sides continuing long-range attacks against targets far from the front lines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree raising the official size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, according to Russian state agency TASS. The increase continues a pattern of expansion since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and signals Moscow's intent to sustain a prolonged military campaign.

The Kremlin has moved to take control of the Russian operations of German retail giant Metro, which owns a chain of stores across the country. The transfer marks a new step in Russia's widening seizure of foreign corporate assets since the invasion of Ukraine, raising fresh concerns among Western companies still operating in or exposed to the Russian market.

The General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has voted not to lift the suspension of the Chess Federation of Russia, keeping Russian players and officials barred from international competition under the Russian flag. The decision was reported by Russian state news agency TASS, which described the outcome as a refusal to reinstate the national federation.

The UK government has announced 31 new sanctions aimed at Kremlin disinformation networks, human rights abusers, and entities funding Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office framed the move as continuing pressure on Moscow. The announcement is drawing attention as part of Britain's ongoing response to Russia's invasion and its information operations abroad.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Kremlin of supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany party, saying Moscow wants Berlin to reduce aid to Ukraine and abandon investment in deterrence. "We will not allow ourselves to be divided - neither by hybrid attacks, nor by hatred... nor by the slogans of AfD and their Russian partners," Merz said, rejecting foreign interference in German politics.

The Kremlin has stated that countries hosting nuclear weapons close to Russia's borders are fuelling escalation. The comment adds to Moscow's long-standing complaints about NATO nuclear sharing arrangements, and comes amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine and Western military support for countries in the region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia has no plans to use nuclear weapons. The reassurance comes amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine, when comments about Russia's nuclear posture are closely watched by governments and analysts for any sign of escalation.

The Kremlin has stated that Russia's nuclear warning directed at NATO should not be interpreted as confrontational. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Moscow and the Western alliance over the war in Ukraine, with Russian officials repeatedly invoking nuclear rhetoric. Observers continue to watch closely for any escalation in the alliance's standoff with Russia.

Scott Lucas, editor of EA WorldView, has released a new videocast with Daniel Tkiie arguing that because the Kremlin refuses negotiations over the war in Ukraine, the international community must isolate Russia diplomatically and economically. The discussion covers the state of the Ukraine war, NATO's role, and European security, framing isolation as the only viable pressure on Moscow.

Kaliningrad, Russia's exclave on the Baltic between Poland and Lithuania, is drawing renewed attention as a potential flashpoint in the standoff over Ukraine. Commentary focuses on the Suwałki Gap, the narrow corridor linking the Baltic states to Poland that NATO sees as its most vulnerable point, Russia's stationing of nuclear-capable weapons in the region, and the implications for countries like India with ties to Moscow. Analysts warn any crisis there could escalate quickly.

The Kremlin stated that Russia is responding to Ukraine's attacks in the Black Sea, according to a report by Anadolu Agency. The statement signals continued tit-for-tat exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv in the strategic waterway, which has been a key theatre of the war affecting shipping and regional security. Further details on the nature of the alleged responses were not provided.

The Kremlin says Russia opposes Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, signalling Moscow's unease as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme intensify. Russia, which maintains close ties with Tehran and backs its 2015 nuclear deal restoration, is urging Iran to remain within the treaty framework. The statement highlights the diplomatic pressure on Iran as Western concerns grow over its nuclear activities and possible escalation.

A debate inside Iran over withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty is intensifying, and the Kremlin has publicly warned Tehran against such a step. Russia's intervention underscores Moscow's stake in keeping Iran bound to the nuclear non-proliferation regime, while the discussion in Iran reflects growing pressure over its nuclear programme. The exchange highlights rising diplomatic tension around the future of Iran's nuclear commitments.

Veterans of Russia's war in Ukraine are increasingly viewed as a potential political threat to the Kremlin, given their combat experience, weapons access and grievances over poor treatment at home. The Moscow Times reports that Vladimir Putin is responding by bringing former soldiers onside, offering them rewards, status and official roles to keep them loyal rather than letting them become a rallying force for opposition.

The Kremlin says economic deals between Russia and the United States could begin before any peace settlement in Ukraine is reached. The statement signals Moscow's interest in normalising economic ties with Washington even as the war continues, raising questions about whether commercial cooperation could shape or undercut diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

The Kremlin has stated that Russia does not want Iran to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The statement comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, and signals Moscow's position that Tehran should remain within the international non-proliferation framework despite growing pressure on the Iranian nuclear file.

Reporters Without Borders brought together EU institutions and exiled Russian journalists in Brussels to promote the Svoboda satellite package, an initiative designed to bypass Kremlin censorship and deliver independent news to audiences in Russia and occupied territories. The event underlines growing EU interest in supporting exiled media as Russian state propaganda tightens its grip on domestic information channels.

Ukraine has published photographs of hundreds of Russian prisoners of war, prompting visible discomfort among Kremlin-linked propagandists. State-controlled Russian media are complaining about what they call a 'frivolous' tone in coverage, and commentators acknowledge the images amount to a real setback that must be admitted as an actual defeat. The episode highlights the gap between official Russian war narratives and the reality on the battlefield.

The Kremlin has stated it does not want Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a rare public position from Moscow on Tehran's nuclear commitments. The comments come amid heightened international concern over Iran's nuclear programme and speculation that it could scale back cooperation with global watchdogs.