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Moscow Times
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- 1Putin orders fourth army expansion of the year●Putin expands army for fourth time this year as war losses mount
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree expanding the size of the Russian armed forces for the fourth time in 2025, according to Euronews. The move comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues to generate heavy troop losses, forcing the Kremlin to repeatedly raise recruitment targets. It underscores the mounting strain the conflict is placing on Russia's manpower and military planning.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a new expansion of Russia's military, according to reporting picked up by international outlets including The Brussels Times. The decree adds to a series of build-ups announced since the invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow seeks to enlarge troop numbers and strengthen its armed forces. The move is being watched closely by NATO members and European governments concerned about long-term Russian military capacity.
- 3Russia Withholds Final Duma Results for Occupied Regions●The Russian Central Election Commission has not yet released final State Duma election results for four occupied Ukraini
Russia's Central Election Commission has not published final State Duma election results for four occupied Ukrainian territories or 21 federal subjects, according to the Moscow Times. Significant data gaps are also reported in the Kursk region and Yakutia, raising questions about the completeness and transparency of the official vote count.
- 4Trump's 'take it easy' remarks on Russia draw criticism▼‘Take it easy’ on Russia? Trump’s words signal weakness.
The Washington Post argues that Donald Trump's advice to 'take it easy' on Russia amounts to a signal of weakness in US foreign policy. The remark is being read as a softening of Washington's stance toward Moscow at a time when the war in Ukraine remains a central concern for Western allies.
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Russia has issued a warning to the United Kingdom and NATO of a potential nuclear response amid claims of a blockade around Kaliningrad, its exclave on the Baltic Sea. The statement escalates tensions between Moscow and the Western alliance at a time when the war in Ukraine has already strained relations to their lowest point in decades.
- 6Six Crew Dead After Russian Military Plane Crash in Amur Region▼At Least 6 Crew Members Confirmed Dead After Military Plane Crashes in Amur Region
At least six crew members have been confirmed dead after a Russian military aircraft crashed in the Amur region in Russia's Far East, according to The Moscow Times. Details about the cause of the crash and the type of aircraft involved have not yet been made public.
- 7Journalist Describes Being Pulled Into Putin Disinformation Operation▼How I Got Dragged Into a Putin Disinformation Op
Mother Jones has published a first-person account detailing how the writer became entangled in a Russian disinformation operation linked to the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin. The piece recounts how the author's work or name was used, knowingly or not, in a broader effort to spread pro-Moscow narratives. It adds to ongoing coverage of Russian influence campaigns targeting Western media and public debate.
- 8Estonia Calls Defense Company Arson a Deliberate Russian Attack●Estonia Says Arson at Defense Company Was 'Deliberate' Attack by Russia https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/world/europe/
Estonian authorities say a fire at a defense company in the country was a deliberate act of arson carried out by Russia. The announcement, reported by the New York Times, escalates accusations that Moscow is sabotaging European defense infrastructure amid the war in Ukraine. It is likely to intensify security concerns across the Baltic region and NATO.