Russia
Russia’s Central Bank cuts rate to 20% as inflation and economy cool
The board of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) resolved to cut the key interest policy rate from 21% by 100 basis points to 20% at the policy meeting of June 6, the CBR said in a press release.
Ukraine, Russian ceasefire talks are dead
Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have given up on ceasefire talks, calling them pointless as both sides increase the frequency and ferocity of their mutual missile strikes on each other's territory.
International cybersecurity development foundation Cyberus and Al-Adid Business set up “Cyberdom” development hub in Qatar
Founded in Russia, Cyberus, an international cybersecurity development company, and Al-Adid Business signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop cybersecurity capabilities in Qatar.
Slovak parliament passes resolution against anti-Russian sanctions after opposition boycott backfires
The Slovak parliament has passed a resolution urging members of the populist left-right cabinet of Robert Fico not to vote against new sanctions directed against Russia.
The Bazarification of war
In the early hours of June 1, 2025, Ukrainian intelligence operatives executed what military historians may well regard as warfare's equivalent of Pearl Harbor.
MOSCOW BLOG: Operation Spiderweb will harden, not soften, Putin’s resolve to defeat Ukraine
Ukraine’s supporters cheered the audacious Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet at the weekend. They argue that it was “Russia’s Pearl Harbour” and “gives Zelenskiy some cards” in talks with Trump.
China helping Russia outpace Ukraine in drone production, Kyiv claims
Russia is rapidly closing the gap with Ukraine in drone warfare thanks in part to covert support from China that is supplying Russia with all the parts and technology it can, but strictly staying within technical limits imposed by sanctions.
COMMENT: Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb strategic strikes will harden, not soften, the Kremlin’s line on Ukraine
Ukraine’s spectacular Operation Spiderweb drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers on June 1 will harden, not soften, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resolve to continue fighting in Ukraine, says Tatiana Stanovaya.
Russian farmers ask Putin to deal with Kazakh antelope invasion
Half a million saiga have crossed border. Protected animals are devastating crops and polluting water supplies.
Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb destroyed fewer Russian bombers than claimed
Ukraine’s spectacular Operation Spiderweb on June 1 destroyed fewer Russian strategic bombers than Kyiv first claimed, according to satellite evidence released by the US firm Maxar.
NEO: Wildberries online retailer voluntarily offset its carbon footprint in Russian Far East
Wildberries, a major online marketplace that operates across Eurasia, has voluntarily offset the carbon footprint of its order pick-up points in the Russian Far East, Russian Forbes reported citing a company statement.
Russian services sector posts 52.2 in May, strongest growth since January, but job cuts and low confidence persist
Russia’s services sector PMI expanded at its fastest rate since the beginning of the year in May says S&P Global. However, the rebound was accompanied by falling employment levels and falling optimism.
Countering drones in modern warfare: lessons from Ukraine and beyond
Electronic countermeasures are among the most widely used methods for neutralising drones. These include GPS jamming, radio-frequency jamming and signal spoofing.
Russia nationalises World of Tanks game developer
Russia has completed the nationalisation of the World of Tanks game developer Lesta Games, with the Tagansky District Court of Moscow ordering the seizure of the Russian assets of the company on the extremism charges, according to The Bell.
Russia’s Gazprom has quietly shelved Turkey gas hub plan, says report
Project praised by Putin no longer seen as viable, sources at energy giant cited as saying.
_Cropped_(1)_1748988898.jpg)
40% of glaciers beyond saving
A recent scientific analysis reveals that Earth's glaciers are in critical condition, with nearly 40% of their ice mass effectively beyond saving – even if global temperatures were to stabilise immediately.
Record number of Russians want the war to end
A record number of Russian citizens now want the war to end, according to a new poll by the independent pollster, the Levada Center, the Moscow Times reported on June 3.
Ukraine’s secret services hit Kerch bridge with a 1,100kg bomb
Ukraine’s security services have claimed responsibility for a major underwater explosion that damaged the Kerch Bridge on June 3, the critical road and rail link between Russia and the occupied Crimean peninsula.
BRICS nations formulate first ever joint Climate Crisis policy
The BRICS bloc approved its first coordinated climate finance framework on May 30, marking the group’s first unified policy to fund climate action and setting the foundation for a shared position ahead of the COP30 meeting due to be held in Brazil.
Russia demands Ukraine's de facto capitulation with Istanbul demands
Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for the second direct ceasefire talks on June 1 that made little progress in laying out the groundwork for the mooted 30-day ceasefire suggested by the Trump administration in March.