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Russia and Belarus to Hold First Zapad Military Drills Since Ukraine Invasion on Sept. 12-16

Around 13,000 personnel are expected to participate in Zapad-2025, far fewer than the roughly 200,000 who took part in the last Zapad drills in 2021.

Moscow-Backed Governor in Occupied Zaporizhzhia Awards Jailed Russian General Popov

Yevgeny Balitsky awarded Ivan Popov the Order “For Merit to the Zaporizhzhia Region,” citing his “demonstrated courage, professionalism and fulfillment...

Russia Weighs Scrapping Its Only Aircraft Carrier After Years of Restoration Delays

The Admiral Kuznetsov has faced repeated delays since the restoration process began in 2018, including a 2019 fire that killed two.

Russian Lawmakers Pass Bill Allowing Stateless People to Join Military

Lawmakers have said they hope to attract up to 5,000 stateless army recruits after the bill is signed into law.

Kamchatka Tour Firms Say Surprise Military Drills Costing Industry Over $600K

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that the naval drills in the Pacific Ocean would run from June 16 to June 30.

Governor of Siberia’s Zabaikalsky Region Dismisses Cabinet Over Military Payments Scandal

Widows and other surviving family members of local soldiers claimed they stopped receiving government payouts, known colloquially as “coffin money.”...

Bashkortostan Slashes Military Sign-Up Bonus for Ukraine War Recruits

The republic of Bashkortostan will join a handful of other regions in reducing financial incentives for military service in Ukraine.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Bombers Ahead of Istanbul Talks

Ukraine's SBU security services said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to "bomb Ukrainian villages."

‘Provincial, Naive and Willfully Ignorant’: Russians Lured to War With Fake Job Ads

Dozens of ads seeking “drivers, security guards and construction workers in the rear” have reportedly appeared on platforms like Avito since at least...

Police Arrest Ex-Convicts After They Flee Military Base in Rostov Region

Four of the deserters were initially caught soon after they fled during Victory Day celebrations across Russia.

Satellite Images Show Russian Military Buildup Near Finland – NYT

The buildup follows Russia’s announcement that it would grow its military and create new units in response to Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

Russian Orthodox Church Begins Training ‘Military Clergy’

A master’s program called “Training and Interaction of Military Clergy With the Armed Forces” will be offered at the Yekaterinburg Theological Seminary...

At Least 10 Ex-Convicts Flee Army Base in Rostov Region — Reports

The men were reported missing after failing to appear for uniform distribution on Friday morning, an anonymous police source told journalists.

Russian Strikes on Ukraine Wound 31

Twenty-nine people were wounded in the industrial city of Zaporizhzhia and two others in the Dnipropetrovsk region, officials said.

Russia Detains Man Suspected of Killing General – FSB

A senior Russian general was killed in a car bombing near Moscow, with Russia claiming it captured a Ukrainian agent responsible for the attack.

Ukraine Says It Received 84K Missing Person Requests From Families of Russian Soldiers

The “I Want to Find” hotline, launched in January 2024, claimed that the true number of missing Russian troops is likely two to three times higher...

Russian Court May Release Jailed Army General Popov to Fight in Ukraine – TASS

Popov, who was arrested on fraud charges, reportedly asked Putin to allow him to “continue smashing the enemy” in Ukraine in a letter last month.

Putin Increases Spring Conscription Target to 160K

Russia holds biannual conscription drives, with men aged 18-30 eligible for mandatory service.

Jailed Army General Popov Appeals to Putin for Return to Military Service

In a letter to Putin, Major General Ivan Popov claimed he had been “subjected to unjust prosecution” on fraud charges.

Russia Says Evacuated Over 350 Civilians From Retaken Areas in Kursk Region

The civilians became trapped when Ukraine launched its surprise incursion in August 2024, more than two years into Russia's offensive.

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