War in Ukraine
In West Ukraine, Smugglers Switch to Guiding Draft Dodgers
Most Ukrainian men of fighting age cannot leave. Thousands have risked swimming the Tysa River to reach Romania, avoiding mobilization.
Aug. 15, 2024
Energy
Ukrainian Deputy Minister Detained for Massive Bribe
Oleksandr Heilo, who has previously shared pro-Russian publications on social media, allegedly demanded a bribe in exchange for allowing the evacuation of frontline equipment in Donbas.
Aug. 12, 2024
Sergei Shoigu
Three More Senior Russian Military Officers Arrested for Corruption This Week
The crackdown on corruption among the upper echelons of Russia’s Ministry of Defense that began in April shows no likelihood of letting up.
Aug. 6, 2024
War in Ukraine
Rash of Russian Soldiers Paying Bribes to Exit Kremlin Army, Intel Says
Incidents of Russians paying bribes to leave the military service are on a steep rise with the number of criminal cases for illegal deactivation tripling over the last 5 months.
Aug. 1, 2024
WORLD BRIEFING: July 18, 2024
The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.
July 18, 2024
War in Ukraine
‘Provocation, Blackmail and Military Threats’ – Ukraine at War Update for June 19
Putin in North Korea for first time in 24 years; Fighting rages in Vovchansk, dozens feared dead; US debt upticks on student loans, foreign aid; Is Russia bribing local kids to burn army vehicles?
June 19, 2024
OPINION: Good News on the Ukraine Front
Now that the arms flow to Ukraine has been unblocked by Congress, Kyiv is managing to stymie the Russian offensive. But it’s time to unblock some of Washington’s preconceptions.
June 16, 2024
War in Ukraine
African Students Become Latest Group Selected as Russian Cannon Fodder
The Kremlin’s hunger for fresh meat for its war in Ukraine is insatiable, with African students, desperate to retain their residency rights, the latest group to catch the “selector’s eye.”
June 10, 2024
War in Ukraine
OPINION: Hybrid Warfare and How to Defend Yourself
While hybrid warfare may seem less harmful than a direct military strike by the enemy, it is no less inimical to national security and poses a serious threat.
June 4, 2024
Kremlin
Ukraine War Sparks US Intelligence Recruitment of Disgruntled Kremlin Insiders
The CIA and FBI have launched public and covert campaigns to attract informants, leveraging modern technology and social media to bypass Russian security measures.
June 3, 2024
Telegram
Dominoes Keep Falling – Fifth Corrupt Russian Official Taken into Custody
As the Kremlin escalates its crackdown on Russia’s corrupt generals the head of the Ministry of Defense department for state procurement becomes the second arrested in less than 24 hours.
May 23, 2024
Germany
Purge of Corrupt Russian Generals Continues
The head of Russia’s Armed Forces Main Communications Directorate is the most recent senior general to be charged with accepting “a bribe on an especially large scale,” according to Russian media.
May 23, 2024
War in Ukraine
ANALYSIS: Putin Shake-Up Signals a Long War May Be Coming
Kremlin watchers and security experts consider Putin’s cabinet shake-up as signaling that Putin’s gaze has passed from Ukraine to a long, protracted war, against the West.
May 15, 2024
War in Ukraine
ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 14, 2024
War in Ukraine - Latest update, key takeaways and map from the Institute for the Study of War on April May 14, 2024
May 15, 2024
Corruption
Another Russian General Arrested for Corruption – Is Moscow Draining Its Swamp?
The Head of Russia’s Defense Ministry personnel department was arrested during an overnight raid as part of a broader shake-up at the top levels of Russia’s military.
May 14, 2024
Russia
Eurotopics: Arrest of Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Possibly Just the Beginning
Timur Ivanov, the wealthy top-ranking official considered a close confidant of his boss Sergei Shoigu, is accused of accepting bribes. Commentators speculate on what is behind the affair.
April 26, 2024
WORLD BRIEFING: April 25, 2024
The world in focus, as seen by a Canadian leading global affairs analyst, writer and speaker, in his review of international media.
April 25, 2024
War in Ukraine
ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, April 24, 2024
Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.
April 25, 2024
Ukrainian Intelligence Says They Got the Russians to Arrest One of Their Own
An intelligence source said law enforcement detained Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov for bribery after an operation by HUR revealed huge number of secret documents, embarrassing the Kremlin.
April 24, 2024
War in Ukraine
Shoigu’s Deputy Arrested on Bribery Charges, Faces 15 Years in Prison
The Russian Deputy Defense Minister who oversaw the supposed restoration of occupied Mariupol after its destruction by Kremlin forces is suspected of taking a 1 million ruble bribe.
April 24, 2024