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'Russian barrels are in demand' — Oil price spike boosts Russia's economy
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'Russian barrels are in demand' — Oil price spike boosts Russia's economy

by Luca Léry Moffat

The Iran war could be a boon for Russia, experts say, as turmoil in global energy markets changes the calculus for the world's largest petrostate. January and February this year were bleak on the fiscal front for Russia, as low oil prices, a looming global oil glut, and compounding sanctions tightened the screws on Russia's energy sector. The country relies in large part on its colossal oil and gas revenues to fund its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — now in its fifth year. But energy prices h

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Iran is building shadow state inside Georgia. I was interrogated for saying so

On March 7, 2026, a crowd of Georgian citizens gathered outside Iran's embassy in Tbilisi. They held aloft portraits of recently killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and chanted a pledge of obedience to the supreme leader of a foreign theocracy. A few blocks away, thousands of other Georgians continued the pro-European protests that have filled Rustaveli Avenue since the disputed November 2024 elections, demanding a new vote and a return to the Western path we fought for — and nearly died building. T

Trump's latest move hands Putin 'jackpot' as US eases Russian oil sanctions

The United States issued a temporary license on March 12 allowing countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea in an effort to stabilize global energy prices, the U.S. Treasury Department announced. The decision marks a major shift in Washington's sanctions enforcement strategy. Washington had previously framed potential sanctions relief as leverage to push Russia toward concessions in negotiations to end its full-scale war against Ukraine. Now, however, the geopolitical shock

News from occupied Ukraine: Russia confiscating homes in Mariupol, continuing forced passportization, restriction of reproductive rights

This weekly update from the Kyiv Independent aims to shed light on the situation facing Ukrainians living under Russian occupation and the tight control of information imposed by the Kremlin. Key news as of March 14: * Utility shutoffs in occupied Mariupol used to facilitate property confiscation, Ukraine says * Russia tightens abortion restrictions in Ukraine's occupied territories * Russia makes obtaining Russian citizenship in occupied territories indefinite, signaling consolidation * P

About Russia

The Kyiv Independent’s coverage of news on Russia. Spanning eleven time zones across Eastern Europe and Asia, Russia has an estimated population of 146 million people. Russia’s capital city is Moscow, which is home to almost one in 10 Russians. Russia’s official currency is the Russian Ruble.

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