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Fact-check: Moscow internet outages spark coup rumors — experts say it's 'wishful thinking'

Fact-check: Moscow internet outages spark coup rumors — experts say it's 'wishful thinking'

Speculations about coups and rebellions in Russia have been constant throughout the full-scale war. All of them, except one, were wishful thinking. The latest rumor shared by British tabloids suggests that recent internet outages in Moscow were triggered by fears of an "imminent" coup by figures close to Sergei Shoigu, a senior security official and former defense minister. The claim originates with the VChK-OGPU channel, known for sharing stories it says are leaked from Russian security servi
'Real money': how the war in the Middle East exposed India's dependence on Russian oil
Russia

'Real money': how the war in the Middle East exposed India's dependence on Russian oil

The United States has granted New Delhi a temporary waiver allowing it to purchase fuel from Moscow, pausing prior attempts to cut India off Russian energy. "To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post on March 5. Bessent said other exemptions may follow, as oil prices briefly climbed over the $100 mark 10 da
'Russian barrels are in demand' — Oil price spike boosts Russia's economy

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

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
Ukraine war latest: Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat
War

Ukraine war latest: Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat

Key developments on March 10: * Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat * Ukraine strikes missile control systems plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, Zelensky says * Ukraine retakes most Russian-held areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after weeks of counterattacks * Ukraine to get 35 Patriot interceptors in coming weeks, German media reports A Saudi Arabian arms company has signed a deal to buy Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles, the Kyiv Independent ha
US officials ask 'What does Putin have on Trump?' over downplayed Russian intel to Iran

US officials ask 'What does Putin have on Trump?' over downplayed Russian intelligence to Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have downplayed reports that Russia has been providing intelligence to Iran used to target American forces, drawing frustration from U.S. officials who spoke with the Kyiv Independent. The reaction comes amid reports that Moscow has shared with Tehran information on the location of U.S. military facilities — including ships and aircraft — since the escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran began on Feb. 28. The controversy also co
Russia's increased army size 'largely aspirational,' experts say
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What Putin's latest decree expanding Russia's army actually means

Russian President Vladimir Putin has increased the potential size of the country's armed forces, a move analysts say is tied to long-term military reforms aimed at strengthening Moscow's capabilities against NATO. According to a decree signed on March 4, the maximum number of Russian service members could reach 2,391,770 personnel. Of these, 1,502,640 will serve as active-duty troops — 2,640 more than before. But while the overall numbers are large, experts say they don't necessarily translate
After Khamenei and Maduro, Putin knows he could be next
Opinion

After Khamenei and Maduro, Putin knows he could be next

On Jan. 3, 2026, Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in a dramatic military operation. Just 56 days later, a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. For Vladimir Putin, watching from Moscow, these events were a pattern. A warning. Perhaps a prophecy. Authoritarian leaders are, above all else, students of each other's deaths. When a peer regime collapses, the lesson travels fast. This matters to Ukraine significantly because, for Putin,
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iran threat

A Saudi Arabian arms company has signed a deal to buy Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles, the Kyiv Independent has learned, with one source within Ukraine's defense industry saying that Riyadh and Kyiv are negotiating a separate "huge deal" for arms that could be finalized this week. Iran’s recent air attacks across neighboring Gulf States amid the U.S. and Israel-led war against Tehran have kicked off a scramble for military equipment to combat ballistic missiles and Shahed attack drones. Wh
'Tinder for the labor market' — How Ukraine is trying to fix a critical shortage
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'Tinder for the labor market' — How Ukraine is trying to fix a critical shortage

Since Dmytro Volynets studied mechanical engineering at university over a decade ago, he's worked in retail, call centers, and on a warehouse floor. Unable to join the army due to a spine injury, the 35-year-old has struggled to find a coherent career path related to his studies — even as several industries offering high paying jobs face labor shortages. In large part because of Russia's full-scale invasion, Volynets' story is typical right now in Ukraine — despite possessing some of the highe