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What Putin's latest decree expanding Russia's army actually means

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
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
 (Updated:  

'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
Putin, Trump discuss Iran war, Ukraine in phone call

Putin, Trump discuss Iran war, Ukraine in phone call

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on March 9, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. During the call, Putin reportedly presented proposals aimed at resolving the war in Iran.
Iran oil price shock fuels Hungary's campaign against Russia sanctions
Europe

Iran oil price shock fuels Hungary's campaign against Russia sanctions

Editor's note: The story has been updated with the latest developments. The joint U.S.-Israel attack against Iran just gave Hungary fresh ammunition in its crusade against the EU sanctions on Russia. In the wake of Israeli attacks against Iranian oil facilities and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices briefly climbed above the $100‑per‑barrel mark for the first time since 2022. Hungary's leader Viktor Orban urged the EU on March 9 to lift sanctions on Russian energ
'I don’t remember prices rising this fast' — Soaring oil prices strain Ukraine’s war economy
 (Updated:  Economy

'I don’t remember prices rising this fast' — Soaring oil prices strain Ukraine’s war economy

The Iran war is hitting Ukrainians at the pump, as rising global energy prices ripple through the war-battered economy that is only just emerging from an energy crisis and significant bout of inflation. Diesel prices hit $1.64 a liter on March 9, according to Ukrainian fuel market analyst group A-95 Consulting, a 16% climb compared with one month prior. Petrol prices rose by 12% in the same period. "I’ve been working in this market for 25 years, and I don’t remember prices rising this fast," S
Ukraine war latest: Counteroffensive ongoing on southern front line, Syrskyi says

Ukraine war latest: Counteroffensive ongoing on southern front line, Syrskyi says

Key developments on March 9: * Counteroffensive ongoing on southern front line, Syrskyi says * Ukraine's Flamingo missile maker promises FP-9 ballistics will reach Moscow * Ukraine deploys interceptor drones, experts to protect US bases in Jordan, Zelensky says * 'He took on the most risky tasks' — Ukraine's 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade commander killed in action Ukrainian forces are continuing a "counteroffensive" on the southern front line, the country's top general Oleksandr Syrskyi s
Iran war stalls Ukraine-Russia peace talks as Trump shifts focus to Middle East
 (Updated:  Peace talks

Ukraine peace talks with Russia face uncertain future as Trump pivots to Iran

As U.S. President Donald Trump concentrates on the confrontation with Iran, diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine appear uncertain. The latest round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. took place on Feb. 16. Another meeting planned for late February and later moved to early March was postponed shortly before Washington launched joint strikes on Iran with Israel. The next round had been expected to take place in Abu Dhabi and was meant to tackle the most d
Winter freeze delays spring sowing in Ukraine by a month

Winter freeze delays spring sowing in Ukraine by a month

The spring in Ukraine has arrived, but thick layers of ice left over from the brutally cold winter will delay the start of the sowing season by two to four weeks, burdening struggling farmers with extra work amid wartime challenges.
Russia forged new cyber weapons to attack Ukraine. Now they're going international

Russia forged new cyber weapons to attack Ukraine. Now they're going international

At the end of December, the person manning the digital boards at PSE, Poland's national electricity operator, noticed a flurry of solar stations suddenly flicker off grid. Poland in the dead of winter can be a gloomy place. But the grid wasn’t seeing a drop-off in generation in line with the recent solstice. These were full disconnections, synchronized, at a time when the grid needed the power.. "They thought it was just a malfunction of the device because the plant was still producing power,
Inside Russia's everyday manhunt of Ukrainians in Kherson
 (Updated:  

Inside Russia's everyday manhunt of Ukrainians in Kherson

At the moment the grey mass of radio static gives way to a clear image on the drone detector screen, the hunter still seems deceptively far away. Looking down on the central neighbourhood of Kherson from a bird’s-eye view, it remains unclear where the Russian drone is coming from or who it is stalking. Catching the analog radio signal of the first-person-view (FPV) drone’s video transmitter, the detector shows exactly what the Russian pilot sees through his goggles as he flies from the occupi