Russian Regions Raise Payments for Contract Soldiers in 2025
In early 2025, Russian regions intensified competition for contract soldiers, with over 60% offering over 1 million rubles and some exceeding 4 million rubles (initially), including a 400,000 ruble federal payment, showcasing a shift toward a mercenary-based military.
Russian Regions Raise Payments for Contract Soldiers in 2025
In early 2025, Russian regions intensified competition for contract soldiers, with over 60% offering over 1 million rubles and some exceeding 4 million rubles (initially), including a 400,000 ruble federal payment, showcasing a shift toward a mercenary-based military.
Progress
44% Bias Score
NATO Faces 3.7% Defense Spending Increase Unless Joint Procurement Rises
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged members to increase joint procurement and utilize existing infrastructure to avoid defense spending increases up to 3.7% of GDP, citing Ukraine's cost-effective radar systems as an example; only 23 of 32 members currently meet the 2% target.
NATO Faces 3.7% Defense Spending Increase Unless Joint Procurement Rises
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged members to increase joint procurement and utilize existing infrastructure to avoid defense spending increases up to 3.7% of GDP, citing Ukraine's cost-effective radar systems as an example; only 23 of 32 members currently meet the 2% target.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Trump's Ukraine Policy Shift: European Optimism Grows
Bloomberg reports growing European optimism that a Trump presidency will not abandon Ukraine to Russia, despite earlier statements suggesting a swift end to the war through negotiations, based on private conversations between Trump's team and transatlantic partners who expressed support for continui...
Trump's Ukraine Policy Shift: European Optimism Grows
Bloomberg reports growing European optimism that a Trump presidency will not abandon Ukraine to Russia, despite earlier statements suggesting a swift end to the war through negotiations, based on private conversations between Trump's team and transatlantic partners who expressed support for continui...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Zelensky Invites Fico to Kyiv Amidst Gas Transit Dispute
Ukrainian President Zelensky invited Slovak Prime Minister Fico to Kyiv on Friday to discuss the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which Slovakia claims is causing it €500 million in annual losses; Fico had previously proposed negotiations in Slovakia and criticized Zelensky for the decis...
Zelensky Invites Fico to Kyiv Amidst Gas Transit Dispute
Ukrainian President Zelensky invited Slovak Prime Minister Fico to Kyiv on Friday to discuss the halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which Slovakia claims is causing it €500 million in annual losses; Fico had previously proposed negotiations in Slovakia and criticized Zelensky for the decis...
Progress
48% Bias Score
NATO Launches Baltic Sea Security Operation Amid Cable Sabotage Suspicions
NATO initiated Operation Baltic Sentry on January 14th in Helsinki, a mission employing naval assets and drones to protect Baltic Sea underwater infrastructure from suspected sabotage, likely involving a "shadow fleet" transporting sanctioned Russian oil, impacting energy and internet traffic.
NATO Launches Baltic Sea Security Operation Amid Cable Sabotage Suspicions
NATO initiated Operation Baltic Sentry on January 14th in Helsinki, a mission employing naval assets and drones to protect Baltic Sea underwater infrastructure from suspected sabotage, likely involving a "shadow fleet" transporting sanctioned Russian oil, impacting energy and internet traffic.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Energy Prices Surge Amidst Sanctions and Increased Demand
Increased energy demand and renewed US sanctions against Russia caused a surge in crude oil and natural gas prices in January 2025, reaching levels not seen since late 2022 and August 2024 respectively, posing significant risks to the Eurozone economy.
Energy Prices Surge Amidst Sanctions and Increased Demand
Increased energy demand and renewed US sanctions against Russia caused a surge in crude oil and natural gas prices in January 2025, reaching levels not seen since late 2022 and August 2024 respectively, posing significant risks to the Eurozone economy.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Azov Sea Oil Spill Cleanup Underway in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
An oil spill from a December 2022 Kerch Strait tanker accident reached the Azov Sea coast near Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast on January 12, prompting a large-scale cleanup effort involving over 180 volunteers who have collected 1058 bags of oil from 10.5km of the Berdyansk Spit.
Azov Sea Oil Spill Cleanup Underway in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
An oil spill from a December 2022 Kerch Strait tanker accident reached the Azov Sea coast near Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast on January 12, prompting a large-scale cleanup effort involving over 180 volunteers who have collected 1058 bags of oil from 10.5km of the Berdyansk Spit.
Progress
40% Bias Score
FPV Drones Remain Highly Effective Against Russian T-90M Tanks
In the final quarter of 2024, FPV drones were responsible for at least 50% of the 10 confirmed T-90M tank losses, despite Russia's countermeasures, highlighting their continuing effectiveness as an anti-tank weapon in Ukraine.
FPV Drones Remain Highly Effective Against Russian T-90M Tanks
In the final quarter of 2024, FPV drones were responsible for at least 50% of the 10 confirmed T-90M tank losses, despite Russia's countermeasures, highlighting their continuing effectiveness as an anti-tank weapon in Ukraine.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Shifting European Support for Ukraine Amidst Domestic and Geopolitical Tensions
Following Trump's election, European support for Ukraine has waned, with some nations slowing weapon deliveries while others, like Germany, provide advanced weaponry. Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico openly opposes Ukraine, impacting gas transit. This division reflects domestic political concerns, dif...
Shifting European Support for Ukraine Amidst Domestic and Geopolitical Tensions
Following Trump's election, European support for Ukraine has waned, with some nations slowing weapon deliveries while others, like Germany, provide advanced weaponry. Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico openly opposes Ukraine, impacting gas transit. This division reflects domestic political concerns, dif...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Drone Strikes Kill Two in Ukraine, Damage Russian Industrial Sites
Russian drone strikes killed two and injured 19 across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kherson, Dnipro, and Kharkiv; simultaneously, drone attacks in Russia damaged an industrial facility and caused a fire, leading to temporary flight suspensions and school closures.
Drone Strikes Kill Two in Ukraine, Damage Russian Industrial Sites
Russian drone strikes killed two and injured 19 across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Kherson, Dnipro, and Kharkiv; simultaneously, drone attacks in Russia damaged an industrial facility and caused a fire, leading to temporary flight suspensions and school closures.
Progress
44% Bias Score
NATO Launches "Baltic Sentry" Mission After Baltic Sea Sabotage
NATO is launching "Baltic Sentry," a mission involving naval and air assets to increase Baltic Sea security following suspected Russian sabotage of undersea cables and power lines; Germany will participate.
NATO Launches "Baltic Sentry" Mission After Baltic Sea Sabotage
NATO is launching "Baltic Sentry," a mission involving naval and air assets to increase Baltic Sea security following suspected Russian sabotage of undersea cables and power lines; Germany will participate.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Zelensky Rejects Slovak PM's Gas Proposal, Invites Him to Kyiv
Ukraine's President Zelensky rejected Slovak Prime Minister Fico's proposal to resolve their gas transit dispute, inviting him to Kyiv instead. This follows Zelensky's refusal to renew a gas transit contract with Russia, and Fico's threats of economic retaliation against Ukraine, including potential...
Zelensky Rejects Slovak PM's Gas Proposal, Invites Him to Kyiv
Ukraine's President Zelensky rejected Slovak Prime Minister Fico's proposal to resolve their gas transit dispute, inviting him to Kyiv instead. This follows Zelensky's refusal to renew a gas transit contract with Russia, and Fico's threats of economic retaliation against Ukraine, including potential...
Progress
44% Bias Score