As Vladimir Putin senses the momentum of the war shifting in Ukraine’s favour, he has redoubled his attempts to coerce Kyiv and its European partners. Russian troops are in retreat, losing territory overall for the first time since Ukraine launched its Kursk offensive in August 2024. Drone strikes have forced all of central Russia’s major oil refineries – accounting for a quarter of the country’s refining capacity – to halt or reduce output.
Meanwhile, the cracks are beginning to show as Russians cease believing in their President, with some openly calling for an end to Putin’s so-called special military operation. His only available response, it seems, has been to resort to nuclear intimidation and threats of military confrontation with the Baltic states.
The Belarusian defence ministry posted footage on Telegram this morning showing heavy vehicles said to be transporting nuclear warheads through a forest
In Belarus, Moscow launched joint military exercises involving nuclear forces and 64,000 troops. The Belarusian defence ministry posted footage on Telegram this morning showing heavy vehicles said to be transporting nuclear warheads through a forest en route to the drills. Such nuclear posturing is usually interpreted in Kyiv as a sign that Putin is running out of options. This time, though, Russia’s increased activity in Belarus comes amid warnings from Volodymyr Zelensky that Putin is attempting to draw his ally Aleksandr Lukashenko deeper into the war.
