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In the past few months, Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops back in several areas while grinding Russia’s offensives to a halt across much of the front. At the same time, Moscow continues to burn through staggering amounts of manpower, losing thousands of soldiers every month in exchange for minimal gains. Ukrainian drones are also striking deeper inside Russia with increasing frequency, hammering oil refineries, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure. This includes targets hundreds of kilometers from the battlefield. Yet despite the mounting losses, recruitment shortages, and growing economic pressure, the Kremlin still refuses to seriously pursue a peace deal or even agree to a ceasefire. In this week’s post, I want to explore what happens if Putin starts to feel cornered. There are several scenarios already being discussed behind the scenes. Some are more dangerous than others. We will look at a few of them, and the possible consequences if they become reality. OVERA...

May 9 marks Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. It is one of the country’s most significant and emotional holidays, honouring Red Army sacrifices while also showcasing state power through parades and patriotic displays. For decades, the day has been used to emphasize unity and continuity, a narrative strengthened under Vladimir Putin by linking WWII’s legacy to present struggles. In 2026, however, the tone has shifted. The war in Ukraine, security concerns, and international isolation have reshaped the celebrations, blending remembrance of past victory with the pressures of an uncertain present. THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF VICTORY DAY Victory Day stems from May 9th, 1945, when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to Soviet Forces. For the Soviet Union, this war was existential, and it had a big impact on the Soviet society. Entire cities were destroyed, millions of people died on the battlefield and in war camps, and the victory came at an enormous ...

Several Telegram channels have recently promoted the idea of a “Narva People’s Republic". This campaign closely resembles the messaging used during the occupation of Crimea and Donbas in 2014. While small channels alone may have limited influence, the broader context is concerning. Russian television hosts are also openly discussing the possibility of invading Narva to disrupt NATO, and several high-level European leaders have warned that Russia could test Europe in the near future. Taken together, these signals raise serious concerns about regional security in Europe.  This week’s blog post explores these questions: How capable is Russia of striking Europe, and are the Baltic states at risk of an attack in the near term?   WHAT IS THE NARVA PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC? Over the past few weeks, a number of pro-Russian Telegram channels and social media accounts have been circulating claims about a so-called “ Narva People’s Republic ” in north-eastern Estonia, near the Russian border. T...

We are approaching the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. Over these years, Ukrainians have been subjected to relentless terror by Russia through a wide range of means—many of them amounting to war crimes, acts of terrorism, and the deliberate infliction of mass civilian suffering. On the front lines, the fighting has been brutal and unrelenting. Away from them, civilian life has offered little refuge. This is especially true now, as winter temperatures plunge and Russia continues to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions without heat, electricity, or basic security. In this blog post, I want to focus on the methods Russia uses to terrorize Ukrainians. History shows that this approach is not new. From the era of the tsars through the Bolshevik revolution and beyond, Russia has relied on a war playbook rooted in brutality: targeting civilians, spreading fear, and engaging in ruthless, unethical tactics. These are actions that we in the West would n...

For centuries, Russia has promoted its culture and language as major global exports and symbols of national achievement. At the same time, other countries have often romanticized Russian history and culture, portraying them as exotic and intriguing themes that capture widespread attention. As a result, when people refer to anything “Slavic,” they frequently default to Russian associations. This can be in personality traits, films, cuisine, or aesthetics. Despite the fact that many countries share Slavic heritage, Russia has become the most prominent and recognizable representative of it. Why does this matter? Because the way Russia and Russian culture are portrayed in music, film, and other forms of art carries implicit messages. Art and culture function as powerful tools of soft power, shaping perceptions and subtly influencing how people think and feel about a nation. In this blog post, I will explore this dynamic and its broader implications, focusing primarily on its relevance to t...

Russia has employed s ome truly hair-raising tactics in its war against Ukraine. Compounding this, much of its equipment looks less suited for the battlefield and more at home in a museum. Together, these factors have turned Russia into something of a global military punchline. We’ve seen aging Soviet-era tanks that seem better suited for World War II, reports of horses and even camels being used to transport supplies, and soldiers disguising themselves as piles of rubble or trash in an attempt to evade Ukrainian drones. In this blog post, I want to move past the mockery and examine a more serious question: despite these shortcomings, Russia remains a powerful and capable axis power. But just how capable is it, really? And could it realistically cope with a full-scale war against the West? HOW DANGEROUS IS RUSSIA, REALLY? For all the images that invite ridicule, it would be a serious mistake to confuse embarrassment with incapability. Take the much-mocked Russian “ penguin ” camouflage...

The past few days have been a rollercoaster of meetings, headlines, and breaking news surrounding the ongoing peace process in Ukraine. Since the United States submitted its widely criticized 28-point peace plan, we’ve seen several revised iterations, culminating in a European-approved version that reportedly contains 20 points. Since Sunday, European leaders and U.S. envoys have been meeting in Berlin, signaling cautious progress. We are close, but still very far . In this blog post, we’ll break down the latest developments in the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, while also examining some of the troubling consequences that have emerged from this drawn-out and deeply complex process.   WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SO FAR? Over the past few days, Ukraine has reported measurable progress in peace-related talks, largely through discussions with U.S. and European representatives rather than direct negotiations with Russia. Meetings in Berlin have centered on a potential framew...

This week was dominated by news of a leaked 28-point peace plan, drafted by U.S. and Russian officials—without Ukraine or European input. The plan reads like a wish list from the Kremlin and puts Ukraine in an undignified and impossible position. The U.S. is pressuring Zelenskyy to accept it, or face consequences. Let’s take a closer look at this peace plan—and why it is utterly rubbish. The U.S. is showing less of a global leadership role and more of a greedy uncle, willing to side with criminals above all else. THE SO CALLED " PEACE PLAN"   The leaked 28-point plan is a U.S.–Russia proposal to end the war. It keeps Ukraine’s sovereignty but adds strict military, political, and territorial rules. Ukraine would get security guarantees, but only if it limits its army to 600,000 troops, promises never to join NATO, hosts no NATO forces, and stays non-nuclear. Russia would promise not to attack Ukraine or Europe, and both sides would solve security issues through a new dialogue...

In this blog post, I want to shed light on the immense suffering endured by Ukrainian civilians at the hands of the Russian army — both in the occupied territories and across Ukraine. According to the Geneva Conventions, all warring nations are obligated to protect civilians and minimize harm to them during armed conflict. However, Russia has repeatedly violated these principles, showing blatant disregard for international law. Inflicting pain and fear on civilians has become a deliberate tactic — one aimed at spreading terror, breaking morale, and sowing chaos in hopes of weakening Ukraine’s resistance and forcing an end to the war on Moscow’s terms. " HUMAN S AFARI " DRONE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS In Kherson, which was liberated by Ukraine in 2022 after months of brutal Russian occupation, there have been reports that Russians deliberately hunt down and try to kill innocent civilians walking on the streets. Investigative reports and witness accounts show that this is a systemat...

The full-scale war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, and has since stretched on for more than three years. It has been brutal — and, tragically, only more intense over time. In Ukraine, defenders are widely respected as heroes: men and women who sacrifice their lives and time with family to protect their country’s freedom and safety. No armed force is without flaws, but by and large Ukrainian fighters are supported by their units and by a society that does everything possible to care for the wounded and honour the fallen. Russia’s treatment of its troops, by contrast, has often been harsh and inhumane. Reports of beatings, torture and summary executions paint a picture far removed from the respect and support shown to Ukrainian defenders. My aim in this post is not to ask for pity for individual Russian soldiers, but to issue a blunt warning to any Russian man considering service in this war: the pay the Kremlin offers does not justify what you will face. For the sake of your life...