Free Republic

A Russian military expert stunned Kremlin hawks when he revealed that Ukraine's army currently enjoys a significant advantage over Putin's army. There is growing confidence among Russia's pro-war faction that Vladimir Putin can achieve all his military goals in Ukraine. Western analysts believe that Putin's aims have not changed since he launched his full-scale invasion of the neighbouring country, and that he is more than ever determined to seize all of Ukraine. With Donald Trump seemingly unwilling to get tough with Russia, many Kremlin supporters are starting to smell victory. However, Andrey Klintsevich warned that Ukraine's army was still a...

NATO scrambled its war planes today in self defence amid Vladimir Putin’s heaviest strikes on Ukraine in months, leading to multiple civilian deaths including three children. Russia was also hit hard with Ukrainian strikes, leading to the Kremlin’s air defences firing in panic - but missing - an Airbus A320-251N packed with its own tourists from Turkish resort Bodrum, according to reports. At least 10 Russian government aircraft used for high-ranking state and military officials fled Moscow flying east. It was not immediately clear if the exodus was a drill for an emergency evacuation or the real thing amid an...

Russia's supply of cheap oil is running out, another major blow for Vladimir Putin as he continues to grapple with a growing economic crisis. Businesses and consumers across the country are reeling under the effects of spiralling inflation and high interest rates. In April, the Central Bank confirmed it would keep the key interest rate at 21% for the foreseeable future, much to the bitter disappointment of the Kremlin and business leaders. Many firms are fighting to stay afloat, as they attempt to pay back bank loans originally secured during more favourable economic times. -snip- Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov...

An unmanned Ukrainian sea drone shot down a Russian SU-30 fighter jet near the port of Novorossiysk - home to the Kremlin's Black Sea Fleet. The downing of the £38 million jet was carried out by Group 13 on May 2, a special unit within Ukraine's military intelligence. The sea drone was reported to be equipped with a R-73 air-to-air missile, which struck the jet in midair. The SU-30 crashed into the sea. Reports suggest that the crew were able to eject from the stricken jet and were later picked up by a civilian cargo ship. In a statement confirming...

An airfield belonging to Russian forces in occupied Crimea has been left in flames after a devastating Ukrainian drone strike, according to reports. Footage shared online purportedly shows the fire at Kacha airfield following a huge round of strikes from Kyiv's forces. Reports suggest Ukraine launched a massive aerial bombardment overnight on the Ukrainian peninsula, which has been occupied by Russian forces since 2014 and illegally annexed by Moscow. Loud explosions were heard near the Saky airfield in Novofedorivka, as well as at the Belbek air base near Sevastopol. A missile base in the Hvardiiske area was also reported to...

A Russian militia leader claimed the population was dying out and all the Kremlin could do was "to bring in migrants". A prominent Russian pro-war Telegram Channel has launched a scathing attack on Vladimir Putin's immigration policy. The Rybar Telegram Channel was founded by Mikhail Zvinchuk and has more than 1.3 million subscribers. -snip- The clip alleged terrorist recruiters were active at a Moscow junk market where weapons and Russian passports could be bought. The channel also identified the locations of “ethnic brothels” and illegal mosques. The video ends with the on-screen message: “So, who benefits from this breeding ground...

Ukraine is reported to have wiped out the entire command of Russia's 35th Brigade in a deadly missile strike. The attack was carried out using HIMARS missiles on the brigade's headquarters in the eastern town of Selydove. The town was captured by the Russians in October last year and lies just 11 miles northwest of the strategically important city of Pokrovsk. The attack was filmed by Ukrainian drones hovering close to the building, housing the headquarters. In a video posted to social media, a huge ball of flames rises from a building after the impact of the missiles. Thick black...

Preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are at an "advanced stage", Russian state news agency RIA has claimed. The state-owned news agency quoted senior lawmaker Leonid Slutsky, who is head of the Duma's international affairs committee. Mr Slutsky claimed the meeting could take place soon, as early as in February or March. -snip- During his inauguration in Washington DC, the US leader called on Putin to begin talks to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he said: "He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying...

Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing a backlash from within the Kremlin over his pro-China policy, with elites fearing that Moscow is becoming a 'colony' of Beijing. Vladimir Putin is facing intense criticism from rival factions within the Kremlin over his China policy, which could worsen Russia's economic crisis, with earlier reports suggesting China is 'bailing' Russia out by buying distressed assets. Since the start of the Ukraine conflict - where Russia have endured huge personnel losses - in February 2022, Putin has strengthened political and economic ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, boosting their bilateral trade to a record...

Several explosions were reported in Russia overnight as a result of a massive drone attack, with extraordinary images showing the night sky being lit up by fierce flames. Astonishing footage circulating online shows huge blazes enveloping the Ryazan Oil Refining Company as well as the nearby Novo-Ryazan Thermal Power Plant. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov confirmed a drone attack had targeted the region in the early hours of Friday, and added that a private home in Ryazan caught fire due to an air strike. He said the fire has already been extinguished, and there are no casualties. The governor added drones...

Russian elites are increasingly frustrated over Putin's handling of the Ukraine war, as the conflict drags on into its third year. -snip- Putin's army has leveraged its superiority in manpower and weapons to regain the battlefield initiative over the course of the last twelve months. Last year, the Kremlin's forces seized around 1,609 square miles of territory, primarily in the Donbas region. However, this represents just 0.69 percent of the country, and the gains have come at a horrific cost in human lives.

Ukraine launched a wave of devastating drone and missile attacks overnight targeting industrial facilities and oil depots in several Russian cities. The brutal aerial onslaught caused a series of major fires to break out, as emergency services struggled to contain the damage. Ukrainian UAVs targeted the industrial Orgsintez plant in Kazan, a city located 526 miles to the east of Moscow. The facility is one of Russia's largest manufacturers of high-strength plastics and is situated in the northern outskirts of the city. A gas tank close to the industrial site was struck in the attack, causing it to burst into...

Russian vodka enthusiasts are seething after the Finance Ministry implemented a 17 percent price hike for a half-litre bottle on New Year's Day. Russia holds the title as the world's largest vodka producer, accounting for over 30 percent of global production. Domestic consumption makes up more than 90 percent of Russia-made vodka, making it one of the country's most beloved beverages. As of January 1st, a bottle will now set consumers back 349 rubles (£2.53), up from 299 (£2.16) - a jump of 50 rubles. This follows a 6.4 percent increase in June 2024, meaning that within the last six...

Chinese nationalists are calling for Russia to return land they claim was stolen by the Kremlin in the 19th century. A video on Chinese social media has called on Beijing to take advantage of Moscow's weakened position to seize large parts of Siberia and Russia's Far East. The clip has gone viral in China and has racked up millions of hits among viewers on TikTok. -snip- The Treaty of Aigun in 1858 forced China to cede much of Manchuria to the Russian Tsar Alexander II. The territory, comprising some 600,000 square kilometres, is part of Russia's Far East and includes...

Russia suffered a major setback after Ukrainian missiles reportedly destroyed a key army military command post in Kursk. HIMARS missiles reportedly took out the headquarters of Russia's elite 810th Marine Brigade, which was hidden in an abandoned five-storey civilian building in Lgov. The devastating attack took place overnight on Christmas Day and caused heavy casualties, killing 17 marines. Lieutenant Colonel Salim Pashtov, one of the brigade's senior officers, was reportedly among those killed. Video footage purportedly of the missile strike shows a huge mushroom cloud of flames and smoke rising into the night's sky on the horizon. Further images shot...

Russian commanders are reportedly refusing to send their troops to join a planned offensive to storm the Dnipro river. Putin's army is building up its forces on the left bank of the Dnipro river, as it prepares to force a crossing. Intelligence reports suggest 2,000 assault troops have been assembled in the Kherson region, along with some 300 speedboats. However, many senior officers believe the planned assault to be a suicidal mission and are reluctant to commit their troops and equipment to the fight, according to the ATESH partisan group. In a post to their Telegram channel, they wrote: "Russian...

Vladimir Putin bizarrely suggested that Russian eating habits were to blame for rising food prices. His comments came in response to questions about the economy during a marathon press conference broadcast live on state TV. -snip- In an attempt to answer his own question about how to address food inflation, he noted that consumption of some goods had risen beyond supplies. As an example he pointed to meat consumption, saying Russians were eating "significantly" more than the global average. -snip- Putin also appeared to target Russian farmers, blaming a lack of milk production for rising butter costs. -snip- Russia's central...

Fierce battles have raged in and around the city since May, when Russian forces launched a surprise attack across the border, opening a new front. -snip- The soldier was injured by a sniper and found himself holed up in the basement of a bombed-out building with other men from his unit, sheltering from persistent drone attacks. The only route to safety was along a 50-metre path under the fire control of Ukraine's army. "Fifty metres, no more say those who managed to cross that distance in our direction," he wrote in his blog. "The path is blocked by debris, construction...

Fierce fighting has raged in the region over the past week, claiming the lives of hundreds of Russian soldiers. Ukrainian forces wiped put a Russian assault group trying to cross a river in Kursk in a brutal attack. -snip- Putin's army sustained heavy losses after attempting to storm the river Psel on Monday. The attack ended in unmitigated disaster for the Russians, as the unit was wiped out during a ferocious artillery barrage. Images shot by a Ukrainian drone show Russian soldiers crossing the river in rubber dinghies. As they reach the shore, they have no time to dig in...

Russia is facing a "butter armageddon" as prices for the staple food product continue to rise sharply. By the end of October, prices for dairy products in Russia had risen by an astonishing 25.7% compared to December 2023. The steep hike in cost has led to a spate of thefts from shops around the country, forcing management to keep the product under lock and key. Images have circulated on social media, showing butter locked in fridges and signs telling customers to contact staff if they want to buy some. A CCTV video posted online also allegedly shows a Russian man...