Background

NEWS

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With Each Coming Year, Fewer and Fewer People Are Eager to Return to russia, the “motherland”

In 2025, the state program for the voluntary return of foreign compatriots to russia for permanent residence, which was a priority according to russian officials, set another anti-record: only 27,600 people moved back.
2/19/2026
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russia Has Become a Market for Counterfeit Goods: Sanctions and the Departure of Brands Made the Quality of the Consumer Market Fall

Not a single genuine pair. This was the conclusion drawn by experts from the bureau of expertise and evaluation after inspecting 1,300 pairs of Nike and Adidas shoes in brand stores in shopping centers in moscow, st. petersburg, kaliningrad, and chelyabinsk. 100% of the goods checked turned out to be counterfeit, with poor-quality materials, stitching, and fake markings.
2/19/2026
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The Lifeblood of russia’s Economy Is on the Verge of Collapse

The most significant downsizing was carried out by sberbank of russia, which closed more than 900 branches, twice as many as in 2024. These branches often remained key infrastructure hubs for the provinces, so their closure exacerbates the degradation of the local economy and access to financial services.
2/19/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

The economic slowdown, falling profits, and high key rate of the central bank of russia have plunged the russian debt market into a crisis of non-payments. In January 2026, russian companies failed to meet their debt securities obligations 51 times, including coupons, redemptions, offers, and covenants.
2/19/2026
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It Is the Courage of Our Warriors That Ensures the Humanitarian Results and, Overall, Our Diplomatic Capacity, Our Strong Diplomatic Positions – Address by the President

As of today, we cannot say that the outcome is sufficient. The military representatives discussed certain issues seriously and substantively. However, sensitive political matters, issues of possible compromises, and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently worked through.
2/19/2026
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Passports As Leverage: the kremlin Signals that Support for Occupied Regions Depends on the Obedience of Elites

moscow uses passportization as a flexible tool of political pressure on the temporarily occupied regions of Georgia, demonstrating that administrative preferences directly depend on the obedience of local elites.
2/18/2026
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Tightening Control over Mobile Communications, russia Has Introduced “Children’s” Numbers and SIM Card Linking to IMEI

These measures, developed by the ministry of digital development, effectively turn ordinary SIM cards into a tool for total surveillance, restricting citizens’ freedom to use gadgets and transfer data. Such innovations will not only complicate the daily lives of russians, they will open the door to abuse of power, adding to the atmosphere of mistrust and control in the country.
2/18/2026
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russia Has Classified Key Economic Data and Is Concealing the Real Level of Poverty

Statistics on the number and salaries of state and municipal employees has been completely closed. Data on the salaries of doctors, nurses, teachers, lecturers, scientists, and cultural workers are not being updated. Instead of new data, there are now notes saying “temporarily closed” – a phrase that’s being used more and more to hide inconvenient info.
2/18/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

Minister of Finance of Lithuania Kristupas Vaitiekūnas believes that the European Union needs to return to discussing the issue of a reparations loan for Ukraine. The Minister has stressed the need to ensure that the first tranche reaches the Ukrainian budget in April, “when the country will need this money”.
2/18/2026
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We Are Ready to Move Quickly Toward a Just Agreement to End the War; The Only Question Is for the Russians – Address by the President

In the coming weeks, there will also be a significant number of formats with our partners – a range of negotiations and various meetings. We will also discuss the fact that Europe needs its own production of air defense missiles – all types that are truly needed.
2/18/2026
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The kremlin’s New “Moral” Vertical Is Preparing russians for a Long War Against Ukraine and the West

In terms of foreign policy, the institutionalization of this doctrine reinforces the presentation of the war against Ukraine as a long-term civilizational confrontation with the West. This framework expands the government’s ability to justify high military spending, further restrictions on civil liberties.
2/17/2026
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russia Expanding Digital Control Once Again: Purchase of 18+ Goods – only After Identification

In russia, the authorities continue to tighten digital control over citizens, expanding the use of biometrics and imposing strict restrictions in the field of telecommunications. There are plans to introduce mandatory biometric identification for online purchases of age-restricted goods (18+).
2/17/2026
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Cooperation with the FISU: Safety Instructions

The safety of everyone who contacts us is a priority in our work in every country. In unsafe environments, use the anonymous Tor network to communicate with us.
2/17/2026
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Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

“Since the start of russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Germany has provided Ukraine with around EUR 39 billion in bilateral civilian aid and approximately EUR 55 billion in military aid, in the form of deliveries or delivery commitments,” reads the statement by the FRG’s government.
2/17/2026
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Intelligence Reports That the Russians Are Preparing New Massive Strikes on Energy, and Air Defense Must Be Configured Properly – Address by the President

Today Ukraine has also introduced new sanctions against Russian individuals who are trying to put sport at the service of war and ruscism. The names of these individuals are known – and known, unfortunately, more for their entirely dishonorable actions than for their sporting achievements. We will work to ensure our sanctions are synchronized in other jurisdictions as well.
2/17/2026
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The Mortgage Crisis Destroying russia’s Banking System

By the end of 2025, russians had failed to repay to banks 276 billion rubles in mortgage loans and interest within the specified period. Compared to 2024, this represents an increase of 76.6%. As a result, over the period 2023–2025, arrears increased by 180%.
2/16/2026
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There Will Be New Support Packages for Ukraine. The Key Priority Is Missiles for Air Defense, for Protection Against Ballistic Missiles – Address by the President

Several more cold days lie ahead, and everyone has already seen how the Russians exploit this. Please take care of yourselves and heed air raid alerts. We are in constant contact with all partners, emphasizing that each such threat, each such risk, only worsens the overall prospects for ending the war.
2/16/2026
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Nothing Will Be “Cheap” in russia Any Longer: Marketplaces Are Rapidly Raising Prices

From 2026, russian marketplaces will lose their main advantage – low prices. Due to changes in tax legislation, online commerce is entering a phase of structural transformation, the consequences of which will directly hit buyers’ wallets. Prices are already predicted to rise by at least 5% in the first year, and this is just the beginning.
2/15/2026
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russia’s Industry and Export Sectors Facing Maximum Risk of Bankruptcy

The number of loss-making companies rose to 18,200, showing a 16% increase year-on-year. Their total losses reached $97.3 billion, having increased by 8.1%. The highest concentration of problem enterprises was recorded in the coal mining, coke chemical, metallurgical, tobacco, and leather industries.
2/15/2026
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“Like” As Evidence: How russia Punishes for Social Media Activity

Since 2010, russian “law enforcers” have opened more than 30,000 criminal and administrative cases for posts, reposts, and “likes” on social media.
2/14/2026