Full results and write-up by @olliecarroll.bsky.social here: www.economist.com/europe/2025/...

Our poll of Ukraine is now in (N=1000). Mr Zelensky approval at >70%, very few want elections before peace. But also suggests 58% will not want Ukraine to concede territory, and that many also expect the war to end within the year -> www.economist.com/europe/2025/... by @olliecarroll.bsky.social

“Putin offers ceasefire” says one paper. “Putin rejects it” another. Welcome to dizzying tricksphere of a KGB officer. Real Q is not what the old manipulator says, but how the apprentice in a hurry interprets it. Putin gave Trump a pic-n-mix of narratives. Which 1 will he choose?

The Americans called it a “transaction of love.” The Ukrainian officials I spoke to called it differently: “not negotiation, but extortion”. www.economist.com/europe/2025/...

I’d like to think I’m the first person to get into a flame war with VPOTUS from the swimming pool of Woburn Center Parcs at half-term.

This is footage of a Russian drone hitting the protective shield at Chernobyl power plant. I don't know where to begin.

If Trump has a peace plan, Zelensky doesn't know about it. He is undeterred. "I won't let Putin win. This is what I live by" New interview in this week's Economist. www.economist.com/europe/2025/...

Why North Korea Is Planning a Second Korean War and How to Stop It My deep-dive with @andreilankov and @DrRadchenko into North Korean regime, foreign policy, daily life, surveillance state, hackers and much more! youtu.be/hqTbLkdysBo

My update on the frontline: Ukraine’s crumbling wall, and what might - more likely might not - push Putin to compromise. https://buff.ly/40AfRcV

Reports Gulag historian Yury Dmitriev, 68, has been sent to solitary confinement in Russia's Mordovia colony for "unsatisfactory stretching." The most evil kind of evil. Descendants of the KGB officers he implicated first jailed him. Now they appear after after his life.

A heavy night in Kyiv with at least four dead following combined drone and ballistic missile attacks early in the morning. One of the targets appears to have been a defence facility. But much more - water pipes, McDonalds etc - hit besides.

Here I try to describe changes in the British character, and to explain them. Brits seem to be growing both more civil and less honest, with the same people (the young) driving both trends. www.economist.com/britain/2025...

Russian sources reporting that a record number of drones (150-200) employed in this combined Ukrainian missile-drone attack.

Ukrainian drones attacked at least 4 Russian regions in a massive attack this morning — oil and gas facilities in the main appear to have been the targets. Video from Tatarstan, (c) Astra

There is a pretty strong likelihood that Russian commanders don’t really care about the survival of Russians either

I wrote on the wave of unusual arson attacks across Russia. Unlike at start of invasion, when these were mostly driven by anti-war/mobilisation sentiment, Ukrainian psyops appear to be at work.

This, on Russian torture of Ukr POWs is very important reading. "My eyes, hands, feet were taped. I was hung upside down, wires wrapped around fingers, and electric current applied. Then vacuum bag was placed over head, while punched in stomach + ribs." https://en.zona.media/article/2025/01/10/hell

This fm Polish def minister caused my eyebrows to smile: “Fatigue in society is understandable when [u] see young Ukrainians driving the latest cars." Poles + Ukrainians—who often put all cash into a car—more different than u think.

And The Economist article about developments in drone warfare by @shashj.bsky.social and @olliecarroll.bsky.social here: www.economist.com/europe/2024/...

This week @olliecarroll.bsky.social & I look at how Ukraine’s drone war is evolving. Ukr observing 1,000 Russian drones in each 24 hour period. Drones carrying more & flying further per dollar. More types, from bombers to interceptors. AI guidance advancing rapidly www.economist.com/europe/2024/...

Musk has now threatened the leaders of Canada,Brazil, Germany. X helped create a riot in the UK. Now it seems he doesn't want the UK to make its own legal decisions. Time to act?

‘At times it feels like I’m managing a day-care centre rather than a combat unit.’ Quote from Ukrainian frontline commander on manpower shortages as they brace for possible Kremlin surge in the south www.economist.com/europe/2024/... by @olliecarroll.bsky.social

Just a question for a Bluesky newbie: is there a way of cross-posting content here automatically to the eugh-ther place. One that doesn’t involve posting on a third party app, just scraping content and reposting automatically?

An interrupted night for most in Ukraine. Russia actually launched a record 188 drones. Oh, and 4 Iskander-Ms tactical ballistic missiles into the mix too. Which, just to remind all the tabloid writers out there are ***NUCLEAR-CAPABLE***. www.pravda.com.ua/news/2024/11...

"Belaruski Gayun" reports that at least 38 "Shaheds" violated the airspace of Belarus over the past day. It is claimed that only 9 Russian UAVs have been confirmed to have returned to Ukrainian airspace.

I write on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s plans for America’s intelligence agencies and what it might mean for policy, for recruitment & morale, and for intelligence sharing among allies www.economist.com/united-state...

And another, @olliecarroll.bsky.social, in an outstanding piece on the heavily sagging morale on Ukraine's southern lines. When I work the weekend shift alone and read across all our coverage I am amazed at my Economist colleagues. Just huge respect. www.economist.com/europe/2024/...

Doubling down on threats by Putin, spokesman Peskov says Russia “working through mechanisms” to warn Ukrainians “if new ballistic missile attacks are planned.” As a matter of record, Ukr civilians are well used to Russian ballistic missiles, if not quite IRBM used Thurs.

Ukrainian MPs have reportedly been warned of an impending Russian missiles attack on the parliament building in Kyiv. (I had assumed they wouldn’t dare such a strike given close proximity of the Chinese embassy)

Putin confirms use of new type of “hypersonic” ballistic missile called Oreshnik. Says Russia will continue to test new weapons in Ukraine. “Russia will offer civilians in Ukraine the chance to leave danger zone before missile use.” (!)

@michaelkofman.bsky.social @oxanashevel.bsky.social @olliecarroll.bsky.social @cerianbond.bsky.social @colinlebedev.cpesr.fr @ioponomarenko.bsky.social @yarotrof.bsky.social @yoshikoherrera.bsky.social Above feed includes mentions of Russia’s war, Russian Aggression, use #s + keywrds Like + follow

And in non ICBM news, Ukraine’s development minister Oleksiy Kuleba says Ukraine now “95%” ready to resume air travel. The one remaining issue is “passenger safety.” Quite. www.epravda.com.ua/news/2024/11...

US embassy in Kyiv closing today ahead of what it describes as a "potential significant air attack" by Russia. "The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

Ukraine's energy minister this morning confirmed energy infrastructure was the main target for Russian drones and missiles. No real suprise considering the arctic temperatures in Ukraine right now. https://buff.ly/3CpUvXd

Ukr sources reporting Russia used quite a range - cruise missiles, ballistic misisles, and drones - in overnight attacks. The exact list: kh101/kh55, kalibr, kh-59/69/31, kh-23, islander, s300-400, kinzhal, tsirkon missiles; shahed and gerbera drones

A few thoughts on Trump and Ukraine via The Economist's Intelligence podcast.