EU Commission tightens rules for issuing multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians, citing security risks It is yet to be seen if the cited risks — sabotage, cyberattacks, industrial espionage, the possible weaponization of migration, and others — can be mitigated by the new measures.

Bursting the bubble: Europe is capable of phasing out Russian gas ahead of schedule The EU is no longer facing an energy crisis, and Russia has overestimated its own indispensability, explains economist Vladimir Milov.

Swiss firm Gunvor withdraws bid to purchase overseas assets of Russia’s sanctioned oil major Lukoil after U.S. labels it a “Kremlin puppet” Gunvor’s proposed purchase of LUKOIL International GmbH was pending approval from the U.S. OFAC.

Bundestag discusses possible AfD cooperation with Russia as party files “extremely detailed” inquiries about Germany’s defenses A senior official suggested the effort was likely “a targeted and systematic collection of military information” which could be “of significant value to foreign powers.”

Filter and rule: Inside Russia’s system of abductions and torture in the occupied territories of Ukraine The Insider examines the historical roots and features of the Soviet-style “filtration” system designed to neutralize potential resistance, intimidate civilians, and recruit potential agents.

The wheels are coming off: Russia’s rail freight collapse exposes a deeper industrial crisis Railway statistics show freight volumes have fallen to near record lows, indicating a sweeping, simultaneous decline across 20 of 24 key industries, such as coal mining and metallurgy.

Bulgarian President vetoes law regulating sale of Lukoil assets, easing potential buyouts by companies linked to Russia Rumen Radev previously blocked the transfer of 100 armored vehicles to Ukraine, saying they were needed for border security and disaster relief.

Genocide now: The Darfur massacre is more international than it might appear Military juntas funded with Emirati oil money, Wagner mercenaries, and Ukrainian special services all meet on the battlefield of the bloodiest conflict in modern history.

Moldova to shut down Russian House “The Russian Cultural Center has been used as a cover for activities carried out to undermine Moldova’s sovereignty,” Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan said at today’s government meeting.

Unidentified drones spotted near NATO base housing U.S. nuclear weapons in Belgium as flights from Brussels and Liège temporarily suspended Defense Minister Theo Francken said the drone sightings were believed to be “intentional and disruptive.”

The nuclear option: Russia may be about to steal Europe’s largest power plant — with catastrophic consequences The facility is already in poor condition, and with a shortage of staff, maintaining safety in wartime conditions will be doubly difficult.

Russian activist Rogov, accused in Poland of working for the FSB, has confessed, Wiadomości reports Rogov and his wife are accused of espionage activities between February and August 2022 and face sentences ranging from eight years to life imprisonment.

Iron Lady 2.0: Japan's first female prime minister is taking a harder line than most of her predecessors

“You can’t talk about the Gulag in Kolyma”: Magadan teachers told not to discuss Soviet political repressions — or mention them online Schools were recently ordered not to mark or mention Soviet-era repression ahead of the Oct. 30 annual remembrance day.

U.S. Treasury lifts sanctions on Belarusian state-owned airline Belavia and government jet used by Lukashenko’s sons The move was first announced on Sept. 11 during U.S. envoy John Coale’s visit to Minsk, after which Belarus freed 52 political prisoners.

Russian snipers are using Canadian Cadex rifles as shipments continue despite sanctions Snipers in at least three units are using the rifles, a @globalnews.ca and The Insider investigation has found. Indirect evidence suggests deliveries have been routed through the U.S. and Kazakhstan.

Future Czech PM Babiš supports imposing sanctions against Russia’s Metropolitan Hilarion, Deník N reports In the spring of 2025, Czech counterintelligence accused Hilarion of working for the GRU. He was declared persona non grata and expelled.

❗️ A champion like no other: The curious life of a Unit 29155 operative Although undercover GRU agents have been exposed across the West, many of these "burned" assets are still serving Moscow’s hybrid war — now operating safely from within Russia.

At least two oil tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” damaged in Tuapse port drone strike, OSINT analysts report The Nov. 2 attack impacted an oil terminal and four tankers, two of which, the Saturn I and Pollux, have been identified as part of the fleet.

Refineries in the crosshairs: Ukraine’s “deep strike” strategy threatens major fuel shortages in Russia by 2026 If attacks continue at their current pace, Russia could face not just temporary, localized fuel disruptions, but systemic shortages and a broader refinery crisis by next year.

Ukraine hands Russian POW to third country for first time since start of full-scale war — he now faces possible life sentence in Lithuania The man is set to stand trial for the torture of a Lithuanian citizen in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Trump is not considering supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine He also does not intend to use Russian assets frozen abroad as leverage against Moscow during negotiations, as it is “a discussion between Europe and Russia.”

Kremlin narrative claims Volodymyr Zelensky bought massive ranch in Wyoming that made him one of the “top 10 U.S. landowners” The 916,000-acre property is actually currently pending sale to a family-owned American ranching company, as per local media.

Ukrainian intelligence claims responsibility for blowing up oil pipeline in Moscow Region “Our direct action has inflicted greater damage on Russia than any economic levers so far,” comments HUR director Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov.

The Insider’s Sergei Ezhov sentenced in absentia to six years in prison for “financing extremism” and “evading foreign agent obligations” Ezhov @ezhovs.bsky.social pledged to continue exposing corrupt officials: “I must do what those inside Russia cannot afford to.”

Friendly fire: Why MAGA influencers are turning on Trump Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files, his funding of wars, and his attempts to curtail the First Amendment were among the factors that contributed to the split within the MAGA camp.

Outrageous but victorious: Milei’s party wins Argentina’s elections despite widespread discontent The government can boast little in terms of social or economic success: the number of poor people has increased, while crime has worsened.

Russia strikes Ukraine with the 9M729 intermediate-range missile, which took down the INF Treaty Since August 2024, Russia has fired 23 such missiles at Ukraine, including the Oct. 5, 2025, strike on the village of Lapaivka, which killed four people.

Kremlin customer service: The Insider identifies the top 30 customs brokers facilitating sanctioned imports to Russia Sanctions target foreign exporters and Russian importers, while customs brokers who make this trade possible remain in the shadows.

The resumption of U.S. nuclear testing will prompt other countries to conduct nuclear explosions as well, experts say “Nuclear testing — whether underground, surface, or atmospheric — would undermine decades of negotiations to ban such tests.”

After U.S. moves to resume nuclear testing, Kremlin spokesman Peskov tells Trump Russia’s Burevestnik test was non-nuclear Experts Pavel Podvig (@russianforces.org) and Henry Sokolski of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center weigh in on the latest developments.

Peace but no cigar: Putin’s apology cools off Aliyev’s wrath but comes short of restoring the alliance The Dushanbe talks marked a turning point in the 10-month conflict between the two leaders, but it is too early to speak of lasting reconciliation.

Germany plans €377B in defense procurements as Kremlin bot network spreads fake story about Chancellor Merz’s wife buying Rheinmetall shares A new disinfo campaign flagged by @antibot4navalny.bsky.social is spreading videos posing as @bellingcat.com, The Telegraph, and German tabloid Bild.

Munich court convicts man of spying and plotting sabotage for Russia Russian-German dual citizen Dieter S. was sentenced to six years in prison. He and two other co-defendants, who received suspended sentences, dismissed their discussions of sabotage as “jokes.”

Millionaire vs. buskers: Chief of St. Petersburg Police cracking down on street musicians owns $6.2 million worth of real estate The Insider examines the inexplicable riches of the police official who is arresting street performers for the “wrong” songs.

“The sky is falling?”: Company linked to Russian oligarch Deripaska bought American Swiwin engines for use in jet-powered Shahed drones The scale of the purchases suggests plans to reverse-engineer the engines. Swiwin USA replied with a sarcastic joke.

“We were on the edge, but we didn’t cross the line”: Musicians across Russia come out in support of jailed anti-war street performers The band Stoptime and its vocalist Diana Loginova were arrested after singing banned anti-war songs in St. Petersburg.

Lukoil to transfer international holdings to Putin ally Gennady Timchenko's Swiss-based firm Gunvor pending U.S. approval The deal is being prepared against the backdrop of U.S. sanctions announced against the Russian oil major on Oct. 22.

Study finds chatbots frequently cite Russian propaganda sources in responses about the invasion of Ukraine ChatGPT cited the most Russian sources and was most influenced by biased queries, according to new research by @isdglobal.org.

Baltic companies secretly refuel tankers from Russia’s “shadow fleet,” LRT investigation finds Between June 2024 and March 2025, the Rina and Zircone — bunker tankers belonging to Estonian firm Fast Bunkering — refueled at least 20 shadow fleet tankers.

A small victorious revolution: How pro-war Russians nearly deposed the monarchy in 1905 Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War turned staunch supporters of the autocracy away from the tsarist government.

Our Lady of Spies: How a crime boss built a “miracle church” for Russia's top intelligence officers Patriarch Kirill has mentioned the object in his sermons, and Vladimir Putin is even said to have prayed with the icon personally.

Not yet a democracy: Syria elects a new parliament, but its legitimacy is in doubt The president is expected to add women and members of national and religious minorities, but it is unlikely that anyone from the real opposition will be included.

Obituary for an 80-year-old: At its anniversary, the UN looks more dead than alive The UN is anachronistic, tired, and is failing to prevent wars around the world. There must be radical reform of its conception and its structure, argues Eliot Wilson.

Indian state oil firm claims it will buy only “non-sanctioned” Russian crude, but tracing its origin is difficult Once oil leaves port, it often changes hands multiple times, making full traceability difficult even with satellite and AIS tracking, says maritime analyst @maritimekiwi.bsky.social.

No longer our guy: Instead of a summit in Budapest, Trump hits the Kremlin with sanctions If Moscow does not wish to resume sharp confrontation with the U.S., explains political scientist Georgy Chizhov, the Kremlin will have to start making real concessions.

Russia adopting the Burevestnik after just one test is a publicity stunt — the missile is unreliable, expert says “A single test cannot guarantee stable and predictable operation. The weapon is meant to frighten — if not governments, then the public.”

“They ran me over twice”: Russian military personnel responsible for multiple car accidents in frontline regions The victims' families, along with the survivors of these accidents, have been unsuccessfully trying to obtain compensation from the army.

Russian regions have spent at least $25 million on incentive payments to military recruiters, IStories reports The recruitment of foreigners is valued more highly than locals, with payouts in one region varying from $7000 to $700 between the two.

Independent outlet Verstka publishes list of Russian soldiers who execute their own comrades At least five of those named in the 101-man list have been awarded the title “Hero of the Russian Federation.”