Russia just passed a law giving the Russian Red Cross exclusive rights to its name. The twist? Enforcing it in occupied Ukraine would mean officially recognizing the very ties to local "imposter" groups that Moscow has spent years trying to deny. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

⚡️At least 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia's war, with many more missing, Zelensky tells French media. It would also cost Russia "800,000 more corpses" to take eastern Ukraine by force, President Zelensky said in an interview with France TV on Feb. 4.

Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin agreed not to fire on Kyiv for a week after the US president personally asked his Russian counterpart to halt attacks due to frigid temperatures in the Ukrainian capital. www.ft.com/content/f8e8...

Massive Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have left homes without electricity or heating. Five Kyiv residents spoke to Meduza about how they’re surviving these extreme conditions. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

The Trump admin has indicated to Ukraine that US security guarantees are contingent on Kyiv first agreeing a peace deal that would likely involve ceding the Donbas region to Russia… Scoop with FT comrades @maxseddon.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com @a-mackinnon.bsky.social

With the Kremlin’s global recruitment drive in the spotlight, I turned to @karenphilippal.bsky.social of @diis.dk for insight into how Russia lures foreign nationals into its war against Ukraine and uses them as “disposable soldiers.” My latest for @meduza.io meduza.io/en/feature/2...

More on Russia's foreign fighters. I spoke with @eilishhart.bsky.social from @meduza.io about my research on Russia's use of foreigners at the frontlines in Ukraine.

Viral videos of Russian officers mistreating African recruits have cast a spotlight on the Kremlin’s global recruitment drive. To learn how Russia lures foreign fighters into its war against Ukraine, Meduza spoke with researcher Karen Philippa Larsen. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

With the Kremlin’s global recruitment drive in the spotlight, I turned to @karenphilippal.bsky.social of @diis.dk for insight into how Russia lures foreign nationals into its war against Ukraine and uses them as “disposable soldiers.” My latest for @meduza.io meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Serbian intelligence officers have tested sound cannons on dogs in collaboration with Russia’s notorious security service, according to government documents seen by POLITICO.

As mass protests shake Iran, Russia is once again watching one of its allies slide into crisis. Meduza spoke with expert @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social about what the Kremlin is prepared to do for Tehran — and what it stands to lose. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

This “exclusive” comment is basically evergreen at this point. Trump has never cared how Russia’s war against Ukraine ends, and he always prefers to pressure Zelensky rather than Putin.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector, with particular attention on Kyiv, which is reeling from Russian attacks that have left residents without power, heating, or water in subzero temperatures.

UN monitors recorded more civilian deaths in Ukraine in 2025 than in any other year except 2022, as hostilities flared along the front line and Russia expanded its use of long-range weapons.

The 20-point peace plan under negotiation left me with a nagging question — how would it impact the millions of Ukrainians living under Russian occupation? Big thanks to @karolinahird.bsky.social for helping me unpack this complex humanitarian issue. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

How would the 20-point peace plan impact the millions of Ukrainians living under Russian occupation? Meduza asks analyst Karolina Hird from the Institute for the Study War. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

The 20-point peace plan under negotiation left me with a nagging question — how would it impact the millions of Ukrainians living under Russian occupation? Big thanks to @karolinahird.bsky.social for helping me unpack this complex humanitarian issue. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

Asked if there any limits on his global powers, Trump tells @nytimes.com "Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He adds, “I don’t need international law.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...

Russian forces struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure on the evening of Jan. 7, knocking out power in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions amid freezing temperatures. “This is truly a national emergency,” says Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov. kyivindependent.com/dnipro-repor...

How do exiled pro-democracy activists continue to make inroads into Putin’s Russia? Meduza asks Free Russia Foundation president Natalia Arno. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Today’s summit in Paris has ended with the “Coalition of the Willing” signing a declaration on security guarantees for Kyiv. The U.K. and France also committed to deploying forces to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. meduza.io/en/news/2026...

“As pro-democracy Russians, we believe that change is imminent. It will happen, but our homework is to be prepared.” My Q&A with Free Russia Foundation founder Natalia Arno about how exiled opposition activists are still making inroads in wartime. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

President Zelensky has arrived in Paris for today’s “Coalition of the Willing” summit, where Kyiv’s allies will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Venezuela may seem like a tactical loss for Russia, but in fact it's a strategic win for Putin's vision of the world. new essay: hegemon.substack.com/p/venezuela-...

Insightful report by @francescaebel.bsky.social on the growing divide between “warring” Russia & the rest of the population, who are either “passively loyal, indifferent to the war, opposed to it but taking refuge in their private lives, or living in exile.” www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered the post of head of the President’s Office to military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. The position has been vacant since longtime chief of staff Andriy Yermak resigned in late November. meduza.io/en/news/2026...

Working with local journalists & foreign correspondents to tell underreported stories was undoubtedly the best part about editing The Beet. With the newsletter pausing publication, writing this best of 2025 list was bittersweet. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

Russia says Ukraine targeted Putin’s Valdai residence with drones. The claim surfaced amid accelerating peace talks, was amplified at the highest levels, and came with no publicly presented proof. Cui bono? meduza.io/en/cards/cui...

“Over the past 10 months, Russian losses in the war with Ukraine have been growing faster than any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, BBC analysis suggests.” www.bbc.com/news/article...

Working with local journalists & foreign correspondents to tell underreported stories was undoubtedly the best part about editing The Beet. With the newsletter pausing publication, writing this best of 2025 list was bittersweet. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

The Beet newsletter will be pausing publication in 2026, but there’s no shortage of adventures in its archive. Here, you’ll find The Beet’s top five dispatches of 2025. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed a revised draft peace plan, developed with the United States, to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

While Putin talks up a “multipolar world,” pro-Kremlin pundits are pushing another concept to justify Russia’s war against Ukraine. Political analyst @abarbashin.bsky.social breaks down “Chaos Theory” for Meduza. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

Sadly, with The Calvert Journal gone and @meduza.io’s The Beet pausing its work in 2026, the space to cover underreported and unusual stories about Central Asia has shrunk to essentially nothing. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work with @eilishhart.bsky.social. Support independent journalism!

I couldn’t be prouder of the reporting The Beet has produced. That’s why I’m sorry to say that the newsletter will be pausing publication. Read my letter to subscribers here: mailchi.mp/meduza.io/le...

“Enough Ukrainians decided they were willing to risk their lives to overthrow tyranny, and that’s what they expect from the Russians.” My conversation with @marcishore.bsky.social about the promise of Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution & the nihilism of Russia’s war. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

What made the Maidan a revolution? Meduza talks to historian @marcishore.bsky.social about Ukraine’s “existential transformation” and the “systemic nihilism” of Russia’s war. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

“Enough Ukrainians decided they were willing to risk their lives to overthrow tyranny, and that’s what they expect from the Russians.” My conversation with @marcishore.bsky.social about the promise of Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution & the nihilism of Russia’s war. meduza.io/en/feature/2... @meduza.io

Russia has outlawed @pussyriot.bsky.social as an “extremist organization,” putting anyone associated with the movement at risk of criminal prosecution. “Pussy Riot [members] have essentially become those-who-must-not-be-named in Russia,” Nadya Tolokonnikova told @theins.press theins.ru/news/287745?

Back in November, veteran Belarusian opposition politician Andrei Sannikov told me that the West needs to pressure Lukashenko to release *all* political prisoners, lest he continue to use them as bargaining chips. His insights are well worth a listen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to give up on demands for Nato membership in exchange for security guarantees from the US and Europe, in a move aimed at advancing peace talks in Berlin on Sunday. on.ft.com/4iSMzii

#Belarus First interview with Maria Kalesnikava after her release and deportation to #Ukraine. It always strikes me how every released political prisoner mentions those still in jail - this is our Belarusian solidarity. Our Masha is free, and it's such a relief and joy.

BREAKING: Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava and Nobel Peace Prize-winning rights activist Ales Bialiatski, in a deal brokered by the U.S. Read more: www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/12/13/b...

Excellent episode here from @sambreazeale.bsky.social 👇

⚡️ Peace deal, security guarantees, reconstruction — Zelensky unveils 3-track plan as talks intensify. The three texts cover a framework peace agreement, security guarantees, and Ukraine's reconstruction, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Human rights monitors have published new findings on the treatment of Ukrainian captives held in Russia and occupied territories, detailing torture, degrading conditions, and a regime of coercion that extends far beyond the front lines. meduza.io/en/feature/2...

As the Trump admin eases sanctions on Belarus, Lukashenko is arresting more political prisoners than he frees, warns veteran opposition politician Andrei Sannikov. Listen to our full conversation on @meduza.io’s podcast now! meduza.io/en/episodes/...

Our latest update puts the verified death toll for Russian soldiers at 153,171 names. - 48,676 volunteers - 19,208 prisoners - 6,103 officers Volunteers remain the largest category of confirmed losses en.zona.media/article/2025...

Read my latest story for Meduza’s the Beet about the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate meduza.io/en/feature/2...

In Poland, officials are pushing tough migration policies and even harsher rhetoric, even as Ukrainians give the country an economic boost and contain Russia on the battlefield next door. Read The Beet’s last feature story of 2025, courtesy of @aga-pik.bsky.social! meduza.io/en/feature/2...