Russia

Security

A senior military intelligence official, Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot in an apparent assassination attempt in Moscow, and a police officer was killed in a suicide bombing near a train station, with the FSB reporting detentions in connection. Russia announced it will no longer be bound by the New START treaty upon its expiration, with President Vladimir Putin stating nuclear force development is an 'absolute priority.' Internationally, Russia launched new missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, damaging energy infrastructure, and Russian forces advanced in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Politics

Domestically, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Russia is ready to discuss placing Ukraine under UN administration but emphasized its goals are not subject to compromise, while the Kremlin announced a new round of negotiations. Internationally, a new round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks was held in Abu Dhabi, with a senior Russian diplomat stating openness to discussing 'temporary external governance' for Ukraine; Russian officials stated any deal must include global recognition of Russian control over Crimea and the Donbas.

Information

Russian authorities intensified pressure on Telegram, with a Moscow court levying a fine and a criminal investigation opened against its founder, Pavel Durov, for alleged failure to remove banned content. The Kremlin and Foreign Ministry forcefully rejected findings from five European countries blaming Russia for the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, dismissing the report as a Western propaganda hoax. Internationally, Russia moved to block WhatsApp and promoted a domestic alternative.

Economy

President Vladimir Putin stated Russia's GDP grew by 1% in 2025, characterizing the slowdown as a man-made issue, while Dmitry Medvedev stated Russia is not doing enough in microelectronics. A report noted Russian oil is trading at its largest discount since 2023 due to sanctions. The United States removed a 25% tariff on India after India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, a deal Russian officials stated they were unaware of, and the European Union proposed a new sanctions package against Russia which Hungary blocked.

Humanitarian

President Vladimir Putin marked Defender of the Fatherland Day by meeting with widows of special forces soldiers and issued orders on judicial workloads and historic building restoration. Russia strongly rejected accusations from five European nations regarding the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. Internationally, a BBC investigation featured Russian soldiers who said they witnessed troops being executed on commanders' orders, and Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner swap, returning 157 individuals each.

Energy

Domestically, Western sanctions significantly reduced state oil and gas revenue, which reportedly halved in January year-on-year, while new major oil discoveries were announced in Yamal and the Arctic. Russia is offering increased oil discounts to India after losing its status as that country's top supplier. Internationally, Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure resumed, causing widespread outages, and a key section of the Druzhba oil pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia was damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes, halting flows.