Russia

Russia’s defense minister, Andrei Belousov, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, where Kim vowed to help Moscow win its “sacred war” in Ukraine [133470], [134112]. The two countries signed a new long-term defense pact, formalizing a military alliance that includes North Korea opening a memorial for soldiers killed fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine [133739], [133940]. Russia even sent a Ukrainian boy to North Korea, highlighting the deepening human cost of this partnership [133980]. While securing Asian allies, Russia’s energy sector faces a new crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned the global oil market could face “months of chaos” if the Strait of Hormuz is blockaded [133471]. Goldman Sachs projected oil could hit $120 per barrel as war-driven supply risks escalate, a price spike that directly benefits Russia’s state budget [134168]. In Crimea, Ukraine struck three Russian warships and hit a key airfield, while a separate drone attack on a major Russian refinery targeted military fuel supplies, causing oil spills [133732], [133733], [134126]. Russia’s nuclear sector remains a glaring loophole in Western sanctions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked why Moscow’s nuclear industry is still untouched, after Russian forces cut power to Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia 15 times since seizing it in 2022 [133728], [134011]. Ukraine launched a €500 million fund to repair the Chernobyl shelter after a Russian drone strike damaged it, and reported that its nuclear sites have been struck 155 times since the invasion began [133730], [133727]. Over 1,500 miles away, Russia’s footprint in Africa is stretching thin. Russian-backed Wagner forces in Mali are “overstretched” as Tuareg rebels and jihadists strike deep into government-held territory, seizing a northern city [134152], [133636], [134111]. The Kremlin also escalated diplomatic tensions with Europe: China demanded the EU remove Chinese firms and citizens from Russia sanctions lists [133519], while Russia warned Germany that a lawmaker’s meeting with Chechen figures “will have consequences” [134146]. Iran scrambled to align with Moscow as US-Iran talks stalled. Iran’s foreign minister rushed to Moscow for talks with Putin, blaming the US for the breakdown in negotiations [133786], [134014], [134115], [134223]. Trump claimed he saved eight Iranian women from execution—a claim Iran denied—and said “we hold the cards” as Tehran seeks allies against Washington [133663], [134248]. Asia’s military spending surged at the fastest rate since 2009, while global military expenditure hit a record $2.9 trillion in 2025, according to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) [133942], [133783]. Russia’s defense budget, fueled by oil revenues and North Korean infantry, continues to drive this arms race, even as its own forces suffer battlefield losses and its economy strains under sanctions. <a href='/news/133470'>Russia-North Korea Ties to Intensify, Defense Minister Says in Pyongyang</a> <a href='/news/133471'>Novak: Global oil market faces months of chaos after Hormuz blockade</a> <a href='/news/133727'>Ukraine’s Nuclear Sites Struck 155 Times as Kyiv Marks Chornobyl Anniversary</a> <a href='/news/133728'>Ukraine war: Why is Russia’s nuclear sector still unsanctioned? – Zelenskyy</a> <a href='/news/133730'>Ukraine launches €500m fund to repair Chernobyl shelter after Russian drone strike</a> <a href='/news/133732'>Ukraine Strikes Three Russian Warships in Crimea, Hits Key Airfield</a> <a href='/news/133733'>Ukraine strikes major Russian refinery, targets military fuel supply</a> <a href='/news/133739'>Russia, North Korea sign new long-term defense pact</a> <a href='/news/133786'>Iran's Top Diplomat Rushes to Russia, Trump Says Tehran Can Call</a> <a href='/news/133940'>North Korea Opens Memorial for Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War</a> <a href='/news/133942'>Asia’s Military Spending Surges at Fastest Rate Since 2009</a> <a href='/news/133980'>Ukrainian boy sent to North Korea by Russia</a> <a href='/news/134011'>Russia cut power to Europe’s largest nuclear plant 15 times since seizing it in 2022</a> <a href='/news/134014'>Iran blames US as top diplomat arrives in Russia for talks</a> <a href='/news/134112'>Kim vows to help Russia win ‘sacred war’ in Ukraine</a> <a href='/news/134126'>Russia, Ukraine Trade Deadly Strikes; Oil Spills Reported After Drone Attack</a> <a href='/news/134152'>Tuareg fighters seize control of northern Mali city after attacks</a> <a href='/news/134168'>Oil at $120? Goldman warns of war-driven price spike.</a> <a href='/news/134223'>Iran’s top diplomat lands in Russia for Putin talks on Iran-US war</a> <a href='/news/134248'>Iran scrambles for allies as Trump says ‘we hold the cards’</a>