The Russian Federation announced plans to utilize a new draft law to muster reservists for the protection of critical infrastructure, including energy and transport facilities, against escalating Ukrainian drone attacks. The initiative, announced on October 22, aims to form specialized mobile fire teams operating within their home regions, without deployment to the front lines.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has urged for increased economic and political pressure on Russia, stating that current US and EU sanctions on its energy sector are insufficient. Her call follows recent US sanctions on major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, and the EU's 19th sanctions package targeting LNG imports and the 'shadow fleet'.
Fuel prices in Tajikistan have surged significantly since early October, with gasoline, diesel, and LPG seeing notable increases. This rise is attributed to disruptions in contracted supplies from Russia, a direct consequence of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure, impacting the Central Asian nation's fuel market.
The 17th Meeting of Cuban Residents in Europe (ECRE) commenced in Rome, Italy, on October 24, 2025, and will run until October 26. The event, featuring a patriotic march, cultural festival, and discussions, focuses on supporting Cuba and condemning the US economic blockade. Delegates gathered at the monument to Giuseppe Manzini before proceeding to the Cuban Embassy.
The Russian Federation is enacting a series of restrictive laws, including bans on the promotion of abortion and 'child-free ideology,' alongside outlawing LGBTQ+ activism. These measures are part of a broader government strategy to address the nation's shrinking and aging population and promote 'traditional family values.'
Russia is actively mediating to mend diplomatic and economic relations between Iran and Syria, following the December 2024 fall of Bashar al-Assad. The new Syrian government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed caution, while Iran seeks to protect its significant investments in the post-Assad era.
Kuwait's Deputy Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, recently urged comprehensive reform of the United Nations system, particularly the Security Council, to enhance its effectiveness and representativeness. This call, echoed by other Kuwaiti officials, emphasizes structural changes, equitable representation, and adherence to international law amidst global challenges.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is reportedly in discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding his Smer party's potential entry into the right-wing political group Patriots for Europe. These talks follow Smer's recent expulsion from the Party of European Socialists.
Russia utilized guided aerial bombs, known as KABs, for the first time against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine's Odesa region on October 24, 2025. This deployment, confirmed by regional officials, represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, introducing a new long-range threat to previously 'safer' areas.
The Russian Central Bank announced a 50-basis-point cut to its key interest rate, bringing it to 16.5% from 17% on October 24, 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive reduction as the bank balances efforts to curb inflation with concerns over slowing economic growth.
Russia's Central Election Commission has accused Yevgeny Balitsky, the Moscow-appointed head of occupied Zaporizhzhia, of overstepping his authority by dismissing local election chief Galina Katyushchenko. CEC Chair Ella Pamfilova called the dismissal 'legally void' and based on 'minor technical errors,' vowing to seek its overturn by the Prosecutor General's Office.
German P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft are set to periodically operate from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland as part of the landmark Trinity House Agreement. This defence pact, signed between the UK and Germany, aims to bolster surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the North Atlantic to counter increasing Russian aggression.
Japan has voiced its understanding of recent United States sanctions targeting major Russian oil companies, including Rosneft and Lukoil, which aim to diminish Russia's energy revenues and pressure an end to the conflict in Ukraine. While aligning with G7 partners, Tokyo continues to navigate its own energy security needs, particularly regarding crucial liquefied natural gas imports from the Sakhalin-2 project.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the country will begin consultations on acquiring American nuclear fuel. This move aims to diversify supply for its expanding nuclear energy capacity, including the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, while simultaneously maintaining existing ties with Russian suppliers. The discussions highlight Hungary's strategy for enhanced energy security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that the latest US sanctions, targeting major oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, are 'serious' but will not significantly impact the Russian economy. He described the measures as an 'unfriendly act' aimed at pressure, while the US cited Russia's lack of commitment to peace in Ukraine. The sanctions, also joined by the EU, caused global oil prices to rise.
The United States has sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, following renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine and the cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. The move aims to pressure Moscow to end the ongoing conflict.
The United States is reportedly preparing to deport Russian activist Alexander Bolokhoev, a co-founder of the Buryat independence movement 'Tusgaar Buryaad–Mongolia,' back to Russia. Bolokhoev faces potential arrest, imprisonment, torture, or death as his movement is deemed 'terrorist and extremist' by Russian authorities. He is currently held in an Oklahoma detention center.
A 53-year-old Romanian man, found to be under the influence of drugs and driving with a revoked license, was detained after attempting to drive his car into the Russian Embassy in Bucharest early Thursday morning. The incident resulted in no injuries or significant material damage.
Multiple international reports indicate Russia's economy is heading towards stagnation in 2025, with GDP growth forecasts significantly lowered. Factors cited include the Central Bank's restrictive monetary policy, a substantial decline in oil and gas revenues, and an economic structure increasingly reliant on arms production while civilian sectors contract.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, on October 22, 2025. The move, targeting their subsidiaries as well, aims to pressure Moscow into a ceasefire in Ukraine, citing President Putin's lack of commitment to peace and renewed Russian attacks. Oil prices surged following the announcement.
