Shoigu is ready to suffer, tourists are running from Crimea, 'I killed'
Horrible News with Kirill Martynov
A Russian soldier confessed to murder and looting while stationed near Kyiv in a conversation with IStories*. Another row of explosions hit Crimea where the air defence system had to be activated several times, however, the authorities are claiming the events to be accidents and diversions. Two people were murdered over arguments about war in the Rostov region; Russian regional journalists’ places are being searched by the police.
The UK's Defence Minister came to Moscow in February to try to convince the Russian government not to start the war in Ukraine. Russia’s Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu replied: “We can withstand suffering like no others”.
The Russian propaganda proposes Russia invade the Baltic countries and organises formulaic events.
Every Saturday, Kirill Martynov, editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta. Europe, comments on last week’s news from Russia and the world.
Against all odds
How sound economics has brought Ukraine’s GDP close to prewar levels despite four years of devastation
Four years of hell
Putin’s misjudged effort to subjugate Ukraine has only helped cement its national identity, and it won’t ever stop fighting
The artlessness of the deal
Trump’s diplomatic blitz exposes his fundamental misunderstanding of peacemaking
Electoral illusion
Claims that Kyiv is preparing to go to the polls to end the war in Ukraine are far-fetched to say the least
Anyone’s game
Who would win if presidential elections were actually held in Ukraine this spring?
Suspect citizens
Much as in Soviet times, the Kremlin still views those with second passports as disloyal
The new atomic era
The expiration of the New START Treaty last week showed that the world has grown too comfortable with nuclear weapons
Powerless
Farcical peace talks in Abu Dhabi have gone nowhere as Ukraine freezes amid Russia’s winter onslaught
Under pressure
Giving up Donbas in return for US security guarantees could be fatal misstep for Ukraine
