Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham After many months of diplomatic wrangling, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was granted another lease of life at the annual ministerial council meeting last week in a messy compromise between Russia and the west. But rather than ushering in a period of renewed efforts
Alexander Titov, Queen’s University Belfast When Vladimir Putin called for a partial mobilisation in September 2022 it was a sign to ordinary Russians that – despite all the Kremlin’s denials – this was no longer a “special military operation” but a real war. In response to Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive which recaptured swaths of
Gavin E L Hall, University of Strathclyde The recapture, by Ukrainian forces, of the oil and gas platforms off the coast of Crimea known as the “Boyko towers” has both strategic and symbolic significance. Their position, between the westerly-most point of Crimea and Snake Island, in waters close to Ukraine’s border with Romania,
Title: Putin’s Prisoner Author: Aiden Aslin (Author), John Sweeney (Author), Paul Slack (Narrator), Steve John Shepherd – foreword (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher) In “Putin’s Prisoner” Aiden Aslin recounts his harrowing journey as a soldier in the Ukrainian marines, facing the brutal reality of war and becoming a prisoner of the devastating conflict between
Veronika Poniscjakova, University of Portsmouth Russia is reported to have deployed nuclear weapons in Belarus, a step that was much telegraphed earlier this year and recently confirmed by Poland. This move has caused concern in neighbouring countries and has affected security arrangements in Europe. Russia reportedly has the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal, with
Natalya Chernyshova, Queen Mary University of London For Vladimir Putin, the abortive Wagner Group coup has been a humiliating affair that exposed his lack of control over military units ostensibly fighting for Russia. It was an episode that the Russian president is unlikely to forgive in a hurry. But for the Belarusian dictator,
Tracey German, King’s College London Even in such a fast-moving war, still some events have the ability to surprise. The decision by Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to launch an apparent coup attempt, leading his troops into Russia, where he occupied the military HQ in Rostov and was heading towards Moscow, appeared to
Tracey German, King’s College London One of the most notable features of Russia’s war in Ukraine has been Moscow’s increasing reliance on what are known as private military companies. Forces such as the Wagner Group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin have borne the brunt of much of the fiercest fighting, especially during the bloody
Anna Matveeva, King’s College London After a year of war in Ukraine it has become commonplace among western commentators to argue that the war is deeply rooted in the “Russian mentality”, history and culture. Russians, it is said have an imperial mindset. Russian citizens share a collective responsibility, regardless of their personal positions.
China’s peace envoy is actively involved in talks regarding the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. This reflects China’s emerging role as a mediator on the global stage. The envoy’s participation aims to address escalating tensions and find a peaceful resolution. China’s involvement is driven by its economic interests in the region, as