Global Scans · Russia · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Russia is becoming an independent geopolitical actor. Russia will seek to maintain the world's strategic balance of power. A resurgent Russia is likely to continue to stir up trouble across much of Central and East Europe and the Middle East. It remains to be seen whether a rapprochement is possible with the U.S. And, Russia's economy is expected to return to modest growth in late 2016 and 2017, further strengthening its hand.

• [New] Russia's intensified force generation efforts appear to be generating a reserve force that Russia will be able to leverage in Ukraine or against NATO in the future, despite current limitations on Russia's offensive capacity in Ukraine. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] Ukraine's role as a major transit point between Russia and Europe meant that disruptions hit fast, triggering delays and raising logistics costs across the battery supply chain. Markets and Data
• [New] With the United States facing pressing challenges involving China, Russia, and the Middle East, it remains unclear whether North Korea will command sufficient attention at the highest levels of US foreign policy. Hudson Institute
• [New] Several countries are concerned that Russia could carry out an attack on NATO territory by the end of the decade. Boston Herald
• [New] Russia's willingness to share expertise in extracting oil under challenging geological conditions could help Pemex unlock new reserves or extend the life of existing fields. The Pinnacle Gazette
• [New] The potential partnership with Russia offers Mexico a chance to diversify its energy sources and technologies, which could mitigate geopolitical risks and supply shocks. The Pinnacle Gazette
• [New] Iran could ask Russia and China for assistance in rebuilding and protecting Iranian nuclear facilities damaged by Israeli and US attacks. Brave New Europe
• [New] Russia's military capabilities arestretched by the war in Ukraine, and appearing as an antagonist to Israeland the US may also risk triggering the US to reconsider tougher sanctionsor increased support to Ukraine. Scribd
• [New] Last year, Russia revised its nuclear doctrine, which lowered the nuclear threshold and expanded the role of nuclear weapons in non-nuclear threats. The Diplomat
• [New] China is creating approximately 350 new ICBM silos, which could allow it to match the ICBM numbers of Russia or the United States by the end of the decade. The Diplomat
• [New] Finally increased transparency on the origin of stored gas, requiring Member States to report the share of gas originating from Russia will be required. ""
• [New] Russian assistance could similarly prove instrumental as North Korea seeks to benefit from a new suspected light water reactor at Yongbyon that has been under construction for more than a decade and may now be operating. Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• [New] Retail access remains restricted, with the Bank of Russia continuing to warn against direct crypto investment and planning further test regimes limited to certain categories of investors. Hogan Lovells
• [New] Ukraine has become a world leader in drone technology which not only puts military targets deep within Russia at risk, it also changes the rules of warfare for all military powers in ways that still cannot be fully predicted. ALBANIA DAILY NEWS
• [New] Experts cite Russia's actions in Europe, China's ambitions regarding Taiwan, Iran's nuclear program, and North Korea's unpredictability as primary risk factors. www.findingdulcinea.com
• [New] Russia could offer some relief, but it is in Russia's long-term geopolitical interests to leverage its crude capacity to broker a peace deal with Ukraine in its favour that the E.U. will accept. Lynnwood Times
• [New] In view of the threat posed by Russia, Bundeswehr experts see good reasons to invest more money in the armed forces, which have been neglected for decades. Deutsche Welle
• [New] Defence spending is set to rise from 2.4% of GDP in 2025, as the German government moves to strengthen its armed forces amid growing security threats from Russia and continued pressure from US President Donald Trump. Deutsche Welle
• [New] Russia is preparing to build another Shahed production facility in an unspecified location and forecasted that Russian strike packages may soon incorporate up to 800 Shaheds, compared to the 300 to 400 that Russia typically launches in nightly strikes against Ukraine. Critical Threats
• [New] Russia, a fellow heavyweight member of the BRICS bloc, might be enjoying the international spotlight shifting from its invasion of Ukraine to the Israeli attacks, but the threat of Iranian collapse is concerning for its long game. Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative A
• [New] Indian refiners are expected to import 2-2.2 million barrels per day of Russian crude in June - the highest volume in two years. Business Today
• [New] A confidential Bundeswehr strategy paper, leaked to Der Spiegel, now classifies Russia as an existential risk and warns Moscow is aligning its entire state and economy for a major conflict with NATO. Grosswald | Structured Intelligence on European Defense
• [New] Many Western governments want their countries' battlefield technology in Ukraine so companies can learn how best to be ready for any potential conflict with Russia - something many European countries warn could happen. Business Insider

Last updated: 28 June 2025