Russian invasionRussian reactions

Putin photographed March 29, 2022. Mikhail Klimentyev / AP  

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

The theory: Putin's moon face may provide answers about the war  

Side effects of a hormone treatment may have prompted Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine. This is what a source at the Danish military intelligence service told the newspaper Berlingske.  

The source - referred to by the newspaper as "Joakim" - makes the assessment that the Russian president has probably previously been treated for some form of cancer and that the effects of the medication Putin may have taken in early 2022 was an important reason for the decision. 

- Delusion of grandeur is one of the most well-known side effects of the treatment, says Joakim.  

He also points out that the "moon-shaped" face Putin displayed in photos taken in early 2022 is another clear side effect, as is his habit of grabbing tables and other furniture during public appearances.  

The Ikea group operates shopping centers under the Mega brand. MIKHAIL METZEL / AP  

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Ikea keeps Russian malls open: "Favours the regime" 

Ikea announced on March 3 that operations in Russia and Belarus would be paused. But while the department stores have been closed, the Ikea group's 14 Russian malls have been kept open, writes DI. 

- That the Ikea sphere continues to operate in this way only benefits themselves and the Russian regime, says retail expert Magnus Ohlsson.  

The Ikea group writes in a comment that the malls remain open to ensure that people have access to essential goods such as food, clothing and pharmacy goods. 

Ukrainian soldiers send a drone against Russian positions. Libkos / AP 

The Russian InvasionThe Battles 

Drone advances in Ukraine pave the way for killer robots  

Advances in drone technology made during the Ukraine war could soon lead to the first autonomous, AI-powered war robots, a number of experts told the AP.  

The longer the war goes on, the more likely it is to develop drones that identify, select and attack targets without human assistance, according to military analysts and AI researchers.  

Ukraine already has drones that use AI to some extent, and Russia also claims to have AI-powered weapons. 

- Many states are developing this technology. Obviously, it's not that difficult, said Zachary Kallenborn, a researcher in weapons innovation at George Mason University.

Cleanup after the attack in Makiivka. AP  

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

Prominent Russian bloggers go against Kremlin's death toll 

One of Russia's most prominent military bloggers has publicly expressed doubts about the death toll given by Russian authorities after the New Year's attack in Makiivka, Ukraine, CNN reports. 

Semjon Pegov, who blogs under the alias "WarGonzo" and just a few weeks ago received a medal of bravery from Putin, has published a clip on Telegram about what he calls "the tragedy in Makiivka".  

Regardless of what the Defense Department says, the exact death toll remains unknown, Pegov said. 

- To the extent that we can trust our sources on the ground, they are still digging through the racial masses.  

According to the ISW think tank, extensive criticism has been directed at the Russian leadership after the attack. Russia claims 63 of its soldiers died, while Ukraine states 400.