Russian invasion

Sanctions
EU cracks down on loopholes in sanctions against Russia

In a twentieth package of sanctions, the EU is cracking down on cryptocurrencies and banks in third countries that enable trade with Russia. This is stated by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen according to Reuters.

It is also limiting the possibilities for Russia to create alternative payment systems to circumvent previous sanctions.

"This is Russia's weak point and we are hitting it hard," Ursula von der Leyen writes in the statement.

The sanctions are also being extended to maritime shipping of Russian crude oil. The aim is to strangle Russia's ability to finance its war of invasion in Ukraine with its exports of mainly oil and gas. Revenues from oil and gas fell by 24 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the European Commission. 

Putin's Russia
Report: General is being treated for serious injuries

Russian general Vladimir Alekseev is in intensive care after being shot in Moscow on Friday. This is reported by the independent Meduza, citing the German Telegram channel Baza, which has close ties to Russian security services.

Alekseev was reportedly shot in the back and lost a lot of blood before being taken to hospital, according to the information. Russian authorities have not commented on the condition of his injuries.

The high-ranking general was shot several times by an unknown assailant. The shooting occurred in the apartment building where Alekseev lives.

Russian ministers accuse Ukraine of being behind the attack, but Kyiv has not commented on the incident.

"Moscow is said to be focusing its suspicions on Kyiv"

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on Russian general Vladimir Alekseev, who was shot in Moscow on Friday, writes The Guardian. But according to the newspaper's correspondent Pyotr Sauer, Moscow is likely to point the finger at Kyiv.

He writes that Ukrainian intelligence networks are believed to be behind a series of attacks on Russian servicemen and Russian-appointed officials since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Alekseyev is deputy head of the GRU military intelligence service and is under US and European sanctions. After the attack, he was taken to hospital with unknown injuries, according to Russian state media.