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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
Russia
Dictators do not stop! Why Putin's words about peace cannot be trusted #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
North Korea considers sending 25,000 workers to Russia to help produce Shahed drones, media reports
North Korea is considering sending up to 25,000 workers to Russia to assist in the mass production of Shahed-type attack drones, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported on June 19, citing unnamed diplomatic sources in the West and Russia.
The …
Ukraine
Russia
“PEACE” from Kremlin: shelling of UKRAINE and the threat of an OFFENSIVE on EUROPE | NEWS PULSE
Ukraine
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Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 30
Editor’s note: This is issue 30 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker” covering events from June 9–June 15, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, …
Ukraine
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Spain rejects NATO 5% defense spending push, calls proposal 'unreasonable'
Spain has rejected a U.S.-backed proposal for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, becoming the first alliance country to oppose the plan, Reuters reported on June 19.
The rejection adds pressure to the transatlantic debate ahead of …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Trump's peace push falters in both Ukraine and the Middle East — for similar reasons
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed a wide range of subjects during his inauguration speech.
When speaking about international relations, he was adamant — “Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity,” he said, talking …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Russia says South Africa invited Putin to G20 summit despite ICC arrest warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin has received an official invitation to attend the G20 summit in South Africa, Russian Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev said in an interview with state-owned media outlet RIA Novosti on June 19.
South Africa is a …
Ukraine
Ukraine returns captured fighters — hugs and tears of joy #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Putin-Trump meeting currently not on the table, Kremlin says
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently on the table due to unresolved tensions in bilateral relations, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian state-controlled …
Russia
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The death of our dear Dog of War
Close readers of The Counteroffensive will recall that last December, we tried to raise funds for our journalism by selling Dog of War calendars.
For our June photo, we had Goldie, a pup who we found at the Hostomel dog shelter. A beautiful canine …
Ukraine
Russia
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Ukraine, Russia carry out another POW exchange under Istanbul deal
Editor’s note: The story is being updated.
Ukraine has brought home a group of soldiers released from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 19, marking yet another in a recent series of exchanges with Moscow. …
Ukraine
Russia
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EU reportedly eyes riskier investments for frozen Russian assets to boost Ukraine aid
The European Union is developing a plan to generate more revenue for Ukraine by shifting nearly 200 billion euros ($215 billion) in frozen Russian assets into higher-yield, riskier investments, Politico reported on June 19, citing unnamed sources.
The …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Putin, Xi to agree to meet in China as they sneer at G7 summit fractures
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to meet in August and September and noted the supposed “rough edges” that emerged among G7 leaders during their summit, said Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, on …
Ukraine
Russia
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Russia just accidentally admitted to its staggering troop losses in Ukraine
A senior Russian official on June 19 inadvertently confirmed the staggering troop losses incurred by Moscow’s forces during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In an interview with CNN, Russian Ambassador to the U.K. Andrey Kelin was asked about …
Ukraine
Russia
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Finland votes to withdraw from landmine treaty, citing Russian threat
Finland’s parliament voted on June 19 to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing growing security concerns from Russia’s aggressive posture and the threat it poses to the region, Reuters reported.
The …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Diplomacy in crisis: G7 letdowns reveal limits to Western solidarity on Ukraine
KANANASKIS, Canada — The Group of Seven (G7) Leaders' Summit ended on June 17 with no joint statement in support of Ukraine, no commitments to provide desperately needed U.S. weapons, and no meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. …
Ukraine
Russia
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Ukraine must accept Moscow's demands or 'surrender,' Russia’s ambassador to UK says
Ukraine must accept Moscow’s terms for ending the war or face further military advances and eventual “surrender,” Russia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrei Kelin, said in a June 18 interview with CNN.
Talking to CNN …
Russia
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Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Transport Of Giant Missile In Iran Or Elsewhere -- Old Gas Plant Equipment Video
Does a viral video show some kind of giant missile being transported, and is it related to the current conflict between Iran and Israel? No, that's not true: The video, captioned in one social media post as "the weapon that Israel fear the most" is …
Ukraine
Russia
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Russia 'on the verge' of recession, Russian economy minister warns
The Russian economy appears to be “on the verge of a transition to recession,” Russian Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said on June 19, adding that the next step will be decisive.
The comments underscore Russia’s mounting economic …
Ukraine
Russia
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“Blending in with nature” — Sniper training in Kharkiv region (photos)
The men are loading many things into the car, including backpacks and bags with ghillie suits. They place massive sniper rifles there, too — with special care.
The car speeds down the dirt road, kicking up dust.
Training ground is large and varied …
Russia
Zelenskyy at site of Russian missile strike: Kyiv apartment front completely destroyed #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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Argentina says it uncovered Russian spy network linked to late Prigozhin's group
Argentina has uncovered a Russian intelligence operation working to spread pro-Kremlin disinformation and influence public opinion, Argentine presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni announced on June 18, citing the country’s intelligence, …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
'100 days of Russian manipulations' — Ukraine blasts Moscow over disregarding US ceasefire effort
A hundred days since Ukraine agreed to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire, “Russia continues to choose war,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on June 19, urging international pressure to push Moscow toward ending the war.
“It has …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
'If we don't help Ukraine further, we should start learning Russian,' EU diplomacy chief says
Failure to provide stronger military and financial support for Ukraine could leave Europe vulnerable to growing Russian influence, meaning Europeans might have to “start learning Russian,” the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said, …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Russia injures at least 28 across Ukraine over past day
Russian drone and artillery strikes injured at least 28 civilians over the past 24 hours in Ukraine, regional officials reported on June 19.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian forces launched 104 Shahed-type drones and decoy unmanned …