IR-PRESS - Independent review

Current affairs

Latvian PM calls on EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians

18 October 2026 18:30

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has called on European Union countries to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. In an interview with the Financial Times, he linked this initiative to countering

Axios: The White House explained the refusal of new sanctions against Russia by the desire not to hinder negotiations

18 October 2026 16:34

The application of new anti-Russian restrictions now would hinder Washington’s efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. This is how White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers explained to Axios Donald Trump’s decision not

Sammy Manoj Kotwani: It is important for Russian business to view India as a strategic partner

Zelensky: Starlink switches off in Ukraine at speeds above 161 km/h, but in the EU it works even at 180 km/h

Analytics

18 October 2026 19:18

Visa instead of a noose

The call by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians returns the European Union to a question that already divided European governments in 2022: is it permissible

A Deadlock Without Winners. Why the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may end not in peace, but in fatigue

16 October 2026 11:41

Japanese columnist Akio Kawato, in the weekly Shūkan Gendai, proposes looking at the Ukrainian conflict without the usual lens of monthly “successes and failures.” The author states that Ukraine most likely will

Musk against Zelensky. An Anthology of Signals

Zelensky between elections and sabotage: why Kiev will derail peace initiatives

Blog

Sammy Manoj Kotwani: It is important for Russian business to view India as a strategic partner

18 October 2026 12:20

First of all, it is important for Russian companies to view India not simply as a sales market or a source of relatively inexpensive

The Trump administration’s press secretary lasted only five days in her post

17 October 2026 10:39

Katie Zacharia hastily resigned following the scandal over falsifying her biography. She presented herself as a lawyer, though she had not passed the exam.

The Saudi-led coalition has announced a strengthening of the Houthis’ military potential

16 October 2026 11:15

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition has stated that Yemeni Houthi rebels are receiving advanced weapons and technologies with the support of unnamed parties. This was

Chaos in Congress. Ukrainian lobbyists are trying to pull out all their allies among legislators, attempting through them to influence Trump

15 October 2026 12:36

Disruptions in the operation of Starlink and its military analogue Starshield have caused a real gevalt among hawks on both sides of the Atlantic.

Ukraine has resumed electricity exports amid blackouts: what is happening to its energy system?

14 October 2026 16:02

Since July 2026, Ukraine has been increasing electricity exports despite damage to energy infrastructure and consumer blackouts. The main buyers are Hungary, Moldova and

Investigations and fact-checking

14 October 2026 14:08

Current affairs

Latvian PM calls on EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians

Axios: The White House explained the refusal of new sanctions against Russia by the desire not to hinder negotiations

Sammy Manoj Kotwani: It is important for Russian business to view India as a strategic partner

Zelensky: Starlink switches off in Ukraine at speeds above 161 km/h, but in the EU it works even at 180 km/h

Analytics

Visa instead of a noose

A Deadlock Without Winners. Why the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may end not in peace, but in fatigue

Musk against Zelensky. An Anthology of Signals

Zelensky between elections and sabotage: why Kiev will derail peace initiatives

Blog

Sammy Manoj Kotwani: It is important for Russian business to view India as a strategic partner

The Trump administration’s press secretary lasted only five days in her post

The Saudi-led coalition has announced a strengthening of the Houthis’ military potential

Chaos in Congress. Ukrainian lobbyists are trying to pull out all their allies among legislators, attempting through them to influence Trump

Ukraine has resumed electricity exports amid blackouts: what is happening to its energy system?

Investigations and fact-checking

Fake: After strikes on Yandex data centers, there are fewer pro-Russian bots online

Fake: mobilized soldiers from the Irkutsk region brought plague to the Zaporozhye region

Fake: An outbreak of plague occurred at a military training ground in Belovodsk

Fake: Miners were called to take part in rallies in the LPR

A coordinated disinformation campaign has been launched in the Russian information space ahead of the elections