Russia’s War in Ukraine

News, analysis, and background on military campaigns, battlefield technology, and global diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions.

The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland, on Jan. 7.
The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland, on Jan. 7.

The ‘Paper Tiger’ Still Has Its Shadow Fleet

Trump says Russia is in economic trouble—but there's a loophole in the West's sanctions.

From left, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
From left, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Trump Makes U-Turn on Ukraine Rhetoric

Trump says Ukraine can win back all of its territory.

Putin sits at a table with his hands flat on the surface, leaning forward slightly. He wears a dark suit and tie; a Russian flag hangs in the background.
Putin sits at a table with his hands flat on the surface, leaning forward slightly. He wears a dark suit and tie; a Russian flag hangs in the background.

Russia and Ukraine Are as Far Apart as Ever

Despite Trump’s efforts, negotiation will only come when both parties believe their interests are better served by talking than fighting. This article has an audio recording

Battlefield Strategy

Russian soldiers practice marching
Russian soldiers practice marching

Why Don’t Russian Soldiers Revolt?

Astonishing death rates and brutal abuse have not kept troops from following orders.

Soldiers of the 115th Mechanized Brigade in a house where they are staying when not on the front lines near Lyman, Ukraine.
Soldiers of the 115th Mechanized Brigade in a house where they are staying when not on the front lines near Lyman, Ukraine.

The Mood on the Front Line, Three Years On

Ukrainian troops watch with anxiety as the United States moves closer to talks with Russia over the war.

Volunteers and Ukrainian military personnel attend a presentation about radio electronic warfare and intelligence systems made by the Ukrainian company Kvertus in Ukraine’s Lviv region on May 28.
Volunteers and Ukrainian military personnel attend a presentation about radio electronic warfare and intelligence systems made by the Ukrainian company Kvertus in Ukraine’s Lviv region on May 28.

Ukraine’s Pocket-Sized Answer to Russian Drones

Moscow has the upper hand in electronic warfare. Can grassroots-led efforts help Kyiv catch up?

The first batch of the Ukrainian-made Peklo drone missile is delivered to a Ukrainian Armed Forces facility in Kyiv on Dec. 6, 2024.
The first batch of the Ukrainian-made Peklo drone missile is delivered to a Ukrainian Armed Forces facility in Kyiv on Dec. 6, 2024.

The Ukrainians’ New Way of War

The audacious drone attack deep into Russia’s rear fits a larger pattern of wartime innovation.

Wartime Diplomacy

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC on August 18.
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC on August 18.

Grading Trump’s Ukraine Diplomacy

Key takeaways from a spate of high-level meetings in Alaska and Washington. This article has an audio recording

NATO military forces during a display to demonstrate NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from Europe, in Smardan, Romania.
NATO military forces during a display to demonstrate NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy forces from Europe, in Smardan, Romania.

It’s Time for a New Trans-Atlantic Bargain

Europe should take primary responsibility for its security, but the United States needs to deliver key assurances to allow such a transition.

U.S. President Donald Trump announces U.S. strikes on Iran with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth standing alongside, at the White House in Washington on June 21.
U.S. President Donald Trump announces U.S. strikes on Iran with Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth standing alongside, at the White House in Washington on June 21.

An Emerging Trump Doctrine?

Success in the Middle East could be a template for a new approach to Russia’s war.

Workers construct an outdoor ice skating rink in Red Square in downtown Moscow on Nov. 9, 2021.
Workers construct an outdoor ice skating rink in Red Square in downtown Moscow on Nov. 9, 2021.

What the Next Round of Sanctions Against Russia Should Look Like

Moscow has successfully restructured its economy on an impressive war footing, but there are weaknesses under the hood. This article has an audio recording

Regional Dynamics

U.S. Marines take part in the international military exercise Cold Response 22 near Sandstrand in northern Norway on March 21, 2022.
U.S. Marines take part in the international military exercise Cold Response 22 near Sandstrand in northern Norway on March 21, 2022.

A Russia-NATO War Would Look Nothing Like Ukraine

Moscow will seek to avoid a full-on war and focus on breaking the bloc’s resolve. This article has an audio recording

Macron, Starmer, and Merz talk at a summit in Tirana, Albania
Macron, Starmer, and Merz talk at a summit in Tirana, Albania

Europe’s Delusions Over What It Means to Deter Russia

Leaders are afraid to tell voters what it will take to defend their continent. This article has an audio recording

(First row, from left) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a family picture during a “coalition of the willing” summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on March 27.
(First row, from left) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a family picture during a “coalition of the willing” summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on March 27.

How Europe Can Pressure Putin—Without Trump

Now that Trump appears to have sworn off additional economic sanctions to push Russia into a cease-fire, Europe may have to go it alone. This article has an audio recording

A worker in a white fireproof smock and face guard is seen from across a room at a factory as they shovel smoldering coals into a massive metal furnace. The room is dim other than the bright light from the furnace and the scattered glow of coal spread across the floor.
A worker in a white fireproof smock and face guard is seen from across a room at a factory as they shovel smoldering coals into a massive metal furnace. The room is dim other than the bright light from the furnace and the scattered glow of coal spread across the floor.

Ukraine Has Become Europe’s Arsenal

The Ukrainian arms industry has kept its own country—and potentially the entire continent—competitive on the battlefield. This article has an audio recording

Latest Stories

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses an audience
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses an audience

How the EU Could Push Hungary and Slovakia to Quit Russian Oil

But a call from Hungary to Trump could easily spoil its plans.

Donald Trump leaves UNGA following his speech
Donald Trump leaves UNGA following his speech

Europe Is on Its Own With Russia Now

Donald Trump’s latest U-turn on Ukraine doesn’t change the naked truth for Europe.

Donald Trump sits behind the resolute desk with European leaders gatehred around him in chairs. Behind him are flags on stands. At right is a map of Ukraine on a stand..
Donald Trump sits behind the resolute desk with European leaders gatehred around him in chairs. Behind him are flags on stands. At right is a map of Ukraine on a stand..

A Pragmatic Endgame for the Russia-Ukraine War

A clever map trick, Ukrainian self-defense, and European Union membership should form the core of a face-saving deal.

Polish police and army personnel inspect damage to a house destroyed by debris from a Russian drone shot down over the village of Wyryki-Wola, Poland, on Sept. 10.
Polish police and army personnel inspect damage to a house destroyed by debris from a Russian drone shot down over the village of Wyryki-Wola, Poland, on Sept. 10.

Russia Just Attacked NATO. Again.

One can only hope that Trump will draw the right conclusion: Coddling Putin leads to disaster. This article has an audio recording

A photo illustration shows Vladimir Putin standing and looking down at a piece of paper with caution tape in front and behind him for a story about sanctions.
A photo illustration shows Vladimir Putin standing and looking down at a piece of paper with caution tape in front and behind him for a story about sanctions.
A black smoke plume billows from a stack on an oil tanker at sea.
A black smoke plume billows from a stack on an oil tanker at sea.

Europe and the U.S. Still Haven’t Choked Off Russia’s Energy Riches

The Russian economy may be wobbly, but it is still funding a deadly war with oil and gas sales.

A close-up photo shows Zelensky and Trump leaning in and speaking to each other face to face in a friendly manner in the Oval Office.
A close-up photo shows Zelensky and Trump leaning in and speaking to each other face to face in a friendly manner in the Oval Office.

How Much Aid Is the U.S. Still Giving Ukraine?

Despite President Donald Trump’s claims that Washington is no longer funding the war, the reality is more complex.

Long line of cars at Russian gas station
Long line of cars at Russian gas station

Putin’s Fear of a Humiliating Economic Crisis

Greater sanctions pressure could finally bring Moscow to the negotiating table.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a telephone conversation with U.S. President Trump at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, on May 16.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a telephone conversation with U.S. President Trump at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, on May 16.

Stop Fabulating About ‘Security Guarantees’ for Ukraine

The best way to protect Ukraine from another Russian invasion is helping it to win.

A soldier in a helmet and residents in T-shirts look toward a smoking house on the horizon.
A soldier in a helmet and residents in T-shirts look toward a smoking house on the horizon.

Why the Donbas Matters to Putin So Much

The region is at the heart of the Ukraine war.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a document signing after their talks at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv on Aug. 23, 2024.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a document signing after their talks at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv on Aug. 23, 2024.

Is Ukraine the Future of Asia?

Washington’s switch to accommodating Moscow’s geopolitical goals sends an ominous signal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

7 Lingering Questions After the Trump Ukraine Summit

After a flurry of diplomacy, what was actually agreed to?

Steve Witkoff sits on a couch and looks over his shoulder with wide eyes. Two other men sit next to him. Out of focus behind them are Zelensky and Trump, also seated.
Steve Witkoff sits on a couch and looks over his shoulder with wide eyes. Two other men sit next to him. Out of focus behind them are Zelensky and Trump, also seated.

Why Steve Witkoff Is Trump’s Master of Disaster

The helpless envoy embodies everything that is dysfunctional about current U.S. foreign policy.

Ukrainian service members line up before an honorary ceremony in Ukraine on Aug. 3.
Ukrainian service members line up before an honorary ceremony in Ukraine on Aug. 3.

How Much of Ukraine Does Russia Control?

The situation remains challenging along the 600-mile front line.

Zelensky (left) gestures and laughs as he sits next to Trump who laughs as he holds a sheet of paper as they talk in front of the gilded backdrop of the Oval Office.
Zelensky (left) gestures and laughs as he sits next to Trump who laughs as he holds a sheet of paper as they talk in front of the gilded backdrop of the Oval Office.

Key Takeaways From Trump’s Meeting With Zelensky

Less fireworks in the White House, but no definitive outcomes just yet. This article has an audio recording

A military plane looms over Putin's head as he walks on a runway.
A military plane looms over Putin's head as he walks on a runway.

To Get Peace in Ukraine, Trump Should Play the Nuclear Card

The White House needs to learn from the Kremlin’s success with nuclear blackmail.

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