Russia’s War in Ukraine

Military news, global diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions.

All four men sit on matching chairs in front of the flags of their respective countries, side by side, with their feet resting on the border of an ornate rug. Starmer and Zelensky's eyes are locked; the other two watch intently from either side.
All four men sit on matching chairs in front of the flags of their respective countries, side by side, with their feet resting on the border of an ornate rug. Starmer and Zelensky's eyes are locked; the other two watch intently from either side.

A Ukraine Peace Deal Could Be Getting Closer

Here’s what Trump can do to get there.

Argument
David Ignatius
Maria Semyonova, wife of a Russian soldier, poses in front of a recruitment poster in Moscow on December 17, 2023.
Maria Semyonova, wife of a Russian soldier, poses in front of a recruitment poster in Moscow on December 17, 2023.

How to Fight Putin on the Information Battlefield

The West can’t fully adopt Russia’s methods—but it should study them. This article has an audio recording

Argument
Peter Pomerantsev, Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility on February 8, 2023 in Dorset, England.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility on February 8, 2023 in Dorset, England.

Ukraine Can Only Rely on Itself

In any peace deal with Russia, security guarantees from outsiders won't guarantee much. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Anchal Vohra
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.
A blond woman in a black suit sits behind a sign with her last name on it. The EU flag is seen behind her.

Ukraine’s New U.S. Ambassador Previews Her Pragmatic Approach to Washington

“I am Ukrainian, right? I’m not a Democrat or Republican.”

Interview
Sam Skove
Dmitriev, a man with white but balding hair in a suit and wearing glasses, stands next to a young soldier in an ornate dress uniform and helmet. The younger man is giving Dmitriev the side-eye.
Dmitriev, a man with white but balding hair in a suit and wearing glasses, stands next to a young soldier in an ornate dress uniform and helmet. The younger man is giving Dmitriev the side-eye.

Putin’s Unlikely Envoy to Washington

Kirill Dmitriev is a prominent purveyor of the Kremlin’s line—but real power may lie elsewhere. This article has an audio recording

Profile
Sam Skove, John Haltiwanger
Joe Biden, in silhouette, walks up stairs to board a plane, with ominous dark clouds in the background.
Joe Biden, in silhouette, walks up stairs to board a plane, with ominous dark clouds in the background.

Biden’s Long Shadow Over Ukraine

His administration failed Ukraine at almost every turn, shaping the war to this day. This article has an audio recording

Essay
Adrian Karatnycky

Battlefield Strategy

A fiery orange and black explosion behind a gray razor wire fence.
A fiery orange and black explosion behind a gray razor wire fence.

Ukraine Is Hitting Russia Where It Hurts: Its Oil Refineries

Kyiv’s two-year offensive against Russian oil facilities has intensified, eating away at Moscow’s energy revenues.

Analysis
Keith Johnson
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.

Dispatch
Fabrice Deprez
Drones fly above grass in an open field dotted with trees and small sheds.
Drones fly above grass in an open field dotted with trees and small sheds.

How Russia Is Escalating the Drone Arms Race

Routine strikes involve smaller, daily launches designed to keep steady pressure on Ukraine. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Yasir Atalan
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.

Argument
Petras Katinas

Wartime Diplomacy

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.

Report
Sam Skove
A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.
A Finnish defender is seen near the front during the Finnish-Soviet Winter War in early 1940.

The Ghost of Finlandization Is Haunting the Ukraine Debate

A 1944 armistice that traded land for peace is a poor precedent for ending Russia’s war. This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Kristi Raik
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.

Argument
Adrian Karatnycky
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

Argument
Nicholas Fenton, Maria Snegovaya

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

Analysis
Fabian Hoffmann
Ukrainian soldiers hold the Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags over the coffin of Tomas Valentelis, a Lithuanian volunteer in the Ukrainian army who was killed in battle in Ukraine, at a funeral ceremony in Kyiv on April 16.
Ukrainian soldiers hold the Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags over the coffin of Tomas Valentelis, a Lithuanian volunteer in the Ukrainian army who was killed in battle in Ukraine, at a funeral ceremony in Kyiv on April 16.

To Deter Russia, Europe Needs Ukraine

A Ukraine-Baltics defense pact would bring Kyiv into Europe’s security architecture.

Argument
Fredrik Wesslau
The oil tanker Eagle S next to Finnish border guard ship Uisko and tugboat Ukko in the Gulf of Finland on December 28, 2024.
The oil tanker Eagle S next to Finnish border guard ship Uisko and tugboat Ukko in the Gulf of Finland on December 28, 2024.

Anchors Away

Finland’s failure to convict Russian crew clears the way for more cable-cutting attacks.

Argument
Elisabeth Braw
A photo of two white tanks near a yellow crane. A blue-and-white tanker carrying liquified natural gas is docked nearby in snow and sea ice. White smoke billows out of its smokestack.
A photo of two white tanks near a yellow crane. A blue-and-white tanker carrying liquified natural gas is docked nearby in snow and sea ice. White smoke billows out of its smokestack.

The China-Russia Axis Is Getting Firmer, and It’s Built on Gas

Moscow pivoted to the east a decade ago, but it is now besmitten—or captive.

Analysis
Keith Johnson

Latest Stories

A member of the Ukrainian special forces is seen in silhouette as a gas station burns after Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv on March 30, 2022, during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A member of the Ukrainian special forces is seen in silhouette as a gas station burns after Russian attacks on the city of Kharkiv on March 30, 2022, during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Fiona Hill: Ukraine’s Fate Now Linked to the Middle East’s

The former White House Russia expert on Biden’s speech linking the two wars—and how Putin might cash in.

Insider
Ravi Agrawal
A captain in full uniform and hat uses a cell phone to take a photo during a ceremony to name a Rosneft oil tanker in Russia. A large ship and scaffolding extends behind him as people walk in the distance at the port.
A captain in full uniform and hat uses a cell phone to take a photo during a ceremony to name a Rosneft oil tanker in Russia. A large ship and scaffolding extends behind him as people walk in the distance at the port.

How Russia Evaded the Oil Price Cap

The idea worked well until the Kremlin adapted, which is the usual fate of sanctions.

Analysis
Agathe Demarais
A U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) fires a missile into the East Sea during a joint South Korea-U.S. missile on July 29, 2017.
A U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) fires a missile into the East Sea during a joint South Korea-U.S. missile on July 29, 2017.

Ukraine Targets Russia With Secret New Supply of U.S. Weapons

Kyiv scores hits with long-awaited ATACMS system.

Report
Jack Detsch
A Ukrainian soldier wearing a camouflage military uniform is seen from behind as they walk down a cracked paved road surrounded by grassy fields and open sky. The soldier is holding a rifle and casts a long shadow.
A Ukrainian soldier wearing a camouflage military uniform is seen from behind as they walk down a cracked paved road surrounded by grassy fields and open sky. The soldier is holding a rifle and casts a long shadow.

Negotiating With Russia Is Still a Bad Idea

The rationale for forcing Ukraine to stop fighting keeps changing with the facts on the ground.

Argument
Raphael S. Cohen, Gian Gentile
A woman walks past a building damaged in a drone attack in Moscow on Aug. 23.
A woman walks past a building damaged in a drone attack in Moscow on Aug. 23.

Are Ukraine’s Airstrikes in Russia Effective?

The attacks hinder Russian warfighting, but Ukrainian leaders probably seek a more strategic impact.

Analysis
Daniel Byman
A Ukrainian service member casts his ballot at a polling station during Ukraine's parliamentary election in Kyiv on July 21, 2019.
A Ukrainian service member casts his ballot at a polling station during Ukraine's parliamentary election in Kyiv on July 21, 2019.

Ukraine Is Already Working on Its Next Election

The challenges of holding a vote in wartime are both small and big—and often unexpected.

Report
Fabrice Deprez
Pedestrians walk past an wall painting depicting a map of Crimean peninsula bearing the colours of Russia's national flag in Moscow, on March 31, 2014.
Pedestrians walk past an wall painting depicting a map of Crimean peninsula bearing the colours of Russia's national flag in Moscow, on March 31, 2014.

Russia’s Crimean Red Line Has Been Erased

Claims about the territory’s spiritual status have been revealed to be fiction.

Analysis
Casey Michel
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as he arrives for a meeting with U.S. representatives at the Capitol in Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as he arrives for a meeting with U.S. representatives at the Capitol in Washington.

U.S. Budget Deal Has Europe Questioning American Resolve on Ukraine

If U.S. military aid falls short, more Ukrainians will die, officials in Kyiv say.

Report
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
Mustafa Nayyem, head of the Ukrainian State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, speaks at an event before the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.
Mustafa Nayyem, head of the Ukrainian State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, speaks at an event before the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

‘We Don’t Want to Lose Our Second Motherland’

Mustafa Nayyem fights to rebuild Ukraine.

Profile
Luke Johnson
Three tanks lined side-by-side in a row parade down a broad paved boulevard. Soldiers in green uniforms and helmets stand on the tanks and salute. Behind them is a large building fronted with columns, North Korean flags, and a portrait of Kim Il Sung.
Three tanks lined side-by-side in a row parade down a broad paved boulevard. Soldiers in green uniforms and helmets stand on the tanks and salute. Behind them is a large building fronted with columns, North Korean flags, and a portrait of Kim Il Sung.

North Korea’s Shell Game Is Not a Game-Changer, Pentagon Says

Moscow’s deal with Pyongyang for more artillery rounds will fill Russian gaps—but likely not turn the tables in Ukraine.

Report
Jack Detsch
A girl touches a photograph of her relative on the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war in Kyiv.
A girl touches a photograph of her relative on the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war in Kyiv.

What Does Victory Look Like in Ukraine?

Ukrainians differ on what would keep their nation safe from Russia.

Argument
Kathleen J. McInnis
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.

Meet Ukraine’s New Defense Boss

He’s not the same as the old boss.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Amy Mackinnon
Two camel-colored Abrams tanks move across a sandy landscape beneath a cloudy sky.
Two camel-colored Abrams tanks move across a sandy landscape beneath a cloudy sky.

Ukraine Is Getting Its Abrams—but Not What It Really Wants

U.S. military support for Kyiv continues, but political resistance means no long-range fire.

Dispatch
Jack Detsch
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Musk’s Starlink Shutdown Raises Eyebrows

No one man should have all that power, U.S. lawmakers say.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch
Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhaev speaks on a mobile phone as smoke and flames rise behind him from the burning Sevastopol Shipyard in Russian-annexed Crimea at night after an attack by Ukraine. Also seen are fire-fighhting vehicles.
Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhaev speaks on a mobile phone as smoke and flames rise behind him from the burning Sevastopol Shipyard in Russian-annexed Crimea at night after an attack by Ukraine. Also seen are fire-fighhting vehicles.

Russia’s Home Port in Occupied Crimea Is Under Fire

“If you’re on a Russian naval ship, you’re not safe anywhere in the Black Sea,” said one retired U.S. admiral.

Report
Jack Detsch
Military personnel wearing protective suits remove a police car and other vehicles from a public car park as they continue investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England.
Military personnel wearing protective suits remove a police car and other vehicles from a public car park as they continue investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England.

Russia’s Would-Be Assassins Still Stalk Europe’s Streets

Moscow’s regular spies have been expelled. Their kill squads are still active.

Report
Amy Mackinnon
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