Russia’s War in Ukraine

Military news, global diplomacy, negotiations, and sanctions.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Latest Stories

Members and supporters of the Ukrainian community attend a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in New York.
Members and supporters of the Ukrainian community attend a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in New York.

Poll: Experts Oppose No-Fly Zone Over Ukraine

IR scholars overwhelmingly say involving U.S. air power risks uncontrollable escalation. Biden and his advisors agree.

A Ukrainian military member looks at destruction in Kharkiv
A Ukrainian military member looks at destruction in Kharkiv

Bogged-Down Russian Troops Resort to Deadly Cluster Munitions

Weapons investigators say Russian use of cluster munitions across Ukraine—which are banned by most countries—has been “flagrant and widespread.”

Women and children from war-torn Ukraine, including a mother carrying an infant, arrive in Poland at the Medyka border crossing on March 4, 2022 near Medyka, Poland.
Women and children from war-torn Ukraine, including a mother carrying an infant, arrive in Poland at the Medyka border crossing on March 4, 2022 near Medyka, Poland.

Ukraine’s Mothers Are the Heart of the War

Women separated from their husbands have become a symbol of the country’s moral standing.

A banner depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin
A banner depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin

Syrian Fighters May End Up on Both Sides of the Ukraine War

Young Syrians have already served as mercenaries elsewhere.

Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman.
Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman.

America’s ICC Animus Gets Tested by Putin’s Alleged War Crimes

Does U.S. support for an investigation of Russia’s attack on Ukraine signal a bigger policy shift?

A British combat volunteer heads toward the Ukrainian border in Przemysl, Poland.
A British combat volunteer heads toward the Ukrainian border in Przemysl, Poland.

Moscow Turns U.S. Volunteers Into New Bogeyman in Ukraine

With Russia’s use of mercenaries growing, the Kremlin seeks distractions.

Two men wearing backpacks jointly carry a large duffel bag as they walk away from the camera toward a building.
Two men wearing backpacks jointly carry a large duffel bag as they walk away from the camera toward a building.

The Risky Status of Ukraine’s Foreign Fighters

Russia has labeled Ukraine’s foreign fighters “mercenaries”—raising questions about their legal status if captured.

A hand holds a cell phone showing the Netflix app with an alert message.
A hand holds a cell phone showing the Netflix app with an alert message.

Will Russia Chase Out Big Tech?

The Kremlin’s battle with foreign tech companies didn’t begin in January.

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gives hand to U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in front of the American embassy of Vienna June 3, 1961.
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gives hand to U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in front of the American embassy of Vienna June 3, 1961.

A New Nuclear Arms Race Is a Real Possibility

History suggests the war in Ukraine could put an end to arms control as we know it.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, on March 14, 2022, the same day he spoke to Vladimir Putin. (JACK GUEZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, on March 14, 2022, the same day he spoke to Vladimir Putin. (JACK GUEZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin, Zelensky Still Talking—Through Israelis

Putin and Bennett spoke for an hour and a half on Monday even as the Russian assault grinds on.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Hungary’s Orban Pivots Away From Putin as Elections Loom

For 12 years, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has carried water for Putin. Now, he’s wavering.

Two French fighter jets and two Polish MiG-29s
Two French fighter jets and two Polish MiG-29s

Sending Old Fighter Jets to Ukraine Is a Terrible Idea

The urge to do something is strong, but there are more practical ways to help.

Ukrainian army officer Yaroslav Chepurniy
Ukrainian army officer Yaroslav Chepurniy

Russia’s Road to Odesa Runs Through Mykolaiv

War is intensifying along the Black Sea coast, with one key city standing in the invaders’ way.

Belarusian men who joined the Ukrainian territorial defense are in Odesa, Ukraine.
Belarusian men who joined the Ukrainian territorial defense are in Odesa, Ukraine.

Odesa’s Defense Stiffened by Belarusian Volunteers

For hundreds who fled Minsk’s oppression, Ukraine’s fight has become theirs.

Ukraine-Russia-Roundup
Ukraine-Russia-Roundup

The Intellectual Catastrophe of Vladimir Putin

The meaning of Russia’s war in Ukraine is its own national weakness.

Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv
Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv

The Language of Russia’s War on Ukraine

Putin’s weaponization of the Russian language has solidified Ukrainian identity and statehood.

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