The Insider
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The Insider is a Russia-focused, independent media outlet. We're fully committed to investigative journalism and to debunking fake news. theins.press/en
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Prague to review military aid to Ukraine after right-wing populists’ victory in Czech elections

Although the stated goal is to ensure oversight and transparency in the use of funds, the future of the initiative may become a subject of political debate.
Prague to review military aid to Ukraine after right-wing populists’ victory in Czech elections
The ANO movement of former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, which won the country’s parliamentary elections on Oct
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German building materials firm Knauf says sale of Russian business has fallen through after reports of supplies to nuclear sites

Reports by Der Spiegel and ARD have indicated that Knauf materials were used in the modernization of Russian nuclear facilities and projects in occupied Mariupol.
German building materials firm Knauf says sale of Russian business has fallen through after reports of supplies to nuclear sites
German building materials producer Knauf has announced that it has been unable to sell its business in Russia after talks with a potential buyer collapsed. “Knauf remains committed to its plans to wit...
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Head of European Commission accuses Russia of waging hybrid war against EU

“We can either shy away and watch Russian threats escalate, or we meet them with unity, deterrence, and resolve,” Ursula von der Leyen emphasized.
Head of European Commission accuses Russia of waging hybrid war against EU
Speaking today at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that recent drone incidents and violations of EU airspace are proof that Europe is alre...
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Spain seizes property of Russian Helicopters CEO Nikolai Kolesov on suspicion of money laundering

An investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation, released in June, detailed Kolesov's embezzlement from Russia's defense industry and his funnelling of the funds into luxury villas abroad.
Spain seizes property of Russian Helicopters CEO Nikolai Kolesov on suspicion of money laundering
Spanish authorities have seized property belonging to Russian Helicopters CEO Nikolai Kolesov on suspicion of money laundering, according to Maria Pevchikh, head of investigations at the Anti-Corrupti...
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Promised Danish crackdown on Russia’s “shadow fleet” means data gathering for sanctions, maritime analyst explains

The measures will not lead to tankers being stopped and will have little immediate impact on Moscow’s oil trade, says @maritimekiwi.bsky.social of Starboard Maritime Intelligence.
Promised Danish crackdown on Russia’s “shadow fleet” means data gathering for sanctions, maritime analyst explains
Danish authorities announced yesterday that they intend to tighten environmental oversight of oil tankers in the port of Skagen, through which thousands of vessels pass annually en route from the Balt...
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War and wine: While Russia bleeds money and battles drones, Putin's wine business is booming

Much of the winemaking empire is registered under the name of Yuri Kovalchuk, who snapped up the assets for a fraction of their actual price.
War and wine: While Russia bleeds money and battles drones, Putin's wine business is booming
The Krinitsa winery, just down the road from Putin's Gelendzhik palace, is estimated to be worth over 27 billion rubles ($330 million), making it Russia's most valuable winemaking operation. Plans are...
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Russian drone strikes prenatal clinic in Ukrainian city of Sumy as part of nationwide attack

The strike set the facility’s roof on fire while more than 160 people, including 35 patients and 11 children, were inside. Everyone took shelter and no injuries were reported.
Russian drone strikes prenatal clinic in Ukrainian city of Sumy as part of nationwide attack
On the night of Oct. 5-6, Russian forces launched 116 drones across Ukrainian territory. “The enemy attacked with 116 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and other types,” Ukraine’s Air Force said on ...
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Denmark to tighten control over passing oil tankers to combat Russia’s “shadow fleet”

“We must put an end to Putin’s war machine. That also applies to the Russian shadow fleet,” Minister for Industry and Trade Morten Bødskov stated.
Denmark to tighten control over passing oil tankers to combat Russia’s “shadow fleet”
Danish officials have announced plans to tighten environmental control over oil tankers in the port of Skagen, which serves as a transport hub between the Baltic and North Seas
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PACE creates a platform for Russian opposition, suggesting participation in the assembly without voting rights

Delegates will be prohibited from using Russian state symbols but will be allowed to display the white-blue-white flag as a mark of resistance.
PACE creates a platform for Russian opposition, suggesting participation in the assembly without voting rights
On Oct
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“We were flying with paper maps”: The state of Russia’s civil aviation under sanctions

Preflight calculations are often carried out by hand, weather checks rely on public websites, and crews fly with collision-avoidance systems switched off.
“We were flying with paper maps”: The state of Russia’s civil aviation under sanctions
On Sept. 11, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorized the Belarusian airline Belavia to purchase spare parts and new aircraft from the West, opening the door for Russian companies t...
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Hungary and Slovakia could diversify away from Russian oil if they wanted to, experts explain

Despite having alternative options, Orbán does not want to give up cheaper Russian oil because it would harm MOL, the country’s largest oil and gas company.
Hungary and Slovakia could diversify away from Russian oil if they wanted to, experts explain
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said his country will not stop importing Russian oil via pipeline because he “cannot change geography,” referring to Hungary’s lack of access to the sea
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Beaten, Caged, Shot: Inside Russia’s Frontline Torture Machine

Putin’s brutality against Ukraine is rivaled only by his army’s treatment of Russian soldiers, who face a choice between death on the battlefield and torture by their own side.

⚠️ Warning: graphic content 👇

youtu.be/Wg7xNpX5yzk?...
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Reality Czech: Prague looks set to follow the Kremlin-friendly path blazed by Hungary and Slovakia

Whatever the election outcome, Czechia looks set to begin leaning towards Orban and Fico in its stance on the EU, NATO, Ukraine, and Russia.
Reality Czech: Prague looks set to follow the Kremlin-friendly path blazed by Hungary and Slovakia
Results of the Czech Republic’s parliamentary elections will not be announced until Saturday, Oct. 4, but analysts are already arguing that, regardless of the outcome, the country is set to follow the...
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New Safe Confinement at Chornobyl left without electricity after Russian strike on Kyiv Region

A Russian drone strike on a power substation in Slavutych on the evening of Oct. 1 “plunged the Chornobyl NPP into a blackout,” the Energy Ministry reports.
New Safe Confinement at Chornobyl left without electricity after Russian strike on Kyiv Region
Facilities at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, including the New Safe Confinement over the destroyed reactor unit, were left without electricity after a Russian strike on energy infrastructure in th...
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IAEA director Grossi warns of nuclear accident risk at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP

“Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been without external power for more than a week now. It is not a sustainable situation in terms of nuclear safety,” Grossi said.
IAEA director Grossi warns of nuclear accident risk at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia NPP
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in a Russian-occupied area of southern Ukraine, has been left without an external power supply for more than a week, operating solely on backup diesel gen...
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Investigation exposes Taiwan as the world’s largest importer of Russian naphtha, which is then refined and sold to the West

72% of the naphtha supplied to Taiwan comes from Novatek, a Russian company under U.S. sanctions for directly financing the war in Ukraine.
Investigation exposes Taiwan as the world’s largest importer of Russian naphtha, which is then refined and sold to the West
In the first half of 2025, Taiwan became the world’s leading importer of Russian naphtha, a petroleum distillate used in the production of gasoline and solvents. According to a joint investigation by ...
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France investigates Russian “shadow fleet” tanker anchored off coast one week after it was spotted near Denmark amid airport drone sightings

The probe began after the crew of the Boracay failed to comply with orders from the French Navy — or prove the vessel's nationality.
France investigates Russian “shadow fleet” tanker anchored off coast one week after it was spotted near Denmark amid airport drone sightings
French authorities have launched an investigation into the oil tanker Boracay, sailing under the flag of Benin and believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” According to a Reuters repo...
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