Story perspectives

Russia's War Efforts Sustainable Despite Economic Decline

12/15/2025

Summary

Aleksashenko Warns Sustained War

Sergey Aleksashenko, former deputy chairman of Russia's central bank, says the Russian regime is financially equipped to sustain the war in Ukraine for several more years, even as GDP growth is projected to fall from 4.3% to 0.9%.
NATO leaders express concerns about broader security risks as tensions escalate over frozen Russian assets in Europe.
Putin has threatened to seize Ukrainian territory by force if necessary, further complicating peace efforts.

Summary

Popov Avenges Ektov

Konstantin Ektov, a military policeman in Ukraine, was shot dead in a revenge killing.
He previously took bribes from soldiers to avoid returning them to the frontlines.
His methods included kidnapping and torturing family members of deserters.
The attack on Vladimir Popov's family, which broke his grandmother's leg, led Popov to admit killing Ektov to protect his family, and the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case.

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Aleksashenko Warns Sustained War

Sergey Aleksashenko, former deputy chairman of Russia's central bank, says the Russian regime is financially equipped to sustain the war in Ukraine for several more years, even as GDP growth is projected to fall from 4.3% to 0.9%.
NATO leaders express concerns about broader security risks as tensions escalate over frozen Russian assets in Europe.
Putin has threatened to seize Ukrainian territory by force if necessary, further complicating peace efforts.

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