As Russia’s war on Ukraine drags into its third year, a deeper strategic pattern has begun to emerge—one that suggests China is not merely watching events unfold, but quietly shaping the conditions for a larger confrontation.
Russia’s extractive industries are in deep crisis, according to new data from the Russian state statistical agency Rosstat. In February and March 2025, the country’s oil, gas, and coal sectors recorded catastrophic losses, marking the most severe collapse in industrial profitability since the invasion of Ukraine began. The numbers are unambiguous. The total profit from Russia’s mining sector fell -61% year-on-year in February, followed by a staggering -89% drop in March.
Russia’s Oil, Gas, and Coal Sectors Enter Freefall as Losses Accelerate Read Post »
A newly leaked internal document from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), obtained by The New York Times via the cyber group Ares Leaks, exposes one of the Kremlin’s best-kept secrets: Russia does NOT trust China. Despite years of choreographed diplomatic unity, the FSB refers to China as an “enemy” behind closed doors and even fears a potential invasion.
Leaked FSB Document Shows Russia’s Deep Distrust of China Read Post »
In a new transparency report released this week, OpenAI confirmed that both Russia and China have been running covert disinformation campaigns using generative AI. But while China is expanding its reach, it is Russia’s operations that stand out for their aggression, cynicism, and strategic alignment with military objectives—particularly the war against Ukraine. Of the ten influence operations identified and dismantled by OpenAI, at least four were linked to China and two to Russia.
Russia and China Use AI to Fuel Global Disinformation, OpenAI Reveals Read Post »
Russia is on the verge of banning Telegram, one of the last relatively free communication platforms in the country. In its place, the Kremlin is aggressively pushing MAX, a state-controlled clone developed by VK (VKontakte)—a company notorious for surrendering user data to Russian authorities. But this isn’t just about digital sovereignty. It’s about surveillance, control, and forcing every Russian citizen into a panopticon.
Kremlin Prepares to Replace Telegram with a Clone App Designed for Total Surveillance Read Post »
In an unexpected show of admiration—and thinly veiled schadenfreude—thousands of Chinese internet users have praised Ukraine’s June 1st special operation, which disabled or destroyed 41 Russian strategic bombers across multiple airfields.
Chinese Social media applauds Ukraine’s strikes on Russian Airfields, Mocking Moscow Read Post »
In his never-ending quest to prove that Russia can do everything the West can do—except democracy, indoor toilets, and basic morality—Vladimir Putin has unveiled his latest masterpiece of innovation: a PlayStation-style console cooked up by Russian tech wizards and forged in the fires of patriotic glory. Except it wasn’t.
Putin’s ‘Sovereign’ Game Console ends up being a Chinese Doorstop with a Russian Accent Read Post »
Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed that China is supplying key materials and equipment to at least 20 Russian military production facilities, directly enabling Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The revelation, made by the chief of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, underscores growing concerns about Beijing’s role in circumventing Western sanctions and sustaining Russia’s war machine.
China Providing Military Supplies to 20 Russian Defense Plants, Intelligence Chief Says Read Post »
