Top Headlines

Feeds

Russia Maintains Maximalist War Goals Despite Economic Strain and New Drone Tactics

Updated (5 articles)

Kremlin’s Unchanged Strategic Objectives: The Kremlin continues to demand Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s removal, a neutral Ukraine, a restructured NATO, and a pro‑Russian puppet government, stating that ceding Donetsk would not satisfy these aims [1]. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that any settlement must recognize the 2022 annexations and blamed the EU for the Minsk failures, emphasizing Ukraine as the main obstacle to peace [1].

Economic Pressures Threaten but Kremlin Remains Confident: Russia’s oil‑well drilling fell 3.4 % in 2025 and oil‑gas revenues are projected to drop about 30 % in 2026, creating “very high” financial risks for the Kremlin [1]. Despite these strains, Putin is said to believe Russia can absorb short‑term friction and does not require a rapid peace settlement [1].

Russia Leverages Bilateral Talks for Sanctions Relief: Moscow separates war negotiations from U.S.–Russia economic discussions, offering economic carrots to push the United States toward concessions [1]. European intelligence chiefs note this strategy has been tracked since early 2025 as a means to seek sanctions relief while maintaining maximalist war demands [1].

Ukraine’s Defense Industry Approaches Self‑Sufficiency: Ukrainian defense industrial output has grown fiftyfold to an estimated $50 billion, now supplying over 50 % of the country’s military needs [1]. Sweden announced a 12.9 billion SEK package for air‑defence systems and long‑range drone projects, further bolstering Ukraine’s capabilities [1].

Adapted Drone Tactics Compensate for Starlink Loss: Milbloggers posted footage showing Geran‑2 drones releasing first‑person‑view drones over Sumy, confirming their use as aerial “motherships” after Russia lost Starlink access [1]. This repurposing reflects a tactical shift to maintain reconnaissance and strike capacity despite communications setbacks [1].

Sources

Related Tickers

by TradingView

Videos (2)

Timeline

2023 – The failed Wagner Group uprising exposes Putin’s misreading of his own mercenaries and highlights internal challenges that could affect Russia’s war strategy[2].

Nov 2024 – Russia conducts a conventional test strike on a Ukrainian factory with the new Oreshnik intermediate‑range ballistic missile, paving the way for its entry into combat service[3].

Dec 2, 2025 – Putin rejects a U.S.‑Ukraine peace proposal, insisting on his original war goals, while portraying the Russian economy as resilient with “low unemployment (2.2 %)” and “inflation at 7 %” despite contrary data[5].

Dec 3, 2025 – Jared Kushner spends five hours with Russian officials; aide Yuri Ushakov delivers a 27‑point peace plan, but the talks yield no visible progress and Trump’s Thanksgiving deadline for a quick settlement fades[2].

Dec 17, 2025 – Putin tells senior officers that if Kyiv and its allies reject Moscow’s demands, Russia will “liberate its historical lands by military means” and expand a “buffer security zone”[3]; he also announces the Oreshnik missile joins combat duty this month and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov outlines a year‑long offensive timetable in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk[3]; Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says a U.S.‑drafted peace plan could be finalized “within days” and that Ukraine might suspend its NATO bid if comparable security guarantees are offered[3].

Dec 20, 2025 – Russia’s economy shows inflation at 7.6 % (IMF forecast), a ballooning budget deficit tied to military spending that now consumes roughly 40 % of the budget and is up 38 % year‑on‑year, yet analysts deem these pressures insufficient to force Putin into negotiations soon[1].

Feb 20, 2026 – Five European intelligence chiefs confirm that Kremlin demands remain maximalist—Zelensky’s removal, Ukrainian neutrality, NATO restructuring and a pro‑Russian puppet government—while Russia’s oil‑well drilling fell 3.4 % in 2025 and oil‑gas revenues are projected to drop about 30 % in 2026, though the Kremlin believes it can absorb short‑term friction[4]; Ukraine’s defense industry reaches an estimated $50 billion valuation, supplying over 50 % of its own military needs, and Sweden pledges a 12.9 billion SEK air‑defence and drone package[4]; Russian forces repurpose Geran‑2 drones as “motherships” for FPV drones after losing Starlink access[4].

Social media (20 posts)

All related articles (5 articles)

External resources (265 links)