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Russia Orders WhatsApp Block Amid Messaging App Crackdown

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Russia has ordered a nationwide block on WhatsApp, escalating its tightening grip on foreign messaging platforms. The Kremlin said the decision was due to Meta’s alleged failure to comply with Russian laws, including data storage requirements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Meta could resume operations if it enters into dialogue and follows local regulations, while promoting the state-developed “Max” app as a domestic alternative.

Regulator Roskomnadzor has also moved to further restrict access to Telegram, citing security concerns. The crackdown comes as Russia accelerates efforts to build a sovereign digital ecosystem, a push that intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Critics argue that the Max platform could enable state surveillance, though authorities deny such claims and have widely promoted the app through official channels and media campaigns.

WhatsApp, which has more than 100 million users in Russia, said isolating users from secure communication would undermine safety. Russia previously designated Meta as an extremist organisation, leading to bans on Facebook and Instagram, though Russians can still access them via VPNs. Digital rights groups report that several major platforms, including YouTube and the BBC, have also been removed from Russia’s national domain system, making them inaccessible without VPN services.

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Russian Drone Strike Kills 3 Toddlers and Father in Kharkiv Region

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A Russian drone attack in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv region, killed three young children and their father, while injuring the pregnant mother, local officials reported. The victims were twin boys Ivan and Vladyslav, aged two, and their one-year-old sister Myroslava, along with their 34-year-old father, Hryhoriy. The mother, Olha, 35, sustained minor burns but survived. The family had recently relocated from a town near the Russian border, seeking refuge from ongoing shelling.

The attack marks a renewed wave of Russian strikes following a short pause, with the Kharkiv region under near-daily assaults. Regional authorities described the incident as “brutal,” noting that tens of thousands of residents face severe power outages and lack of heating, worsened by Moscow targeting energy and transport infrastructure.

In parallel, Russian forces hit other areas including Slovyansk, causing further casualties, while Ukraine launched retaliatory drone attacks on Volzhsky in Russia’s Volgograd region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the continued strain on civilians and noted ongoing international efforts, including upcoming U.S.-hosted talks, to end the war that began in February 2022.

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Russia Turns to Indian Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

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Russia is increasingly recruiting workers from India to address a severe labour shortage worsened by the war in Ukraine. Officials estimate the country needs at least 2.3 million additional workers, particularly in manufacturing, construction and services. With fewer migrants arriving from Central Asia — traditionally Russia’s main source of foreign labour — Moscow has sharply increased work permits for Indians, approving nearly 72,000 last year compared with about 5,000 in 2021.

The shift reflects both economic necessity and strengthening ties between Moscow and New Delhi. President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement in December to simplify employment procedures for Indians in Russia. Russian officials say the country could accept an “unlimited number” of Indian workers, with hundreds of thousands needed across key sectors. A weaker rouble, stricter migration rules and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric have also reduced inflows from Central Asia, prompting the pivot toward South Asia.

Indian migrants are now working in textile factories, farms and service industries around Moscow and beyond. Employers say the workers are motivated and quickly adapt to new skills, while migrants cite higher wages compared to opportunities back home. Though U.S. pressure on India over its purchases of discounted Russian oil could affect broader ties, Moscow has downplayed tensions, and the inflow of Indian labour continues for now.

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Estonia Warns of Russian Military Buildup

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Estonia’s foreign intelligence service has reported that Russia is rebuilding its military forces in response to Europe’s rearmament, though it does not plan to attack any NATO state in the near term. According to the report, Moscow aims to delay and hinder Europe’s ability to conduct independent military action, viewing European rearmament over the next two to three years as a significant concern.

The intelligence service highlighted Russia’s rapid expansion of ammunition production, which allows for stockpiling supplies for potential future conflicts while continuing operations in Ukraine. Any hypothetical attack on Estonia could involve coordinated drone operations across land, air, and sea. Estonia emphasized the need for the continent to invest in defense and internal security to deter potential aggression.

The report also noted Russia’s continued view of the U.S. as its main adversary while attempting to use diplomatic channels to ease sanctions and influence the Ukraine conflict. It highlighted Moscow’s strategic alignment with China, which could use Russian cooperation to challenge Western influence globally, particularly in the context of energy and military technology collaboration.

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Macron Urges Europe to Assert Global Power

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French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Europe to step up as a global power, warning that the continent faces a “wake-up call” amid rising challenges from China, Russia, and the United States. Speaking to European media ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Macron emphasized the need for the EU to strengthen its economy, defense, and democratic systems, arguing that Europe must act cohesively to secure its strategic interests.

Macron proposed EU-wide mutualized loans, or “eurobonds for the future,” to fund industrial and technological investment. He highlighted the growing global demand for such shared European debt, while urging member states to protect key industries like security, clean energy, and artificial intelligence without resorting to protectionism.

The French leader stressed Europe’s vulnerability in a changing world order, citing climate change, dwindling U.S. security guarantees, and China’s rising influence. Macron urged the 27-member EU to embrace its collective strength of 450 million people, insisting that becoming a global power is the natural continuation of the European project to maintain peace and build a robust market.

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US Pushes for Ukraine-Russia Peace by June Amid Ongoing Attacks

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the US aims to end the war with Russia by June, inviting both sides to hold talks in the United States next week, likely in Miami. Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s participation but noted that difficult issues, including territorial concessions, remain unresolved. For the first time, leaders may be involved in trilateral discussions, though preparatory steps are required before this can happen.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts amid freezing temperatures. More than 400 drones and 40 missiles struck power plants, substations, and transmission lines, affecting regions such as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Rivne. Thousands of Ukrainians remain without electricity, forcing many to take shelter in metro stations. Ukraine has also retaliated with strikes on Russian military and industrial facilities in Tver and Saratov regions.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, with nearly 160,000 Russian military casualties confirmed. Zelensky emphasized that Moscow should not be allowed to leverage the harsh winter to pressure Ukraine. Despite ongoing diplomacy, the conflict continues to inflict severe humanitarian and infrastructural damage.

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Italy Thwarts Russian Cyber-Attacks Ahead of Winter Olympics

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Italy has successfully blocked cyber-attacks of Russian origin targeting websites linked to the Winter Olympics, hotels in host town Cortina d’Ampezzo, and foreign ministry facilities, including an embassy in Washington. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the attacks were prevented before the Games officially begin on Friday.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of five Olympic host clusters, will stage alpine skiing, biathlon, curling, and sliding events. The attacks were aimed at disrupting digital operations surrounding the Games, but Italy’s cybersecurity measures ensured no critical systems were compromised.

Meanwhile, debates continue over the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions. Although both nations remain excluded from the Olympics, 13 Russian and seven Belarusian competitors have been cleared to compete as neutrals, amid discussions on potential reinstatement for future Games, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

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Ukraine Deactivates Russian Starlink Terminals, Disrupting Assaults

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Ukrainian forces have deactivated Starlink internet terminals being used by the Russian military on the battlefield, a move officials described as a major setback for Moscow. The deactivation disrupted Russian assault operations across multiple areas, affecting thousands of terminals that had previously enabled mobile and hard-to-intercept communications.

Ukraine coordinated with SpaceX to block unauthorized use of Starlink by Russian forces and established a “white list” of Ukrainian terminals to ensure uninterrupted service for its own operations. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that Russian terminals had already been blocked, with verification ongoing. SpaceX has not officially commented, though Elon Musk indicated prior measures to stop Russian use were effective.

The impact on Russian forces has been severe, according to Ukrainian advisers, with command and communications largely collapsing on the frontlines. Kyiv continues to rely on tens of thousands of Starlink connections for battlefield communication and drone operations, highlighting the strategic importance of satellite-based internet in modern warfare.

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Russian Comedian Jailed for Nearly Six Years Over Joke About War Veteran

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A Russian court has sentenced stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to nearly six years in prison for inciting hatred after a joke he made about a war veteran sparked public outrage. Ostanin was handed a jail term of five years and nine months along with a fine of 300,000 roubles, a Reuters reporter said, in one of the latest cases targeting speech deemed offensive to the military during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conviction stemmed from a March 2025 performance in which Ostanin joked about a war veteran who had lost his legs to a mine and was using a skateboard to get around, as well as referring to a wheelchair in derogatory terms. A video of the performance later went viral on Telegram after being shared by nationalist groups and military bloggers, who accused the comedian of mocking veterans fighting for the country.

Ostanin was also found guilty of offending the feelings of Christians over a separate joke about Jesus, drawing criticism from Orthodox nationalist organisations. After facing mounting backlash, he attempted to flee Russia but was arrested in Belarus and returned to Moscow to stand trial. Speaking in court after the verdict, Ostanin said he did not accept the ruling, calling the punishment excessive.

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Pope Leo Urges Russia and US to Renew New START Treaty

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Pope Leo XIV called on Russia and the United States to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, which limits the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country. Speaking at his weekly audience at the Vatican, the pope emphasized that the current global situation “calls for doing everything possible to avert a new arms race.”

Signed in 2010, the treaty is set to expire on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed an informal one-year extension in September, but as of Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump had not responded, raising concerns about the potential lapse of the agreement.

The pope described the renewal as urgent, stressing the need to replace “the logic of fear and distrust with a shared ethic” that prioritizes the common good. Letting the treaty expire would mark the end of over 50 years of nuclear weapons constraints, a significant step in global arms control.

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