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Armed Robots Increasingly Used on Ukraine War Front

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The war in Ukraine is rapidly evolving into a high-tech battlefield, with armed robots playing a growing role in combat operations. Uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are now being deployed by Ukrainian forces to carry out risky tasks such as attacking enemy positions, defending front lines, and even capturing opposing soldiers. Military officials say these robotic systems help reduce risks to human troops in increasingly dangerous combat zones.

Some Ukrainian UGVs are equipped with machine guns, grenade launchers, or explosives and are used in ambushes or kamikaze-style missions against enemy positions. Unlike aerial drones, these ground robots can move quietly across the battlefield, making them difficult to detect. Despite their advanced capabilities, commanders say the final decision to fire remains with human operators controlling the machines remotely to avoid mistakes and protect civilians.

Both Ukraine and Russia are expanding the use of robotic combat systems as the war continues. Ukrainian manufacturers have significantly increased production, with thousands of UGVs already deployed and demand expected to surge further. Experts say future battles could involve swarms of coordinated drones and robots operating across land, air and sea, marking a major shift in the way wars are fought.

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Russia Warns Finland Over Possible Hosting of Nuclear Weapons

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Russia has warned that Finland would become more vulnerable if it allows nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory. The Kremlin issued the warning after Finland indicated it may lift a long-standing ban on hosting nuclear arms, a move that could enable their deployment during wartime under NATO planning.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the decision would escalate tensions in Europe and prompt a response from Russia. According to Moscow, deploying nuclear weapons in Finland would be viewed as a direct threat, forcing Russia to take countermeasures to protect its security.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the proposal is not due to an immediate security threat but is meant to allow Finland to participate fully in NATO’s nuclear planning. The shift reflects broader changes in European defense strategy following the war in Ukraine and renewed discussions on nuclear deterrence led by Emmanuel Macron in Europe.

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Russia Warns Finland Over Possible Hosting of Nuclear Weapons

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Russia has warned that Finland would become more vulnerable if it decides to host nuclear weapons on its territory, escalating tensions in Europe. The warning came after Finland signaled plans to lift its long-standing ban on hosting nuclear arms, a move that could allow weapons to be stationed there during wartime as part of NATO’s nuclear strategy.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said deploying nuclear weapons in Finland would increase risks and provoke a response from Russia. According to Moscow, such a decision would heighten security threats along their shared 1,340-km border and add to rising tensions across the European continent.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the policy change is aimed at allowing Finland to fully participate in NATO’s nuclear planning rather than addressing an immediate security threat. The debate comes as European countries reassess their defence strategies following the war in Ukraine and proposals by Emmanuel Macron to expand Europe’s nuclear deterrence cooperation.

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EU Diplomat Says Iran’s Actions Risk Its Own Downfall

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Iran’s government is undermining its own future by launching indiscriminate attacks across the region. Speaking to reporters, she accused Tehran of pursuing a strategy aimed at spreading instability and escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that such actions could ultimately backfire on the Iranian leadership.

Tensions escalated further after Turkey reported that NATO air defence systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkish airspace. Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, criticised Iran’s actions, saying the country was widening the conflict by targeting nations that were not directly involved in the war.

Kallas also warned that the growing Middle East crisis risks diverting international attention away from the war in Ukraine. While she noted that the conflict could weaken Russia by costing it a regional ally, she cautioned that Moscow might still benefit from rising global oil prices triggered by the escalating tensions.

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German Intelligence Alleges Russia Concealing True War-Related Budget Deficit

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Germany’s foreign intelligence service, Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has accused Moscow of understating the economic toll of its war in Ukraine, estimating that Russia’s 2025 budget deficit is significantly higher than officially reported. In a LinkedIn post, the BND said the actual federal deficit stood at 8.01 trillion roubles, compared with the official figure of 5.65 trillion roubles, or 2.6% of GDP. The agency claimed the shortfall was about 2.36 trillion roubles ($30.45 billion) greater than acknowledged by Russian authorities.

The BND said Western sanctions were having a “clear effect” on the Russian economy, compounded by sharply lower oil and gas revenues due to falling global energy prices. According to the agency, Russia has been forced to sell oil at steep discounts amid sanctions and pressure from the United States on key buyers. It also estimated that Russia’s consolidated budget deficit, including regional accounts, widened to 8.3 trillion roubles in 2025, or 3.9% of GDP — more than double the level recorded in 2024.

The Kremlin dismissed concerns about deteriorating public finances, describing falling revenues and a widening deficit as “routine difficulties” that could be managed thanks to overall macroeconomic stability. Russia’s Finance Ministry has not publicly responded to the BND’s assessment. Although global oil prices have recently risen following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Reuters calculations suggest the rebound remains insufficient to balance Russia’s budget.

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Zelenskiy Says Russia Unlikely to Achieve Planned Advances in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia will struggle to fulfil its planned military advances, asserting that Moscow has failed to meet objectives it set last year. Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskiy stated that Russia’s broader strategy remains focused on occupying eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, but insisted that current battlefield realities do not support the ambitions outlined in Russian plans for 2026–2027.

According to Zelenskiy, Russia continues to prioritise full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Donbas, while also eyeing advances toward the southeastern city of Dnipro and the southern Odesa region along the Black Sea. However, he said Ukraine does not believe Russian forces currently possess the capability to accomplish those objectives. The outcome, he added, will largely depend on continued Western weapons supplies and Ukraine’s expanding domestic arms production.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its troops had captured three additional villages in eastern Ukraine as part of a prolonged offensive. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had retaken nine settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region since late January and were continuing counteroffensive operations along the southeastern front. Territorial control remains a major sticking point in U.S.-mediated peace efforts, with Russia demanding concessions that Kyiv has firmly rejected.

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Russia’s Gulf Pivot Fuels Surge in Arabic-Speaking Tourists

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Russia is witnessing a sharp rise in visitors from Gulf nations as closer diplomatic and economic ties translate into a tourism boom. From husky sledding near Moscow to hot air balloon rides over snow-covered landscapes, tourists from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are embracing winter experiences unfamiliar in their desert homelands. Attractions around the capital have added Arabic signage and tailored services to cater to the growing influx.

The surge comes amid Moscow’s strategic pivot away from the West during its war in Ukraine, strengthening engagement with Gulf states that have played diplomatic roles in prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts. Increased direct flights, visa-free arrangements and warmer political ties have supported the growth. Saudi Arabia ranked second among foreign visitors last year with nearly 75,000 tourists — a 36% annual increase — while arrivals from the UAE exceeded 59,000. Tour operators say some markets, including Saudi Arabia, have expanded nearly fifteenfold compared with pre-pandemic levels.

Despite sanctions and logistical hurdles, including airport disruptions and cash payment limitations due to suspended Western card services, Gulf tourists are spending heavily on luxury hotels, shopping and premium experiences. Russia recorded 1.64 million foreign visitors in 2025, a modest increase from the previous year though still below pre-pandemic peaks. Industry leaders say demand from Arab countries continues to grow, even as security checks and geopolitical tensions present ongoing challenges.

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Hungary Threatens to Block EU Sanctions on Russia

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Hungary has vowed to block the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia and a proposed 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, escalating tensions ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. The dispute centres on the disruption of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which Budapest and Slovakia say has undermined their energy security. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has indicated that Hungary will withhold support for the measures until the issue is resolved.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels urged Hungary to reconsider, warning that unity is crucial as the war drags on. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview with the BBC, said Russian leader Vladimir Putin had “already started” World War Three and called for intensified global pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker peace have yet to yield a breakthrough, with recent talks in Geneva failing to produce progress.

The standoff comes as Russian drone strikes killed two people in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, according to Ukrainian officials, while Kyiv claims it has regained control over parts of the southern frontline. Hungary and Slovakia have also warned they could halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine if oil flows via Druzhba are not restored. The clash underscores deep divisions within the EU as it seeks to maintain pressure on Russia while managing internal political and energy challenges.

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Starlink Cut to Russian Forces Boosts Ukraine’s Battlefield Advantage

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A decision by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX to block Russian forces from accessing its Starlink satellite internet service appears to have disrupted Moscow’s frontline operations in Ukraine. The move, reportedly requested by Ukraine’s defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, has limited Russian troops’ ability to coordinate drone strikes and battlefield communications. Ukrainian soldiers say the change has reduced assaults and weakened Russia’s offensive capacity, particularly along parts of the southern and eastern front.

Starlink had been widely used by both sides during the four-year war, enabling real-time drone guidance and secure communications. Since the shutdown on 1 February, only terminals approved by Kyiv remain active, forcing Russian units to seek alternative systems. Ukrainian volunteer group InformNapalm claims it identified more than 2,400 Russian-linked terminals through a phishing operation, with several later targeted near the front lines. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has also warned citizens against collaborating in illegal Starlink registrations, calling such actions high treason.

While some Ukrainian troops report little immediate change, others describe improved opportunities to intercept communications and push back Russian forces, especially near contested areas like Pokrovsk. Analysts say the disruption could limit Russia’s ability to conduct long-range drone strikes and hamper coordination, though Moscow insists the impact is minimal. Ukrainian officials believe they have a limited window to exploit the setback before Russian forces adapt, potentially strengthening Kyiv’s position both on the battlefield and in any future negotiations.

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Rubio Signals ‘New Era’ Ahead of Munich Summit

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described a “defining moment” in global affairs as he arrived in Europe to lead the American delegation at the Munich Security Conference. His visit comes amid heightened transatlantic tensions following President Donald Trump’s renewed remarks about annexing Greenland. Rubio said the world was entering a “new era in geopolitics” that would require allies to reassess their roles and priorities within the evolving international order.

European leaders have responded with a mix of caution and resolve. Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to prepare for greater strategic independence from the U.S., while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed that transatlantic ties remain vital. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she would meet Rubio to address U.S. comments regarding Greenland, as concerns grow over Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO and European security.

The conference agenda includes the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and prospects for a renewed U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the gathering could yield “new steps” for shared European security. Meanwhile, German and British leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are expected to hold key discussions on defence spending and alliance cohesion, as policymakers navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics.

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