Volodymyr Lugovskyy

[National Review @NRO]

Republican support for arming Ukraine and sanctioning Russia continues to increase steadily as President Trump considers selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. | @jameslynch32

https://t.co/wiFfgCuIQC

[Katie Livingstone @Katieonwarfare]

NEW‼️— Natalia Dmitrieva, the sister of top Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, traveled to Ukraine as recently as February 2025 – on an 🇺🇸 American passport, multiple sources have confirmed to me.

Border records show that Dmitrieva entered 🇺🇦 Ukraine on Feb. 8 and departed on Feb. 12, just days before negotiations between Russia and the US were set to take place in Saudi Arabia on a potential Ukraine settlement.

One source said that she had previously left Ukraine for the US in early 2022, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, alongside her mother. Natalia’s activities while in Ukraine or purpose for traveling there are unknown.

Although older records showed that both Natalia and her mother, Tamara Shevchenko, previously held Ukrainian passports, they appeared to travel to Ukraine over the last several years using American passports. ➡️ It is unclear how Natalia and Tamara have American passports or whether they are currently living in the US.

It also looks like the Dmitriev family may own more assets in Europe – and Ukraine – than were previously known. 🏡🏘️

A longtime Putin ally, Kirill Dmitriev lived in the US for over a decade, earning degrees from Stanford and Harvard before falling firmly into Putin’s inner circle. His wife is a close friend of Putin’s daughter, and Dmitriev himself has been deeply trusted by the Kremlin for years.

He now runs the Russian Direct Investment Fund and plays a key role representing Moscow in backchannel peace talks between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow – a role that has leaned on his business background.

🔥 Although Kirill’s US connections are well known, his sister’s and mother’s apparent status as American citizens is new. Natalia’s recent visits to Ukraine come as a surprise too.

More soon.

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

https://t.co/fxwsQdrspr

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

@shafercw @LittmarckVictor @RasmusJarlov It is also a perfect location for setting servers for tech companies.
https://t.co/NMLyMsW1X4

[SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre @StratcomCentre]

Taking a break from downing Russian cruise missiles with this US-made HAWK SAM, this Ukrainian anti-aircraft operator with some words of gratitude to the American people.

[New York Post @nypost]

Today's cover: Mr. President: Putin is THE dictator and 9 other Ukraine-Russia war truths we ignore at our peril https://t.co/x4XMTe9l2g

[Mike Pence @Mike_Pence]

Mr. President, Ukraine did not “start” this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The Road to Peace must be built on the Truth.🇺🇸🇺🇦

“Russia Invades Ukraine in Largest European Attack Since WWII” @FoxNews (February 24, 2022) https://t.co/ra8R9PI9oj

[JP Lindsley | Journalist @JPLindsley]

KYIV—For years in Ukraine, I’ve heard complaints about Zelenskiy almost daily, from Lviv to the front. The normal stuff of a vibrant democracy. But even most of those who want him out agree: Now is not the time.

Here are six reasons why most Ukrainians I know don’t want elections right now. These insights come from a post by a Ukrainian woman who voted against Zelenskyy, along with my own observations. 🧵⤵️

[John Jackson @hissgoescobra]

Unexpected and very fiery pro-Ukraine speech by Senator Tillis in the Senate on Wednesday, specifically mentioning Trump, drawing a contrast in their positions. He just got back from Ukraine. This is a positive, Trump needs the Senate to pass his budget:

[Vatnik Soup @P_Kallioniemi]

In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll introduce the Russian disinformation network “Doppelgänger”. Doppelgänger is an influence and hybrid operation spreading Kremlin propaganda via AI-generated fake news websites and social media sites, especially X.

1/20

[SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre @StratcomCentre]

Ukraine is monitoring radiation levels this morning after Russians targeted the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, specifically the enclosure designed to prevent radiation from escaping the destroyed 4th power unit.

The motivation behind this attack is the same as all of Russia's global terrorism, to sow chaos and destruction, and in Ukraine's case, to depopulate the country.

Radiation escaping this enclosure would not only threaten Ukraine, but potentially all Europe.

How long until the civilized world stops this madness?

[Jason Jay Smart @officejjsmart]

🔥🔥 Putin should not be given a way out. Some argue that offering him an exit from Ukraine would bring stability. The truth is, there is no stability with Putin in power. His grip on Russia is slipping, his economy is crumbling, and his military is bleeding out. Giving him a lifeline now would only guarantee future wars.

Russia’s economy is running on borrowed time. While high oil prices temporarily softened the impact of sanctions, cracks are showing. China and India continue to buy Russian oil but at steep discounts and with reduced long-term commitments, signaling a shift away from dependence on Moscow. Meanwhile, military spending now consumes 40% of Russia’s budget, forcing the government to raise taxes, cut social services, and drain reserves. Skilled workers are fleeing, conscription is disrupting industries, and long-term technological stagnation is setting in. Russia can still fund the war today, but its economic model is unsustainable.

On the battlefield, Russia’s losses are staggering. More than 750,000 troops have been killed or wounded, and its military is increasingly reliant on convicts, outdated Soviet equipment, and imports from North Korea and Iran. While Russia has adapted to Western-supplied weapons, it is burning through its best troops, artillery, and armor at unsustainable rates. Meanwhile, Ukraine is being rearmed and trained by NATO. Each passing month further depletes Russia’s ability to sustain the fight.

Diplomatically, Putin is losing ground. Syria’s Assad, once heavily dependent on Russian support, has fled, throwing Moscow’s Middle Eastern strategy into disarray. Russia’s influence in Africa, particularly through Wagner Group operations, is now a growing liability. The Russian Ministry of Defense has taken over Wagner’s operations under the new “Africa Corps,” but its long-term effectiveness remains uncertain. In the Central African Republic, Wagner forces face increasing resistance and scrutiny over human rights abuses, while Russia’s broader reliance on mercenaries, disinformation, and electoral interference has made its presence on the continent increasingly unstable.

Putin’s remaining alliances—North Korea and Iran—offer little strategic advantage, while longtime economic partners like China and India are carefully managing their engagement to avoid entanglement in Russia’s growing instability. Moscow is more isolated than ever, with its geopolitical influence eroding.

History shows that authoritarian regimes rarely fall when given an easy exit—they collapse when pressure is sustained. Instead of offering Putin a way out, the West should double down on military aid, tighten sanctions, and exploit fractures within Russia’s leadership.

Putin bet that he could outlast Ukraine and the West. He was wrong. Now is not the time to let him regroup—it is time to ensure his defeat.

#Russia #Ukraine #Geopolitics #Sanctions #Putin #EnergyCrisis #Military #GlobalEconomy

[Jay in Kyiv @JayinKyiv]

Whatever Ukrainian forces are doing in Russia's Kursk region tonight and after Russians lost two towns in the past 24 hours, Russian channels are freaking out about it.

[SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre @StratcomCentre]

A study from the American Enterprise Institute presents the case that America allowing a Russian victory in Ukraine would cost the US $808,000,000,000 in the first 5 years for the defense expenditures needed to contend with a new level of global instability should Russia and it's coalition of America's enemies obtain Ukraine's vast resources.

- Land Power ($87.8 Billion)
-Sea Power ($50.3 Billion)
- Airpower ($108.7 Billion)
- Unmanned and Remotely Piloted Assets ($28.9 Billion)
- Munitions and Air Defense Systems ($173.1 Billion)
- Facilities, Forward Presence, Prepositioned Stocks, Military Construction, and Readiness
($248.4 Billion)
- Space and Cyber ($36.5 Billion)
- Defense Industrial Base ($63.3 Billion)
- Special Operations Forces ($10.6 Billion)

Helping Ukraine hold the line against an alliance of America's enemies isn't only the morally right thing to do, it makes Dollars and Sense.

[Randy Mott @randymot4]

How can the Netherlands provide more old F16s than the United States (0). We have these in storage that will never be used by our military and cost money to store. They were paid for twenty years ago.

I challenge the anti-aid crew in the US to explain why not providing these in large numbers "makes America great"? It makes America embarrassed.
#UkraineMustWin

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

How can we stop this?
https://t.co/P2VVO8IXVo.

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

One more reason for ruble to drop: losing revenues from exporting gas to EU

[Jake Broe @RealJakeBroe]

🇷🇺🇪🇺RUSSIA’S GAS GRIP SNAPPED—EUROPE MOVES ON

The New Year kicked off with Ukraine shutting down Russian gas transit to Europe, ending decades of energy dependence.

Gazprom is staring at $5 billion in losses, while Kyiv loses $1 billion in transit fees.

But Europe? It’s fine, thanks to new pipelines and LNG from actual allies like Norway and the U.S.

Russia’s gas dominance is over, and it’s a loss Moscow will feel for years to come.

Source: Reuters

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

In 2024, Russia spent 32% of its federal budget on the military. In 2025, this will rise to 41%, likely fueling even higher inflation through money printing.

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

Any ideas why the ruble dropped again today?

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

@brucewaynesaunt Any supporting evidence on that?

[Volodymyr Lugovskyy @lugovskyy]

Russians allegedly didn't agree with Trump's peace proposal.
Ruble dropped by 15% in 2 days. https://t.co/QZIADEV8uz #FoxNews