Exiled Russian businessman and opposition figure
Former UK defence secretary Ben Wallace has become the subject of Russian officials discussing a possible arrest warrant. Reports tie the case to remarks at the Warsaw Security Forum last year calling for Crimea to be made unviable and for a bridge to be smashed, with Moscow employing a broad crackdown on dissent and on foreign figures linked to Ukraine support.
The latest reports show authorities intensifying crackdowns on dissent, with multiple arrests and prosecutions in Egypt and Morocco, while Russia pursues penal actions against critics abroad. Protests and detentions are part of a broader pattern of government hostility toward voices of dissent.
Ukrainian drone strikes and Russia’s wartime economy are pushing Russia toward a prolonged strain. Inflation, higher taxes, and heavy military spending have tightened civilian life, with analysts predicting years of economic hardship ahead.
Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged Russian oil infrastructure, triggering fuel shortages across the country. Authorities report production hiccups, rationing in some regions, and attempts to stabilise supplies amid heightened price pressures. The government has sanctioned imports and redirected shipments to mitigate the impact.