PRO RUSSIA

Putin warns of World War Three risk with NATO, criticizes U.S. democracy, and plans buffer zone in Ukraine. Macron hints at ground troop deployment. Tensions rise ahead of Russian election and amid Ukrainian conflict.

The three-day vote has already been marred by a surge in fatal Ukrainian bombardments and a series of incursions into Russian territory by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups.

Local officials said Russian aerial bombardments struck residential buildings and cars leaving at least 14 people dead and wounding another 46 people, including rescuers. "Russian terror in Odesa is a sign of weakness of the enemy, which is fighting Ukrainian civilians at a time when it cannot guarantee security for people on its territory," said Andriy Yermak, a senior government official in Kyiv.

President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of escalating attacks on Russian territory to disrupt the upcoming presidential elections in Russia. Putin stated that these attacks coincide with failures on the frontline in Ukraine, suggesting a strategic motive. The recent attacks, including drone strikes on oil refineries and a border incursion by pro-Kyiv fighters, are seen as attempts to interfere with Russia's electoral process. Putin is expected to win another six-year term in the elections scheduled for March 15-17.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia warned the West about the possibility of nuclear war, stating that Russia was technically prepared for such a scenario. He emphasized that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict. Putin, speaking ahead of Russia's upcoming election, stated that while Russia is prepared from a military-technical standpoint, he saw no need for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons was outlined in Russia's nuclear doctrine and that Russia was open to negotiations on Ukraine based on reality.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is running for a fifth term in office this week, has over the past two decades built up a system of domestic repression and confrontation with the West that is almost certain to guarantee his re-election. Putin won his first presidential election in March 2000 and a second term in 2004.

Moldova and France are set to sign defense and economic cooperation agreements during Moldovan President Maia Sandu's visit to Paris. The move comes as Western powers, including France, aim to bolster support for Moldova amid concerns over Russian efforts to destabilize the country. The agreements will be signed alongside an audio call among Western states to discuss increased support for Ukraine and Moldova. Moldova, which has a small defense budget and tense relations with Moscow, is seeking to strengthen ties with Western allies.

The death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent figure in Russian politics, in an Arctic labour camp, is a significant blow to the hopes of many for him to lead a future democratic Russia. Navalny rose to prominence as an anti-corruption crusader, exposing corruption schemes within the Russian government. Despite facing legal challenges and repression, he continued to be a prominent voice for democracy and transparency in Russia, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and principle.

The fall of Avdiivka is Russia's biggest gain since capturing the city of Bakhmut in May 2023, and comes almost two years to the day since President Vladimir Putin triggered a full-scale war by ordering the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine withdrew troops from Avdiivka, an eastern stronghold, to save lives amid a Russian push. Facing ammunition shortages and outnumbered, Ukrainian forces made the strategic decision, emphasizing that Russia did not capture the city. The withdrawal marks a symbolic victory for Russia, as Avdiivka had held out for two years. Ukrainian officials stress the need for military aid, with a $60 billion US package held up in Washington. President Zelensky signed security pacts with France and Germany to bolster support in the conflict against Russia.

Spread over websites in 30 countries, the propaganda material is interspersed with news aggregated from local news outlets and Chinese state media, according to a research report the Toronto-based group released on Wednesday.

Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, in a statement, said the attacks represented "another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased tension in instability in the region". The US military launched airstrikes against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend's drone attack in Jordan that killed three US troops.

The Russian parliament passed a resolution denouncing the alleged presence of French "mercenaries" in Ukraine, escalating tensions with Paris. Russia claimed, without evidence, to have killed a group of French mercenaries in Ukraine's Kharkiv last week. Moscow summoned the French ambassador over what it deemed "growing involvement in the Ukraine conflict."

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss increasing Chinese tourists' numbers and implementing various projects committed by Beijing. After signing 20 agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Muizzu focused on enhancing cooperation in e-commerce, Male's development plan, airport expansion, and tourism. Facing a diplomatic row with India due to derogatory remarks by his ministers, Muizzu urged China to boost tourism amid reported cancellations by Indian tourists. Chinese analysts see the Maldives as strategically important for expanding China's influence in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the country's geopolitical significance

Amid Russia's Ukraine conflict, Moscow's 'Almost Naked' party stirred controversy. Celebrities faced backlash at the event hosted by Anastasia Ivleeva. Rapper Vacio's jail term and fine followed a court ruling citing 'non-traditional sexual relationships' promotion. Apologies emerged, lawsuits loomed, and repercussions hit attendees like pop star Anna Asti. Kremlin stayed mum, while activists and officials condemned the event's timing amidst military operations. The uproar spotlighted clashes between entertainment, values, and ongoing crises, triggering widespread critique.

The party organiser's name has disappeared from the public face of major Russian mobile phone operator MTS. She is also a tax investigation potentially leading to a five-year jail term, and a lawsuit demanding 1 billion roubles ($10.9 million) for "moral suffering. President Vladimir Putin reportedly expressed his displeasure over the event.

​The 10-minute post was one of more than 4,500 videos in an unusually large network of YouTube channels spreading pro-China and anti-U.S. narratives, according to a report this week from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, a security-focused think tank.

Russia's radical conservative turn since it invaded Ukraine is changing life inside the country, with even the long-held right for women to have abortions being questioned. - 'Expect more bans' - Russia's pro-life movement was once marginal but the war has created a "political environment" to press more radical initiatives, Stanovaya said.

Iran, Russia and, to a lesser degree, China have used state media and the world's major social networking platforms to support Hamas and undercut Israel, while denigrating Israel's principal ally, the United States.

Apple has incorporated India's navigation system, NavIC, in its newly launched iPhone 15 Pro models. NavIC, developed by ISRO, operates through a constellation of seven satellites to provide highly precise location tracking with an accuracy of better than 20 meters. The inclusion of NavIC in iPhones is expected to enhance location-tracking capabilities in India.

Switzerland's main government websites, including parliament and the federal administration, have been hit in recent days by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack claimed by the NoName group.

The undersea explosions, seven months into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on the pipelines between Russia and Germany occurred in the exclusive economic zones of Sweden and Denmark in the Baltic Sea. Both countries have concluded the blasts were deliberate, but have not said who might be responsible.