Russia in the 21st Century [Superthread]

[Kirkhill]

Another sign of Russia losing ....

Cyprus stating openly what everyone else has been saying since the PIIGS financial crisis of 2009-2014 when Cyprus was over-extended on Greek debt and imposed a 10% "haircut" on all its depositors. The banks became havens for Russian money laundering.

Cyprus is now choosing a different side - a not unusual situation for an island that has been inhabited and invaded for the best part of 15,000 years. What is remarkable is that Cyprus now feels free to make these changes.

No Russian presence in the Med any more?

Cyprus Admits Years of Russian Influence—and Details How It’s Cutting Moscow Off

Cyprus’ Foreign Minister highlighted a shift in policy away from Russian ties post-invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing reforms in economic and defense sectors.

united24media.com

Russian expat invasion of Cyprus also has sinister overtones

Many Russians have made their home on the holiday island, but the Putin regime seems to be reaching deep into the tiny nation

www.theguardian.com

Plan to seize deposits in Cyprus shocks savers across Europe | Globalnews.ca

<span style="font-size: 10pt;">A vote on a bailout package for Cyprus that includes an immediate tax on all savings accounts has been postponed until Tuesday evening.</span>

globalnews.ca

 

[The Bread Guy]

Lithuania nabs some alleged saboteurs.

Russia was behind attempted 2024 arson attack, Lithuania says

By Andrius Sytas VILNIUS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Lithuanian authorities accused Russia's GRU military intelligence service on Friday of masterminding attempted arson attacks on a plant that supplies radio

www.yahoo.com

Lithuania charges six suspects with ‘terrorism’ for targeting Ukraine military aid

Lithuania’s prosecutors have referred a criminal case to court in which six foreign nationals are accused of planning a ...

www.lrt.lt

 

[Kirkhill]

And also, while we are focused on Greenland and Venezuela

China and Russia in talks after halt to power supplies
China has stopped imports of electric power supplies from Russia, Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the situation and high prices, while Russia said it was ready to resume sales and talks were taking place.

Kremlin says Putin is mediating in Iran situation to try to de-escalate
President Vladimir Putin is mediating in the Iran situation to try to quickly de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said on Friday, after the Russian leader spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

More than 422,000 people signed contracts with Russian army in 2025, a drop from the previous year
Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday that 422,704 people had signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces last year, state news agencies reported.

Over 400,000 Russians killed, wounded for 0.8 percent of Ukraine in 2025

Ukraine’s General Staff estimated the tally - but Russian President Vladimir Putin appears bent on avoiding peace talks.

www.aljazeera.com

The Russia-Ukraine War Report Card, Dec. 23, 2025 | Russia Matters

www.russiamatters.org

Russia's losses in Ukraine rise faster than ever as US pushes for peace deal

A steep rise in soldiers' obituaries is documented by the BBC as part of its work in counting Russian war losses.

www.bbc.com

Iran is probably a lot more important this week than Greenland, Ukraine or Taiwan.

 

[Kirkhill]

Hiding behind the Cross - GRU nuns.

https://militarnyi.com/en/news/sweden-exposes-network-of-nuns-working-for-russian-intelligence/

In Sweden, nuns from 20 churches linked to the St. Elizabeth Monastery, according to journalists, worked for Russian intelligence and raised funds for Russian invasion forces under the guise of charitable activities.

The newspaper Metro reported on this.

The report says the revelations prompted the Church of Sweden, known for its openness and tolerance, to issue an official warning to other Catholic communities.


The warning concerns nuns from the St. Elizabeth Monastery, who in Sweden were informally dubbed “Z-nuns”.

According to the statement, the Sisters of St. Elizabeth used their income to support Russian nationalism and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and maintained close ties with the GRU.

Another level of deceit.
Another example of not playing by the rules, or, rather, exploiting our rules.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Hiding behind the Cross - GRU nuns.

https://militarnyi.com/en/news/sweden-exposes-network-of-nuns-working-for-russian-intelligence/

Another level of deceit.
Another example of not playing by the rules, or, rather, exploiting our rules.

Oh, but if true, it looks like the BLR Orthodox church IS playing by the rules - the rules set by Mother Russia's Orthodox Church re: support for the "war that dare not be called a war in USSR 2.0 lest one fall out of a window."

 

[Kirkhill]

Oh, but if true, it looks like the BLR Orthodox church IS playing by the rules - the rules set by Mother Russia's Orthodox Church re: support for the "war that dare not be called a war in USSR 2.0 lest one fall out of a window."

It isn't exactly a new gambit, is it?