The hottest Russia Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

The long-term political consequences of Mr. Putin

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 2053 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The war severed long-standing economic and cultural ties between Russia and Europe, hurting trade and intellectual exchange; Russia’s pivot to Asia and the Global South may blunt some of the economic pain.
  2. NATO has moved closer to Russia’s borders and Western states have frozen or seized large Russian assets, weakening Russia’s security position and national wealth.
  3. The conflict has forged a strong Ukrainian national identity and deep anti‑Russian sentiment, making genuine reconciliation unlikely for many years.

Weekend Update #173: Ukraine Liberates Hundreds Of Square Kilometres, What Might It Mean?

Phillips’s Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Ukraine says it liberated about 300 square kilometres in the south, but that may mostly be clearing small Russian infiltration units rather than one big counterattack, and maps often lag real gains.
  2. US‑brokered talks look increasingly performative — negotiators walked out after a short time, Ukrainians feel pressured to cede land, and European leaders are pushing for a more serious, independent role.
  3. Ukraine used FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missiles to strike deep inside Russia at a major missile factory, showing growing long‑range strike ability and a focus on degrading Russian missile production rather than relying only on scarce air defenses.

I Wrote a Novel About War. Now I’m Watching It Unfold in Iran.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 134 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
🌐 International Russia
  1. Scenarios once written as fiction—Russian warships operating near Iran, hypersonic threats to U.S. carriers, and a regime desperate to survive—are now playing out in reality.
  2. Sudden events like the drone strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani can rapidly upend strategic assumptions and force analysts to rewrite their plans.
  3. Collaborating with experienced military thinkers can help fiction anticipate real crises, highlighting how fragile and fast-changing international security has become.

American Far-right Fairy Tales About Russia

Erik Examines • 1209 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Russia
  1. The American far right romanticizes Russia as a defender of white Christian identity, but that image is driven more by macho symbolism and political fantasy than by reality.
  2. Military success depends on training, organization, and practiced skills rather than on tough-guy looks or propaganda, so smaller well-prepared forces can beat larger showy ones.
  3. Russia’s ethnic, religious, and demographic trends—rising Muslim shares, low fertility, and low regular religious practice—undermine the idea that it’s a stable white Christian bastion.

The Ukraine war is ultimately about Poland

Noahpinion • 36647 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is deeply tied to Russia's historical rivalry with Poland and its desire to extend its influence over East Europe.
  2. Ethnic imperialism, where a country seeks to dominate a region due to linguistic and cultural similarities, is a core motivation behind Russia's actions in Ukraine.
  3. Poland's economic success and strategic autonomy pose a threat to Russia's dominance in East Europe, fueling Putin's desire to maintain control and influence in the region.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

China Plays Putin

Diane Francis • 1019 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The G7 has imposed sanctions on Russia, leading to economic troubles for them. Russians are struggling to buy dollars because of this.
  2. Ukraine is strengthening its security by signing deals with the U.S. and NATO countries, aiming to become a NATO member soon.
  3. China is benefiting from Russia's situation by buying cheap Russian oil and selling them consumer goods, making Russia more dependent on China.

Left in the dark

Comment is Freed • 99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Modern battlefield operations depend heavily on continuous connectivity—commanders use live feeds, target data, and smartphones to coordinate artillery, drones, and unit movements, so losing that connection can be catastrophic.
  2. Russia recently lost access to thousands of unauthorized Starlink terminals and suffered deliberate degradation of Telegram, disrupting troop communications and slowing information flow; those disruptions have already hindered Russian operations and opened opportunities for a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
  3. This episode is a real-world test of how a military adapts when cut off from internet-based systems, and it exposes weaknesses in Russia’s reliance on improvised, unofficial connectivity solutions.

Russia Rattled

Diane Francis • 1218 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. A high-ranking Russian official, Timur Ivanov, was arrested for accepting big bribes, which surprises many given the usual corruption in the system.
  2. The arrest raises questions about why it was so public and if it's a sign of a power struggle within the Kremlin.
  3. Many people welcomed this arrest as a sign of accountability, even if it might just be a distraction from bigger issues.

Chickens in the Middle East [i]

Black Mountain Analysis • 2397 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Main actors in the Middle East are engaging in a high-stakes game of conflict and negotiation.
  2. Iran controls the Axis of Resistance, a strategic plan involving specialized forces across the region.
  3. Tensions are escalating, with potential for severe consequences if conflicts in the Middle East worsen.

The Summer of Fraying Threads

imetatronink • 4618 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The empire's proxy war in Ukraine is a lost cause, and Russia will emerge stronger from it.
  2. China, along with Russia and Iran, is rejecting the 'rules-based international order' imposed by the US.
  3. We are at a pivotal moment in history as the first global empire is in rapid decline.

Little Stick

imetatronink • 3262 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Article 5 in NATO is not as effective in practice as it may seem in theory.
  2. Despite being part of NATO, many countries may not be willing or able to engage in real war situations.
  3. A potential conflict with Russia could have significant repercussions on global politics and military strength.

In for a Pound

imetatronink • 2908 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The article discusses the concept of 'In for a penny, in for a pound,' emphasizing finishing what was started.
  2. It critiques the idea of partitioning Ukraine between NATO and Russia as geopolitically incoherent.
  3. Putin's resolve in achieving his stated objectives in the Ukraine conflict is highlighted.

Russia is not actually a very nice place to live

Noahpinion • 15882 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Moscow may not be as safe or developed as some other cities as perceived by a certain individual in comparison.
  2. There are concerns about the accuracy of Russia's reported murder rates, indicating potential underreporting for political reasons.
  3. American cities face challenges like disrepair, high crime rates, and inadequate public transit systems, highlighting the need for significant improvements.

The Object of War

imetatronink • 4107 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. In war, the focus should be on destroying the enemy army.
  2. The acquisition and retention of territory is not the primary measure of success in war.
  3. Effective warfare can involve fighting defensively to destroy enemy forces.

Is Ukraine's position improving? What's Russia's breaking point? Is House of Dynamite accurate?

Comment is Freed • 77 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Russian operations have slowed this year because of freezing weather, disruptions to key communications like Starlink, and manpower and quality problems, and recent failures undermine the idea of an inevitable Russian victory.
  2. The front is long and hard to track, but Ukrainian forces are on the offensive in roughly a quarter of engagements and could exploit thinly held Russian sectors, though Kyiv is likely to avoid a risky large-scale counteroffensive.
  3. Russia is deploying about 711,000 personnel in Ukraine with estimated daily losses of 1,000–1,100, making replacements difficult and forcing reliance on questionable recruits, which strains its fighting capacity.

Dispatch from the Front Line: We're back! Yay?

The Line • 2201 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Prime Minister Trudeau taking luxury vacations raises ethical and optics concerns.
  2. 2024 might see an American election dominated by Trump, influencing Canadian politics.
  3. The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine highlight global tensions and the need for support.

Last Stop Before Willoughby

imetatronink • 3400 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. A single-shot military could disarm the West for a decade after a serious campaign.
  2. The US would struggle to sustain a large, intense campaign similar to the one seen in Ukraine.
  3. Russian military capabilities have shown the ability to counter US strike missiles, posing a significant challenge.

Putin's Perfect Spy

Diane Francis • 939 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. A major scam involving Wirecard became a big spying scandal connecting Russia to Europe. A man named Jan Marsalek was at the center of this scheme.
  2. Marsalek used his position at Wirecard to sell secrets and financial data to Russia, while also committing fraud.
  3. He reportedly worked with intelligence officials and Russian operatives to spy on citizens and plan harmful operations.

Weekend Update #163: Ukraine Goes From Collapsing to Liberating Kupyansk

Phillips’s Newsletter • 326 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Ukraine’s recent push around Kupyansk shows it isn’t collapsing and can still mount quick, effective local counterattacks to blunt Russian advances.
  2. The current U.S. diplomatic approach appears to seek Russia’s reintegration without real penalties and to pressure Ukraine into concessions, creating a lopsided negotiation that favors Moscow.
  3. European reaction is shifting: many leaders are wary of the U.S. posture and the EU has moved to freeze Russian assets, indicating growing independent support for Ukraine.

Yes, Russia's Putin is 100 times, maybe 1000 times more intellectually capable and sound than President Joe Biden & the Tucker interview showed us this but folk like me always knew this! He loves his

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1474 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Putin is considered to be much more intellectually capable than President Joe Biden.
  2. Putin is portrayed as having a strong love for his nation, flag, border, and history.
  3. The post questions the notion of Russia allowing Ukraine to join NATO, drawing parallels to how America would react in a similar scenario.

Weekend Update #162: The Best Week Since November 5, 2024

Phillips’s Newsletter • 270 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The US has shifted toward accommodating Russia and is no longer committed to strongly defending Ukraine or European security. That shift suggests the US would accept a weaker, territorially reduced Ukrainian state.
  2. The Tomahawk episode was a deliberate public tease that made people believe the US would give Ukraine long-range strike weapons, but it was never a realistic policy and served to mislead European and Ukrainian leaders. That false hope distracted Europeans from mobilizing their own urgent support.
  3. Russia is conducting mass drone and missile attacks that cause major power outages while Ukraine struggles with limited air defenses and heavy fighting around places like Pokrovsk. European states need to urgently provide anti-air systems and long-range capabilities because US support is unreliable.

WMD, Part II: CIA "Cooked The Intelligence" To Hide That Russia Favored Clinton, Not Trump In 2016

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6976 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The CIA allegedly manipulated intelligence to hide that Russia favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
  2. Some CIA analysts believed that Russia had a comfortable relationship with Hillary Clinton, contrary to what was publicly declared.
  3. The intelligence report claiming Russian interference to benefit Trump and harm Clinton was deemed inaccurate and misled the public.

The Ukraine War

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 9 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The war is a large-scale, brutal conflict whose outcome will shape the global order, revealing Russian imperial ambitions and weaknesses in European and U.S. strategic responses.
  2. Ukraine has shown unexpected resilience and societal mobilization. The fighting has become attritional and adaptive, challenging pre-2022 assumptions about how modern wars unfold.
  3. A focused symposium with Vladislav Davidzon stresses preparation: participants must complete a short mandatory reading list and engage with pointed study questions to have a serious, informed discussion about the war’s character and likely end states.

The Bloomberg Story Demonstrated Just How Much Some People Will Make Excuses For Trump

Phillips’s Newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Russia
  1. Many people are making excuses for Trump's actions, even though his decisions can lead to serious consequences. This trend shows a refusal to hold him accountable for what he does.
  2. The conversation between Witkoff and a Russian adviser proves Trump was informed about ongoing negotiations. It suggests that he is actively involved and aware of the situation.
  3. Despite the troubling evidence, Trump continues to support people like Witkoff. This behavior reflects a pattern of surrounding himself with individuals who often act in ways that benefit Russian interests.

This Deal Is Trump's--It Has Always Been Trump's

Phillips’s Newsletter • 248 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Russia
  1. The recent deal is not just a random action; it clearly reflects Donald Trump's views and intentions. It's important to recognize that he was behind it from the start.
  2. Many in the media initially tried to distance Trump from this deal, but evidence shows he was involved and approved it ahead of time. This changes how we view his role in the situation.
  3. Trump's vision for peace seems to favor Russia while ignoring Ukraine's needs. This sheds light on his priorities and raises concerns about his approach to democracy and freedom.

Strategic Stability and Prospects for Nuclear War

Black Mountain Analysis • 1631 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. During the cold war, both superpowers had processes for mutual destruction in case of vital interests being jeopardized.
  2. Forward deploying nuclear weapons can lead to serious consequences and potential for rapid escalation.
  3. The American strategy to kick Russia out of the game failed, leading to potential retreat and focus on emerging world order.

World roundup: February 3-4 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 786 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The United States conducted airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and Syria, resulting in casualties and tension with the governments of those countries.
  2. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas is considering a ceasefire proposal while the Israeli military expands its operations in Gaza.
  3. President Macky Sall of Senegal postponed the country's presidential election, sparking protests and concerns about a potential self coup.

! Urgent update!

Black Mountain Analysis • 1454 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Reports suggest possible coup in Moscow by Prigozhin.
  2. Two scenarios: coup to unleash Russian army against Ukraine or a strategic deception operation.
  3. Escalation in Kosovo noted; hope for no coup to avoid triggering WW3.

United Russia

Black Mountain Analysis • 1395 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. A deal has been reached between Prigozhin and President Lukashenko of Belarus
  2. Prigozhin goes to exile to Belarus with his Wagner fighters
  3. Possible scenarios include cooperation with the West, Russian intelligence, or Prigozhin acting alone

Unmasking Russia

Unmasking Russia • 707 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. The newsletter 'Unmasking Russia' focuses on uncovering Russia's operations against democracies and human rights crimes.
  2. Expect weekly original content, curated news on Ukraine and Russia, and translations of investigations from 'Unmasking Russia'.
  3. For further support, readers can upgrade to a paid subscription to help the author continue their research and advocacy efforts.

The Trump Russian Oil Sanctions Con Is Collapsing

Phillips’s Newsletter • 138 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Russia
  1. Trump’s oil sanctions on Russia were largely a bluff and are now unraveling, showing they aren’t as powerful or effective as they were made out to be.
  2. Mainstream media and commentators amplified the deceptive story about those sanctions and have largely stayed silent instead of admitting they helped spread it.
  3. The situation highlights how establishment institutions often protect those in power and suggests Europeans should be cautious about following official American guidance without scrutiny.

Why is Russia winning?

kamilkazani • 864 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Russia
  1. Quantity of weaponry is a major factor in military victory
  2. Russian air defense production plays a crucial role in their military superiority
  3. Russian machining heavily relies on imported tools from Western countries