Russia has officially designated the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) as an 'undesirable organization,' effectively banning its operations within the country. The decision, announced by Russian authorities on Friday, means that HRW must cease all activities in Russia, and anyone cooperating with the group could face prosecution. HRW has long criticized Moscow for suppressing dissent and committing war crimes during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Executive Director Philippe Bolopion stated that HRW’s mission to uphold human rights in post-Soviet Russia has remained constant, but the government’s authoritarian policies and repression have sharply intensified. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on critics, journalists, and activists since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a related development, Russia’s Supreme Court also labeled the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, HRW monitors human rights abuses worldwide.

A 13-year-old girl in St Petersburg, Russia, allegedly killed her mother, Svetlana Cheglyakova, 46, after the woman confiscated her phone due to excessive social media use. Reports claim the teenager slit her mother’s throat, injured herself, and set fire to their apartment before initially claiming an intruder was responsible. Investigators later said she admitted to stabbing her mother following repeated arguments about her online activities and restrictions on her social life. Authorities suspect the girl may have reenacted violent scenarios she had previously role-played in online games such as Roblox. The child, who lived with her mother after her parents’ separation, is currently hospitalized. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a murder case, but due to her age, she cannot be criminally prosecuted under Russian law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Ukraine’s current government under Volodymyr Zelensky 'illegitimate', arguing that any peace negotiations with Kyiv are now meaningless. Speaking after a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin stated that Zelensky’s term has expired without elections, rendering his administration invalid. Kyiv, however, maintains that elections cannot be held under martial law amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Putin also dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan as merely a set of discussion points rather than a draft peace deal. He reiterated that Russia would halt its military operations only if Ukrainian forces withdraw from all contested territories, including regions not under Russian control. Putin further emphasized that Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions and prevent Western military presence. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow next week, while U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may travel to Kyiv, signaling continued diplomatic engagement despite escalating rhetoric.

Russia has expressed its gratitude to Turkey for its continued mediation role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict resolution process. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that Moscow highly values Ankara’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between the warring sides. His remarks followed a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which both leaders discussed the nearly three-and-a-half-year-long war along with various regional and international issues. Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to pursuing a fair and lasting peace, emphasizing Ankara’s readiness to contribute diplomatically and facilitate direct negotiations. Since the start of the war, Turkey has positioned itself as a key diplomatic hub for talks between Russia and Ukraine. Istanbul has hosted several rounds of peace discussions this year, leading to significant outcomes such as prisoner exchanges and the exchange of draft peace documents, underscoring Turkey’s active role in promoting dialogue and stability in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the United States’ proposed peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting with his security cabinet, Putin said Moscow has received the 28-point proposal and is willing to show flexibility, but remains ready to continue fighting if Kyiv rejects it. He criticized Ukraine and its European allies for being under the illusion that Russia can be strategically defeated on the battlefield. The plan, described by Putin as an updated version of discussions held with US President Donald Trump before their planned Alaska summit in August, has reportedly been accepted by Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump has given Ukraine until Thursday to accept the US peace proposal, insisting that Kyiv must agree to it. The development highlights renewed diplomatic maneuvering amid ongoing hostilities and differing expectations between Moscow, Kyiv, and Western capitals.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused Western nations of pursuing policies in Ukraine reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s plans to annihilate Slavic populations. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Zakharova claimed that Western powers are not only using Ukraine as a tool to pressure Russia but also harbor intentions to destroy the Ukrainian people. She argued that similar ideas existed 85 years ago and compared current Western actions to the spread of Nazism and fascism in Ukraine during World War II. Zakharova further alleged that the West does not want an independent Ukraine but rather a compliant one under its influence. She also criticized Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Petro Poroshenko, accusing them of betraying their nation. Zakharova urged Ukrainians to protect themselves and their families by any means necessary.

Russia has enacted a series of sweeping new laws aimed at strengthening domestic defences against Ukrainian drone attacks and sabotage operations, signalling the Kremlin’s preparation for a prolonged conflict. President Vladimir Putin authorised the deployment of reservists to guard critical energy infrastructure, including refineries repeatedly hit by Ukrainian drones, without declaring a new mobilisation. The measures also include tighter penalties for sabotage, with life sentences for those involving minors and the lowering of the criminal responsibility age to 14. Additionally, new electronic restrictions such as a 24-hour mobile network blackout for returning travellers have been introduced to prevent drones from exploiting civilian networks. Analysts say these steps reflect Moscow’s growing anxiety over Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory and its effort to condition the public for a semi-militarised existence. Despite official claims of openness to peace talks, Russia shows no sign of de-escalation, while domestic propaganda urges citizens to accept greater sacrifices amid economic stagnation and Western sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation focused on key Middle East issues, the Kremlin announced. The discussion covered the ongoing situation in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program, and developments in Syria. According to the Kremlin, Putin initiated the call, while Netanyahu’s office confirmed it was part of a series of recent communications between the two leaders. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office described the talks as addressing regional matters but did not provide further details. The conversation reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Jerusalem amid heightened tensions and shifting alliances in the Middle East. Both leaders have maintained periodic contact to coordinate positions on regional security and strategic concerns, particularly regarding Iran and Syria, where Russia plays a major role.

A senior Ukrainian intelligence official has claimed that Russia intends to manufacture up to 120,000 glide bombs in 2025, including 500 new long-range models capable of reaching targets up to 200 kilometers away. Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, said Russia is currently firing 200–250 glide bombs daily, a sharp increase from previous months. The weapons, cheaper and more abundant than missiles, have caused widespread destruction in Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv and Kherson. Skibitskyi also estimated that Russia will produce about 70,000 long-range drones this year, including 30,000 Shahed models used to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He warned that these developments pose a growing threat, allowing Russia to strike deep into Ukrainian territory without crossing front lines. Skibitskyi further noted that North Korea has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells since 2023 but that deliveries have recently declined as Pyongyang’s stockpiles dwindle. North Korea has also begun producing its own battlefield drones, reportedly learning from the conflict.

Russia has temporarily suspended around 2% of its global oil supply following a Ukrainian strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, a key Black Sea port in Krasnodar Krai. The attack caused fires and damage to coastal facilities, leading to a halt in exports of approximately 2.2 million barrels per day, according to Reuters. Local authorities confirmed that a civilian vessel was also hit, injuring three crew members. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Novorossiysk due to its strategic importance to Russia’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv considers Russian oil refineries and petrochemical plants legitimate military targets, arguing they fund Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that Russia’s oil production and refining have declined this year, with projected losses of at least US$37 billion in oil and gas revenues. The strike coincided with a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv that killed six people and injured 14 others.

Russia’s first domestically produced AI-powered humanoid robot, named AIdol, fell during its public debut at a Moscow tech showcase, highlighting the country’s struggles in robotics amid Western sanctions. The robot, developed by startup Idol, lost balance shortly after walking onstage and was quickly removed by event staff. CEO Vladimir Vitukhin attributed the mishap to calibration issues caused by lighting interference with the robot’s stereo cameras. Despite the fall, AIdol reportedly sustained no damage and later stood upright with assistance. The robot can walk, manipulate objects, and communicate for up to six hours autonomously, with 77% of its components made in Russia. Idol aims to increase domestic content to 93% in future production. The incident underscores Russia’s lag behind global leaders like the U.S. and China in advanced robotics and AI development.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that Western powers’ efforts to strategically defeat and divide Russia have completely failed. Speaking at a Council on Interethnic Relations meeting on Wednesday, Putin said that so-called international organizations and “pseudo-national centers” operating outside Russia are in fact tools of an ongoing information war against the country. These groups, he claimed, are promoting the idea of “decolonizing Russia” — an attempt to fragment the Russian Federation and push it toward so-called “strategic defeat.”

Putin accused these organizations of advancing the concept of a “post-Russia,” portraying the nation as divided and deprived of sovereignty. He warned that provocations aimed at sowing discord among Russian citizens must stop immediately, alleging that many such operations are orchestrated by foreign intelligence services.

According to Putin, Russia’s adversaries exploit various social and political issues — including migration and daily events — to inflame tensions, even using extremist groups that employ terrorist tactics. Despite centuries of Western attempts to destabilize Russia, he emphasized, all such efforts have failed. Putin also supported the proposal to designate 2026 as the “Year of Unity of Russia’s Peoples,” reaffirming the nation’s resilience and cohesion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his ministers and security officials to prepare proposals for possible nuclear weapons testing, warning the United States of a reciprocal response if it resumes nuclear tests. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent order to lift the 1992 moratorium on nuclear testing and instruct the Pentagon to restart tests immediately.

During a Security Council meeting on November 5, Putin said that if the U.S. or any signatory of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty resumes testing, Russia will be compelled to respond in kind. He instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, and civilian institutions to collect information and develop coordinated plans prioritizing nuclear readiness.

Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that the U.S. move significantly heightens the military threat to Russia, emphasizing the need to maintain Russia’s nuclear deterrence. Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov also warned that delaying action could cost Russia its strategic advantage.

Analysts say the renewed nuclear testing rhetoric between Moscow and Washington—both major nuclear powers—marks a dangerous escalation, threatening to further undermine global arms control efforts already weakened by geopolitical tensions over the Ukraine war and sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially annulled the long-suspended plutonium disposal agreement with the United States by signing a new law on October 27. The agreement, originally signed in 2000, required both nations to eliminate 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium each — enough to make about 17,000 nuclear warheads — in a way that made it unusable for military purposes. Russia had already suspended the deal in 2016, accusing Washington of violating the terms by adopting an alternative plutonium disposal method. Moscow also cited U.S. “hostile actions” and NATO’s expansion as reasons for the final withdrawal. Analysts warn that the move marks another blow to the fragile framework of nuclear disarmament and may escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington, especially as the New START treaty approaches its 2026 expiry, raising concerns over renewed nuclear arms competition and global security instability.

Russia has successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik, President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday. The test, completed on Tuesday, marks a major milestone in Russia’s advanced weapons program. According to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the missile covered approximately 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) and stayed airborne for 15 hours. Putin hailed the missile as a “truly unique weapon” that no other nation possesses, highlighting the country’s growing technological and military prowess. Burevestnik, known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, first drew attention in 2019 after a failed test caused fatalities in the Arctic. Analysts say the latest success strengthens Russia’s long-range strike capability and advances its nuclear modernization efforts amid rising global tensions.