Russian and U.S. officials on Tuesday held their first direct talks since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with delegates from both sides striking a positive tone while downplaying the chances of an immediate breakthrough in Ukraine peace negotiations.

“Not bad, I think,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told state broadcaster Channel One when

A Ukrainian drone attack on a major oil pipeline in southern Russia could reduce export volumes by almost a third over the next two months, Russia's state pipeline operator said Tuesday.

On Monday, explosive-packed drones hit a pumping station of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which carries Kazakh oil across southern Russia for export via the

Russia has posted its largest budget deficit in three years while depleting its rainy day fund by 57% since the start of the war.

However, analysts say the Kremlin still has enough resources to cannibalize the civilian economy to support its war spending, at least for 2025.

Where does Russia’s budget stand? 

Russia posted a budget deficit of 3.49