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The Insider is a Russia-focused, independent media outlet. We're fully committed to investigative journalism and to debunking fake news.
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Schengen echo chamber: The EU’s new visa restrictions will hit vulnerable Russians without actually enhancing the bloc’s security
International law scholar Gleb Bogush weighs in on the much-debated ban on multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens.
International law scholar Gleb Bogush weighs in on the much-debated ban on multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens.
Schengen echo chamber: The EU’s new visa restrictions will hit vulnerable Russians without actually enhancing the bloc’s security
Under a Nov. 6 decision by the European Commission, most Russian passport holders will no longer be issued multiple-entry Schengen visas when applying at consulates located in Russia. EU member states...
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Schengen echo chamber: The EU’s new visa restrictions will hit vulnerable Russians without actually enhancing the bloc’s security
International law scholar Gleb Bogush weighs in on the much-debated ban on multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens.
International law scholar Gleb Bogush weighs in on the much-debated ban on multi-entry Schengen visas for the majority of Russian citizens.
No place of refuge: Germany’s tougher migration policy hits Russian and Belarusian dissidents
The Insider examines the background, scale and impact of Berlin’s tougher approach to migration on those facing political persecution at home.
The Insider examines the background, scale and impact of Berlin’s tougher approach to migration on those facing political persecution at home.
No place of refuge: Germany’s tougher migration policy hits Russian and Belarusian dissidents
In August 2019, Chechen-Georgian field commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili was assassinated by a Russian hitman in Berlin; in late October 2025, the family of Khangoshvili’s brother was deported from Ger...
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
No place of refuge: Germany’s tougher migration policy hits Russian and Belarusian dissidents
The Insider examines the background, scale and impact of Berlin’s tougher approach to migration on those facing political persecution at home.
The Insider examines the background, scale and impact of Berlin’s tougher approach to migration on those facing political persecution at home.
Poland to shut down Russian consulate in Gdańsk, Moscow’s last in the country, after railway sabotage
PM Donald Tusk said yesterday that the Nov. 16 railway explosion was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens on instructions from Russian intelligence.
PM Donald Tusk said yesterday that the Nov. 16 railway explosion was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens on instructions from Russian intelligence.
Poland to shut down Russian consulate in Gdańsk, Moscow’s last in the country, after railway sabotage
Poland has decided to close the Russian Consulate General in Gdańsk, Reuters reports, citing Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. Sikorski said Warsaw’s consent for the consulate’s operation wil...
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Poland to shut down Russian consulate in Gdańsk, Moscow’s last in the country, after railway sabotage
PM Donald Tusk said yesterday that the Nov. 16 railway explosion was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens on instructions from Russian intelligence.
PM Donald Tusk said yesterday that the Nov. 16 railway explosion was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens on instructions from Russian intelligence.
Russian spy ship Yantar uses lasers against Royal Air Force pilots off the coast of Scotland
The Insider reviewed recent Royal Air Force flight paths using Flightradar and found that the aircraft were most likely tracking the Yantar’s movements.
The Insider reviewed recent Royal Air Force flight paths using Flightradar and found that the aircraft were most likely tracking the Yantar’s movements.
Russian spy ship Yantar uses lasers against Royal Air Force pilots off the coast of Scotland
The Russian spy ship Yantar has once again approached British waters off the coast of Scotland, using laser pointers against British reconnaissance aircraft pilots who were monitoring its activities
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Russian spy ship Yantar uses lasers against Royal Air Force pilots off the coast of Scotland
The Insider reviewed recent Royal Air Force flight paths using Flightradar and found that the aircraft were most likely tracking the Yantar’s movements.
The Insider reviewed recent Royal Air Force flight paths using Flightradar and found that the aircraft were most likely tracking the Yantar’s movements.
Death toll from Russian overnight attack on Ternopil rises to 25, including three children
Another 73 people were injured, including 15 children, according to the latest data from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Another 73 people were injured, including 15 children, according to the latest data from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Death toll from Russian overnight attack on Ternopil rises to 25, including three children
The death toll from a massive overnight strike by Russian forces on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil has risen to 25, according to a report by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Three child...
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Death toll from Russian overnight attack on Ternopil rises to 25, including three children
Another 73 people were injured, including 15 children, according to the latest data from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Another 73 people were injured, including 15 children, according to the latest data from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s General Staff says it used ATACMS ballistic missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time since spring
The Pentagon blocked Kyiv's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for months, effectively halting the use of ATACMS.
The Pentagon blocked Kyiv's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for months, effectively halting the use of ATACMS.
Ukraine’s General Staff says it used ATACMS ballistic missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time since spring
In a statement released on Nov. 18, Ukraine’s General Staff said it successfully used ATACMS ballistic missiles to hit military targets inside Russia’s internationally recognized territory.
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Ukraine’s General Staff says it used ATACMS ballistic missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time since spring
The Pentagon blocked Kyiv's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for months, effectively halting the use of ATACMS.
The Pentagon blocked Kyiv's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia for months, effectively halting the use of ATACMS.
Russia adds Ukrainian company behind S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series to its list of “undesirable organizations”
Prosecutors in Moscow said GSC Game World “financially supports the Ukrainian military” and releases games containing “aggressive, Russophobic content.”
Prosecutors in Moscow said GSC Game World “financially supports the Ukrainian military” and releases games containing “aggressive, Russophobic content.”
Russia adds Ukrainian company behind S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series to its list of “undesirable organizations”
GSC Game World, the Ukrainian developer behind the cult video game series S.T.A.L.K.E.R., has been added to the Russian government’s list of “undesirable organizations,” as per a press release issued ...
theins.press
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Russia adds Ukrainian company behind S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series to its list of “undesirable organizations”
Prosecutors in Moscow said GSC Game World “financially supports the Ukrainian military” and releases games containing “aggressive, Russophobic content.”
Prosecutors in Moscow said GSC Game World “financially supports the Ukrainian military” and releases games containing “aggressive, Russophobic content.”
Xi and I are gonna live forever: Why Vladimir Putin’s quest to survive for 150 years is dead on arrival
Xi and I are gonna live forever: Why Vladimir Putin’s quest to survive for 150 years is dead on arrival
In November, the Chinese startup Lonvi Biosciences announced the development of anti-aging pills that it said would allow people to live to 150. The remarks by company head Liu Qinghua came a few week...
theins.ru
November 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Xi and I are gonna live forever: Why Vladimir Putin’s quest to survive for 150 years is dead on arrival
Call center redemption: Why a former Russian prison guard’s captivity at a rogue telemarketing outpost had nothing to do with Ukraine
“Our people painted it as if they risked their lives, but that wasn’t how it happened,” a source in the GRU explains.
“Our people painted it as if they risked their lives, but that wasn’t how it happened,” a source in the GRU explains.
Call center redemption: Why a former Russian prison guard’s captivity at a rogue telemarketing outpost had nothing to do with Ukraine
In October, Russian pro-government media outlets started circulating a dramatic story about Dashima Ochirnimaeva, a former lieutenant with the country’s Federal Penitentiary Service who went to Thaila...
theins.press
November 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Call center redemption: Why a former Russian prison guard’s captivity at a rogue telemarketing outpost had nothing to do with Ukraine
“Our people painted it as if they risked their lives, but that wasn’t how it happened,” a source in the GRU explains.
“Our people painted it as if they risked their lives, but that wasn’t how it happened,” a source in the GRU explains.
Polish PM Donald Tusk confirms recent railway sabotage was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens acting on orders from Russia
One was convicted for sabotage in Lviv, while the other is a resident of Donbas. Both entered Poland from Belarus.
One was convicted for sabotage in Lviv, while the other is a resident of Donbas. Both entered Poland from Belarus.
Polish PM Donald Tusk confirms recent railway sabotage was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens acting on orders from Russia
Polish authorities suspect Russia of organizing an incident of railway sabotage that was carried out on Nov. 16. According to a report from Polsat News, Prime Minister Donald Tusk informed the country...
theins.press
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Polish PM Donald Tusk confirms recent railway sabotage was carried out by two Ukrainian citizens acting on orders from Russia
One was convicted for sabotage in Lviv, while the other is a resident of Donbas. Both entered Poland from Belarus.
One was convicted for sabotage in Lviv, while the other is a resident of Donbas. Both entered Poland from Belarus.
Sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil “having the intended effect” of reducing Russia’s revenues, U.S. Treasury says
According to Russia’s own Ministry of Finance, oil and gas revenues totaled $92.6 billion from Jan to Oct 2025, down 21.4% year on year.
According to Russia’s own Ministry of Finance, oil and gas revenues totaled $92.6 billion from Jan to Oct 2025, down 21.4% year on year.
Sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil “having the intended effect” of reducing Russia’s revenues, U.S. Treasury says
The U
theins.press
November 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil “having the intended effect” of reducing Russia’s revenues, U.S. Treasury says
According to Russia’s own Ministry of Finance, oil and gas revenues totaled $92.6 billion from Jan to Oct 2025, down 21.4% year on year.
According to Russia’s own Ministry of Finance, oil and gas revenues totaled $92.6 billion from Jan to Oct 2025, down 21.4% year on year.
High-profile abduction of Uzbek banker in Paris was likely staged, investigation shows
A joint probe by L’Express (@lexpress.fr) and The Insider has uncovered numerous contradictions in Kakhramonjon Olimov’s story.
A joint probe by L’Express (@lexpress.fr) and The Insider has uncovered numerous contradictions in Kakhramonjon Olimov’s story.
High-profile abduction of Uzbek banker in Paris was likely staged, investigation shows
In the summer of 2025, Uzbek banker Kakhramonjon Olimov claimed he had been kidnapped and tortured in France, saying the attackers’ goal was to extract a $10 million ransom
theins.press
November 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
High-profile abduction of Uzbek banker in Paris was likely staged, investigation shows
A joint probe by L’Express (@lexpress.fr) and The Insider has uncovered numerous contradictions in Kakhramonjon Olimov’s story.
A joint probe by L’Express (@lexpress.fr) and The Insider has uncovered numerous contradictions in Kakhramonjon Olimov’s story.
Russia plans to spend over $12 million on developing “war tourism” in occupied eastern Ukraine
In May, Vladimir Putin called the Russian-occupied Donbas war zone “fertile ground for the development of tourism.”
In May, Vladimir Putin called the Russian-occupied Donbas war zone “fertile ground for the development of tourism.”
Russia plans to spend over $12 million on developing “war tourism” in occupied eastern Ukraine
The administration of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” — an occupation authority installed by Moscow in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region — plans to invest more than 1 billion rubles (close to $12.3 m...
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Russia plans to spend over $12 million on developing “war tourism” in occupied eastern Ukraine
In May, Vladimir Putin called the Russian-occupied Donbas war zone “fertile ground for the development of tourism.”
In May, Vladimir Putin called the Russian-occupied Donbas war zone “fertile ground for the development of tourism.”
Greenland and Faroe Islands plan new communication cables amid fears of Russian sabotage
The remoteness and low population density of the islands leave them particularly exposed to the hybrid threats that have appeared across Europe in recent months.
The remoteness and low population density of the islands leave them particularly exposed to the hybrid threats that have appeared across Europe in recent months.
Greenland and Faroe Islands plan new communication cables amid fears of Russian sabotage
Authorities in territories across the North Atlantic have warned that the threat of hybrid warfare, including potential sabotage of undersea communication cables by Russia and others, is moving from t...
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Greenland and Faroe Islands plan new communication cables amid fears of Russian sabotage
The remoteness and low population density of the islands leave them particularly exposed to the hybrid threats that have appeared across Europe in recent months.
The remoteness and low population density of the islands leave them particularly exposed to the hybrid threats that have appeared across Europe in recent months.
Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich announces “contest” encouraging fighters to execute Ukrainian POWs
The “contest” offers cryptocurrency rewards to fighters who send Rusich photos of Ukrainian POWs murdered via extrajudicial execution.
The “contest” offers cryptocurrency rewards to fighters who send Rusich photos of Ukrainian POWs murdered via extrajudicial execution.
Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich announces “contest” encouraging fighters to execute Ukrainian POWs
The neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich, which fights alongside Russia’s armed forces in Ukraine, has publicly announced a “contest” offering cryptocurrency rewards to fighters who send photographs of ...
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich announces “contest” encouraging fighters to execute Ukrainian POWs
The “contest” offers cryptocurrency rewards to fighters who send Rusich photos of Ukrainian POWs murdered via extrajudicial execution.
The “contest” offers cryptocurrency rewards to fighters who send Rusich photos of Ukrainian POWs murdered via extrajudicial execution.
Russian universities are hiring Egyptian researchers to artificially inflate publication statistics, T-Invariant reports
This allows universities to generate a higher number of scientific publications in an effort to receive increased state funding.
This allows universities to generate a higher number of scientific publications in an effort to receive increased state funding.
Russian universities are hiring Egyptian researchers to artificially inflate publication statistics, T-Invariant reports
Russian higher education establishments are partnering with Egyptian researchers in order to artificially boost their tally of academic publications
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Russian universities are hiring Egyptian researchers to artificially inflate publication statistics, T-Invariant reports
This allows universities to generate a higher number of scientific publications in an effort to receive increased state funding.
This allows universities to generate a higher number of scientific publications in an effort to receive increased state funding.
Section of railway track damaged near Warsaw, Polish PM Tusk confirms sabotage
“This route is crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine. We will catch the perpetrators, whoever they are,” Tusk wrote on X.
“This route is crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine. We will catch the perpetrators, whoever they are,” Tusk wrote on X.
Section of railway track damaged near Warsaw, Polish PM Tusk confirms sabotage
On Nov
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Section of railway track damaged near Warsaw, Polish PM Tusk confirms sabotage
“This route is crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine. We will catch the perpetrators, whoever they are,” Tusk wrote on X.
“This route is crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine. We will catch the perpetrators, whoever they are,” Tusk wrote on X.
A matter of revenge? Trump is weaponizing criminal prosecutions against his opponents
Some of these cases have already led to high-profile resignations of career prosecutors, who said the president’s actions were politically motivated.
Some of these cases have already led to high-profile resignations of career prosecutors, who said the president’s actions were politically motivated.
A matter of revenge? Trump is weaponizing criminal prosecutions against his opponents
The Trump administration has launched several criminal cases against prominent critics of the president while simultaneously carrying out purges within the federal prosecutor’s office and the FBI. Tru...
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
A matter of revenge? Trump is weaponizing criminal prosecutions against his opponents
Some of these cases have already led to high-profile resignations of career prosecutors, who said the president’s actions were politically motivated.
Some of these cases have already led to high-profile resignations of career prosecutors, who said the president’s actions were politically motivated.
Frozen hopes: Europe’s reluctance to approve a loan program backed by Russian funds has left the Ukrainian budget on the brink of a crisis
Frozen hopes: Europe’s reluctance to approve a loan program backed by Russian funds has left the Ukrainian budget on the brink of a crisis
Kyiv urgently needs 140 billion euros, but its Western partners have yet to agree on where the money should come from. Belgium is blocking the use of frozen Russian assets, meaning the aid will have t...
theins.press
November 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Frozen hopes: Europe’s reluctance to approve a loan program backed by Russian funds has left the Ukrainian budget on the brink of a crisis
FSB tries to spin new fake claiming it foiled British-Ukrainian “intelligence plot” to hijack MiG-31 jet armed with Kinzhal missile
The “operation” described by the FSB and detailed by state-run media was contradicted by Russia’s own military experts.
The “operation” described by the FSB and detailed by state-run media was contradicted by Russia’s own military experts.
FSB tries to spin new fake claiming it foiled British-Ukrainian “intelligence plot” to hijack MiG-31 jet armed with Kinzhal missile
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) recently released a statement about its latest outstanding “success,” claiming to have “uncovered and thwarted” a British-Ukrainian operation to “steal a Russia...
theins.press
November 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
FSB tries to spin new fake claiming it foiled British-Ukrainian “intelligence plot” to hijack MiG-31 jet armed with Kinzhal missile
The “operation” described by the FSB and detailed by state-run media was contradicted by Russia’s own military experts.
The “operation” described by the FSB and detailed by state-run media was contradicted by Russia’s own military experts.
Cold calculations: The Kremlin is trying to leave Ukrainians without power in winter once more
Russia is mounting yet another campaign against Ukraine’s energy network ahead of winter, this time aiming to split the power grid into isolated sections and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
Russia is mounting yet another campaign against Ukraine’s energy network ahead of winter, this time aiming to split the power grid into isolated sections and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
Cold calculations: The Kremlin is trying to leave Ukrainians without power in winter once more
In the early hours of Oct. 30, 2025, a massive Russian air assault targeted four major power facilities across Ukraine — the Dobrotvir Thermal Power Plant in the Lviv Region, the Burshtyn and Kalush c...
theins.press
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Cold calculations: The Kremlin is trying to leave Ukrainians without power in winter once more
Russia is mounting yet another campaign against Ukraine’s energy network ahead of winter, this time aiming to split the power grid into isolated sections and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
Russia is mounting yet another campaign against Ukraine’s energy network ahead of winter, this time aiming to split the power grid into isolated sections and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
If not Hamas, then who: The terrorist group remains a dominant force in the Gaza Strip
Given the current balance of power, Gaza is unlikely to become safe, let alone prosperous, anytime in the foreseeable future.
Given the current balance of power, Gaza is unlikely to become safe, let alone prosperous, anytime in the foreseeable future.
If not Hamas, then who: The terrorist group remains a dominant force in the Gaza Strip
The fragile truce established in Gaza has not ended the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave, where hunger and disease remain rampant. As for Hamas, the terrorist group has proven strong enough to ...
theins.press
November 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
If not Hamas, then who: The terrorist group remains a dominant force in the Gaza Strip
Given the current balance of power, Gaza is unlikely to become safe, let alone prosperous, anytime in the foreseeable future.
Given the current balance of power, Gaza is unlikely to become safe, let alone prosperous, anytime in the foreseeable future.
Russia’s seaborne oil exports fall to three-month low as Moscow restructures logistics after new U.S. sanctions
Shipping costs for Russian crude have also continued to rise, going up by roughly 3.7% over the previous week across nearly all major routes.
Shipping costs for Russian crude have also continued to rise, going up by roughly 3.7% over the previous week across nearly all major routes.
Russia’s seaborne oil exports fall to three-month low as Moscow restructures logistics after new U.S. sanctions
Amid an emergency restructuring of logistics being carried out in response to U.S. sanctions, Russia’s seaborne crude oil exports have fallen to their lowest level in nearly three months, Kommersant r...
theins.press
November 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Russia’s seaborne oil exports fall to three-month low as Moscow restructures logistics after new U.S. sanctions
Shipping costs for Russian crude have also continued to rise, going up by roughly 3.7% over the previous week across nearly all major routes.
Shipping costs for Russian crude have also continued to rise, going up by roughly 3.7% over the previous week across nearly all major routes.
Transneft halts oil pumping to Russian port of Novorossiysk after Ukrainian drone strikes as city declares state of emergency
Clips posted by OSINT projects also showed strikes on Russian air defense systems stationed in the area.
Clips posted by OSINT projects also showed strikes on Russian air defense systems stationed in the area.
Transneft halts oil pumping to Russian port of Novorossiysk after Ukrainian drone strikes as city declares state of emergency
Oil-loading facilities at the port of Novorossiysk came under drone attack overnight on Nov. 13-14, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the city. According to Reuters, Transneft h...
theins.press
November 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Transneft halts oil pumping to Russian port of Novorossiysk after Ukrainian drone strikes as city declares state of emergency
Clips posted by OSINT projects also showed strikes on Russian air defense systems stationed in the area.
Clips posted by OSINT projects also showed strikes on Russian air defense systems stationed in the area.
Thousands of children with diabetes lose parental glucose monitoring due to internet shutdowns in Russia
As Russia blocks mobile internet to counter drone threats, parents are losing access to apps that monitor their diabetic children's blood-sugar levels.
As Russia blocks mobile internet to counter drone threats, parents are losing access to apps that monitor their diabetic children's blood-sugar levels.
Thousands of children with diabetes lose parental glucose monitoring due to internet shutdowns in Russia
Constant mobile internet shutdowns in Russia have left parents of children with Type 1 diabetes unable to remotely monitor their children’s blood glucose levels. On Nov. 11, mobile internet blackouts ...
theins.press
November 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Thousands of children with diabetes lose parental glucose monitoring due to internet shutdowns in Russia
As Russia blocks mobile internet to counter drone threats, parents are losing access to apps that monitor their diabetic children's blood-sugar levels.
As Russia blocks mobile internet to counter drone threats, parents are losing access to apps that monitor their diabetic children's blood-sugar levels.