Ukraine: The Latest Putin forced to slash budgets after oil price fall & precision strikes batter Russian infrastructure
May 23, 2025
Jade McGlynn, a War Studies expert at King's College, and Vadym Granovskiy, a Ukrainian coffee shop owner and charity creator, share their insights on resilience in Ukraine. They discuss the impactful role of drone warfare and resistance activities in occupied areas. Vadym highlights his initiative to boost the morale of soldiers with quality coffee, blending culture and survival. The conversation wraps up with a fun segment about Ukrainian coffee's significance and a unique recipe, illustrating how even amid conflict, community and culture thrive.
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Ukraine's Effective Drone Pressure
- Ukraine's drone strikes have forced multiple airport closures in Moscow, showing increased pressure within Russia beyond the Donbass region.
- Drones are now a key tactic used to clear paths for limited Russian ground troop advances, reflecting a strategic shift to positional warfare.
Russia's Budget Cuts From Oil Fall
- Russia is cutting budgets on key industries due to oil price drops impacting state revenues.
- Aviation, robotics, and tech development programs face substantial reductions, weakening Russia's domestic innovation and military support.
Religious Identity Blocks Peace Talks
- Kremlin uses religious identity as a political tool to avoid peace talks, emphasizing Orthodox values against Catholic venues.
- Russia rejects Vatican-hosted talks citing religious grounds, revealing reluctance to genuinely engage in negotiations.
