The Insider

@theins.press

The Insider is a Russia-focused, independent media outlet. We're fully committed to investigative journalism and to debunking fake news. theins.press/en

Drone power: Russia is building a lithium-ion battery industry for UAVs using Chinese and Korean materials The development of the industry in Russia will significantly undermine the West’s ability to influence the supply of drones to Moscow’s military.

Drone power: Russia is building a lithium-ion battery industry for UAVs using Chinese and Korean materials

As The Insider has discovered, Russia is rapidly developing the domestic production of lithium-ion batteries for FPV drones. This is evidenced by a sharp rise…

theins.press

Russian authorities have levers in place to launch another round of mobilization, experts say While new HR rules on mobilization record-keeping are more of a reaction to “general anxiety,” the Kremlin has the legal tools to initiate a new round of call-ups.

Russian authorities have levers in place to launch another round of mobilization, experts say

Three of Russia’s largest business publications recently published guidelines for accountants and HR professionals on military record-keeping during…

theins.press

“Grow a beard and change your routes”: Russia’s MoD tells troops how to avoid assassination attempts after attacks on senior officers Personnel were told to change their routines and appearance, avoid public places, and stop using personal vehicles.

“Grow a beard and change your routes”: Russia’s MoD tells troops how to avoid assassination attempts after attacks on senior officers

Russia’s Defense Ministry has circulated instructions among military personnel and civilian staff with recommendations on what to do in the event of a…

theins.press

The coalition of the wavering: Is Bulgaria the Kremlin’s new Trojan Horse in Europe? @dimitarbechev.bsky.social explores and explains the logic behind the gap in the pro-Russian rhetoric of Bulgaria’s new authorities, led by PM Rumen Radev, and their actions.

The coalition of the wavering: Is Bulgaria the Kremlin’s new Trojan Horse in Europe?

In mid-July, Bulgaria’s new prime minister, Rumen Radev, said the country was leaving the “coalition of the willing” — a group of European states helping…

theins.press

No other alternative: Germany’s AfD is moving from the extremist fringe into the political establishment The authorities’ lack of a clear plan to counter radical movements poses a threat to the entire state system, writes political analyst Dmitri Stratievski.

No other alternative: Germany’s AfD is moving from the extremist fringe into the political establishment

Germany is preparing for the first state-level victory by the far-right AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, which could form a government in Saxony-Anhalt…

theins.press

Operators of dozens of sanctioned tankers share one email domain with Russia’s Sovcomflot, Kharon Research finds Nearly 20 formally distinct shipping companies — registered in Russia, Hong Kong, the UAE, Oman, and the Seychelles — used these addresses.

Operators of dozens of sanctioned tankers share one email domain with Russia’s Sovcomflot, Kharon Research finds

Russia’s state-owned Sovcomflot, along with operators of dozens of vessels that are subject to Western sanctions, have been using email addresses on the same…

theins.press

Russian military test Kurier ground robot near Unit 3 of Zaporizhzhia NPP in possible violation of Geneva Conventions On July 30, the IAEA reported an increase in military activity in the area of the ZNPP and the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Enerhodar.

Russian military test Kurier ground robot near Unit 3 of Zaporizhzhia NPP in possible violation of Geneva Conventions

OSINT analysts have geolocated footage of a test of the Russian ground robot Kurier on the territory of the captured Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Analysts…

theins.press

Drone strike on LNG terminal in Egypt may have been Iranian retaliation against Ukraine. Experts tell The Insider the drone hit an LNG import terminal, not the export facility often cited, so the attack did not disrupt gas supplies to Europe.

Drone strike on LNG terminal in Egypt may have been Iranian retaliation against Ukraine

Following a July 29 drone strike on gas infrastructure in the Egyptian port of Damietta, a number of media outlets linked the attack to recent Ukrainian…

theins.press

New policy guidelines on military record-keeping suggest Russia may be preparing for another wave of mobilization Three Russian trade publications issued detailed guidance on military record-keeping despite no legal changes, highlighting growing mobilization pressure. theins.press/en/news/295660

New policy guidelines on military record-keeping suggest Russia may be preparing for another wave of mobilization

Over the course of July, three Russian publications aimed at accountants, HR specialists, and company executives released guides for maintaining military…

theins.press

Ending drug premium subsidies in the U.S. will hit Medicare beneficiaries with stand-alone drug plans, expert says. Expert Mark Fendrick says higher Part D premiums could push more seniors from traditional Medicare into Medicare Advantage. theins.press/en/news/295659

Ending drug premium subsidies in the U.S. will hit Medicare beneficiaries who have stand-alone drug plans, expert says

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it will end the temporary program that for two years kept Medicare Part D…

theins.press

No country for old metal heads: Russian police are breaking up concerts and arresting young and old alike Thirty-five years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is again persecuting members of subcultures.

No country for old metal heads: Russian police are breaking up concerts and arresting young and old alike

Over the past year, Russia’s security forces have increasingly targeted the country’s punk and metal music scenes. Thirty-five years after the collapse of the…

theins.press

A new Comintern: How the Kremlin lures Western “socialists” into the Russian army The Insider has identified several British and U.S. citizens who were recruited to fight for Russia with the help of “communists” and far-left activists.

A new Comintern: How the Kremlin lures Western “socialists” into the Russian army

Russia has built a network linking socialist and anti-globalist groups abroad under the banner of support for left-wing causes. The effort often starts with…

theins.press

Tanker from The Insider’s shadow fleet investigation runs aground after mysterious explosions, polluting Oman’s coastline with oil Due to heavy seas, at any moment the vessel could begin releasing tens of thousands of tons of oil into the ocean.

Tanker from The Insider’s shadow fleet investigation runs aground after mysterious explosions, polluting Oman’s coastline with oil

The tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI (IMO 9224439), which ran aground off the coast of Oman in June following a series of mysterious explosions, has become the source…

theins.press

Polish F-16s intercept Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea The incident occurred a day after a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile landed in Poland, prompting the country’s Foreign Ministry to summon the Russian ambassador.

Polish F-16s intercept Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea

On July 31, Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

theins.press

Chinese entities supplying Russia with space militarization equipment operate in EU and U.S. markets, Dallas Analytics reports Within the technological core of the Angara launch program, 91.5% of equipment funds will go to Chinese suppliers.

Chinese entities supplying Russia with space militarization equipment operate in EU and U.S. markets, Dallas Analytics reports

Russia’s Angara space launch vehicle program has turned out to be heavily dependent on China. According to Dallas Analytics, a Ukrainian firm that examined…

theins.press

Head of Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Property Management Department found to hold valid Russian passport Kanybek Tumanbaev has gained significant influence over one of Kyrgyzstan’s most opaque and fast-growing government entities.

Head of Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Property Management Department found to hold valid Russian passport

Journalists from Kyrgyz media outlets Kloop and Temirov Live have found that Kanybek Tumanbaev, Kyrgyzstan’s chief administrator of presidential affairs — one…

theins.press

Philanthropist who inspires fear: How George Soros became the political right’s chief enemy worldwide The story traces how propaganda and conspiracy theories transformed Soros into a global symbol for the political right.

Philanthropist who inspires fear: How George Soros became the political right’s chief enemy worldwide

“Soros wants to destroy Western civilization,” Elon Musk tweeted on June 25. “George Soros and his son should stand trial. They are destroying our country,”…

theins.press

Reckless pioneers: Jewish religious extremists are trying to annex Syrian and Lebanese territory With time, Israel’s expansionist plans — currently focused solely on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank — could extend to the two neighboring states as well.

Reckless pioneers: Jewish religious extremists are trying to annex Syrian and Lebanese territory

The Israeli army has expelled a group of Jewish religious extremists who attempted to found a settlement on Syrian territory. This is not the first time…

theins.press

Kazakhstan in talks with Moscow to refine Russian crude and export fuel back to Russia amid gasoline shortage The talks are taking place against a backdrop of simultaneous disruptions in the oil sectors of both countries.

Kazakhstan in talks with Moscow to refine Russian crude and export fuel back to Russia amid gasoline shortage

Kazakhstan is in talks with Russia regarding the processing of Russian crude oil at more Kazakhstani refineries, with a portion of the finished product to be…

theins.press

Drone attack sparks 62,000 sq m fire at Wildberries warehouse in Penza, prompting evacuation of more than 200 staff On the same day, the company reported a fire following a drone attack on a Wildberries logistics facility in the Udmurt Republic.

Drone attack sparks 62,000 sq m fire at Wildberries warehouse in Penza, prompting evacuation of more than 200 staff

A fire at the Wildberries warehouse in Penza, caused by a Ukrainian drone strike early on the morning of July 30, has spread to cover an area of 62,000 sq m,…

theins.press

Russian geneticists may lose publications in leading international scientific journals due to new law, T-invariant reports Effective Sept. 1, 2026, the law restricts the transfer of human genetic data to foreign states, organizations, and individuals.

Russian geneticists may lose publications in leading international scientific journals due to new law, T-invariant reports

New rules on transferring genetic data abroad could slow down scientific research in Russia, complicate the publication of papers in leading international…

theins.press

Ukraine claims Russian Kh-101 missile entered Polish airspace, сrater and debris found in Polish village According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, the latest violation of NATO airspace underscores the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.

Ukraine claims Russian Kh-101 missile entered Polish airspace, сrater and debris found in Polish village

A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile crossed into Polish airspace during the massive strike on Ukraine overnight into July 30, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister…

theins.press

Crimea unplugged: The Russian-occupied peninsula’s businesses are buckling under blackouts, fuel shortages and a failed tourist season Moscow’s subsidies are sustaining Crimea’s economy, but prolonged utility outages could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

Crimea unplugged: The Russian-occupied peninsula’s businesses are buckling under blackouts, fuel shortages and a failed tourist season

Shelling and blackouts have forced the shutdown of Crimean Titan, the Druzhba Narodov meat plant, and the Belogorsky greenhouse complex, Crimea’s biggest. In…

theins.press

Ukraine appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport over lifting of restrictions on Russian Olympic Committee The central issue is the ROC’s activity in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which Russia continues to include in its sporting space.

Ukraine appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport over lifting of restrictions on Russian Olympic Committee

Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee has filed a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne in response to the International Olympic…

theins.press

Russia fires 74 missiles and 284 drones at Ukraine, killing eight, including three children Zelensky linked the devastating consequences of the attack to delays in supplying Ukraine with defenses against Russian ballistic missiles.

Russia fires 74 missiles and 284 drones at Ukraine, killing eight, including three children

At least eight people were killed and dozens injured in Russia’s massive strike on Ukraine overnight into July 30, Volodymyr Zelensky reported. Six people,…

theins.press

Letting the genie out of the bottleneck: Russia is ramping up mass production of drone motors The Insider and Nordsint @nordsint.bsky.social traced the supply chain that could allow Russia to begin producing millions of FPV drones in the coming months.

Letting the genie out of the bottleneck: Russia is ramping up mass production of drone motors

Russia is moving to mass-produce drone motors, with production lines worth millions of dollars now arriving in the country. The shift could allow Russia to…

theins.press