Tootfinder

Trump's big Russia announcement fails to lift spirits in a fatigued Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/trumps-big-russia-announcement-fails.html

Trump's 'severe tariffs' on Russia probably won't work, experts say: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/trumps-severe-tariffs-on-russia.html

Russia detects first SuperCard malware attacks skimming bank data via NFC https://therecord.media/supercard-nfc-banking-malware-russia

State Dept. Layoffs Hit Russia and Ukraine Analysts (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/us/politics/state-department-layoffs-russia-ukraine.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/250716/p24#a250716p24

Donald Trump is taking the fight to Vladimir Putin. Sort of. For now.
Trump’s deference to Russia’s authoritarian leader has been one of the most enduring geopolitical subplots of the past decade.
But his frustration with Putin has grown.
Last week, the president said the United States was taking “a lot of bullshit” from Putin.
Today, he authorized a significant shipment of U.S. defensive weapons to Ukraine via NATO and threatened Russia with new tariffs if the war…

Why Trump Suddenly Sounds Tougher on Russia
The real reason the president suddenly sounds tougher on Russia

Russia becomes third-largest gas supplier to EU: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/russia-becomes-thirdlargest-gas-supplier.html

From ⁨⁨⁨⁨⁨#AnnafromUkraine⁩⁩⁩⁩⁩ @AnnafromUkraine@youtube.com
RUSSIA’S CIVIL AVIATION COLLAPSE: RUSSIA NO FLY ZONE Vlog 1076: War in #Ukraine
The last passenger planes in #Russia are literally …

«“Every single event I did in Russia was shut down by the cops,” she posted on Instagram, “and now it’s starting to feel a lot like Russia.”»
«“Police State Exhibit Closed Today Due to the Police State,”
she posted on Instagram.»
https://www.theguardi…

"On Wednesday, the museum announced that the rest of Tolokonnikova’s performance would have to be postponed indefinitely, because of “ongoing demonstrations and military activity”.
“Every single event I did in Russia was shut down by the cops,” she posted on Instagram, “and now it’s starting to feel a lot like Russia.”"
...
“I guess the National Guard will be performing POLICE STATE instead of me this week,” Tolokonnikova wrote on Instagram.
#NoKings #USPolitics
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jun/15/pussy-riot-nadya-tolokonnikova-police-state

This is fun.
In #Russia, some authorities are now bribing officers... to refuse bribes.
LOL
Such a nice country, innit?
https://mastodon.social/@meduza_bot/11485849208550…

Donald Trump: The Boy Who Cried Hoax – Mother Jones
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/07/trump-epstein-hoax-russia-ukraine-charlottesville/

Russia cancels major public events amid rising threats from Ukrainian drones: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/russia-cancels-major-public-events.html

Metacurity is pleased to offer our free and premium subscribers a weekly digest of the best long-form (and longish) infosec-related pieces we couldn't properly fit into our daily news crush.
This week's selection covers
--How the SEC missed the likely culprits in its 2017 hack,
--How a quiet engineer controls Telegram,
--When a Canadian teen spied for Russia,
--Cybercrime group document shows that Russia doubts China,
--Modern militaries rely on li…

Best infosec-related long reads for the week of 6/7/25
How the SEC missed the likely culprits in its 2017 hack, How a quiet engineer controls Telegram, When a Canadian teen spied for Russia, Cybercrime group document shows that Russia doubts China, Modern militaries rely on lightweight tools and superior spycraft, AI's delusional rabbit holes

Trump threatens 'very significant' Russia sanctions, bashes 'all talk' Putin (Seb Starcevic/Politico)
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/15/trump-threatens-russia-sanctions-bashes-putin-00455596
http://www.memeorandum.com/250715/p132#a250715p132

Russia implements 'severe austerity' amid financial crisis: military spending prioritized over national projects: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/russia-implements-severe-austerity-amid.html

Dutch MP - of Baudet's far-right FvD - has video call with Putin's ruling party to discuss a Russia-led alternative to NATO.
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/07/16/baude

Baudet ontkent contact met Rusland, maar FVD-Kamerlid Ralf Dekker videobelt met Poetins partij Verenigd Rusland
Rusland: FVD-partijvoorzitter Thierry Baudet blijft contacten met Rusland ontkennen, maar zijn Kamerlid Ralf Dekker blijkt te videobellen met gesanctioneerde Russische parlementariërs over een alternatief voor de NAVO. Baudet zelf stond op een lijst van waarnemers voor verkiezingen in Rusland.

"Russia sees Trump’s 50-day window as a green light to keep up brutal offensive in Ukraine"
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/15/europe/putin-window-ukraine-war-trump-analysis-intl-hnk

Russia sees Trump’s 50-day window as a green light to keep up brutal offensive in Ukraine
President Trump has effectively handed Vladimir Putin an extraordinary green light: 50 days to finish off his brutal summer offensive in Ukraine before facing any consequences.

When Donald Trump last attended a Group of 7 meeting in Canada, he was in many ways the odd man out.
At that meeting, in 2018, Trump called for the alliance of Western countries to embrace Russia,
antagonized allies and
ultimately stormed out of the summit over a trade battle he began by imposing metals tariffs on Canada.
As he returns on Sunday for the Group of 7 meeting in Alberta, those fissures have only deepened.
Since retaking office, the president has sough…

As Trump Returns to G7, Rift With Allies Is Even Deeper
In 2018, the president called for the group to embrace Russia and stormed out of the summit. Now he is seeking to shrink America’s military role abroad and embarking on a more expansive trade war.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,037,460 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Hackers impersonating US government compromise email account of prominent Russia researcher https://therecord.media/keir-giles-russia-researcher-email-hacked

Parenthood Penalty in Russia: Evidence from Exogenous Variation in Family Size
Vadim Ustyuzhanin
https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.11858 https://

Parenthood Penalty in Russia: Evidence from Exogenous Variation in Family Size
The present study aimed to improve upon the existing correlational literature on the parenthood penalty in Russia. An instrumental variables approach based on sibling sex composition and multiple births was employed alongside difference-in-differences designs to analyze rich census and longitudinal datasets. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to provide causal estimates of the effect of fertility decisions on subsequent labor market outcomes for mothers and fathers i…

China has expanded its media operations globally, filling the void left by Trump dismantling US-funded outlets in countries like Thailand and Nigeria (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/world/china/voice-of-america-china-russia-65f54e6a

Oh no, hope he's not ill! 😕
After successfully convincing warmongering dictator #Zelenskyy to finally agree to the #russia‎n republic's long-proposed peace negotiations and generously inviting him to Tsargrad, our beloved president, the humble vladimir

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,038,650 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Over the past 5 years, I’ve found myself vibing hard with Russian and Ukrainian Dance Pop, there’s something irresistibly catchy and uniquely electric about those beats that just hit different on the dance floor.
#Russia #Ukraine

Oh, look, the clown is clowning.
https://mstdn.social/@minimarket/114689532947840091

MINIMARKET ONLINE LTD (@minimarket@mstdn.social)
Attached: 1 image Despite evidence that the conflict between Israel and Iran is escalating, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Sunday that peace would come soon and cited the possibility that Russia's Vladimir Putin could help. In a social media post, Trump said there were many unspecified meetings about the issue happening and encouraged the two countries to make a deal. #us #usa #news #minimarketonlineltd #minimarket #America #AmericaNews #trump #Ukraine #russia #UkraineW…

HELL on the FRONTLINE: Russia attacks civilians with artillery and FPV drones: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/hell-on-the-frontline-russia.html

Trump threatens Russia with 100% tariffs if no peace deal is reached with Ukraine in the next 50 days | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-russia-sanctions-ukraine-ceasefire-nato-b2788726.html

US State Department fires Russia and Ukraine analysts in recent layoffs, NYT reports: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/us-state-department-fires-russia.html

After rejecting ceasefire, Russia calls on West to 'pressure' Ukraine toward negotiations: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/after-rejecting-ceasefire-russia-calls.html

At G7, Trump Renews Embrace of Putin Amid Rift With Allies (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/world/canada/trump-g7-russia-ukraine.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/250616/p168#a250616p168

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/15/uk-woefully-ill-protected-against-chinese-and-russian-undersea-cable-sabotage
UK ‘woefully’ ill-protected against Chinese and Russian undersea cable sabo…

Russia drops 500-kg bomb on shopping center in Donetsk Oblast — killing 2, injuring 27: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/russia-drops-kg-bomb-on.html

Ukraine-aligned hackers claim cyberattack on major Russian drone supplier https://therecord.media/ukraine-hackers-claim-attack-russia-gaskar-group-drone-maker

Russia is coming apart at the seams: sanctions, isolation and an ultimatum from the West: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/russia-is-coming-apart-at.html

Russia intensifies efforts to encircle key Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/russia-intensifies-efforts-to-encircle.html

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) claims it paralyzed the operations of Orion Telecom, one of the largest internet providers in Russia’s Siberian region, on Russia Day.
https://tvpworld.com/87242100/ukrainian-hackers-cripple-siberia…

Ukrainian cyberattack cripples major internet provider in Siberia on Russia Day
The attack disabled hundreds of servers while also wiping out backup systems.

The roughly 1,350 State Department workers laid off by the Trump administration last week
included senior analysts specializing in Russia and Ukraine.
The loss of expertise in those countries comes as Trump presses to settle the war between them,
one of his top foreign policy goals.
In other federal job-cutting moves, the Health and Human Services Department finalized layoff notices for thousands of workers,
and the batch of career employees fired at the Justi…

Senate Advances Clawback of Foreign Aid and Public Broadcast Funds

Russia does not care about Trump's 'theatrical ultimatum', senior official says (Reuters)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/07/15/russia-trump-ultimatum/85203970007/
http://www.memeorandum.com/250715/p40#a250715p40

Leaked documents claim Russia's 41st Army suffered 'catastrophic' losses fighting in Ukraine
https://kyivindependent.com/leaked-documents-reveal-catastrophic-losses-in-russian-army-unit-fighting-in-ukraine-kyiv-says-07-2025/

Russia-linked group spoofing European journalists to spread disinformation https://therecord.media/russia-group-spoofing-journalists-disinfo

Behind Trump's Tough Russia Talk, Doubts and Missing Details (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/14/us/politics/trump-russia-ukraine-nato.html
http://www.memeorandum.com/250714/p151#a250714p151

Ukraine’s military said on Sunday it had attacked a Russian drone factory about 1099 kilometers from Ukraine
-- in the city of Yelabuga in Russia’s Tatarstan region.
The Ukrainian military general staff said the factory produced, tested, and launched drones at Ukraine,
in particular against energy and civil infrastructure.
Videos on social media showed an explosion said to be at the factory in Yelabuga, also known as Alabuga,
which builds Iranian-design…

'Unbearable' — EU's Kallas raises alarm over Russia's escalating chemical warfare in Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/unbearable-eus-kallas-raises-alarm.html

Why Trump Suddenly Sounds Tougher on Russia (Jonathan Lemire/The Atlantic)
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/07/trump-putin-russia-ukraine/683531/
http://www.memeorandum.com/250714/p134#a250714p134

EU faces internal divisions as Slovakia and Malta block 18th sanctions package against Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/eu-faces-internal-divisions-as.html

Donald Trump’s attempt to take credit for the additional weapons headed to Ukraine at Europe’s expense has created some friction in EU-US relations.
“If we pay for these weapons, it’s our support,”
said Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, on Wednesday.
“So it’s European support,
and we are doing as much as we can to help Ukraine …
If you promise to give the weapons but say that somebody else is going to pay for it,
it’s not really given by …

'Russia doesn't care' — Trump's 50-day Ukraine ceasefire deadline dismissed by Moscow pundits: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/russia-doesnt-care-trumps-day.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,036,290 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

BREAKING: US to hit Russia with 'severe' tariffs if no Ukraine deal reached in 50 days, Trump says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/breaking-us-to-hit-russia.html

Russia's 'systematically important' banks discussing bailout within next year, Bloomberg reports: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/russias-systematically-important-banks-discussing.html

Putin and Trump discussed Middle East tensions, Ukraine war in phone call (Associated Press)
https://apnews.com/article/russia-us-putin-trump-498642958089922ffc038330041e9987
http://www.memeorandum.com/250614/p81#a250614p81

EU fails to approve new Russia sanctions as Slovakia holds up vote: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/eu-fails-to-approve-new.html

EU slaps new sanctions on Russia over hybrid threats, disinformation: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/eu-slaps-new-sanctions-on.html

Azov is where you can learn to defend your homeland from Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/azov-is-where-you-can.html

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are striking deep inside Russia: Moscow under threat | Front News: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/the-ukrainian-armed-forces-are.html

Latvian prime minister on Trump's NATO deal and new Russia sanctions: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/latvian-prime-minister-on-trumps.html

Leaked documents claim 'catastrophic' losses in Russia's 41st Combined Arms Army while fighting in Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/leaked-documents-claim-catastrophic-losses.html

The EU is close to approving the 18th package of sanctions against Russia: oil is under attack!: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/the-eu-is-close-to.html

'Call the Ayatollah'— Senator Graham backs Trump's 50-day Russia ultimatum, alludes to response against Iran: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/call-the-ayatollah-senator-graham.html

Kellogg 'in the ascendancy lately' as Trump shifts toward tougher Russia stance, Telegraph reports: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/kellogg-in-the-ascendancy-lately.html

Ukraine repatriates 1,000 bodies under Istanbul agreement with Russia: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/ukraine-repatriates-bodies-under-istanbul.html

Russia denies reports about Putin's alleged secret push for Iran nuclear deal: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/russia-denies-reports-about-putins.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,035,060 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

North Korea supplied Russia with 12 million rounds of 152mm shells, South Korean intelligence estimates: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/north-korea-supplied-russia-with.html

Russia vows to 'firmly defend' interests in Baltic after Estonia HIMARS test: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/russia-vows-to-firmly-defend.html

Russia denies Putin pushed Iran for 'zero enrichment' nuclear deal: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/russia-denies-putin-pushed-iran.html

Ukraine war latest: Trump threatens Russia with 'severe' tariffs if no Ukraine deal reached in 50 days: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/ukraine-war-latest-trump-threatens.html

Russia scales up propaganda operations across Africa, Ukrainian intelligence says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/russia-scales-up-propaganda-operations.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,033,930 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Russia launched over 1800 drones on Ukraine in one week, Zelensky says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/russia-launched-over-drones-on.html

Russia blames Western sanctions for collapse of UN food deal: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/russia-blames-western-sanctions-for.html

Russia: 1,000 civilians missing after Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk region: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/12/russia-civilians-missing-after-ukrainian.html

5 killed, 53 injured in Ukraine as Russia strikes hospitals, residential areas across country: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/killed-injured-in-ukraine-as.html

The war continues only because of RUSSIA! Zelenskyy thanks Trump for SUPPORT #shorts: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/the-war-continues-only-because.html

China pledges deeper support for Russia amid Trump tariff threats: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/china-pledges-deeper-support-for.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,032,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/12/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

France warns of war in 'heart of Europe,' names Russia 'most direct threat': https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/france-warns-of-war-in.html

Congressional sanctions on hold as Trump threatens Russia with 'severe' tariffs: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/15/congressional-sanctions-on-hold-as.html

Counterintelligence and long-range weapons: the world against Russia | Front Line with @StarskyUA: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/14/counterintelligence-and-longrange-weapons-the.html

At least 4 killed, 48 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/17/at-least-killed-injured-in.html

A Short Drop or a Sudden Stop? Sanctions, Trade Shocks, and Firms’ Adjustment Margins: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/16/a-short-drop-or-a.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,031,620 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/11/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Ukraine war latest: Russia launches record 741 drones, missiles at Ukraine: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/ukraine-war-latest-russia-launches.html

Despite security risks, Russia to reopen Gelendzhik Airport in drone-struck Krasnodar Krai: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/despite-security-risks-russia-to.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,029,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Russia targets Kyiv, western Ukraine with mass attack second night in a row: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/10/russia-targets-kyiv-western-ukraine.html

Russia plans to establish domestic lithium-ion battery production after capturing one of the largest Ukrainian lithium deposits: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/10/russia-plans-to-establish-domestic.html

Kim Jong Un pledges full support to Russia amidst Ukraine war: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/kim-jong-un-pledges-full.html

Russia losing ground in the oil market: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/10/russia-losing-ground-in-the.html

Russia must pay at least 500 billion euros in compensation to Ukraine, Germany's Merz says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/11/russia-must-pay-at-least.html

Russia arrests truck driver allegedly transporting drones for Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/11/russia-arrests-truck-driver-allegedly.html

Russia confirms brigade commander's death, allegedly linked to Ukrainian strike in Kursk Oblast: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/11/russia-confirms-brigade-commanders-death.html

Ukraine synchronizes restrictions on Russia with EU sanctions: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/ukraine-synchronizes-restrictions-on-russia.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,030,580 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/10/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Russia's summer offensive has fallen 'far short of expectations,' Zelensky says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/13/russias-summer-offensive-has-fallen.html

Ukrainian military: Russia lacks resources to encircle Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/ukrainian-military-russia-lacks-resources.html

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,028,610 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/08/general-staff-russia-has-lost.html

Russia eyes USAID-type development model to expand global influence, official says: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/russia-eyes-usaidtype-development-model.html

Russia launches mass missile, drone attack, targets Ukrainian cities far from front line: https://benborges.xyz/2025/07/09/russia-launches-mass-missile-drone.html