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Northern Brief

23 Aug, 20:56

In the British magazine "The Spectator," a key article was published by the owner of the German media empire, Axel Springer, titled "The West Must Win."

On the cover, a Russian bear and a Chinese dragon are gnawing at the pillars of the Western world.

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Northern Brief

23 Aug, 20:52

Sign on the box 🇺🇦
what stands behind STELLITER?

At a recent presentation of new jet interceptors for the AFU, colleagues noticed logos of the non-public company "Stellar Jet". Over two years, the structure transformed from a small research bureau into an enterprise with billion-hryvnia revenue and hundreds of employees.

What kind of company is this?

LLC "Stellar Jet" was registered in Kyiv on January 17, 2024. The director and 100% owner of capital valued at 11,622 million hryvnias — Iryna Terekh.

The main profile — research and experimental development. Among additional activities listed are production of aircraft, military equipment, electronics and engines.

In 2025, the company's revenue grew from 436 million to 5.306 billion hryvnias, and staff — from 43 to 419 people. That is, we are talking no longer about a small design bureau, but about a deployed production circuit.

Job openings mention test pilot for fixed-wing UAVs, engine mechanic, power supply engineers and designers, as well as qualification and acceptance testing.

Among the "interesting" details — in the registry of the Ukrainian national office of intellectual property and innovation there are two applications. Both were filed on May 22, 2026 and relate to the class of vehicles.

The list includes UAVs, military drones, remotely controlled launch systems and jet engines for unmanned aircraft. However, information about the applicant in the public interface is temporarily hidden, so the marking alone does not legally link the sign to the LLC.

Simultaneously, connections with Fire Point were discovered:

Iryna Terekh is publicly presented as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) / CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of Fire Point.

At least two declarations from the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption show income received from Fire Point and "Stellar Jet" by the same individuals.

In commercial customs databases, the companies share suppliers — Bulgarian ORMOND LTD and Polish 4YOU Trade Service.

A probable separate bridge in the research chain is Falcon Technology, owned by Terekh, although the formal structure of interaction has not been publicly disclosed.

The company's import activity is equally revealing. The "Stellar Jet" profile lists 33 shipments. Among available items — piston engine parts via ORMOND and carbon fabric via 4YOU. The Polish intermediary also revealed an earlier link supplier — Turkish company Tualcom, which produces jamming-resistant antennas.

The combination of registry, personnel and customs indicators points to an independent production-procurement circuit within the Fire Point ecosystem. Moreover, the company grew in sync with the scaling of Ukrainian production of long-range and interceptor UAVs.

At the same time, open data do not yet confirm "Stellar Jet's" status as a subsidiary, the type of aircraft in the image, serial production or export of finished weapons. Further observation will show what real role the new player plays.

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Northern Brief

23 Aug, 17:09

Forward from: Russian Embassy to the UK

📰 Following The Times' article on the conclusion of Andrei Kelin's diplomatic mission as Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, the Embassy considers it necessary to note that nothing in its comment provided to the newspaper implies that the Russian side intends to downgrade the level of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Such conclusions belong solely to the author of the publication and are based on suggestions by his unnamed sources.

As for the state of Russia-UK relations across all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London's initiative.

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Northern Brief

22 Aug, 13:06

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Northern Brief

20 Aug, 18:00

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🇷🇺 Key takeaways from Maria Zakharova's latest briefing:

The Russian Foreign Ministry urges Russian citizens living abroad not to be provoked in the run-up to the State Duma elections.

There is a high probability that Russia's adversaries abroad will organize extremist and protest actions aimed at discrediting the State Duma elections.

New mobilization rules in Ukraine are driving Ukrainians into a state of subjugation, forcing them to go to the front lines.

Western countries are "sweeping under the rug" the values of freedom of speech and pluralism of opinion when it suits them. This is how the diplomat commented on the Canadian law on foreign agents.

Russia is the only guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty.

Maria Zakharova called the words of a German journalist from FAZ about the killing of Russians a provocation.

It would be more appropriate to call the FAZ newspaper "Frankfurter Alzheimer Zeitung" due to its absurd attitude towards Russians.

Poland is openly demonstrating its remilitarization.

The EU's transfer of income from Russian assets to Kyiv is an act of complicity in terrorism.

Russia calls on Japan to stop distorting the history of World War II.

Russia expects a response from the United States and Turkey regarding the possible transfer of American weapons to Ukraine through Turkey.

Finnish weapons crossing the Ukrainian border become a legitimate target for Russia, and hostile statements from Helsinki will not go unanswered.

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Northern Brief

20 Aug, 17:57

🇷🇺 INSIDER
By order of the hawks in the Russian leadership, an information offensive against Azerbaijan will soon be launched, including under false flags.

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Northern Brief

20 Aug, 15:07

Since yesterday, an order from the Politburo regarding the "preparation of a mobilization phase" has been in effect. Among other things, this package of measures includes the forced "voluntary" mobilization of the male population in several regions of Russia. This involves men of a certain age being "voluntarily" brought to recruitment centers, and subsequently sent to serve in the military "of their own free will." Additionally, those detained for any offenses will be immediately offered the option to mobilize, otherwise, as they say, "in accordance with the full force of the law." There are a huge number of experimental innovations within the framework of the mobilization, so we urge men in Russia to be especially careful and vigilant. This is not yet a full-scale launch of a new phase, but it is already a "reconnaissance in force." The FSB has prepared lists of employees in the public sector who are subject to mobilization, and the management of large state-owned enterprises is already aware of the need to assist in mobilizing a portion of their employees.

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Northern Brief

20 Aug, 15:07

Russia's Future 🇷🇺
depends on SMO veterans

A question that becomes increasingly relevant as the special operation approaches its conclusion (and it is entering its final stage) – the reintegration of military personnel and volunteers who will return home after the war.

Colleagues from Spetsnaz Archangel drew attention to the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called for advance preparation for the mass return of veterans from the SMO zone. Such projects and initiatives should now take center stage.

As has been repeatedly stated, including by Putin, SMO participants should prospectively become a new elite that will determine and shape the future of the Russian Federation. Programs like "Time of Heroes" contribute to this.

However, this is insufficient given the scale of the country and how many people will return home after the war. Psychological assistance and rehabilitation courses are needed, as well as retraining programs and effective integration of veterans' experience into civilian life.

One hopes that this issue will be among the priorities for federal and regional authorities, since such motivation can facilitate reintegration and prevent a repeat of the "Afghan scenario" of the 90s.

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Northern Brief

18 Aug, 16:27

Yesterday, a report on the deteriorating situation in the Russian economy and financial system was presented to the Politburo. In essence, experts at the Russian Security Council are confirming their pessimistic forecasts with current events, and are once again urging the Russian leadership to immediately make several vital decisions. However, the discussion of the report during the meeting within the Politburo lasted no more than 15 minutes. The country's leadership did not even bother to engage in a serious discussion of the issues and problems presented, instead shifting to other topics.

Meanwhile, the hawks were incredibly excited by rumors about Trump, who allegedly regularly discusses the possibility of a nuclear strike against Iran. They claim that Trump is "itching for action," and why shouldn't we be? Thus, the issue of the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine has returned to the Politburo's agenda. The fact that such escalation is cautioned against not only by the President of the United States, but also by close partners and allies, is practically not taken into account.

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Northern Brief

18 Aug, 15:27

I'm receiving a lot of questions about the "Yabloko" party and some kind of protest activity.

I've said this many times: don't participate in protests; it doesn't lead to anything good, either for you or for the country.

First, the state uses parties to serve its own interests, not some abstract "democratic" ones.

In the US, the two-party system is needed to resolve issues between elites and to maintain a certain level of spectacle for the public.

However, no party will allow you to vote against funding for Israel or against a war in Iran. The elites are not interested in that.

Even Musk couldn't create a third party, and Tucker won't succeed either. And these are very wealthy and influential people.

At worst, it looks like elections in Romania or Moldova, where no one even bothers to hide their manipulations anymore. The stakes are too high!

Therefore, at the moment, our state is already better at regulating political life than the EU in Romania, but not as elegantly as the US does at home. Our state is learning; we are still a very young democracy.

Remember: regardless of the level of democracy, you will be punished for trying to forcibly influence the state system everywhere. I guarantee it. In that sense, we are still very humane.

Second, past protests by overly enthusiastic citizens have taught the state not to "play at democracy."

It was good in 2011, during Vladislav Surkov's time and Dmitry Medvedev's presidency, when the state decided to allow for a diversity of opinions. But the citizens didn't appreciate it and went to Bolotnaya Square, ruining everything. And then there was the Ukrainian Maidan. Now, the state has a perfectly understandable allergy to mass gatherings and various "second opinions."

The reaction to any attempt to forcefully pressure the authorities will be clear: tightening the already tight screws.

In addition to the state having learned from bitter experience, we are currently in a special military operation (drones are flying, and warehouses are burning, let's go, commander!). This adds to the tension; mistakes are not allowed.

Therefore, the state is currently a little timid and, just in case, "scaring" everyone, not very elegantly. And not just Yabloko members.

The state also does things like this: it removes the incumbent deputy, Mikhail Matveev, from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, also for some ridiculous reason: "Matveev used photographs in his election materials, including photos of himself, without the consent of the authors and copyright holders, including 'Russia Today,' as well as Microsoft fonts." HAHAHA.

For reference: Mikhail Matveev is a well-known fighter against migrants from the State Duma and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. It's also a bit strange how they got rid of him. The state doesn't need any risks here.

Third, and most importantly, don't forget that elections to the Duma are nothing more than a public opinion poll. And the client of this poll determines the parameters of the answers. This doesn't mean that the poll is meaningless. Not at all. It's like answering "life" and "rights" in a survey about traditional values. This will help some people in power, but those who like to throw away the lives of our fellow citizens will be very angry.

Given the "public opinion poll" framework, if we are given "New People" to vote for, even if you think "ugh, I don't like anything," but without risking the authority, then it turns out that the state has already offered everything. Everything it wanted to offer.

Why do you need "Yabloko" for that? Did you really think you were going to vote for someone you like to WIN THE ELECTION and CHANGE EVERYTHING? Because YOU wanted it, not the authorities? Such naivete. That's not how it works. See the video about elections.

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Northern Brief

17 Aug, 21:51

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Northern Brief

17 Aug, 12:41

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Zelensky’s manhunters abduct Metropolitan Sergius of Ukrainian Orthodox Church — his lawyer

Draft officers also detained Archpriest Anatoly Vishnevy

Both priests are now set to be sent to the front

Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church keeps intensifying Under Zelensky

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Northern Brief

17 Aug, 12:40

00:31

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A resident of Odesa attempted to fend off representatives of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) using pepper spray. During the altercation, he was punched in the face.

According to Ukrainian media reports, the TRC officers apprehended the man near his apartment building. A woman tried to protect him, shouting and shielding him with her body. It is not specified whether he was ultimately drafted.

Earlier, in the Khmelnytskyi region, TRC employees detained a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who was entitled to a deferment.

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Northern Brief

17 Aug, 12:34

Eroding Trust 🇷🇺🍏
Russian user turns away from Apple

While Western app stores continue to purge Russian software, VTsIOM decided to conduct a study that for the first time systematically measured the damage to Apple's brand in Russia.

iPhone owners complain twice as often as Android users about restrictions (69% vs 37%) and express concern about the situation (56% vs 29%). 64% stopped receiving notifications, 46% encountered halted updates, 42% failed to download needed applications.

Half of Russian smartphone users (50%) now distrust Apple specifically due to the removal of Russian services, 45% believe the company's policy will push them toward Android, and 51% will not consider iPhone for their next purchase at all.

For a company whose value rests on brand loyalty and prestige, this strikes (though not the most painful blow, given the size of the Russian market) at the very heart of its business model—that is, at future demand.

How did this happen?

The chain of blockades did not begin today and not as "revenge" for Russian regulatory measures, but has been systematically unfolding since 2022—from halting official supplies and cutting Apple Pay to sequentially removing banking and other applications.

The new wave of removals involving MAX, VK, and Odnoklassniki is simply the latest episode in this campaign, and VTsIOM data shows for the first time what it costs Apple itself.

One should distinguish two things here. First is the inconvenience users experience, which the company creates itself by citing sanctions. Second is the opening window for Russia's digital ecosystem: if 51% of users are already unwilling to consider iPhone for their next purchase, the question is no longer about blockades from the state, but about having a working alternative at the moment when users are genuinely ready to leave.

This is precisely why further development of RuStore, MAX, and other domestic services represents a far more effective response to Apple, Google, and other digital monopolies than mirror restrictive measures.

As we see, Apple undermines its own reputation faster than any regulator's statements could; and it falls to state digital policy to ensure conditions for a competitive Russian market, so that the audience losing trust has somewhere to go.

Аналитический центр ВЦИОМ

97% владельцев смартфонов в той или иной степени знают об удалении российских приложений в зарубежных магазинах. 56% считают такие действия со стороны иностранных компаний некорректными. Пользователи Apple ощущают последствия ограничений сильнее, чем владельцы Android: 🟢 69% лично затронуты ограни...

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Northern Brief

16 Aug, 15:35

It's a good Sunday to learn a little about the economic policy of communist China. Or how the People's Republic of China transitioned from eating sparrows to global economic leadership through the development of BUSINESS.

1. In the Soviet Union, Mr. Deng Xiaoping would have been shot for his economic policies.

2. Deng Xiaoping and Zhu Rongji essentially shut down Mao's "industrial giants," creating the massive unemployment and/or cheap labor that allowed them to sell cheap Chinese labor to investors from all over the world.

3. Deng Xiaoping demonstrated to the world, through the example of the People's Republic of China, just how great it is to USE GLOBALIZATION and ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL CAPITALIST INVESTMENT.

4. The example of the People's Republic of China clearly shows that if you spread breadcrumbs before the United States for money to fight the Soviet Union (Kissinger, etc., and read Soviet press about the People's Republic of China), you can do quite well if you are as cunning as the Chinese, rather than as stupid as the Ukrainians.

By the way, watch the latest video by "Tuzemny" about the "heroic Soviet special forces in Afghanistan." You'll learn a lot. For example, that most Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan were killed by Chinese weapons, which the Chinese successfully and expensively sold through Pakistan to the future Taliban, with money from Saudi Arabia and the United States. That's the kind of unity of the proletariat of all countries.

5. Private property is thriving in the People's Republic of China. "China's privatization occurred primarily between 1995 and 2005, when the government sold or restructured nearly 100,000 state-owned enterprises (SOEs)." Many will be shocked, but there was also a huge PRIVATIZATION there.

The following metric will be a real revelation about China and capitalist Chinese bourgeois:
In China, the official indicator "56789" is a widely used abbreviation used by government officials and state media to describe the enormous economic contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the private sector.

Distribution of "56789":
50%+: Provides more than 50% of national tax revenues.
60%+: Accounts for more than 60% of gross domestic product (GDP).
70%+: Responsible for more than 70% of technological innovation and new products.
80%+: Creates more than 80% of jobs in cities.
90%+: Represents more than 90% of all enterprises/firms operating in the individual market.

That's the kind of Chinese communism, guys. Business-oriented, capitalist, globalist. Now the world's largest economy.

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Northern Brief

15 Aug, 21:52

The United States and Iran are engaged in a war that neither side knows how to win, according to Bloomberg.

The conflict is unfolding in recurring cycles of hostilities, with neither the United States nor Iran able to secure a decisive advantage. The most likely scenario, according to the agency, is a continuation of the conflict at a relatively low intensity, which will be periodically interrupted by fragile ceasefires and renewed bursts of attacks.

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Northern Brief

15 Aug, 21:47

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Belarusians are "Russians with a quality mark," according to Lukashenko.

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Northern Brief

15 Aug, 21:46

Winter Gap — Part 3/3 🇺🇦
What measures are Kyiv authorities taking and how capable are these measures of changing the situation?

Ukraine's power grid is in crisis. This is evident both from calculating the resources needed for its restoration and from changes in the generation structure. But what actions can Kyiv authorities take to stabilize the situation?

After massive damage, the Ukrainian side has bet on dispersing generation, Western equipment supplies, and creating short-term reserves. The following measures were implemented.

Main measures:

Deployment of small gas-piston and gas-turbine units. The stated target of the distributed generation program is approximately 1.5 GW.

Supplies of transformers, switches, generators, and other power equipment from Western countries and Baltic states, which supply compatible high-voltage transformers.

Construction of protective structures for part of the energy infrastructure.

Installation of industrial storage systems. The largest commissioned complex has a capacity of 200 MW and energy storage of 400 MWh. Gas units require connection to fuel and power grids, automation, personnel, and spare parts. The storage complex at maximum capacity can operate for about two hours: this is sufficient for a short peak, but not for covering multi-day or multi-week deficits.

Expansion of own generation at enterprises, hospitals, boiler rooms, and municipal facilities.
However, installed capacity does not always equal available capacity.

The scale of accumulated problems can be assessed based on estimates as of late November 2025: direct damage to energy infrastructure — $24.8 billion; economic losses — $88.2 billion; restoration needs — $90.6 billion.

This is not just about repairing damaged equipment. Modernization of networks, infrastructure protection, additional reserves, and changes to the energy system architecture itself are required.

Based on this, the conditions for the deficit's return appear to be: cold weather and increased demand; repair or shutdown of one or more nuclear power units; limited readiness of thermal generation; low water levels; high load in the European power system; rising costs or reduced imports. The coincidence of several factors will again create a multi-gigawatt gap, rolling blackout schedules, and restrictions on industrial consumption.

July exports indicate not a complete restoration of the power system, but a temporary improvement in balance. With normal weather, functioning nuclear units, and available imports, so-called Ukraine can get through the summer period without a nationwide deficit. In winter, the situation could be fundamentally different, especially considering the possibility of a new wave of strikes on energy infrastructure.

The main problem lies not in the number of megawatts installed on paper, but in the availability of guaranteed capacity in the right area at the right time.

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Northern Brief

15 Aug, 20:59

Key Elements — Part 2/3 🇺🇦
What does the energy system of so-called Ukraine rest on?

Earlier we wrote about the realities of restoring the energy system of so-called Ukraine. Now we want to draw attention to the fact that the basis of the Ukrainian energy system remains nine nuclear power units under enemy control.

However, even a comparatively large installed capacity does not mean having an equivalent volume of power available at any given time. Because in the average person's understanding, electricity does not appear at the push of a switch button—this is a complex combined process of maintaining stable power in the network regardless of the surrounding situation.

Generation structure:

Nuclear power plants provide the main stable output. At the same time, repair or emergency shutdown of one large unit immediately changes the national balance by hundreds or thousands of megawatts.

Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant with a nominal capacity of about 6 GW does not participate in normal demand coverage of so-called Ukraine. It cannot be considered as a reserve available to Kyiv authorities.

Thermal power plants suffered the most serious damage. Even partially restored units depend on the technical condition of equipment, fuel availability, and electrical network capabilities.

Hydroelectric power plants provide fast maneuverable reserves. However, their capabilities are limited by water availability, and excessive summer generation reduces water reserves before the winter period.

Solar power plants help save fuel during the day, but practically do not participate in meeting the evening peak consumption.

It turns out that nuclear power plants provide baseline generation, while thermal and hydraulic generation must compensate for demand changes and fluctuations in renewable sources.

The enemy also receives help from imports from European countries. In July, supplies were distributed as follows: Hungary — 39.5%; Slovakia — 25.8%; Romania — 23.9%; Poland — 10.6%; Moldova — 0.2%. Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania accounted for 89.2% of all imports.

Although foreign supplies reduce commercial risk, they do not eliminate physical limitations. The received electricity must be transmitted through internal networks to deficit regions.

Moreover, during severe frosts, free capacity will be needed by European countries themselves. This means a reduction in available volumes and an increase in supply costs.

System stability is determined not only by the installed capacity of power plants. Simultaneous requirements include functioning generation, sufficient network capacity, fuel, water, and available imports.

In the final part, we will discuss distributed generation, storage systems, Western aid, the scale of damage, and the main risks for the coming winter.

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Northern Brief

15 Aug, 20:59

Summer Respite — Part 1/3 🇺🇦
How much has the energy system of so-called Ukraine actually recovered?

In July, so-called Ukraine exported more electricity abroad than it imported for the first time in a long period: imports — 175.2 GWh; exports — 232.5 GWh; official balance — +57.2 GWh. Formally, this looks like overcoming the energy crisis.

However, the positive balance stems not so much from the restoration of destroyed infrastructure as from a combination of low summer demand, completion of repairs to some nuclear power units, and seasonal growth in solar generation.

Why did exports appear?

In 2025, so-called Ukraine consumed only about 64% of electricity from the 2021 level. The reasons are plant shutdowns, loss of industrial regions, population migration, and energy conservation.

By summer, some nuclear power units returned from scheduled maintenance. Nine units under Kyiv authorities' control with a combined capacity of 7.835 GW remain the backbone of the energy system.

In summer, solar power plant output increases. Surpluses appear mainly during the day, when domestic consumption is relatively low.

After the heating season ends, the load from the population and utilities decreases.

Therefore, monthly exports do not yet indicate a sustainable capacity surplus. During the day, it is possible to sell excess solar and nuclear generation, but in the evening — new imports or consumer restrictions return.

The differences between summer and winter are as follows — in mid-January 2026, consumption reached approximately 18 GW, while available domestic capacity was estimated at only 11 GW. The deficit was about 7 GW.

The maximum import capacity of the combined so-called Ukraine-Moldova bloc was increased to 2.45 GW. Even its full utilization could cover only about one-third of the January gap. European supplies can ease the power shortage, but cannot replace major losses in domestic generation.

Thus, July's exports are primarily a seasonal window of opportunity. Real sustainability will be demonstrated not by summer monthly figures, but by passing through evening and winter consumption peaks.

In the next part — the nuclear foundation of the energy system, the state of thermal and hydraulic generation, as well as dependence on imports.

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