Starting July 15, 2026, France is introducing new restrictions on Schengen visa applications for Russian citizens. Visa operator VFS Global announced the move. Under the new rules, visa applications can no longer be submitted via power of attorney through third parties, including travel agencies and visa services. Applications are accepted...
Russian casualties in the war against Ukraine have exceeded 1.4 million
Between the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and June 2026, Russian forces suffered approximately 1.4 million casualties—including those killed, severely wounded, and missing in action. Of these, at least 450,000 military personnel were killed. These figures are cited in a new study by the Center...
European Commission investigation confirms existence of Hungarian spy network in Brussels
An internal European Commission investigation has confirmed the activities of a Hungarian intelligence network that attempted to recruit EU officials of Hungarian origin between 2013 and 2016 to obtain confidential information. Politico reported this, citing an internal European Commission document. According to the document, Hungarian intelligence officers operating undercover at...
Homes of ruling party members firebombed in Greece
Overnight on July 1, unidentified individuals carried out a series of firebomb attacks on the homes of members of the ruling New Democracy party in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki. Five people were injured, including a parliamentary candidate. The attacks took place between 4:00 and 4:45 a.m. Assailants threw...
Finland has handed down its first conviction for breaching sanctions against Russia
The South Karelia District Court has handed down a historic guilty verdict in a case concerning a breach of European sanctions imposed on Russia. Risto Riigimäki, managing director of the Finnish construction company Idä Liikenteenvälitys IL Oy, has been sentenced to 3 years and 8 months’ imprisonment. According to the...
The number of cases of financial fraud has risen sharply in the Netherlands
In 2025, the number of cases of financial fraud in the Netherlands increased significantly. According to the country’s central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), the number of incidents rose by 30 per cent compared with 2024. A total of 658,000 cases of fraud were recorded last year. On average, this...
The US has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Russian hackers linked to the FSB and military intelligence
The US State Department has announced a reward of up to 10 million dollars for information that will help identify or locate members of two hacking groups linked to the Russian security services. The US authorities are seeking information on groups tracked as UNC5792 and UNC4221. According to US intelligence,...
Germany’s intelligence agency has identified right-wing extremists as the main threat to the country
In its annual report for 2025, Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV, Verfassungsschutz) has once again identified right-wing extremism as the greatest threat to the country’s free and democratic constitutional order. At the same time, the agency notes an increase in threats from left-wing radicals, as...
European Commission: Poland is not ready to join the eurozone
In its latest Convergence Report for 2026, the European Commission concluded that Poland does not yet meet the criteria for adopting the euro. According to the report, none of the five EU countries that do not use the single European currency fulfils all the necessary requirements of the Maastricht Treaty....
The UK Government has announced an additional £15 billion in defence investment
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, under which an additional £15 billion will be allocated to the armed forces over the next four years. Total investment in defence during this period will amount to approximately £298 billion. The additional funds will be channelled into...