Former Russian commander offers grim assessment of Putin's strategy

 Scary plans

Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the majority of direct conflict has occurred within Ukraine. However, the ramifications of this war extend well beyond the immediate combat zones. With major international players such as China, North Korea, the European Union, and the United States escalating their involvement, the situation has become markedly more complex. This deepening global engagement has clouded the conflict's trajectory, rendering its future outcomes increasingly unpredictable.

Leaked documents give insight into Putin's plans

The world watches with apprehension, asking the question no one wants answered: if Moscow were to push the war westward, which cities would fall within its crosshairs first?

'Big colossal war'

You might never have heard of Russian lawmaker Andrey Gurulyov. However, the retired general, who currently serves as a deputy in the Russian legislature, claims Russia is arming up for a “big colossal war”.

In case of a new world war...

On July 24, 2024, Gurulyov spoke on the state-run channel Russia-1 about what would be Putin’s targets in the case of a new World War.

Escalation

Sky News highlighted that Gurulyov, a deputy of the State Duma and member of the legislature’s defense committee, speculated this global conflict might result from the escalation of a blockade on Kaliningrad.

A little bit of Russia in the Baltic

Kaliningrad is a Russian port enclave in the Baltic, between the NATO countries of Poland and Lithuania. This makes communications and supply a tricky matter, to say the least.

The Suvalkovksy Corridor

Experts wondered if Russia should try to create a corridor, dubbed the Suvalkovsky Corridor, to connect Kaliningrad with the rest of the country.

Russian troops and NATO armies

The retired general, according to The Sun, argued that this was a trap that would surround Russian troops with enemy armies. However, actions should be taken if NATO blockades Kaliningrad.

Star wars

The first logical step, according to Gurulyov, would be disabling the enemy’s satellite system.

'We would see them all as NATO'

“No one would care if they are American or British. We would see them all as NATO”, comments Gurulyov, as quoted by The Daily Mail.

Anti-missile attack

Secondly, mitigate the enemy’s anti-missile system “everywhere and 100%”, added Gurulyov.

Target: London

“We certainly wouldn’t start with Paris, Warsaw or Berlin”, said Gurulyov to the reporters of Russia-1. “The first hit would be London. It's crystal clear that the threat to the world comes from the Anglo-Saxons”.

Disabling Europe

“As part of the operation to destroy critically important sites, Western Europe will be cut off from power supplies and immobilized”, declared the former military officer. The Sun points out that, like many other Russian hardliners, Gurulyov believes the European Union is too soft to engage in an actual war.

America joins the room

Gurulyov speculated on how the United States would manage to keep Europe fighting without food or power and how long Washington, D.C. would manage to avoid conflict.

Some assembly required

“This is the rough plan”, Gurulyov declared, adding that “I deliberately leave out certain moments because they are not to be discussed on TV”.

Russia's hit list

In another TV program, the retired general enumerated the possible countries that Russia might be forced to engage next: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

Armchair general?

Keep in mind that although Gurulyov serves as a deputy in the State Duma (pictured) and is part of the legislature’s defense committee, as The Daily Mail highlights, he no longer is an active member of the military. His statements should be taken with a grain of salt.

More questions than answers

However, his closeness with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle earned him sanctions from the United States. So there’s much to speculate about how much Andrey Gurulyov knows and how much he wants us to believe.

The real situation of Russia's economy

 

Warnings emerge from Western analysts claiming that Russia’s economy is teetering on the brink of collapse. Allegations that the Kremlin is manipulating official data, combined with international sanctions, inflation, and underperforming debt, have raised serious concerns. While it's clear Russia is under pressure, some economists argue that signs of a full-blown implosion remain inconclusive.

Russia's assault on Ukraine

In 2026, the world marked the fourth year of Russia’s assault on Ukraine. With Trump’s return to office, Ukraine is concerned about its support from the American government as the new administration seeks to end the conflict as soon as possible.

Oil and gas exports

Russia’s resilient and strong economy, particularly its oil and gas exports, has consistently been referenced as a point that allows the nation to remain in an advantageous position.

Is Russia's economy really stable?

Russia gives the impression that there is no bottom to its financial means. But is this true? Is Russia-s economy really the stable horse that it paints itself to be? Historian and economist Adam Tooze provides an overview of the arguments that are driving narratives about Russia's economy and the impact on war efforts.

Economic data

In November 2024, the Financial Times published a piece that questioned the economic data coming out of Russia. A subsequent article doubled down on this argument, casting greater doubt on the numbers.

Corporate borrowing

Global financial analyst Craig Kennedy, a leading expert on Russian economics, published data demonstrating how Russia has been conducting a great deal of corporate borrowing.

Subsidized loans

What does corporate borrowing mean? Essentially, these are loans that are provided at subsidized rates. This kind of activity allows nations to access financing for their war activities through legal means.

Keep up financing

Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently referenced his nation’s capacity to keep up financing for its war efforts, almost indefinitely.

Time is on his side

In his January 2025 Financial Times article, Martin Sandbu argues that Putin continues to reiterate to Ukraine’s allies that “time is on his side.” 

What’s the point of Putin's comments?

Putin wants to impress on the West more broadly that the only way to end the war between Russia and Ukraine is to concede to his will.

Misinformation

Pundits reduce many of Putin’s comments to misinformation. Some argue that Putin is merely driving a rhetoric to distort the pressure the nation is facing. Let’s look at some analytical perspectives.

Government officials

Sandbu references comments issued by Russian officials who are starting to feel the heat of Russia’s war efforts in their pockets. For example, Rostec (state defense) Chief Executive, Sergei Chemezov (pictured), stated that high credit rates were destroying his weapons exports activities.

More fragile

Analysts argue that the situation must be serious for Chemezov to speak publicly on the matter. It likely means that the picture that Putin paints of a financially stable and materially rich war effort is likely much more fragile than he states.

Debt

This concern is well reflected in Kennedy’s 2025 report, which notes a spike in Russian corporate debt. According to the report, the debt rate has increased by 71% just since 2022; a significant spike.

Lending

Russian banks are lending companies that are critical to government interests and services credit that is issued at below-market rates.

Money printing

Another way to see what’s happening, according to Sandbu, is that Russia is “engaged in massive money printing,” perhaps amounting to 20% of Russia’s overall output in 2023.

What does this do in a practical sense?

According to Tooze, some of the very real impacts on the Russian economy include: high inflation rates (official data puts inflation at 6%, but it’s likely much higher), reduction of diverse investment and borrowing options, and mounting debts (even worse—underperforming debts).

Sanctions

Coupled with increased sanctions that hit the Russian government at the tail end of 2024, Russia is certainly facing greater turmoil than it is letting on.

Ruble facing challenges

As of 2026, the Russian currency, the ruble, is facing new challenges with its value dropping. The ruble regained some strength after a drastic dip in 2023, but it is now seeing fluctuations and is expected to continue facing challenges throughout 2026. With limited options to stabilize the currency due to ongoing sanctions, Russia is now navigating a complex economic landscape.

How bad are things?

The risks Russia is taking on are certainly significant. Without the means to reign things in, perceptions of a stable Russian economy are deteriorating. But how bad is the actual situation?

Difficult answer

The key question remains: How strong is the Russian economy? The answer to which is, as highlighted by Tooze, difficult to pin down. 

Keynesian war economy

Tooze highlights how Russia responded to Western sanctions and the financial pressures of war by taking on what's called a “Keynesian war economy.” This just means that the economy is controlled by the government to make sure there are adequate resources to spend on war efforts.

Preventing the economy from collapse

Weapons, supplies, and soldiers, among other things, are all given a boost in spending to push the economy forward. Essentially, it allows for money to keep circulating, people to maintain employment, and prevents the economy from falling apart.

Underreporting spending

While Russia only claims to be spending eight percent of its budget on defense, this is likely, as noted by Kennedy and Sandbu, a grave underestimation. War efforts are not only likely being underreported, but they are certainly beyond the scope of public budgets.

Energy prices up

By boosting its energy prices in response to the pressures of international sanctions, Russia is also raking in high revenues from energy exports.

Production of weapons

A 2024 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report highlights how Russia has significantly increased its production of weapons, including armored vehicles and military drones (pictured are fragments of a Russian-modified Molniya-2 drone).

Financial incentives for new recruits

Requiring tens of thousands of additional soldiers every month, Russia has also used a great deal of financial incentives to attract more enlistments, issuing heavy payouts.

Generating interest

As the war drags on, potential recruits are losing their eagerness to join the frontlines. Russia has even expanded soldier benefits benefits to include strategies that the American army sometimes uses, such as debt forgiveness and guaranteed compensation for deceased soldiers, among others. Pictured is a bus carrying Russian naval cadets.

Russia's ability to offset challenges

There is no doubt that sanctions have placed a great deal of pressure on the Russian economy, but the nation’s response has also been able to offset many of the challenges Western analysts claim to be crippling the Russian state.

Unemployment rates

Unemployment rates in Russia are just over 2%, as the nation continues to demand more workers to fulfill its needs. Household income is, too, increasing. Some of the nation’s poorest have seen an increase of nearly two-thirds since 2022 alone.

Is an implosion coming?

Is Russia’s economic growth stable? Is it as resilient as it seems or is it facing an implosion, as some analysts argue? Tooze points to the masterful capacity of the Russian government to deal with the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis.

How will this unfold?

With fewer risks today than in 2008, it seems that the nation knows what it’s doing in terms of balancing potential crises. At worst, its economy may be currently facing some sort of stagnation. How long can its economy continue in this format? This is what has yet to be seen.

Working from home linked to rising mental health problems, study finds

 Never made it back to the office after Covid? It could be taking a hidden toll on your wellbeing.

A new study suggests the shift from office working to working from home is linked to rising levels of psychological distress - with those living alone hit hardest.

Researchers found that employees in jobs that became more remote after the pandemic experienced a rise in mental health problems, compared with those who continued working on-site.

The study, published in the journal Science, analysed data from 588,322 people across five large US surveys conducted between 2011 and 2024 - excluding peak Covid years to avoid skewed results.

Experts compared healthcare use, including mental health treatment and antidepressant prescriptions, between workers in remote-friendly roles and those whose jobs required in-person attendance.

They found that people generally reported greater meaning in their work when it involved social interaction - something often missing in home-based roles.

Workers in remote jobs showed a small but notable rise in psychological distress in the years following the pandemic.

And the impact was significantly worse for those living alone, who experienced nearly double the increase in distress compared with people living with others.

Importantly, there was no corresponding rise in non-mental healthcare use - suggesting the trend was not simply due to people seeking more medical help overall.

The researchers estimated that the rise in remote work accounts for around one-third of the overall increase in psychological distress seen over the study period.

‘Remote work may therefore be considered a significant, but not the sole, contributor,’ the authors said.

They warned that while working from home can eliminate commuting and offer flexibility, it may also remove the everyday social interactions that help support emotional wellbeing.

‘Small daily interactions with coworkers - and even brief moments such as greeting a barista - may play an important role in maintaining mental health,’ they added.

Those living alone may be particularly vulnerable, as remote working can heighten feelings of isolation and reduce opportunities for social contact.

However, the researchers noted some limitations, including that the data focused solely on US workers and could not fully distinguish between fully remote and hybrid work patterns.

Data published in March also revealed there are 850,000 more people either receiving treatment or waiting to start care compared with January 2020.

Responding to the surge, Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, warned: ‘This is a human and economic catastrophe, costing the UK at least £118 billion a year.

‘Without an effective, co-ordinated “invest to save” approach, the mental health crisis will only get worse.’

A previous Norwegian study found people working from home more than 15 hours a week were more likely to drink alcohol than office-based colleagues.

Meanwhile, a 2021 survey by US recovery firm Sierra Tucson found one in five workers admitted using alcohol or drugs while working from home. 

Far worse than feared? US economy loses 60,000 hospitality jobs in huge blow to Trump

 The US economy added just 57,000 jobs in June, according to the latest employment report, with a shock loss of 61,000 hospitality jobs nationwide that has handed Donald Trump an awkward economic setback months before the World Cup and the America 250 celebrations are meant to turbocharge hiring.

Hiring in the US had been expected to remain relatively solid as inflation cooled and major global sporting events loomed. Analysts at FactSet forecast around 100,000 new jobs last month, while Goldman Sachs suggested the World Cup alone might swell payrolls by 40,000 positions. Instead, the headline jobs figure came in barely above half the prediction, and the hospitality sector, which should be gearing up for a tourism boom, went into reverse.

The overall unemployment rate in June was reported at 4.2%, a marginal improvement on May's 4.3%, but the stronger-looking rate masks what is happening under the bonnet of the labour market. The labour force participation rate slipped 0.3 percentage points to 61.5%, its lowest level since March 2021, signalling that fewer Americans are either in work or actively looking for it. Household employment tumbled by 507,000, meaning more than half a million fewer people told survey takers they had a job.

Economists often warn that a falling unemployment rate can sometimes be the wrong kind of good news. Here, the drop is tied to people exiting the workforce, not to an economy pulling jobseekers into work. That nuance is likely to feature heavily in the political spin war, not least for a Trump campaign that has staked its appeal on restoring what it casts as stronger, more 'American' jobs growth.

Hospitality Jobs Slump Exposes World Cup Hopes

The hospitality jobs collapse stands out. According to the data, accommodation and food services shed 61,000 jobs in June, a brutal reversal at a time when seasonal hiring is usually ramping up. Officials said the figures reflected slower-than-usual summer recruitment, a worrying sign given that the US is preparing to host the World Cup and gearing up for the America 250 commemorations of the country's founding.

Goldman Sachs had previously argued that the World Cup could lift payrolls by about 40,000 positions. On the face of it, the loss of 61,000 hospitality jobs suggests those hopes have hit a wall, or at least been delayed. It remains unclear from the latest data whether any of the forecast World Cup boost has yet materialised, and the report does not spell it out. IBTimes UK could not independently verify whether the Goldman prediction came true, so that should be taken with a grain of salt.

Other sectors did grow, albeit not enough to offset hospitality's slide. Professional and business services added 36,000 jobs, the largest single gain. Social assistance roles increased by 25,000, and healthcare posted a 22,000 gain, which was described as slower than its typically robust pace. Government-linked employment rose by 8,000.

CNBC reported that average hourly earnings ticked up 0.3% over the month and 3.5% year on year, figures that were broadly in line with consensus forecasts. That kind of steady wage growth, paired with weaker hiring, will not make the US Federal Reserve's life any easier as it tries to judge whether inflationary pressures have really cooled or are just lurking in the background.

Trump's Boasts Undermined By Grim Jobs Reality

The hospitality jobs plunge is politically awkward for Trump because it fits a pattern that undercuts his central claim of superior economic stewardship. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its figures and concluded that job growth under Trump had been significantly weaker than initially reported.

According to that revised report, instead of the 584,000 jobs that had been expected, an average of 49,000 a month, the US economy added only 181,000 jobs last year of his term, around 15,000 a month on average. That is not just a rounding error. It transforms what his allies presented as a resilient labour market into something distinctly anaemic.

Trumpworld tried to get ahead of the bad news. In February, senior trade and manufacturing counsellor Peter Navarro appeared on Fox News' 'Mornings with Maria' to warn that the upcoming jobs report would be lower than usual. Navarro told viewers: 'The jobs report's going to come out tomorrow. We have to revise our expectations down significantly for what a monthly job number should look like.'

He then rolled out a sprawling explanation centred on immigration, claiming that when the US was 'letting in 2 million illegal aliens' it had to generate 200,000 jobs a month to maintain a steady state. Navarro alleged that during Joe Biden's presidency, 'all of the jobs that we were creating in Biden's years were going to illegals' and that 'Americans were going to the unemployment lines.'

He went further, insisting that Wall Street would need to adjust to a new normal because the Trump administration was deporting 'millions of illegals out of our job market.' Yet when host Maria Bartiromo pressed him on whether he was expecting weak numbers, Navarro insisted: 'Not expecting a weak number. I'm just saying that going forward, when we see a number under 100,000, we don't wring our hands.'

The problem now is that US hiring has fallen to 57,000 and hospitality has lost 61,000 jobs even as Trump is back on the political stage presenting himself as a jobs president. If sub‑100,000 monthly gains are, in Navarro's view, nothing to fuss about, voters staring at shuttered bars or cancelled shifts in hotels might beg to differ.

The broader backdrop is hardly gentle. Inflation and global conflict have created a twitchy environment for employers, who appear to be pulling back despite major events on the horizon that should, in theory, be good for business. The labour force participation slide hints at workers who are discouraged, retired early, or juggling unpaid care. Some may well return as World Cup construction and tourism demand kick in, but there is no guarantee. The hospitality numbers show how quickly those hopes can turn to smoke.

For now, the data leave the Trump camp in an odd position. They want credit for any good economic headline and a pass on anything ugly. The June report, particularly the loss of 60,000 plus hospitality jobs, makes that a much harder sell.

Shocking new figures show why Keir Starmer has the worst record of any prime minister

 

More than 76,000 small boat migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during Sir Keir Starmer's tenure in No 10 - a higher number than under any other prime minister. New figures exposed Labour's failure to control our borders, as Sir Keir marked his second anniversary as Prime Minister.

He entered Downing Street on July 5, 2024, the day after the General Election, and delivered a triumphant speech promising "secure borders" as part of a mission to "rebuild Britain". But as Sir Keir prepares to make way for incoming prime minister Andy Burnham, Conservatives accused him of presiding over "a disastrous two years". Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Far from smashing the gangs, smuggling bosses are living openly in the UK and are claiming asylum.

"Labour have been a disaster in two years, and as the prospect of Andy Burnham rears its head over the horizon, there is little chance the situation will improve."

Official figures show 76,598 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel since July 4, 2024, an average of 105 every day.

Labour has also released an estimated 82,000 offenders early, after serving 40% of their sentence rather than 50%, under an emergency scheme to reduce prison overcrowding called SDS40, introduced in September 2024. It meant 113 prisoners a day were freed early for every day Sir Keir has run the country.

Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary, said: "It is a betrayal of victims, many of whom have not been properly informed about the release of those who have committed crimes against them."

More than 500,000 Brits are also believed to have fled the country while Sir Keir was Prime Minister, according to a dossier published by Conservatives. It showed 251,000 British nationals emigrated from the UK in the first 12 months of the Labour Government, suggesting 502,000 British nationals will have left the country over the two-year period.

But Labour paid tribute to Sir Keir on the anniversary of his premiership. Anna Turley MP, chairwoman of the Labour Party, said: "The decisions we have taken have not always been easy, and we know there's much more to do, but Labour will always do what is in the best interests of the British people.

"Today, the economy is growing, wages are rising, NHS waiting lists are falling, immigration is down, and Britain is moving forward once again.

"The most basic responsibility of any prime minister is to leave the country in a better state to which you found it. Keir Starmer can proudly say he will do just that."

In an interview this week, Sir Keir said he would "do everything I possibly can" to help Andy Burnham win the next election.

But he admitted: "Did I want it to end at this point in this way? No, I didn't.

"But I accept that with good grace."

A 101-year-old woman says this is how she lived so long

 

She prioritized rest

Sleep and relaxation were treated as essential, not optional. She listened to her body when it needed downtime.

Adequate rest supports recovery, memory, and immune function—especially over long periods.

She accepted aging

Rather than resisting change, she adapted to it. She adjusted her pace and expectations without frustration.

This acceptance may have reduced emotional strain, allowing her to navigate aging with less resistance.

She stayed mentally curious

She continued learning in small ways—reading, observing, asking questions. Her mind remained active even in later years.

Mental engagement is often associated with slower cognitive decline and a greater sense of purpose.

She avoided extremes

Whether in food, activity, or lifestyle, she stayed away from extremes. Moderation guided most of her choices.

This balanced approach may have prevented burnout or long-term damage caused by excess.

She found small joys

Rather than chasing big milestones, she focused on everyday pleasures—morning light, conversations, simple meals.

This perspective likely supported emotional balance, making life feel meaningful even in ordinary moments.

She kept a daily routine

Her days followed a loose structure—waking, eating, and resting at similar times. This consistency gave her a sense of stability.

Over time, routines can help regulate biological rhythms, improving sleep and overall well-being.

She didn’t dwell on stress

Stress was unavoidable, but she made a conscious effort not to hold onto it. She described letting things “pass through” rather than building up.

This mindset may have reduced long-term strain on her body, particularly in relation to heart health and sleep quality.

She stayed socially connected

Friendships and family interactions were a constant in her life. Even in older age, she made an effort to stay in touch with others.

Social engagement is often linked to emotional stability and cognitive health, offering both stimulation and support.

She ate until satisfied, not full

Her approach to food was guided by awareness rather than restriction. She avoided overeating by paying attention to her body’s signals instead of external cues.

This habit may have helped regulate weight and digestion over decades, reducing stress on the body without requiring strict dieting.

She never stopped moving

She didn’t follow a formal fitness plan, but she stayed physically active every day. Walking, light chores, and stretching formed the backbone of her routine, keeping her body engaged without strain.

Over time, this consistent movement likely supported circulation, joint health, and energy levels. It wasn’t intensity that mattered—it was frequency.

Putin loses most Russian troops in one month since Ukraine war began

 

Russia suffered its deadliest month of the war in June, with tens of thousands of troops reportedly killed as Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine continues to exact a devastating toll on his armed forces. Figures suggest around 26,000 Russian soldiers died during the month, while another 14,000 were injured in combat. If verified, it would mark the highest monthly losses Moscow has recorded since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The latest estimates underline the heavy price Russia continues to pay as fighting drags on, with troops repeatedly sent into some of the war's fiercest battles. Reports from the front line have previously suggested some Russian soldiers are surviving only minutes after entering combat, highlighting the relentless intensity of the conflict.

At the same time, there are growing signs of unrest within Russia's own ranks. In one incident reported on Wednesday, nine prisoners due to be deployed to the Kharkiv region allegedly deserted before reaching the front.

The men reportedly fled in Russia's Belgorod region and were believed to be unarmed.

While Moscow continues to suffer mounting casualties, Ukraine has stepped up attacks far beyond the battlefield, striking military and energy targets deep inside Russian territory.

Several oil refineries have been hit in recent weeks, piling pressure on Russia's energy infrastructure. Even Putin has acknowledged the damage caused by repeated Ukrainian attacks, admitting his country is facing "problems".

Pressure is also beginning to emerge from within Russia itself. German Gref, the head of state-owned Sberbank, issued a rare public plea for the conflict to end while appearing on Kremlin-run television.

He said: "I think what's worrying every one of us is one and the same thing.

"I don't think there's a single person who isn't concerned about anything other than a rapid end of hostilities, that's clear."

Ukraine has continued to showcase its growing long-range strike capability, with dramatic footage showing drone operators targeting Russian positions.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged an intensive 40-day campaign aimed at military and industrial targets inside Russia in an effort to force the Kremlin into negotiations.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck an oil refinery in Ufa, around 800 miles from the frontline, alongside a weapons factory in Penza. Bridges supplying occupied Crimea were also damaged during separate attacks.

Despite Ukraine's increasingly ambitious strikes, the bulk of Russian casualties continue to be sustained along the main front line. Kyiv has also regained around 260 square miles of territory this year, adding to pressure on Moscow's military campaign.

Zelenskyy said: "Peace is needed, and this is what the Russian leadership should realise. Russia must end its war."

Military analysts believe Ukraine's strategy of targeting Russia's infrastructure could have a significant impact if it continues over the coming months.

Retired US Army officer Ben Hodges said recent events showed the initiative had shifted.

He told The Sun: "It's clear to almost anybody that's watching that the momentum has shifted in favour of Ukraine. The momentum has shifted because the Russian ground operations have been stopped and the Russian Navy is barely a factor anymore."

He added: "Ukraine's long-range missile strikes are wrecking Russia's oil and gas infrastructure and if they can continue this over the coming weeks, then it will be long term damage.

"If they can sustain this, going towards the end of the year, it will be very, very difficult for the Russians to support their own operations.

"I don't think they'll be able to sustain it at this sort of level deep into next year."

Former British intelligence officer Philip Ingram also said Ukraine's growing drone capability was beginning to change the course of the conflict.

He told the news outlet: "It's taken Ukraine a significant amount of time to develop the technology, build the manufacturing capacity and build the numbers of drones that they have done.

"They're starting to have an effect because Vladimir Putin himself has admitted the difficulties that Ukrainian drone attacks are having on fuel supplies across Russia."