Russia moves to Donbas after “ineffective efforts” thus far

Published

4 years ago

April 19, 2022

After two months of battle with Ukraine, Russia is shifting their tactics to the Donbas region

Senior fellow at the National Security Institute, Lester Munson, explains that Russia was “effectively defeated” by Ukraine.

After a series of unsuccessful attacks across Ukraine’s North, Russia has been forced to re-strategise.

Vladimir Putin is recalibrating his mission to focus on Donbas, the South-East region of Ukraine.

Munson explains that Russia has been present in the Donbas since 2014.

Due to the strong history in the region, both Russians and Ukrainians are familiar with the territory.

Russian troops and pro-Russian rebels are eager to capture the strategically important city of Mariupol. (Reuters: Alexander Ermochenko)

“New weapons have been provided to Ukraine… to provide them with artillery that will be more effective,” Munson says.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is not willing to trade land for peace, so Munson believes it is unlikely he will compromise with the Russians.

There has also been increased willingness to support Ukraine by military alliance NATO.

Various members of NATO intend on demonstrating support by providing weapons and financial assistance.

“We’ve also seen that there are possibly two new members of NATO… Sweden and Finland have indicated that they are very interested in joining the alliance,” Munson says.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced many European countries to reevaluate their defence strategies.

“Europe is rearming, even the Germans who have been reluctant to increase their defence spending are talking about a massive increase in spending because of the invasion.”

The largest potential threat that Putin has made to Europe is his claim to utilise nuclear weapons.

“It is almost certainly a bluff, but because the stakes are so high, it must be taken seriously,” he says.

If Russia moves towards nuclear weapons, Munson believes that there is a greater likelihood of US soldiers entering Ukraine.

Attacks on Ukraine by Russia continue / Image: File

Recently the US Congress passed a $13 billion dollar assistance package for Ukraine

“The Biden administration has been dolling that out over several days, but it is not going to last forever.”

“Ukraine is going to need more military and financial assistance,” he said.

President Zelensky is currently operating at a $5 billion dollar a month deficit which the West will have to fund in the future.

“For now, Congress is going to have to step up to the plate and spend more money to help Ukraine,”

Russia’s decision to recruit armed forces from Syria demonstrates their desperation, Munson says.

“It is not the move of strong power.”

“This has been a massive failure for Vladimir Putin so far, but that doesn’t mean he is going to stop. He will become more and more desperate.”

Amanda Gunn contributed to this report.

OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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News

Putin invited to Trump’s Gaza Peace Board

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Putin invited to U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza amid ceasefire efforts and reconstruction debates.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly received an invitation to join the U.S.-led ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, according to the Kremlin. The council, created by President Donald Trump, is designed to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while overseeing the region’s reconstruction.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow will review the details of the invitation before responding. The board has already extended invitations to several world leaders, with some nations confirming their participation.

The proposal has sparked debate because the Trump administration reportedly requires participating nations to pay $1 billion to secure a permanent seat. Putin’s potential involvement also raises concerns, given his ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

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Trump escalates Greenland standoff as Europe weighs retaliation

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Published

19 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Denmark boosts Greenland troops as Trump pushes U.S. control, prompting European leaders to seek diplomatic solutions amidst rising tensions.

Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland after President Donald Trump renewed his push for U.S. control of the island, linking the issue to what he claims cost him a Nobel Peace Prize.

The move has raised alarm across Europe, with leaders scrambling to prevent a fresh transatlantic crisis.

Trump has warned of tariffs against countries opposing American control of Greenland, calling the territory vital to U.S. security interests. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has privately raised concerns with Trump, while EU officials assess potential coordinated countermeasures.

Despite the rhetoric, European leaders remain cautious. With U.S. influence deeply embedded in Europe’s defence and security framework, the bloc is keen to avoid further escalation as diplomatic negotiations continue behind the scenes.

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