Adil Muhammad, a Somali, sits in a Russian military uniform among other prisoners of war (POWs) in a press conference in Ukraine’s capital in mid-March. The former infantryman was captured in combat near Marinka in Donetsk Oblast while fighting with the Russian army in Ukraine in early 2024, five months after he came to Moscow on a tourist visa to work and only four days after being deployed to the front lines. Three months into working for $140 a month at a clothing factory, Muhammad saw a billboard with a Russian army advertisement.
Hackers have reportedly hacked a major Russian prison database, obtaining sensitive information. This breach occurred shortly after the death of prominent opposition figure Alexey Navalny, stirring speculation about potential motives and repercussions. According to an exclusive report from CNN, a faction of anti-Kremlin cybercriminals carried out this breach as a form of retaliation against the Russian government, following Navalny's death.
The Russian Defense Ministry has begun recruiting female prisoners to fight in the war against Ukraine, independent Russian outlet iStories reported on Feb. 19.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to show that Russia is not interested in serious peace negotiations with Ukraine and remains steadfast in its aggressive intentions towards the Baltic countries, according to a new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) dated Jan. 16.