#Russian aggression

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and escalated to a full-scale war in 2022. With Russian troops advancing on Ukrainian soil and Russian missiles striking Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, it would be absurd to even ask this question. Yet in 2025, U.S. President Trump started “echoing Russian disinformation,” by pointing the finger at Kyiv for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

During World War II, the Soviet Red Army was responsible for widespread acts of violence against civilians, including numerous instances of gender-based abuse. Forced abuse is a widespread and systematic tool of Russian aggression, one that continues today in their war against Ukraine. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Russian authorities continue to deny these atrocities and silence those who expose them.

Russia’s government is promoting a record-high GDP as evidence of its resilience against Western sanctions. But behind the numbers lies a different story—soaring inflation, collapsing businesses, and a workforce increasingly funneled into war.

The smoldering aftermath of Russian airstrikes in Kherson, the solemn farewell of fallen heroes in Kharkiv, and the Ukrainian drone bombers, targeting Russian equipment—this week’s images continue to capture Ukraine’s resilience in the face of war.

Russia managed to collect record revenues despite sanctions, but behind the impressive statistics lies a less favorable reality for the Russian Federation.