Russia is running out of people for its war in Ukraine — so Putin is handing out passports in Transnistria.
Putin signed a decree allowing residents of Moldova's breakaway region to obtain Russian citizenship without living in Russia or speaking Russian — Politico. 1/
Moldovan President Maia Sandu: "Probably they need more people to send to the war in Ukraine." 2/
Sandu added that since the start of the full-scale war most Transnistria residents have themselves taken Moldovan citizenship because they felt safer holding a Moldovan passport than a Russian one. 3/
Rachman, FT: "The current wars in Ukraine and Iran underline how foolish it is to assume that a military superpower will always win a war against a smaller country."
China's assumption that Taiwan would be helpless without American support is a dangerous mistake.
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Ukraine has no navy — yet forced the Russian navy out of the Black Sea. Iran's navy was reportedly destroyed — yet Tehran keeps the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed with drones, missiles and speedboats.
Naval superpowers are increasingly vulnerable to cheap weapons.
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Taiwan's strengths: a top-20 global economy, 90%+ of the world's most advanced semiconductors, its own anti-ship missiles and drones, and the natural protection of being an island.
China would need one of the most ambitious seaborne invasions in history.
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CNN: Russian drones circle targeting vehicles and dropping explosives on troops. You have to keep moving or they may swarm around you.
The battlefield has completely changed in a year. Nobody drives cars or tanks unless they have to. Nets and robots are now key protection. 1/
CNN: Drones also target heavy gunfire. Their friend, a lieutenant, killed when this car was hit just two days ago.
We are nearing their bunker position. There are moments here to rest, to see the trophies of drones that failed. It's a bit tough at this moment. 2/
CNN: The drones never stop, but neither does Ukraine. Ukraine is adapting and engineering new warfare to bridge its manpower crisis. The sense that Ukraine was inevitably losing is gone. Deep strikes are now inflicting pain in the heart of Russia. 3X