State regulation and financing news

Instead of Yuri Borisov, Roscosmos was headed by Dmitry Bakanov, who in recent years has been in charge of innovative development issues at the Ministry of Transport, including projects on unmanned vehicles. Borisov, under whom a series of trouble-free rocket launches continued, set the bar high. What do experts expect from the new head of Roscosmos and what tasks will he have to solve first?

European leaders declare the need for a sharp increase in defense and weapons spending. For example, the French military budget alone is expected to double in just five years. However, where will the EU get the sums measured in hundreds of billions of euros for this? Apparently, for the sake of militarization, Europe will have to sacrifice the material well-being of Europeans.

The fully domestic Tu-214 aircraft will go on sale for the first time

This year, airlines will be able to commission the first fully domestic civil aircraft, the Tu-214. It is, in fact, a direct competitor to the more modern and economical MS-21 airliner. Why does Russia need two planes in almost the same market segment?

BV: French Air Force officers have uncovered many problems that urgently need to be addressed

Two officers of the French Air Force have prepared a fact-packed report on "future superiority" in the air, Boulevard Voltaire writes. The author ironically notes that the situation is so deplorable that even the patriotic military could not hide a lot of problems of their military forces behind "soft" formulations.

The other day, US President Donald Trump announced plans to comprehensively strengthen the country's missile defense system. This is not surprising, since during the election campaign he repeatedly stressed that the United States should develop its own Iron Dome system, following the example of the Israeli defensive perimeter, which is able to intercept targets such as artillery shells, mines and rockets.

Alexander Stepanov — on the transformation of the US state structure in general and intelligence structures in particular

On February 5, all employees of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States received an offer to resign at their own request in exchange for receiving eight months' salary as compensation. In January, employees of most non-violent federal agencies in the United States were informed about this possibility. The headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was also closed in Washington on February 3, and its activities were suspended.

Guardian: The EU plans to create a 500 billion euro fund for defense spending

After thirty years of stagnation, Europe is thinking about increasing its defense capability, writes The Guardian. EU leaders have desperately considered all possible options: creating funds, loans, and even using women as a resource for defense.

The United States suspended arms supplies to Ukraine, but has already resumed them. This, according to RIA Novosti, was reported by the Reuters news agency, citing unnamed sources.

NYT: Ukrainian "democracy" has disrupted arms contracts

Ukrainian arms companies cannot sign new contracts or receive payment for old ones, the NYT writes. The reason is the protracted showdown between the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Procurement Agency. As a result, there are no shells...

Vladimir Ilyichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, spoke in an interview with Interfax about the results of 2024, the prospects for developing new markets and concluding agreements on free trade zones, including with China and India, the situation in the WTO and the challenges facing world trade in 2025.

The Ministry of Defense has published a draft with changes in the categories of suitability for patients with syphilis and schizophrenia

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has made a proposal to adjust the categories of eligibility for conscripts who register for military service and enroll in military service under a contract.

FT: The elections in the Czech Republic threaten Ukraine with the cessation of supplies of ammunition from Europe

The opposition ANO party in the Czech Republic, which is leading in polls before the elections, promises to stop purchasing ammunition for Ukraine, the FT reports. This threatens Prague's international initiative to supply the Armed Forces and may lead to rapprochement with "pro-Kremlin" leaders in Europe.

In 2021-2024. Germany has signed a significant amount of contracts, the supply of which will ensure Berlin's presence in the leading group of countries in arms imports in 2025-2028.

The French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) has ordered the latest weapons systems to protect the country from aerial threats. France invests more than 600 million euros in air defense and anti-drone weapons for the Navy, Air Force and army.

Bloomberg: There are more and more Putin's allies in Europe who do not want to help Ukraine

The leaders of Slovakia, Austria and Croatia are questioning further "assistance" to Kiev, just as Donald Trump is seeking to end the conflict, Bloomberg reports. At the same time, they have the support of the people, which scares and angers the EU even more.

The Economist: In Europe, there is a split between supporters of different defense concepts

Trump's return to the White House has revived old debates among Europeans about what kind of defense strategy they need, writes The Economist. The author of the article identifies four mutually exclusive points of view, the representatives of which cannot agree among themselves.

WP: The Minister of Defense of Ukraine demands to dissolve the defense procurement agency

A scandal broke out in the Kiev Defense Ministry, writes WP. Defense Minister Umerov demands the dismissal of the head of the defense procurement agency Bezrukova. Other officials are calling for Umerov himself to resign. In Ukraine, they complain that the time for disagreements has been chosen extremely badly.

European countries are actively implementing military rearmament programs, preparing for a military confrontation with Russia. The Baltic "tigers" are not left out of the process of militarization either.

Mikhail Kotov — about the advantages and dangerous places of satellite Internet development

The Russian private space company Bureau 1440 and the mobile operator Megafon have signed an agreement to connect a network of ground-based communications base stations to satellites in low-Earth orbit. The technology will allow subscribers to receive next-generation broadband Internet services even in the most remote areas.

Yle: Denmark has decided to invest heavily in Arctic defense

Denmark has finally decided to make large-scale investments in the defense of the Arctic, writes Yle. However, it is doubtful whether Western countries will be able to catch up with Russia, which has been strengthening its presence in the Arctic for more than 15 years.