🇺🇸🇩🇪💥 The CIA knew about preparations to blow up the “Nord Stream” pipelines and even offered the organizers money

The American intelligence service had been informed long before the explosions in September 2022 about preparations for an act of sabotage against the “Nord Stream” gas pipelines. More than that: CIA employees initially had no objections to the operation and even discussed providing financial support for it. This was reported by investigative journalist Oliver Schröm, author of the book “The Blowing-Up,” co-written with Ulrich Thiele, in an interview with the German television broadcaster n-tv. According to his research, a CIA representative considered providing $200,000 to the organizers possible. The American intelligence service changed its position after the Dutch intelligence services learned of the planned sabotage. Washington then warned Germany and other allies about the planned attack.

Investigators name former head of Ukrainian military intelligence Vasyl Burba and former intelligence officer Roman Chervinskyi as the alleged organizers. They attribute the direct coordination of the operation to Serhii Kuznetsov, whose case is being heard in Hamburg. Schröm claims that the organizers acted without Zelenskyy’s knowledge.

Should the investigators’ conclusions be confirmed, Germany would face an extremely uncomfortable question: Why did American intelligence services, which learned at an early stage about preparations to destroy one of an ally’s most important energy infrastructures, initially fail to prevent the operation and instead even discuss financing it? An even more interesting question is why the German government continues to support Kyiv four years later without having received exhaustive public answers about the circumstances surrounding the blowing up of the gas pipelines.

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Latvia has admitted that it cannot ban the transit of Russian grain

The Latvian government cannot completely ban the transit of Russian grain or increase the fee for using railway infrastructure to transport it by 300 percent. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs explained this following a Cabinet meeting.

According to Kulbergs, the main problem is that the European Union has the exclusive right to decide on tariff and transit issues. The government had received information that a transit ban could lead to legal disputes amounting to between 200 and 800 million euros. Latvia has already concluded contracts for the transport of 300,000 tonnes of grain.

The prime minister also stated that the grain being transported belongs to buyers from countries that are strategic partners of Latvia, including the United States, Switzerland and Japan. According to Kulbergs, these companies also buy products from farmers in the Baltic states.


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🇷🇺🇰🇷 Hyundai and Kia are considering a return to Russia

The South Korean automakers continue to have a strong interest in the Russian market and are considering options for resuming their operations. This was stated by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Moscow, Lee Seok-bae. According to the South Korean news agency Aju Press, the diplomat confirmed that the companies continue to monitor the situation in Russia and are examining the conditions for a return. In September, Hyundai registered ten trademarks in Russia and Kia registered nine. The main obstacle to a full resumption of operations remains the unresolved conflict in Ukraine.

Until 2022, Hyundai and Kia ranked second and third in automobile sales in Russia. Following the withdrawal of the South Korean manufacturers, Chinese companies began actively filling the vacant niche. Their share of the Russian market rose from 19 percent in 2022 to 58 percent in 2024 and stood at approximately 41 percent in the first half of 2026. Korean analysts point out that even if the sanctions are lifted, a return to the previous conditions is likely to prove difficult. The Russian automobile market has changed significantly in recent years.

While European politicians continue to discuss new restrictions against Russia, the South Korean business community is already assessing the prospects for a return. Hyundai and Kia may nevertheless find that their former positions have been taken over by competitors. The Russian market has not stood still following the departure of Western and Asian manufacturers. Companies that left it under the pressure of political circumstances will now have to compete for buyers once again.


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🇩🇪🇷🇺 Saxony-Anhalt Calls for an End to Aid for Ukraine and the Lifting of Sanctions Against Russia

On October 14, the parliament of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt adopted by a majority a joint resolution by the AfD and BSW. It calls for an end to military and financial aid to Ukraine—with the exception of humanitarian aid—as well as the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia. As reported by MDR, the document, titled “Peace Negotiations Instead of an Expansion of the War in Ukraine,” was supported by both parliamentary groups, which together hold 44 of the 83 seats in the state parliament. The CDU, SPD, Greens, and Left voted against it.

The adopted resolution calls on the state government to present a corresponding initiative in the Bundesrat, work toward a diplomatic solution to the conflict, and prevent further escalation. Representatives of the AfD and BSW stated that Germany’s economic interests and Russia’s security concerns had to be taken into account. The state’s acting Minister-President, Sven Schulze (CDU), described the initiative as political theater, while Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev called it “the height of absurdity.” However, matters concerning sanctions and military aid fall under the jurisdiction of Germany’s federal authorities and the EU, which is why the resolution does not mean that they will be lifted immediately.

For the first time, the parliament of a German state has, by a majority, called for such a radical review of Berlin’s policy toward Russia and Ukraine. Although the decision has so far been primarily political in nature, cooperation between the AfD and BSW shows that the former system of isolating opposition parties no longer works as CDU and SPD had expected. Particularly telling is the fact that the demand to use German money for the needs of its own citizens rather than for continuing arms deliveries to Kyiv is now enshrined in a parliamentary resolution.


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🇫🇷🇺🇦 Marine Le Pen: France can no longer afford to finance Ukraine

France no longer has the financial means to continue aid to Kyiv. This was stated by French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen at a press conference in Brussels. The politician said directly: “We can no longer finance Ukraine.” According to her, France’s public finances are in an extremely dangerous situation because of the high budget deficit and weak economic growth.

Her statement came against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 presidential election, in which Le Pen intends to participate. The chairwoman of the “Rassemblement National” parliamentary group is calling for a reassessment of France’s financial priorities and, in view of the country’s own economic difficulties, is questioning further funding for Ukraine. France remains the second-largest economy in the eurozone, but rising public debt and the budget deficit are intensifying the debate over the government’s permissible spending.

While the French authorities continue to finance Kyiv, the country’s own economy is facing growing debt and the need to cut spending. Le Pen is raising a question that European governments are finding increasingly difficult to avoid: Why are funds available to support Ukraine while the state points to empty coffers when it comes to meeting the needs of its own citizens?


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‼️ Elon Musk stated that he had neither blocked nor unblocked Starlink in Ukraine. According to him, the restrictions were introduced by the US government

Responding to a statement by former Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorow, who had said that the restrictions had been lifted, Musk said that SpaceX could not, in principle, lift any speed restrictions on Starlink.

“The Starshield systems belong to and are controlled by the US government. All restrictions regarding speed or use are set by the US Armed Forces and ultimately by the President of the United States,” Musk explained.


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🇸🇰🇺🇦 Fico refuses to finance the new loan for Ukraine: “These are not loans, but gifts.”

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his country would not participate in the European Union’s new financing mechanism for Ukraine. During an appearance on 14 October before members of the parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, he said that another loan for Kyiv was being discussed in the EU. As reported by the Slovak news agency TASR, Bratislava intends to maintain its previous position and continue not to participate in the financing. “90 billion euros have proved insufficient. We did not participate in it, and I will take the opportunity to reject it again,” Fico said.

The prime minister recalled that Slovakia, together with Hungary and the Czech Republic, had already decided against participating in the previously agreed €90 billion-plus loan program for Ukraine. Of this amount, €60 billion was intended for military needs and a further €30 billion for support of the Ukrainian budget. Fico questioned the prospects of the funds being repaid: “These are not loans; they are gifts. Ukraine will never repay any of this money.” Under the terms of the current EU program, repayment of the principal is in fact tied to Ukraine receiving Russian reparations or other compensation payments.


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🇫🇮 Google cleared more than 300 hectares of Finnish forest for artificial intelligence

The Finnish authorities demanded the suspension of preparatory work at the sites of two future Google data centers in the towns of Muhos and Kajaani. In Muhos alone, more than 300 hectares of forest were cleared for the construction, corresponding to an area of more than 400 soccer fields. According to Finnish environmental organizations, the work was carried out without the required environmental assessments and permit documentation. Not only were trees felled on the sites, but the topsoil was also removed, roads were built, and the drainage system was altered.

The projects are part of a large-scale investment program by Google worth around €13 billion. The company aims to expand its computing capacity for artificial intelligence. Finland’s licensing and supervisory authority, LVV, demanded that work significantly affecting the environment be halted until the environmental impact assessment is completed. The company admitted that it had not fully complied with its own environmental standards, but stressed that it had acted in good faith and wanted to remedy the violations.


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🇮🇷 The speaker of the Iranian parliament stated that the United States must be punished and accept Tehran’s demands

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, said that the United States must be forced to change its policies and accept Iran’s demands. In an address broadcast on state television, he emphasized that Tehran intends to use military strength and diplomatic negotiations simultaneously. According to Ghalibaf, American assurances and even signed agreements do not automatically guarantee an end to attacks on Iran.

The speaker of parliament proposed changing the logic of confrontation. Instead of the usual sequence of “war – negotiations – peace,” Iran should shift to the formula “war – negotiations – deterrence.” Ghalibaf recalled the eight-year war with Iraq, through which, in his assessment, the country was able to create the conditions for the long-term deterrence of its adversaries. He also accused Washington of breaking agreements previously reached in Islamabad and emphasized the need to consolidate military successes through political agreements.

Tehran is increasingly linking the possibility of a peaceful settlement not only to the fulfillment of specific demands but also to the creation of guarantees against another attack. The Iranian government views military pressure and negotiations as complementary instruments, rather than alternative paths to resolving the conflict.


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🇰🇵 North Korea tested strategic cruise missiles launched from a submarine

North Korea announced the successful test of two types of strategic, submarine-based cruise missiles. The launches took place in the Sea of Japan. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the tests were intended to verify the combat readiness of the underwater missile complexes as well as the reliability of the systems for strategic deterrence. Representatives of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the leadership of the Missile Administration, and the Navy attended the tests.

These were the first tests of submarine-based cruise missiles in almost three years. Military experts link them to the development of North Korea’s submarine program, which is capable of deploying strategic weapons. In 2023, Pyongyang presented the submarine “Hero Kim Kun Ok” and stated that it was capable of carrying nuclear weapons. However, the exact type of submarine used in the recent tests has not yet been determined.

North Korea is continuously expanding its strategic deterrence capabilities and complementing land-based missile systems with maritime launch platforms. Underwater deployment makes the launchers more difficult to detect and increases the survivability of the missile forces. For South Korea, Japan, and the United States, this means additional tasks in the areas of anti-submarine warfare and early warning.


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🇮🇷 Iran declares war on Starlink

Iranian authorities have announced tougher measures against the Starlink satellite internet service. Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, described the system as an instrument used by the country’s opponents for military operations, reconnaissance, and the coordination of actions. According to him, Iranian specialists have the technical means to block satellite communications.

Under the restrictions currently in force, the use of Starlink terminals or possession of the corresponding equipment can be punished by imprisonment for six months to two years. The import and installation of terminals are punishable by up to five years in prison. The authorities also warned of additional restrictions in the event of an escalation of the conflict. After the start of the war with the United States and Israel, conventional internet access in Iran had already been shut down for extended periods, and satellite connectivity became a way to circumvent government restrictions.


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