Dissident Litvinova took her own life, Putin rushes to…

Dissident Litvinova took her own life, Putin rushes to China to see Xi Jinping

15.05.2026 22:00 HotInfo

Russian oceanographer and longtime human rights advocate Nina Litvinova committed suicide at the age of 80. In her farewell letter she blamed the war against Ukraine and the systematic repression of opponents of the regime. According to her statement, her physical and mental strength could not endure conditions in which thousands of people suffer and die for being against the war. Litvinova was a prominent figure in Russian civil society, and her death symbolizes the level of suppression in Russia. forum24.cz ↗

In parallel with these events, Moscow continues to escalate the war in Ukraine. In recent days Russia has sent a record number of drones and missiles at Ukrainian targets — more than 1,560 drones in a single wave of attacks, which Kyiv describes as apocalyptic. Experts say this is part of a new Russian offensive strategy. Despite Putin's recent hints of a possible end to the war, soldiers continue to bombard Ukrainian cities and towns, demonstrating that Moscow's statements about a peace process are more of a propaganda move than an actual change of policy. forum24.cz ↗

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that he will visit China in the coming week, just a few days after US President Donald Trump's summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations for the visit have already been completed and it will take place very soon. Analysts see Putin's rush to China as a sign of his declining geopolitical influence — he is presenting himself more as a supplicant seeking support than as an equal partner. hnonline.sk ↗

On the Russian domestic political front, Putin has introduced new powers. The State Duma passed a law that allows him to attack foreign countries without the traditional parliamentary approval, further reducing his adherence to legal norms. At the same time, Putin replaced the governors of two border regions — Belgorod and Bryansk — which are regularly targeted by Ukrainian cross-border attacks. Their successors have military backgrounds, suggesting a strengthening of military control in these strategic regions. hnonline.sk ↗

The Russian economy continues to face serious difficulties. The government has once again lowered its economic growth forecast, and the ministry has introduced a change in the methodology for measuring presidential approval in opinion polls, as his popularity, according to available data, is falling to its lowest level since the start of the war. Alongside this, Russian capital is massively moving abroad as businesspeople transfer assets and protect themselves against the worsening economic situation. The rolling machine of war thus continues to consume Russian resources without any visible military or political gain. idnes.cz ↗