China is secretly helping Russia get weapons by using fake companies to hide the deals, according to an expert named Stefan Bejan from Watchdog Moldova. He says China plays a big part in making sure Russia keeps getting the arms it needs to continue its war in Ukraine. Instead of sending weapons directly, China uses other companies to cover up what’s really going on. These companies ship drones and other military equipment to Russia, helping them get around international sanctions meant to stop the war.

Bejan explained how the money and weapons move. It starts with Promsvyazbank, which is the main bank supporting Russia’s military. Money from this bank is sent through a payment platform called A7. A7 is partly owned by Ilan Shor, a businessman with strong ties to helping Russia avoid sanctions. After that, the money goes into accounts at Capital Bank of Central Asia. There, it is turned into other currencies like Chinese yuan or US dollars. Then, it flows through fake companies and is used to buy weapons from Chinese businesses.

Even though China, under President Xi Jinping, officially denies helping Russia, Bejan believes Chinese leaders know exactly what is happening. China is careful not to sell arms directly to Russia. Instead, it uses third-party companies to create a layer of distance, giving it “plausible deniability” — meaning it can claim it’s not involved if caught. This setup reflects the close relationship between Russia and China, which both countries have described as a “limitless friendship.”

Bejan also said China is careful because it doesn’t want to face “secondary sanctions” from Western countries. These sanctions could hurt China’s economy if it is seen as openly helping Russia. That’s why China makes it look like the weapon sales are just private business deals, not government support. Still, China is providing Russia with important help, including technology, economic aid, and, as these findings show, weapons.

The trick of using shell companies and intermediaries makes it very hard for Western countries to directly stop these deals. However, Bejan believes that regulators around the world will start paying closer attention. He expects more sanctions will come, especially targeting the banks and companies involved in Central Asia.

Bejan explained that these hidden financial operations are one of the reasons Russia can keep fighting in Ukraine. Even though sanctions have hurt Russia’s economy and military, these secret money and arms channels keep them going. He warned that unless these operations are shut down, the war could continue for a very long time. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

A key player in this scheme is Ilan Shor, who owns part of A7 and is currently living in Moscow. He is already under sanctions by the US, UK, and EU. Shor has strong connections with political leaders in both Russia and Moldova, making him an important figure in keeping these operations running smoothly — and he profits from them.

Beyond Russia’s war, these secret financial moves could also impact nearby countries like Moldova, which borders Ukraine. Bejan warned that some of the money moving through these networks could end up funding pro-Russian political campaigns in Moldova, which would create even more instability, especially with upcoming elections there.

In the bigger picture, Bejan said the arms shipments are just one part of a larger web of financial and political cooperation between Russia and China. As the war in Ukraine drags on, he stressed that the West must work harder to disrupt these secret deals to avoid further chaos.

His warning adds to growing fears about China’s true role in the Ukraine conflict. Although China claims it is neutral, its actions tell a different story. As Russia and China grow even closer, the world will have to watch their alliance carefully, especially to see how it might affect the war and global stability in the future.

A disturbing video has surfaced online, supposedly showing a Russian commander forcing two of his own soldiers to fight each other to the death. This happened after the soldiers refused to join the war in Ukraine. The shocking scene is believed to have taken place in the Donbas region, which is under Russian control. The footage, though not yet verified, has spread across Russian social media and has shocked many viewers.

The commander, known only by his nickname “Kama,” reportedly made the two men fight in what he called a “gladiator-style battle.” According to reports, he told them that whoever won the fight would be set free. Fellow officers from their military unit, the 114th Motorised Rifle Brigade, are said to have placed bets on who would survive. A witness claimed that one of the soldiers ended up killing the other by choking him with his bare hands.

Both of the men had apparently refused to follow orders to fight in the war, which is why they were punished. Russian sources call such soldiers “refuseniks.” It’s believed that soldiers who resist or try to escape their duties are being locked up in underground pits, known as “punishment pits” or “zindans.” This brutal punishment is said to be happening more often, especially in army units that have lost many men during battles in the Donetsk area.

People on Russian social media reacted with horror after watching the video. One person commented that while it’s better for Russian soldiers to fight each other than to harm Ukrainians, the situation is still extremely disturbing and shows just how brutal the Russian army has become. Another user said this kind of cruelty isn’t rare in the Russian military and that without proper investigations, their justice system is meaningless.

One of the most alarming parts of the story is that these punishments are not new. Human rights groups and Russian journalists have already reported cases of beatings, mock killings, and torture being used against Russian soldiers who don’t obey orders. Many of these soldiers are imprisoned in basements or cages without a trial, sometimes for weeks, given barely any food or water. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

A lot of the soldiers in these units are either former prisoners, people forced into military service, or untrained volunteers from poor areas of Russia. These groups have suffered heavy losses in the war, especially during Russia’s large-scale attacks on strong Ukrainian defenses. This strategy, where poorly equipped troops are sent forward in huge numbers, has been called a “meatgrinder” by war analysts.

One recent example is the battle in Avdiivka, where thousands of Russian troops died just to gain a small amount of land. Now, a similar situation is starting near Chasiv Yar. These risky and costly operations are often led by lower-ranking commanders like Kama, who are allowed to use any method they want to keep soldiers under control, even if it means using fear or violence.

The Russian government has not responded to this video or the growing reports of illegal punishments in its army. Investigations into these kinds of abuses rarely happen, and the commanders responsible are almost never punished. Without outside pressure or public attention, such brutal treatment is likely to continue unchecked.

Donald Trump has once again left people scratching their heads after making two strange and surprising claims within a single day. First, he seemed to take some credit for the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to become Pope. Then, in an unrelated moment, he oddly claimed that he invented the word “equalize,” despite the word being centuries old.

After the recent death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the new Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. In response, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, congratulating the new Pope and saying it was “a great honor” for the United States. He even said he was looking forward to meeting Pope Leo, calling it a “very meaningful moment.”

But what really raised eyebrows was Trump’s follow-up message, where he implied that he somehow influenced the Pope’s election. He mocked ABC News journalist Martha Raddatz, accusing her of being “Trump-deranged” for suggesting he had nothing to do with the Pope’s rise. Trump argued that since he had won the Catholic vote by a large margin, his popularity may have played a role in Pope Leo’s appointment—though he gave no evidence for such a claim.

Then, during a White House press event about prescription drug pricing, Trump made another bizarre statement. While explaining how his plan would make Americans pay similar prices to those in other countries, he said, “Basically what we’re doing is equalizing. It’s a new word that I came up with… We’re gonna equalize.” He claimed it was the “best word” to describe the situation, seemingly unaware that “equalize” has been in the English language for over 400 years. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The word “equalize” actually dates back to at least the year 1599, according to dictionaries. It has been used in everyday speech, literature, and even pop culture  like the 1980s TV series The Equalizer long before Trump was in office.

Social media users didn’t hold back their reactions. One person joked, “There was a TV show in the 80s named The Equalizer. Did he invent the word in 1983 and is just reminiscing?” Another commented, “If he made it up, how does everyone already know what it means?” And a third mocked the claim by saying, “Horses**t a word I just came up with, never used by anyone ever!”

While Trump’s supporters often appreciate his confidence and boldness, these latest claims have once again sparked laughter, disbelief, and plenty of memes online.