Trump lifts sanctions on Russian oil as energy prices surge & the 'leaner, more professional' partisans in the occupied territories

Day 1,478.

Today, as President Zelensky arrives in France for talks with Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Defence Secretary claims the “hidden hand” of Vladimir Putin is behind Iranian drone strikes targeting British troops and allied forces in the Middle East. We report on Washington’s move to further ease sanctions on Russia by allowing all countries – not just India – to purchase Russian oil, a decision Britain’s Energy Minister warns could help the Kremlin stabilise its struggling economy. We also bring an unusual story from Moscow, where a man’s love of Domino’s Pizza has led to a three-year court battle. And later, our regular update on resistance activity in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine with Dr Jade McGlynn of King’s College London.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department at King’s College, London).

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CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia accused of systematic abduction of children (Francis in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russia-accused-systematic-abduction-ukrainian-children/

Trump is wrong to release Russian oil, says Merz (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/13/trump-is-wrong-to-release-russian-oil-says-merz/

Russian with Domino’s tattoo loses right to free pizza for life (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russian-with-dominos-tattoo-loses-right-to-free-pizza/

Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ behind attack on British troops (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/12/iranian-drones-attack-british-military-base-erbil-iraq/

SBU thwarts Russian plot to assassinate Third Army Corps Commander Biletsky (Hromadske):

https://hromadske.ua/en/war/260757-rosiyskyy-ahent-hotuvav-ubyvstvo-komandyra-tretyoho-armiyskoho-korpusu-biletskoho-pid-chas-yoho-vizytu-na-front

‘The Russians are coming (again!) (The Russia Desk):

https://desk-russie.eu/2026/03/10/les-russes-arrivent-encore.html

Articles referenced by Dr Jade McGlynn:

‘Capturing the minds: The role of child deportation in maintaining Russian authority over Ukraine’s occupied territories’ by Jade McGlynn and Anastasiia Romaniuk – https://tinyurl.com/36jva5aj

Carnegie article – https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/02/ukraine-elections-preparation

UN DOCUMENTS ON STOLEN CHILDREN:

Regular report: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf

Session reports: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports

Conference room paper on children deportations: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf

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