Reality Check: The Myth of Foreign Companies Financing a Million-Strong Russian Army
Wednesday, 27 August 2025 () Newsweek, citing B4Ukraine and the Kyiv School of Economics, recently claimed that foreign companies operating in Russia paid at least $20 billion in taxes in 2024—enough, supposedly, to cover the salaries of one million Russian soldiers. Russian media outlets circulated this story, but made no effort to verify the numbers. Nor did Newsweek provide detailed fact-checking regarding the actual size of the Special Military Operation (SVO) or the monthly pay of personnel involved. Dividing $20 billion by one million soldiers gives $20,000 per serviceman annually. At the December 26, 2024 exchange rate of 99.6 rubles per dollar, this equals approximately 1,992,000 rubles per year—or around 166,000 rubles per month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a striking NBC interview, claimed Moscow has no interest in seizing Ukrainian land, stressing Russia already holds the world’s largest territory. He branded Kyiv’s government a “Nazi regime” and argued Ukraine must allow regions that voted to join...
Woody Allen responds after Russian film festival appearance condemned as a ‘disgrace’
Allen reportedly praised Russian cinema during his virtual appearance at this year's Moscow International..
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:58Published
In a stunning turn, Ukraine signaled readiness for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with a senior diplomat saying President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to discuss territorial..
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, alongside India’s S. Jaishankar, accused the U.S. of weaponizing the dollar and using sanctions as “economic colonialism.” Lavrov warned that even allies..
Wednesday, 27 August 2025 ()
![Woody Allen responds after Russian film festival appearance condemned as a ‘disgrace’ [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250826/1420779498-Woody-Allen-responds-after-Russian-film-festival-appearance.jpg)
![BREAKING: Zelensky Surrenders To Putin? Ukraine Ready To Cede Terrorities To Russia | Russia-Ukraine [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250823/1420532712-BREAKING-Zelensky-Surrenders-To-Putin-Ukraine-Ready-To.jpg)
![BRICS vs The West: Lavrov Calls Out US 'Sanction Hypocrisy' |India & China Push For MULTIPOLAR World [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20250822/1420395372-BRICS-vs-The-West-Lavrov-Calls-Out-US.jpg)
