INSIDE RUSSIA - WHAT'S HAPPENING IN RUSSIA RIGHT NOW | October 27, 2026

---------------------------------  1  --------------------------------- 

FINNISH AND NORWEGIAN LEADERS SPEAK WITH PUTIN ABOUT PEACEFUL TRILATERAL TALKS ON UKRAINE. PUTIN DOES NOT FORGET TO BRING UP THE “ROOT CAUSES” OF THE WAR 

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a phone call with Vladimir Putin.

According to the Office of the President of Finland, Stubb and Støre initiated the conversation after coordinating it with Ukraine. They wanted to convey Kyiv’s position to the Russian president ahead of the upcoming trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for the first half of November.

Stubb described the conversation as direct and substantive and emphasized that negotiations are necessary to end the war in Ukraine. According to Støre, the sides also discussed the need for de-escalation.

The Kremlin said Putin presented his assessment of the situation on the front lines, recalling what he considers the “root causes” of the war and reiterating that Russia’s “legitimate interests” must be taken into account to achieve lasting peace. He also accused EU and NATO countries of pursuing a “confrontational” policy that, in his view, is prolonging the fighting. The participants also discussed security in the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe and agreed to continue direct telephone contacts.

After speaking with Putin, Stubb and Støre held a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to Zelensky, the Finnish and Norwegian leaders stressed the need for concrete steps to reduce the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and other critical facilities. Zelensky also confirmed that preparations for the trilateral meeting were underway.

Stubb and Støre said they participated in the conversation as leaders of their respective countries, not on behalf of Europe as a whole. However, the initiative drew criticism from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. In an interview with TV2, she said she was skeptical of Finland and Norway taking an independent step that, according to her, had not been coordinated with other European countries.

Earlier, media reports said European countries were discussing the possibility of appointing a special representative to negotiate with Putin, with Stubb named as one possible candidate.

---------------------------------  2  --------------------------------- 

PUTIN CALLS FOR AN END TO CONFLICTS AND THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS 

Speaking at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum held in Moscow, Vladimir Putin called for an end to conflicts and the lifting of “sanctions regimes.” 

“Of course, we need to think about ending the ongoing conflicts and lifting sanctions regimes... Ultimately, this leads to serious consequences for everyone,” Putin said.  

Speaking at the Valdai Club on October 1, Putin effectively called for the lifting of sanctions on petroleum products: 

“We are told: ‘Let them stop striking your oil refineries, and you stop striking their ships. Let them transport civilian cargoes of agricultural products.’ But what about our other civilian cargoes, such as oil and petroleum products? They will stop the strikes, and as a result, there will be more diesel fuel, which is so needed, say, in the United States. We will have more, but we already have enough diesel fuel. However, it will not reach global markets because bans and sanctions on our oil and petroleum products are in effect. There are sanctions on insurance, and freight costs are rising. How can our diesel fuel reach the global market while sanctions remain in place? It simply cannot.” 

Earlier, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov had explicitly called for sanctions against Russia to be lifted: “To resolve problems in global markets, we need to address the issue of, first, safe navigation for oil tankers... And second, all restrictions, all illegal sanctions on supplies to the energy and petroleum products markets must be lifted, both from Russia and from all other countries subject to such sanctions.”

---------------------------------  3  --------------------------------- 

RUSSIA OFFERS TO HELP RESTORE OIL REFINERIES DAMAGED IN THE MIDDLE EAST 

Russia has offered to help restore oil refineries damaged in the Middle East. Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov announced the offer at a plenary session of the “Russian Engineer” congress, Kommersant reports.

According to Alikhanov, Russia has offered countries on the Arabian Peninsula assistance in restoring oil refineries attacked during the Middle East crisis. He described this as an example of cooperation between countries. He added that Russia’s oil and gas engineering industry is already capable of supplying equipment to “friendly countries.”

“We have developed our expertise in oil and gas equipment sufficiently to offer an alternative to global technology licensors,” Alikhanov said.

According to The Washington Post, at least two-thirds of Russia’s largest oil refineries had been damaged by Ukrainian attacks during the first five months of 2026 alone. According to S&P Global Energy, by the end of August, half of Russia’s total oil refining capacity had been knocked out of operation.

---------------------------------  4  --------------------------------- 

PUTIN SPEAKS OF “FAVORABLE CONDITIONS” FOR FOREIGN BUSINESSES IN RUSSIA FOLLOWING A SERIES OF NATIONALIZATIONS 

Russian authorities are seeking to create “favorable conditions” for European companies that have remained in the country since the start of the war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with propagandist Pavel Zarubin. 

According to him, Russia has “many friends in Europe,” but many of them were “forced” to wind down their local businesses.

“When some companies left under pressure from Western European governments, our friends from those countries were almost in tears… Some, by the way, are still operating, and we are trying to create favorable conditions for them,” Putin said. He also criticized Western sanctions imposed against Russia — in his opinion, “banning everything that comes from Russia is foolish.”

The statement came after Putin issued a decree in September placing the Russian assets of Swiss company Nestlé, American packaging manufacturer Aptar, German hypermarket chain Metro, French retailer Auchan, logistics company FM Logistic, and “Lemana Pro” — the former Russian business of Leroy Merlin — under temporary state management.

The Kremlin explained that the companies in question belong to “unfriendly” countries that are “currently actively involved in military operations” against Russia, including “strikes” on “economic infrastructure” facilities. In mid-October, the Russian assets of French flooring manufacturer Tarkett, one of the global leaders in its industry, were seized.

---------------------------------  5  --------------------------------- 

KREMLIN CLAIMS THAT 70% OF RUSSIANS WHO LEFT THE COUNTRY AFTER THE START OF THE WAR HAVE RETURNED “WITH THEIR TAILS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS” 

Seventy percent of Russians who left the country after the start of the invasion of Ukraine have returned to Russia, senator and United Russia member Oleg Matveychev told RT. “When they left in 2022, I said, ‘Let them run away; they’ll come back as patriots.’ Most have already returned — around 70%,” he said.

According to Matveychev, Russians decided to return because of “everyday and bureaucratic difficulties, a lack of safety and services, financial problems, and disappointment with the Western way of life.” 

“They fled back from Europe in horror, saying they wouldn’t trade Moscow for anything now, that they’d had a terrible time. They’re sitting quietly with their tails between their legs,” the lawmaker said.

Vladimir Putin’s decision to start the war against Ukraine in February 2022 triggered the largest wave of political emigration from Russia in 100 years, which accelerated after mobilization was announced in September 2022. According to estimates by Re: Russia, more than 800,000 people left the country. The Institute of Applied Economic Research at RANEPA cited a figure of 650,000, while the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) put the number at up to 900,000. 

In 2023, Putin claimed that 50% of those who had left had returned. However, a RANEPA study from early 2024 put the figure at just 10%.

After examining migration service data from 70 countries worldwide, The Bell found that by July 2024, 666,000 Russians had not returned to their homeland. Most had moved to Armenia (110,000 people), Kazakhstan (80,000), Israel (80,000), and Georgia (74,000). Among European countries, the most popular destinations for emigration were Germany (36,000), Serbia (30,000), Latvia (18,000), Spain (16,000), and the Netherlands (12,000).

---------------------------------  6  --------------------------------- 

PUTIN SPEAKS ABOUT THE “POSSIBILITY OF WORKING TOGETHER WITH AMERICAN PARTNERS” IN THE ARCTIC  

Vladimir Putin spoke about the “possibility of working together with American partners” in the Arctic. He made the statement during his speech at the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries (FSEG).

“We are actively working in the Arctic with many countries around the world that are interested in joint projects. Until quite recently, European partners worked alongside us in our fields, and Chinese partners worked there as well. We are now exploring the possibility of working together with American partners,” Putin said (as quoted by TASS). 

In the summer, media outlets reported that Russia and the United States had discussed “energy deals” amid negotiations over the war. According to sources, they discussed the possibility of Russia purchasing American equipment for liquefied natural gas production projects, such as Arctic LNG 2. 

Putin also said that Europe was “dealing a blow to its own industry and society by abandoning Russian energy supplies and tearing up long-term contracts”: 

“You know, there is a saying in Russia: ‘Don’t dig a hole for someone else, or you’ll fall into it yourself.’ In my view, that is exactly what has happened in the European Union today.” 

In Putin’s opinion, the role of natural gas in the world “will only grow stronger,” and “attempts to exclude Russia from the global gas market” have “serious consequences.”

---------------------------------  7  --------------------------------- 

MOSCOW RESIDENTS FACE MAJOR INTERNET RESTRICTIONS AMID INTERNATIONAL SUMMITS 

Moscow has begun restricting mobile internet speeds in connection with the international summits taking place in the city. Speeds in the city center have fallen 17-fold, residents report, according to outlet Ostorozhno Moskva.

The Ministry of Digital Development previously warned of possible disruptions and temporary mobile internet shutdowns within central Moscow from October 27 to 29. The restrictions are linked to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit and the Russia–Africa summit.

According to the ministry, mobile service may become unavailable starting at 11:30 AM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and at 9:30 AM on Thursday. Voice calls, home internet, Wi-Fi, and services included on the government-approved “whitelist” are expected to remain accessible.

During the summits, traffic will also be restricted on certain streets, embankments, and bridges in the capital. Drivers are advised to use the subway.

---------------------------------  8  --------------------------------- 

RUSSIAN CITIZENS FACE RECORD PRICE INCREASES OF SUGAR, BUCKWHEAT, AND OTHER GOODS AMID THE COUNTRY’S FUEL CRISIS

A range of food products, as well as meals at fast-food establishments, saw record price increases during Russia’s fuel crisis from May to September compared with the same periods in the previous eight years in Russia. This is according to data from the state statistics agency Rosstat analyzed by Verstka.

In particular, price increases for turkey meat, certain types of fish, honey, and granulated sugar reached their highest levels since 2018. According to Rosstat, turkey prices rose by 7.5% from May to September 2026, from 608 rubles 46 kopecks ($7.16) to 654 rubles 31 kopecks ($7.70) per kilogram. Granulated sugar rose by 14.5%, from 73 rubles 96 kopecks ($0.87) to 84 rubles 65 kopecks ($1.00) per kilogram.

Food-grade salt, buckwheat, onions, canned vegetable baby food, and a serving of fast food also recorded their largest price increases in nine years.

Over four months, buckwheat prices rose by 13.3%, from 79 rubles 48 kopecks ($0.94) to 90 rubles 8 kopecks ($1.06) per kilogram. Salt prices increased by 5.8%, while a kilogram of canned vegetable baby food became 3.2% more expensive. For the first time in nine years, onion prices rose by 4% from May to September instead of falling due to seasonal factors.

The average price of a serving at fast-food establishments increased by 3.6%, from 187 rubles 66 kopecks ($2.21) to 194 rubles 45 kopecks ($2.29), also setting a nine-year record. In addition, this was the second-largest increase in the entire period of observation, surpassed only by the all-time high of 3.8% recorded in 2015.

---------------------------------  9  --------------------------------- 

PUTIN’S RESIDENCE GOT SURROUNDED BY A SECOND RING OF AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS 

Another ring of air defense (AD) system positions has been built within a 50 km radius of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “Uzhin” residence in Valdai. This is reported by Radio Liberty, citing satellite images also analyzed by OSINT analyst jembobineuse. 

In October, more than 15 new towers appeared south of the residence, on the side facing Ukraine. They are intended to house Pantsir or Tor anti-aircraft systems.

One of the positions was built back in March 2026 on the grounds of the military base in Khotilovo, which Putin reportedly uses regularly. A dedicated railway line connects the base to the Valdai residence. Several more towers were erected on the shore of the Vyshny Volochyok Reservoir, in the middle of which lies Fox Island, where a laboratory complex was built, allegedly linked to Russia’s biological weapons program.

There are now more than 50 air defense positions around Putin’s Valdai residence, and their number has nearly doubled since April. At the same time, fewer than 100,000 people live within a 50 km radius of the site. By comparison, only about twice as many air defense positions were built in Moscow and the Moscow province after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite their combined population exceeding 20 million.

ON THAT NOTE, WE END TODAY’S NEWS BROADCAST.

STAY TUNED FOR DAILY UPDATES ON WHAT’S HAPPENING IN RUSSIA.

K