As early as 1 October, official Russian Federation Ministry of Defense publications began publishing information promoting an Armed Forces Mental Health Support Hotline. Specifically aimed at soldiers returning from the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine and their families, the announcement states that hotline operators will provide cost-free, around-the-clock mental health assistance and informational psychologicalContinue reading "Russian Ministry of Defense Promotes Mental Health Support for Soldiers Returning from Ukraine"
Russia Suspends Right of Innocent Passage in Baltic Sea Along Coast of Kaliningrad For Remainder of 2025
On 8 October 2025, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense published notification of "the suspension of right of innocent passage through the territorial waters of the Russian Federation" in the southeastern Baltic Sea "for foreign military ships and other state vessels operated for non-commercial purposes." This declaration, which is in effect through 31 December 2025,Continue reading "Russia Suspends Right of Innocent Passage in Baltic Sea Along Coast of Kaliningrad For Remainder of 2025"
Russia Issues Arctic Barents Sea Maritime Closure for Missile Launches Along Novaya Zemlya Coastline
On 7 October 2025, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense filed a maritime closure area in the Arctic portion of the Barents Sea to ensure safe lanes for Russian Navy missile launches from 12 to 14 October. The activities are to be conducted in a range extending from the eastern coastline of Kanin Peninsula northwardContinue reading "Russia Issues Arctic Barents Sea Maritime Closure for Missile Launches Along Novaya Zemlya Coastline"
Russia Issues Barents Sea Maritime Warning Notice for Special Activities West of Novaya Zemlya
On 6 October 2025, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense filed a maritime navigational warning area in the Arctic portion of the Barents Sea to ensure safe lanes for Russian Navy "special activities" from 11 to 15 October. The activities are to be conducted due west of central Novaya Zemlya. Translation © 2025 by MichaelContinue reading "Russia Issues Barents Sea Maritime Warning Notice for Special Activities West of Novaya Zemlya"
Russian Ministry of Defense Reveals Projected Military Spending through 2028
According to a recently published report from Russian website Mil.Press, in 2026, Russia will allocate 12.9 trillion rubles [$156,313,686] from the federal budget for defense. This is stated in the explanatory note to the draft budget for 2026, which was submitted to the State Duma on Monday, September 29. By comparison, the 2025 budget allocatedContinue reading "Russian Ministry of Defense Reveals Projected Military Spending through 2028"
1943: Molotov Informs Gromyko, Sobolev of Acceptance of Terms of Italy’s Surrender to the Allies
The following is a translation of a 2 September 1943 Top Secret message from the People's Commissar Of Foreign Affairs Of The USSR Vyacheslav Molotov To Soviet Ambassador To The US Andrey Gromyko and Soviet Charge D'Affairs Of The USSR In Great Britain Arkady Sobolev. 2 September 1943 Top Secret Priority On 26 AugustContinue reading "1943: Molotov Informs Gromyko, Sobolev of Acceptance of Terms of Italy’s Surrender to the Allies"
1960: Soviet Intelligence Creates Pre-Election Political Profile of John F. Kennedy
The following translation is that of a 1960 profile of then-candidate John F. Kennedy, drafted by the Soviet intelligence organs to ensure the political leadership of the USSR was kept abreast of the man who would soon become President of the United States. While it's no secret that intelligence agencies across the world compile psychologicalContinue reading "1960: Soviet Intelligence Creates Pre-Election Political Profile of John F. Kennedy"
Three Top Secret Reports Highlight Japan’s More Militaristic Posture in Late November 1941
The following are translations of three separate Top Secret intelligence reports dispatched on 25 November 1941, based on covertly-acquired information from unidentified Soviet agents in Tokyo. The first spells out how events are expected to unfold in the event of a break in Japanese-American negotiations. The second lists the ultimatums that Japan intends to presentContinue reading "Three Top Secret Reports Highlight Japan’s More Militaristic Posture in Late November 1941"
Soviet Spy in Tokyo Warns Japan Will Invade Thailand if US-Japanese Talks Do Not Bear Fruit
The following is a translation of a Top Secret cipher telegram dated 19 November 1941 from Tokyo about the Japanese intention to occupy Thailand if negotiations with the United States do not lead to the results desired by Japan. Many redactions were made during the declassification process, most notably approximately the first two thirds ofContinue reading "Soviet Spy in Tokyo Warns Japan Will Invade Thailand if US-Japanese Talks Do Not Bear Fruit"
Russian Historical Society Provides Access to 800+ Newly Declassified WW2 Documents
On 17 September 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Historical Society has published a six-volume collection of over 800 archival documents, declassified by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), covering the entire period of World War II — from Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland to the defeat ofContinue reading "Russian Historical Society Provides Access to 800+ Newly Declassified WW2 Documents"
Translating History 