The Russian ruling class is hoping that a negotiated settlement with the United States over the war in Ukraine will give it some relief as falling oil revenues and military-industrial expenditures blow a hole in the federal budget.

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US peace plan for Ukraine in its current form is unacceptable to the Kremlin, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday. The Guardian quoted Russian Sergey Ryabkov as saying Russia took America’s proposals and plans seriously, but they all were unacceptable to Moscow in the current form.

Frustrated Russians living near the frontlines of the war celebrated Ukraine’s massive drone attack against Moscow, according to newly released calls intercepted by Kyiv. After Kyiv fired 337 drones at Russia on March 11,

"Let them bomb the Kremlin," one man from Belgorod Oblast said in an intercepted call released by HUR on March 31.