☕ Russia-Ukraine: the main players

Good morning,

Welcome to the first three-part series from TDU, where we take one key event that keeps coming into your headlines, and cover off the key players, where the story goes from here, and why it matters to you. We’re starting with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the key cast members you need to know.

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Some headlines from this morning:

Delta Airlines officials have confirmed that 19 of the 21 people hospitalized have been discharged after their plane overturned and came to rest on its roof whilst landing in Toronto yesterday. The two passengers who remain in hospital are not being treated for life threatening injuries. The flight, which left from Minneapolis, faced strong winds and frigid temperatures as it approached its destination, investigative probs are being launched to determine the cause of the botched landing.

Hamas has signalled that they will release six living hostages and return four bodies, accelerating the return of Israeli hostages beyond the bounds of the ceasefire deal. Three of the dead to be returned will be members of the Bilbas family, two young Israeli boys and their mother who have become a symbol of the Israeli hostage plight. This acceleration is thought to be in exchange for Israel allowing further aid into Gaza and comes as Israeli officials announce that negotiations have begun for the second phase of a ceasefire deal.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been charged over an alleged election interference plot. The far-right politician lost the Presidency to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to overturn his election defeat through a series of “systemic attacks” on Brazilian authorities, charges filed to Brazil’s Supreme Court show. Investigators claim the former President coordinated with 33 others, including senior ministers, to assassinate the current President and Vice President, and a prominent Brazilian judge. The court will now consider the charges before launching legal proceedings.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) food division has resigned after 89 of his 2,000 employees were fired under the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures. Many of the employees were recently hired to help investigate chemical safety in America’s food, which drove Mr Jones to his Monday resignation, saying it was “fruitless for him to continue.” In his resignation letter, he criticized Robert Kennedy Jr, the Secretary for Health, for accusing the department of being too influenced by the industries it regulates, calling it a "disservice to everyone".

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The Department of Homeland Security, led by new Secretary Kristi Noem, will spend up to $200m on a new advertising campaign that aims to reach migrants that have entered the US illegally. It is set to run for the next two years, and be based around the line: “we will find you and deport you”. Here’s what we know so far.

The two versions

According to the DHS, there are two versions of the ad - one to run in the US, and one to run overseas. In both versions, Noem addresses the camera front-on, stating: "President Trump has a clear message: if you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. But if you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream."

Hypertargeting

Alongside radio and broadcast ads, there will also be “hyper-targeted” ads that run on social media, text messages and online. The statement did not go into detail as to how the hyper-targeting would be structured, and on which social media platforms.

It is not the first time the DHS, on instruction from the White House, has run campaigns of this kind - the Biden administration ran a series of ads in South America, primarily across radio, to deter attempts to migrate to the US illegally.

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Recent Trump administration moves have put the Russia-Ukraine war back in the spotlight.

Over the next three days, we’ll catch you up on everything you need to know to make sense of recent reporting.

Part one reintroduces the key players: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as their allies through the conflict.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia as President or Prime Minister for over two decades. In 2021, he reset presidential term limits to extend his rule until 2036.

Opposition leader Alexander Navalny, who died in a Russian prison in 2023, called Putin’s regime a “party of crooks and thieves,” referencing the oligarchy supporting his rule. Putin faces no viable opposition and suppresses dissent.

Born poor, Putin joined the KGB, the Soviet Union’s secret service. He called the USSR’s 1991 collapse "the biggest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century. His invasion of Ukraine stems from a desire to restore Russia’s past power.

Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2019 presidential campaign was seen as a joke, given his past as a comedian best known for playing a teacher-turned-president.

Running on anti-corruption and peace, he won 73% of the vote, but few in politics believed in his leadership. His anti-Russia stance and NATO ambitions alarmed Putin.

Defying expectations, Zelensky became a symbol of hope and strength after the invasion, proving an effective leader, communicator, and fundraiser for Ukraine’s war effort, making frequent visits to Europe and the US.

Russian Allies

The four countries who opposed UN resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion were Belarus, North Korea, Russia, and Syria. EU officials estimate up to 13,000 North Korean troops are aiding Russia.

China has been a key supporter of Russia amid sanctions, denying weapons supplies but accused by former U.S. Secretary of State Blinken of providing 70% of machine tools and 90% of microelectronics critical to Russia’s weapons.

Russian forces have used mercenary groups, notably the Wagner Group whose influence weakened after its leader’s 2022 coup attempt against Putin.

Ukrainian Allies: NATO, the US and Europe

NATO is a 31-country military alliance committed to mutual defense, requiring a collective response if one member is attacked, which is why Putin opposes Ukraine’s membership.

The US and Europe are Ukraine’s biggest supporters, with Europe donating $138 billion and the US $120 billion over three years. Trump has criticized US aid to Ukraine, suggesting reduced support and seeking Ukraine’s rare minerals as compensation.

Sanctions, penalties to restrict trade, finance, or diplomacy, have been imposed on Russia by Ukraine’s allies. These include asset freezes, SWIFT cuts (a global financial system), and export bans, weakening Russia’s economy and war capabilities.

What’s next?

Tomorrow we update you on how the war could progress or end and what options are open to the two warring nations. Stay tuned!