The identities of those on board the crashed Russian An-26 military aircraft in Crimea have been revealed. Among the dead is General Alexander Atroshchenko, commander of the Northern Fleet’s mixed air corps, along with six staff officers. Atroshchenko was close to Putin, participated in the annexation of Crimea, and took part in military operations in Syria. According to Western media, he is the 14th high-ranking Russian general lost since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, growing numbers of Russian politicians express dissatisfaction with Kremlin policies. State Duma deputy Mikhail Delyagin criticized the ongoing war, increased censorship, and unpopular laws, suggesting that these steps might be part of a "cunning plan" leading to Russia’s dissolution.
Additionally, China and the European Union have agreed on new trade corridors bypassing Russia—through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine—to reduce Moscow’s influence on logistics between China and the EU. The new "Middle Corridor" is about 2,500 km shorter than the northern route through Russia and is gaining relevance amid rising geopolitical tension. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan plan to formalize the agreement in 2026.
These changes could cause Russia to lose its significance as a key transit state, impacting its long-term strategic prospects.
