International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine

• As we have previously noted here, Victory Day parades are a big deal for Vladimir Putin.
• Presumably Russia needs all its military hardware at the front as it prepares for a spring offensive that is expected to begin any day now.
• You can also subscribe to our fortnightly recap of expert analysis of the conflict in Ukraine.
• Read more:
  I've just returned from Kyiv where they are expecting a long war and want more help from the west

Russian masculinity

• The Russian Duma recently rubberstamped legislation that will make it significantly harder for young Russian men to avoid the call-up.
• Russians have been treated to a blitz of advertising appealing to the Russian male’s sense of their “warrior masculinity”.
• Marina Yusupova of Edinburgh Napier University is an expert in expressions of masculinity – particularly in Russia – and has researched Russian men’s views on the army and military service.
• Read more:
  Russia’s appeal to 'warrior masculinity' is unlikely to encourage men to enlist in the army

  Muscovites got a nasty shock one night last week when two drones exploded close to the Kremlin itself.

China syndrome

• As Stefan Wolff notes, there’s a lot at stake for China – whatever the outcomes.
• On the other, various senior EU representatives have made it clear that Beijing’s stance on the war will significantly influence the future of Europe’s relationship with China.
• Read more:
  Ukraine war: what China gains from acting as peacemaker

Nowhere to hide for Putin?