Isabel van Brugen
Reporter
Isabel van Brugen is a Newsweek Reporter based in Kuala Lumpur. Her current focus is on the Russia-Ukraine war, and she has covered human rights issues in previous roles. Isabel joined Newsweek in 2021 and had previously worked with news outlets including the Daily Express, The Times, Harper's BAZAAR, and Grazia. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism at City, University of London, and a BA in Russian language at QMUL. Languages: English, Russian
You can get in touch with Isabel by emailing [email protected]
Twitter handle: @isabelvanbrugen
Putin keeps changing his mind on Russia using mercenaries
The Kremlin struggled to explain President Vladimir Putin's apparent U-turn on using mercenaries in his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's next nuclear weapons test will likely be in this location
Russia should conduct nuclear tests at the location at least once to scare the West, Vladimir Putin ally Mikhail Kovalchuk has said.
Another neighbor turns back on Russia
"Wow, huge move. Just shows weakening grip across region of Russia," said economist Timothy Ash of comments by Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Video shows Putin giving orders to Prigozhin's "successor"
Andrey Troshev, a former Wagner commander, has been touted as the successor to the mercenary group's late leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Putin seen with Kadyrov after death rumors
There has been speculation that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was dead or in a coma.
Russians crowdfunding for sailors wounded in Rostov-on-Don submarine strike
The initiative raises questions about payouts Vladimir Putin promised to injured servicemen in the war.
Russian state TV threatens cluster munitions attack on NATO member
Dutch oil refineries would be "a perfect target for a cluster munition," Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov said on state TV.
Videos show colossal fireball after explosion at customs warehouse
The Tashkent blast reportedly damaged houses 20 miles away.
Russia signals it can't ditch critical Western tech any time soon
Western-imposed sanctions mean Moscow is looking to ramp up domestic production of microchips. This feat won't be achieved in the near future, Russia signals.
Russian officials explain "photoshopping" dead soldier into awards photo
According to officials, Artur Sultangaliev was wounded and hospitalized with a serious illness in January. He died on September 24 and was buried on Monday.
Ukraine strikes are wiping out Putin's top brass
Moscow has lost a large number of top generals and commanders in Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russians ready for "direct conflict" with NATO, Putin ally claims
"We are ready, although the result will be achieved at a much greater cost to humanity than in 1945," former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned.
New poll hints Russia preparing for life after Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to announce his bid for another term by the end of the year, with the election in March 2024.
How a Nazi veteran ended up In Canada's parliament
Calls are growing for Anthony Rota, the speaker of Canada's House of Commons, to resign after calling Yaroslav Hunka a hero.
Russia's Baltic Fleet "no longer capable of amphibious assault": Report
The closure of the Bosphorus Strait to military traffic has meant three of the fleet's large landing ships have not been able to return to their home port.
Russia issues arrest warrant for Hague Court judges
Russian President Vladimir Putin is accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Who is Yaroslav Hunka? Ukrainian With Nazi past honored in Canada
Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian who is accused of serving in a Nazi unit during World War Two, was praised at a parliamentary meeting in Canada.
Mystery surrounds power outage in major Russian city
Residents reported hearing a loud sound and a bright flash shortly before a temporary power outage in St. Petersburg.
Russia curbs gas exports amid worsening diesel shortage
Fuel shortages have been reported nationwide, while wholesale fuel prices have soared across the country.
US and Russia put boots on the ground in the same country
A joint-exercise between U.S. and Armenian troops had not been affected by the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, a U.S. military spokesperson said.
Putin's "mini-NATO" in peril as Russian peacekeepers killed by Azeri troops
Russia's Defense Ministry said that a car carrying Russian peacekeepers came under fire in Nagorno-Karabakh and that all servicemen died.
Ramzan Kadyrov appears in hospital video amid health speculation
A post has appeared on the Chechen leader's Telegram channel, saying that he is alive and well.
"Saboteurs" blow up two planes and helicopter inside Russia: Kyiv
Russia has blamed Ukraine for a rise in attacks on its territory, many of which have struck military targets.
Russia soldiers refused to fight after commanders "fled like rats"
When the unit came under fire, the "commanders, senior company officers...fled like rats, leaving the guys alone to die under shelling."
Russia's $50m Su-34 fighter jet crashes in Voronezh
Russia's Defense Ministry said two crew members were able to safely eject from the aircraft.
Ukraine drones attack Russia just 15 miles from Putin's Black Sea palace
Drone attacks on Russian soil have increased in intensity throughout Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Russia quietly orders 230k certificates for families of dead soldiers
Independent news outlet Verstka reported that the figures may indirectly indicate the approximate scale of the Russian losses in the war.
Russia's medicine shortage worsens as sanctions take toll
Over the past year, dozens of types of drugs have disappeared from pharmacies in Russia.
"Artillery shelling" reported as conflict reignites in Russia's backyard
The Azerbaijani defense ministry said "local anti-terrorist activities" had been launched to "suppress large-scale provocations" in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ukraine counteroffensive map as Kyiv advances in Bakhmut, Zaporizhia
Kyiv has announced the recapture of the village of Klishchiivka, near the city of Bakhmut, only days after liberating the nearby village of Andriivka.
