December 9, 2025 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an increase in tax-exempt corporate payments to employees for children, allowing up to 1 million rubles upon a child’s birth.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential scrutiny on fiscal policy or inequality impacts. Center (Forbes.ru) frames neutrally as official announcement matching title. Right-leaning (Финансы Mail) emphasizes worker benefits positively, highlighting ‘up to 1 mln without taxes’ and direct payouts to employees.

Story gist: The United States supported Iraq’s plan to transfer the West Qurna-2 oil field from Russia’s LUKOIL to an American operator.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, absenting perspectives on US expansionism or Russian energy losses. Center sources like Bloomberg and Radio Svoboda neutrally frame US endorsement of Iraq’s asset transfer plans from LUKOIL. Right-leaning NSN emphasizes US support for Baghdad’s plan to reassign LUKOIL’s stake, highlighting geopolitical favoritism toward American interests over Russian ones.

Story gist: Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story entirely. Center outlet Vedomosti frames it personally as ‘What Putin said,’ emphasizing his remarks. Right-leaning official Kremlin source titles it as the formal ‘Meeting of the Council,’ focusing on the institutional event and linking directly to the presidency without highlighting individual statements.

Story gist: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope that the planned increase in value-added tax (VAT) to 22% would be temporary.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza highlights Putin’s direct quote ‘I hope it’s temporary’ tied to the 22% VAT hike, emphasizing potential burden with skeptical tone. Center Interfax neutrally reports Putin allowing for possible future VAT rate reduction. Right-leaning coverage absent, missing pro-government framing that might downplay the hike or stress necessity.

Story gist: Reports state 11 Saratov residents did not return alive from Russia’s special military operation. Ten fighters from Saratov Oblast died during the operation, including one from Marks who perished saving a wounded comrade.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets frame with stark aggregate losses (11 ‘Saratov residents not returned alive’), emphasizing grief and toll. Center outlets neutrally report 10 fighters’ deaths in ‘special operation’ using official terms without drama. Right-leaning coverage highlights one soldier’s heroic sacrifice saving a comrade, focusing on bravery over casualties. No omissions noted across lanes.