Weekly Update (Nov 3rd – Nov 9th, 2025)

Eastern Europe: Ukraine strike campaign intensifies ahead of winter

Russia’s war in Ukraine took on a harsher character this week as Moscow expanded missile and drone strikes against energy infrastructure, sharpening pressure on Kyiv as winter approaches. Ukrainian officials warned that sustained attacks on power facilities risked compounding humanitarian strains, even as emergency repairs limited immediate disruption. Western governments reiterated commitments to air-defence support, reflecting concern that the conflict is increasingly being waged through economic and civilian resilience rather than territorial gains.

Middle East: Red Sea shipping disruptions raise regional alarm

Instability in the Red Sea began to feed into global trade dynamics, after a series of security incidents near key maritime routes prompted several shipping firms to reroute vessels. Insurance premiums and transit costs rose, reviving concerns over supply-chain vulnerability to regional conflict. Analysts cautioned that prolonged disruption could have knock-on effects for energy markets and inflation.

Europe: EU debates expansion of defence industrial capacity

EU officials used meetings in Brussels to reassess how quickly defence production can be scaled amid persistent ammunition shortages. The discussions underscored a growing acceptance that sustained support for Ukraine, alongside wider deterrence goals, will require long-term industrial investment rather than short-term stockpile transfers.