Ukraine’s drone strikes have plunged Crimea into blackouts, fuel shortages and tourism collapse, exposing war’s costs on the Russia-controlled peninsula on.wsj.com/4oUEUDo
Day: June 29, 2026
Most Russian recruits have life expectancy of just 20 minutes on Ukraine front lines, chilling report claims trib.al/l608qmM
His extraordinary beauty captivated high society, but history remembered him for a murder, exile and a legal battle that changed cinema forever.
Prince Felix Yusupov was born into one of Imperial Russia’s wealthiest and most influential families. Famous for his striking appearance and extravagant lifestyle, he became a celebrated figure among the aristocracy before the fall of the Romanov Empire. Yet beneath the glamour and privilege lay a destiny that would place his name among the most controversial figures of the twentieth century.
In December 1916, as Russia descended into chaos during the First World War, Felix Yusupov became one of the leading conspirators behind the assassination of Grigori Rasputin, the mysterious adviser whose influence over the imperial family had alarmed many nobles. The dramatic killing quickly became surrounded by legends, making Yusupov both notorious and unforgettable. Only months later, the Russian Revolution swept away the old order, forcing him and his wife, Princess Irina Alexandrovna, into exile and bringing an end to the world they had once known.
Unlike many members of the Russian nobility who lost everything, Yusupov managed to rebuild his life abroad. Settling in Paris, he lived through decades of political upheaval while preserving memories of Imperial Russia. Despite losing his fortune and homeland, he remained one of the most recognizable survivors of the Romanov era, becoming a living link to a vanished empire.
In the 1930s, Hollywood released the film “Rasputin and the Empress.” One of its characters closely resembled Princess Irina, suggesting events that never occurred. Outraged, Felix and his wife sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and won a landmark case. The lawsuit became so influential that film studios adopted a disclaimer stating that any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, was purely coincidental. A phrase now familiar to audiences around the world was born from their determination to defend their reputation.
Prince Felix Yusupov outlived the monarchy, revolution and many of his contemporaries. When he died in 1967, he left behind more than memories of a lost empire. He remained the handsome prince who helped end Rasputin’s life, escaped the collapse of Imperial Russia and unintentionally changed the history of cinema itself, ensuring that his name would continue to echo long after the world he once knew had disappeared.
© Historical Stories
How does the Vice-President’s faith shape his approach to matters of war and peace? You won’t find the answer in his new book. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/eO…
day 2 of the 4o days operation and let’s talk about the best weapon ukraine has – russian incompetence… 🪖🤦♂️ the russian military is corrupt to the absolute core and their training level is a complete joke. there is literally a saying that a russian general knows less about tactical warfare than an ordinary sergeant in the us army!! the funny part is that there are foreign entities actually trying to help russia fight its own corruption, but honestly… why interfere?? their endless internal corruption and bribery is a total godsend for ukraine and the west. let them drain their own fuel funds and buy fake degrees for their top brass, because that’s exactly why their war machine is grinding to a halt from within. brilliant strategy… just a thought.
Putin “is scrambling to respond” to intensifying “Ukrainian drone attacks reaching ever deeper into Russia, hitting key arms production facilities, destroying an ever-greater share of oil-refining capacity, and causing fuel shortages across the country.” trib.al/DZOfJ8J
BREAKING:
The US says it will no more support Israel in war against Iran.
Alexander Smirnov, once a key figure in a Republican impeachment drive, seeks to overturn his guilty plea with unexpected DOJ backing.
#AlexanderSmirnov #DOJ #USPolitics #LegalNews #bribery
Read More: ift.tt/xuRWc6n
the 40-day operation keeps moving forward… 💥🚗 zelensky confirmed on sunday that ukraines drone fleet successfully struck two russian oil refineries overnight – one in krasnodar (300 km away) and one in jaroslavl, a whopping 700 km deep into russia. kiev is seriously tightening the squeeze on russias fuel supply, and these constant strikes are causing acute shortages with massive gas lines and rationing. in krasnodar, a major fire broke out at the slavyansk refinery, and in jaroslavl, just east of moscow, the governor panicked so much from the drones that they put temporary traffic restrictions on roads leading straight into the capital!! when the war gets this close to moscow and the gas stations run dry, no amount of state tv propaganda can save the facade. things are breaking down… just a thought.