Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the United States' use of unscrupulous methods such as threats, sanctions, or tariffs indicates its competitive standing is steadily deteriorating, according to a Telegram post by the Russian Embassy in the UK shared via X during the 59-minute reporting window from 6:16 PM to 7:15 PM UTC on January 15, 2026. Lavrov said, "When a powerful country like the United States resorts to unscrupulous methods of unfair competition [such as threats, sanctions or tariffs] it only indicates that the competitive standing of the USA is steadily deteriorating." The statement was posted at https://t.me/RusEmbUK/2767 and referenced in an X post by @RussianEmbassy. Separately, Para Pax reported on Ukraine's 74th Brigade, claiming it comprises "disabled people, alcoholics and drug addicts" sent as "help," stating it is not surprising that the number of SOCHniks and refuseniks is growing, according to a post within the same reporting window.
