Dear Express Explained reader, More than 10 days into President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, it seems difficult to imagine how this catastrophe might end, whenever it does - and Russia's position in the new European order that will come into existence afterward. The longer the war continues, the more difficult it will become for India to stay its carefully calibrated course between Russia and the Western alliance. The evacuation of Indian students from the war zone is the immediate challenge, but there is a long and complex policy road ahead. Krishn Kaushik wrote this week on the history of India's deep and comprehensive defence ties with Russia, and the continuing importance of this relationship to New Delhi. Harish Damodaran unpacked the economic impact of the war, which goes beyond oil to agricultural commodities and fertilisers. As prices rise, India will be faced with a set of challenges with significant repercussions on the domestic economy. Among other dire threats, delivered in words or deeds, Russia has suggested it might carry out some kind of nuclear action against Ukraine - a step that, if taken, will almost certainly result in catastrophe for many more people than just Ukrainians. It will also be a deeply ironic moment for Ukraine and its Western allies - for it was against an explicit guarantee of protection, given by both the Russians and the West, that Kyiv had given up the nuclear arsenal that it inherited from the former Soviet Union. Nirupama Subramanian recounted the story of Ukraine's nukes, the Budapest Assurance, and the betrayal that followed. At home, the election in Uttar Pradesh is now days from the close. As counting day nears, the predictions will get noisier — we will have some indication, even if flawed, of the mood of the electorate after the exit poll results are published at the end of the final phase of voting tomorrow. Do check out Shyamlal Yadav's very informative short profile of the OBCs of Uttar Pradesh — a numerically significant and politically powerful group whose choices, most analysts agree, will likely determine who will come to power on March 10. Stay safe and stay aware. The coming days and weeks will be very, very newsy, and will throw up many questions, the answers to which we will try to provide through articles in Explained. So keep reading — and if you haven't subscribed to The Indian Express yet, this may be the perfect time to do so. Click here to subscribe. Sincerely, Monojit (monojit.majumdar@expressindia.com) If you received this newsletter as a forward, you can subscribe to it here | Do read our Explained articles here | 
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