Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in Kashmir in May 2025, India and Pakistan once again found themselves on the brink of military conflict. After a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, India accused Pakistani militants of being responsible, which led to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries. Pakistan, in turn, rejected the accusations and conducted missile tests, demonstrating its readiness to take appropriate measures.
Let’s take a look at the military capabilities of these two countries.
India’s military capabilities
Troop strength: 1.45 million active military personnel, 1.15 million reservists, and over 2.5 million paramilitary personnel.
Ground forces: 3,740 main battle tanks (T-90 Bhishma, Arjun), 9,743 artillery units, including modern Pinaka and Dhanush systems.
Air force: approximately 2,229 aircraft, including 600 fighter jets (Rafale, Su-30MKI), 899 helicopters, and 831 support aircraft.
Navy: 75,500 personnel, 150 ships, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and Arihant-class ballistic missile submarines.
Nuclear arsenal: approximately 170–200 warheads, a “no first strike” policy, delivery systems — Agni (I–V), Prithvi, BrahMos missiles, as well as sea and air platforms.
Technological achievements: development of hypersonic missiles (BM-04), laser air defense systems (IDD&IS Mk2A), integration of theater commands, and the Integrated Battle Groups concept for rapid mobilization.
Pakistan’s military potential
Number: approximately 700,000 active military personnel: 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy.
Army: 2,537 main battle tanks (T-80, Al-Khalid), 4,619 artillery pieces.
Air Force: approximately 1,387 aircraft, including JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets, as well as Chinese drones.
Navy: 30,000 personnel, 9 frigates, 5 submarines, including new Chinese S20s.
Nuclear arsenal: approximately 170–190 warheads, a “first strike” doctrine with an emphasis on tactical nuclear weapons, including Nasr (Hatf-9) missiles with a range of up to 70 km.
Technological achievements: joint programs with China for the production of fighter jets, modernization of air defense, development of missile technologies.
The situation remains tense:
Pakistan has conducted two missile tests, including the launch of a Fatah missile with a range of 120 km.
India has stepped up security measures and conducted exercises in several states.
Both countries have closed their airspace and suspended trade.
International actors are calling for de-escalation.
Experts warn that even a limited conflict could escalate into a nuclear confrontation, given the doctrines of the parties and historical experience.
Unlike most other EU countries, Spain’s economy is showing steady growth in 2025, despite external challenges and internal structural constraints.
Key macroeconomic indicators for 2025
GDP growth: According to the European Commission’s forecast, GDP is expected to increase by 2.3%.
Inflation: Inflation is expected to decline to 2.2%.
Unemployment rate: Unemployment is forecast to decline to 11.0%.
Budget deficit: The deficit is expected to fall to 2.6% of GDP.
Public debt: Debt is expected to fall to 101.3% of GDP.
Spain’s economic growth in 2025 is supported by the following factors:
Domestic demand: Increased consumer spending and investment are contributing to economic growth.
Tourism: The tourism sector continues to recover, contributing positively to GDP.
Investment: Improved financing conditions and the implementation of projects under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan are stimulating investment activity.
Risks and challenges
Despite the positive trends, certain risks remain:
Geopolitical instability: Trade tensions, particularly with the US, could have a negative impact on exports.
Political fragmentation: Domestic political instability could slow down the adoption of necessary economic reforms.
Structural problems: High unemployment, especially among young people, and low labor productivity remain pressing issues.
Forecast for the end of 2025
The Spanish economy is expected to continue growing, albeit at a more moderate pace. Key forecasts for the end of the year:
GDP growth: Around 2.3%.
Inflation: Decline to 2.0%.
Unemployment: Decline to 10.7%.
Thus, despite the existing challenges, the Spanish economy is demonstrating its ability to grow sustainably and adapt to changing conditions.
Sweden is among the countries toward which Ukrainians demonstrate consistent sympathy and almost complete absence of criticism. These conclusions were drawn based on the results of a sociological survey conducted by Active Group in cooperation with the Experts Club information and analytical center in April 2025.
According to the survey results, 70.3% of respondents have a positive attitude toward Sweden (35.3% — mostly positive, 35% — completely positive). Only 1.9% gave a negative assessment (1.5% — mostly negative, 0.4% — completely negative). Another 25.4% of Ukrainians took a neutral position, and 2.4% abstained from answering.
“The high level of positive attitudes toward Sweden can be explained by its consistent policy of supporting democracy, human rights, and assistance to Ukraine, in particular humanitarian and security assistance,” said Oleksandr Pozniy, co-founder of Active Group.
The results indicate that Sweden, like other Northern European countries, is shaping an image in Ukraine as a reliable partner with clear principles.
The presentation of the study is available at the link.
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, URAKIN
OTP BANK JSC will be the financial partner of this year’s most high-profile automotive event, KYIV CAR FEST, which will bring together representatives of various subcultures at its venues. The event will take place on the weekend of May 10 and 11, from 12:00 to 20:00, at the Retroville shopping and entertainment center.
This year’s festival was created in collaboration with renowned automotive graphics and design master Oleksandr Lituta, who has been developing unique projects for special cars and the world’s best race car drivers for over 15 years. Therefore, KYIV CAR FEST vol.5 is dedicated to automotive design, and artistic masterpieces of various styles and genres will be created live at the event. Artists from all over Ukraine will gather to showcase their best works to festival participants and visitors.
OTP BANK will be represented at both outdoor and indoor locations. The outdoor location is expected to be the most eventful: guests will have a unique opportunity to apply for a loan for a used car from among those on sale at the festival. It will also be possible to apply for a loan to order a used car from the US or other countries, from the Bank’s partners, or on the Ponova by OTP Bank marketplace.
In addition, there will be special raffles where attendees can win a discount on their used car loan during the festival.
A special chatbot, which can be accessed by scanning a QR code, will help guests understand how much they can expect to borrow when applying for a loan. In just one minute and in complete confidentiality, car enthusiasts will find out their loan amount. The Bank’s specialists will also be on hand to answer questions about financing used cars.
To maximize the excitement, OTP BANK will give guests the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a cool electric car, and free instant photos will preserve memories of a bright weekend for a long time.
A chance to win UAH 1 million: all loans for used cars worth UAH 30,000 or more, taken out during or after the festival, up to and including May 31, will be entered into the “Liam na Tachku” promotion. The Bank’s customers will have an incredible opportunity to win a million hryvnias to buy the car of their dreams – right during the live broadcast on June 10.
We look forward to seeing you at KYIV CAR FEST, it’s going to be epic!
KYIV CAR FEST ticket giveaway: OTP BANK regularly holds promotions and unique offers to give customers new opportunities and exciting experiences. A ticket giveaway for the festival has started on our Instagram page – go there and find out all the terms and conditions! Don’t miss your chance to have an unforgettable experience with OTP BANK.
According to a survey conducted by Active Group and Experts Club, 26.7% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude toward Pakistan, while 12.0% express a negative attitude. At the same time, the majority of respondents (55.3%) take a neutral position, which indicates a low level of awareness or emotional interest in this country.
“Despite its geopolitical importance, Pakistan rarely appears in the Ukrainian media, especially in a positive light. This shapes a predominantly neutral, sometimes stereotypical perception. However, the proportion of positive attitudes demonstrates the openness of Ukrainian citizens to new partnerships and cultures,” notes Maksim Urakhin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.
Pakistan has a chance to shape a new image in the eyes of Ukrainian society through cultural, educational, or economic initiatives that will shift perceptions in a positive direction.
The study is available at the link.
ACTIVE GROUP, DIPLOMACY, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, URAKIN
Polish carriers have announced a new protest action on the border with Ukraine. This was announced by the Committee for the Protection of Transport Carriers and Employers of Poland, which submitted an official request to hold the event near the Dorohusk-Yagodin checkpoint, one of the largest between the two countries.
According to the organizers, the decision to resume protests is related to the Polish government’s lack of response to the demands of representatives of the transport industry.
“We have registered a protest at the largest border crossing point. Disappointed by the inaction of the authorities, we want to restore the balance in the transport market, which was disrupted after the cancellation of permits for Ukrainian carriers,” the Committee said in a statement.
At the moment, the date and duration of the protest have not been specified.
Context: ongoing tensions at the border
Protests by Polish carriers and farmers on the border with Ukraine have been ongoing since November 2023. The main demands of the participants are the return of the permit system for Ukrainian carriers, a ban on imports of Ukrainian products, state subsidies for fertilizers, compensation for fuel excise taxes, and immediate payment of subsidies.
In some cases, the protests have led to the effective blockade of border crossing points, creating long queues and significant disruptions to logistics.
Restrictions at the border
In addition to possible protests, capacity at a number of border crossing points is limited due to repair work:
From April 24 to mid-July, work is being carried out at the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing point;
From April 30 to June 5, at the Ustyluh-Zosin checkpoint;
From May 8 to mid-June, at the Korcheva-Krakovets checkpoint.
In addition, a new road checkpoint, Nizhankovychi-Malhovychi, has been operating since the end of 2024, open to passenger and freight transport.
History of border blockades
The first large-scale stage of protests by Polish farmers and carriers began in the fall of 2023. Over the following months, they repeatedly blocked key border crossings, including Yagodyn, Rava-Ruska, Krakivets, and Shehyni. The protests were accompanied by political rhetoric and discontent over the expanded access of Ukrainian carriers to the EU without permits, which caused concern among Polish trade unions.
Despite temporary agreements between the Ukrainian and Polish authorities, tensions at the border remain high. Experts note that the situation requires a systemic political and economic solution, including the renewal of agreements and the easing of competitive tensions between the countries.