Why the tide is turning for Putin

Plus: what you can do to combat the energy price cap rise, give your marriage an MOT, and the worst places to own buy-to-lets [View in browser]( Thursday May 26 2022 [The Telegraph]( By Chris Evans, EDITOR Dear Reader, Vladimir Putin’s men look set to take the Donbas. Given that Russia is supposed to be a military superpower, why has it taken so long? In this analysis, Dominic Nicholls, our defence and security editor, delves into [what’s been going on behind enemy lines](. There is no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis is starting to bite. But we’ve tracked down some fixed-term energy deals available now that will [protect you from the worst of the fallout](. For landlords, the buy-to-let market has never been so difficult to navigate. Take a look at our handy guide to discover [the areas you should avoid investing in](. In the aftermath of the partygate furore, the growing consensus in Westminster and beyond is that alcohol has no place in the modern office. William Sitwell, however, argues that [booze is the fuel of political greatness]( rather than a menace. With midlife divorce on the rise, now could be the moment for a marriage MOT. According to one therapist, [renegotiating certain areas of your relationship]( may be all that’s needed to rekindle that lost spark. For all your lifestyle questions answered, sign up to our [free Stella Daily newsletter](. While Top Gun: Maverick is a hit at the box office, it’s missing one thing - Tom Cruise’s love interest Kelly McGillis. In this fascinating profile, Helen O’Hara finds out [why the actress mysteriously disappeared from public view](. Chris PS: Enjoy a whole year of unlimited access to The Telegraph’s website and app for only £39. [Subscribe now.]( My Choices [A woman standing among the rubble of a destroyed building in the Donbas]( [Donbas battle shows Russia has finally got its act together - but it came at a cost.]( Dominic Nicholls says the Ukrainian defence will still take some beating. [A phone displaying an energy bill]( [As energy price cap rises, this is the deal to buy now.]( The price cap will soar in October, so protect yourself with a fixed-term offer. [Photograph of Boris Johnson toasting at 10 Downing Street]( ['There’s nothing wrong with drinking at work.']( Sitwell believes that 'new Puritans' find booze in Downing Street to be the greatest sin. [Graphic of the UK with coins and arrows]( [The worst places in Britain to own buy-to-lets.]( Landlords are facing myriad higher costs and taxes - so knowing where to invest is crucial. [Photograph of a woman and a man pressing their hands together and smiling]( Does your marriage need an MOT? [Here are six areas to renegotiate.]( [A still of Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis in Top Gun]( Top Gun’s vanishing act: [whatever happened to Kelly McGillis?]( Tom Cruise's former leading lady has endured a lifetime of insults, abuse, and 'hate stares'. What did you think? Let us know how we're doing using the feedback button below or tweet me [@chrisevans1](. Although I am unable to respond individually to all the emails I receive, I am grateful to you for sending them to me. [Send feedback](mailto:Totheeditor@telegraph.co.uk) We hope you enjoyed our newsletter. If you have questions or feedback, please visit our [help page](. If you have questions about your Telegraph subscription, including delivery issues or technical ones, [please visit this page]( and contact us that way. If you would like a letter to the Editor published in The Telegraph, email it to [dtletters@telegraph.co.uk.](mailto:dtletters@telegraph.co.uk) Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. See more Telegraph newsletters [News Headlines]( | [Cookbook]( | [Cars]( | [Good News]( We have sent you this email because you have either asked us to or because we think it will interest you. [Unsubscribe]( | [Update your preferences]( For any other questions, please visit our help page [here](. Any offers included in this email come with their own Terms and Conditions, which you can see by clicking on the offer link. We may withdraw offers without notice. Telegraph Media Group Limited or its group companies - 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT. Registered in England under No 451593.