Russia 04 (Apr 23 - Dec 26)

[behappyalways]

Sacked Russian Minister Flees To US Amid Corruption Probe In First Of Ukraine War
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ ... kraine-war

[behappyalways]

Moment Putin humiliated as Russian minister 'accidentally calls Vlad his body-double's name'
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q3cRqNJHtw


Millions of soldiers dead, deserters everywhere – Putin softens stance for the first time, agreeing to end the Ukrainian war.
百萬軍死 四處逃兵 普丁首次鬆口結束烏戰【短篇】#TVBS文茜的世界周報-歐洲版 20260523
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vNXpDOvIB ... 4LAYcqIYzv

[winston]

Hybrid Warfare

Russia and Iran are both waging a form of conflict that stays just below the threshold of open war — sabotage, cyber intrusions and proxy networks, designed to impose costs while maintaining deniability.

Russia's "disposable agent" model: recruiting via Telegram after the expulsion of its intelligence officers from Europe

A shadow fleet of roughly 1,300 tankers, repurposed to launch drones and relay communications across European waters

Why Iran's approach is more selective and identity-driven, channeled through arm's-length groups to maximize distance from Tehran

Source: RANE Worldview

[winston]

Congress Just Advanced a Major Russia Sanctions Bill. Here’s Why It Probably Won’t Change the War.

A bipartisan Senate vote advanced the Graham Act — a sweeping bill authorizing 500% tariffs on Russian goods and 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil, including China and India.

The bill’s broad presidential waivers, Trump’s hesitance to enforce it, and resistance from Beijing and New Delhi mean the real-world impact could be minimal.

Why Trump is unlikely to impose meaningful tariffs on China and India

How Russia’s shadow fleet and Treasury Department staffing cuts weaken enforcement

What the bill’s sanctions-relief-for-peace clause actually means

Which House Democratic objections could narrow the bill further

The stakes are enormous: Russian oil exports are still flowing, Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure are accelerating, and Putin shows no signs of serious negotiation.

The Graham Act could become meaningful leverage for a peace deal or it could become yet another tool the White House uses selectively to manage optics rather than change outcomes on the ground.

Source: RANE Worldview

[behappyalways]

EU To Use $1.62 Billion In Interest From Frozen Russian Assets To Support Ukraine
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-fina ... rt-ukraine