Episode Details

Russia’s war against Ukraine continues on multiple fronts—but today I want to focus on something unusual inside Russia itself.

Vladimir Putin recently completed a rare tour through Siberia and the Russian Far East, including regions that have suffered disproportionately high economic and human costs from the war. Analysts argue that the trip was partly about security, partly about Russia’s upcoming State Duma elections, and partly about maintaining political loyalty in regions where discontent could become a problem.

I also cover Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv, the continuing debate over Ukrainian wartime elections and Mykhailo Fedorov, Russian threats against Britain, European divisions over Ukraine, the expanding drone war, and your responses to my discussion of corruption in Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.

Facts over noise. Context over headlines. Truth over talking points. Principle over partisanship.

Chapters

0:00 Why Was Putin Touring Siberia?

0:22 Russia’s Massive Attack on Kyiv

1:05 Ukraine’s New Corruption Investigations

2:18 Can Ukraine Hold Elections During the War?

3:00 Fedorov’s Election Push

4:20 What Happens After Fedorov?

6:03 Are Ukrainian Elections Actually Possible?

7:46 Europe Responds to Ukraine’s Election Debate

8:23 Europe’s Migration and Political Pressure

9:45 Russian Information Warfare in Poland

10:14 Why Europe Still Struggles to Fund Ukraine

11:08 Britain Says Ukraine Was Fighting With One Hand Tied

11:51 Lavrov Threatens Britain

13:19 Why Putin Toured Siberia

14:51 Putin Visits Russia’s Protest-Prone Regions

15:36 Russia Sends Ancient Relics to the Front

16:31 Romania Shoots Down a Russian Naval Drone

17:19 Russia Says Ukraine Is Losing Billions at Its Ports

18:17 Bill Browder: How the War Could Actually End

19:59 American Rappers Head to Russia

21:20 Tucker Carlson Appears on RT

21:45 Trump, Switzerland, and Tariffs

22:26 Your Pushback on My Corruption Analysis

25:26 What the Corruption Index Actually Measures

26:54 Why What We See Can Distort What We Believe

27:34 Ukraine Support Bridge Update

Fundraisers video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMTs6amkGUg and Here is the direct link to the Ukraine Support Bridge: https://ukrainesupportbridge.com/ - Ukrainian Refugee M's Room and Board is covered for this year. It is not for the rest of her time at CSU. I will be pushing on the other fundraisers for now, but if you still wish to give to make that whole (Aprox 48K total), here is the direct link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ms-journey-at-charleston-southern-university?attribution_id=sl:2708fb35-6c96-49b9-a5f9-6b7567483de6&lang=en_US&ts=1786462653&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp30-treatment-3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

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