RH 1.20.26 | Russia: Power Cuts, Drone Waves, and Davos Theater

Russia turns up the pressure, Ukraine adapts on the fly, and diplomacy tries to keep up.  In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down a chaotic 24 hours that perfectly capture where the war in Ukraine — and Russia's broader strategy — stands right now. From Kyiv's darkest nights of the war to Moscow's loudest political signaling, this is a snapshot of a conflict settling in for the long haul.  We start with Russia's escalating air campaign and the very real consequences on the ground. Drone and missile strikes cut power and water to parts of Kyiv, pushing the capital into its longest outages yet. This isn't random targeting. Russia is leaning hard into energy warfare in the middle of winter, probing substations, stressing the grid, and creating uncertainty around nuclear power infrastructure. It's pressure warfare designed to hurt civilians, strain governments, and test international nerves — all without crossing lines that would trigger an immediate response.  Ukraine isn't standing still. President Volodymyr Zelensky announces a major shift in air defense doctrine, betting on interceptor drones, mobile fire groups, and short-range systems to survive mass Shahed attacks without draining missile stockpiles. This episode digs into why the drone war has become a numbers game, how saturation attacks are changing air defense economics, and why adaptation — not flashy tech — is now the decisive factor.  On the battlefield, the grind continues. Russian forces claim marginal advances, Ukraine counters with evidence of control in key areas like Kupyansk, and both sides rely increasingly on small units, drones, and improvised mobility. We cover Ukraine's deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including attacks on oil facilities and the lingering mystery of a damaged Russian submarine that still hasn't moved weeks after a Ukrainian underwater drone strike.  Meanwhile, Moscow is sending mixed signals to the world. Kremlin envoys head to Davos for more backchannel diplomacy with U.S. figures, even as Russian strikes intensify. Putin is reportedly invited to a new U.S.-backed "Board of Peace" focused on Gaza, adding another layer of surreal optics to an already upside-down diplomatic landscape. Russia talks peace abroad while preparing its population for permanent war at home.  That domestic preparation is getting louder. Putin reportedly curates a pro-war political lineup ahead of the 2026 State Duma elections, elevating hardliners, ultranationalists, and loyal propagandists. At the same time, the Kremlin tightens repression, expands internet censorship, and lashes out at international legal efforts targeting Russian war crimes.  We also look at how Russia is exploiting Western political friction, openly cheering tensions inside NATO and amplifying chaos around issues like Greenland and transatlantic trade. Add in bizarre hybrid operations — including pro-war fundraising disguised as religious charity in Europe — and you get a clear picture of how wide this conflict has become.  If you want a sharp, accessible breakdown of Russia's strategy, Ukraine's adaptations, and the strange mix of war, politics, and information operations shaping this moment, this episode is for you.