RH 12.22.25 | Russia: Border Feints, Miami "Peace" Talks, a Blown-Up General, Space Weapons, and an Economy on the Brink

Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast — the show that breaks down global power plays like it's Monday Night Football, but for geopolitics. In this episode, we're diving headfirst into the chaos out of Moscow, where Russia's mixing battlefield theatrics with diplomatic drama, economic desperation, and some serious Cold War energy. Buckle up — this one's loaded.  Russia's trying to convince the world it's launching a big new northern offensive, but let's be honest — it's all smoke, fog, and propaganda mirrors. We've got Putin's troops sneaking across the Ukrainian border into tiny border villages in Sumy and Kharkiv, staging "photo ops" in the mud to make it look like Ukraine's frontlines are collapsing. Except, they're not. Ukraine's calling the move what it is: a psychological operation dressed up like an invasion. Meanwhile, 50 civilians were reportedly deported from one of those villages to Russia — another reminder of how Moscow uses civilians as pawns in its information war.  Then we jump to the beaches of Miami — yes, Miami — where U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian delegations are holding separate "peace" talks hosted by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Everyone's calling the meetings "productive," which in diplomatic speak means nothing happened but nobody flipped a table. The U.S. is pitching a 20-point peace plan, Ukraine's pushing back on any deal that trades land for promises, and the Kremlin's grumbling that the West just doesn't get it. It's a geopolitical soap opera with too many main characters.  And while all that's happening, a car bomb goes off in Moscow, killing Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov — the guy in charge of the army's training program. Kyiv's not confirming or denying involvement, but given recent Ukrainian special ops hits inside Russia (including torching $100 million worth of fighter jets near Lipetsk), the timing's a little too perfect.  We'll also hit on the other big headlines: U.S. intel says Putin's long game hasn't changed one bit — still wants all of Ukraine and a chunk of Europe while pretending it's about "security." Russia's economy, meanwhile, is staggering under sanctions and military overspending; analysts say a banking crisis could hit by late 2026. Oh, and Russia might be developing a space weapon to take down Elon Musk's Starlink satellites — because apparently, destroying the internet is on brand now.  From fake offensives to real explosions, and from Miami boardrooms to Moscow backstreets, this episode unpacks how Russia's trying to fight a war, spin a narrative, and keep the lights on — all at once.  Tune in now for your daily dose of restricted intel — fast, factual, and just the right amount of chaotic.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit restrictedhandling.substack.com/subscribe