RH 2.20.26 | Russia: Geneva Gridlock, $14T Deals, Drone Wars & Nuclear Risk

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down a packed and high stakes week across Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and beyond. Geneva talks have wrapped for now, but the real story is what did not happen. No territorial breakthrough. No major concessions. And fresh intelligence assessments suggest Vladimir Putin's core war aims remain intact.  We dig into the stalled US, Ukraine, and Russia negotiations and what European intelligence services are now saying about Moscow's long term strategy. Is this a real push for peace or a calculated holding pattern while Russia explores economic openings with Washington? With reports of a potential 14 trillion dollar portfolio of US Russia projects being floated by Kremlin officials, the war track and the business track appear to be moving at very different speeds.  On the battlefield, the grind continues. Russian forces have made incremental territorial gains over the past month, but nothing decisive. Ukraine is adapting fast in the drone war, expanding so called kill zones deeper into Russian rear areas. Meanwhile, Russia is modifying its Geran drones into airborne relay platforms to keep pace. This is 21st century warfare evolving in real time.  We also cover Ukrainian deep strikes inside Russia, including a recent drone attack on an oil depot in Pskov Oblast. The targeting of energy infrastructure remains a major pressure point on both sides. And then there is Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. As of this week, it is operating on a single remaining external power line. That detail alone should get everyone's attention.  Zooming out, European intelligence agencies are warning that Russia is accelerating preparations for potential conflict with NATO while expanding hybrid operations across Europe. Cyber activity, sabotage preparation, influence campaigns. The grey zone is getting crowded.  Inside Russia, domestic tightening continues. High profile asset seizures. Regional detentions. Pressure on Telegram. And while sanctions continue to bite, the Russian economy is strained but still functioning enough to sustain operations into 2026 according to multiple assessments.  We also track Sweden's latest 1.4 billion dollar military aid package to Ukraine, the new European drone initiative among five major defense powers, IMF financing for Kyiv, and joint naval drills between Russia and Iran in the Gulf of Oman as the US maintains a significant carrier presence in the region.  This episode connects the dots across diplomacy, energy, military innovation, and geopolitical maneuvering. If you want a fast paced but serious breakdown of where Russia stands today and what signals actually matter, this one is for you.  👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/    Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.