RH 2.26.26 | Russia: Pokrovsk Falls, Nuclear Rhetoric Rises, Deep Strikes & EU Tensions

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down the confirmed fall of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine and why the much-hyped Russian breakthrough has not materialized. After nearly two years of grinding combat following the fall of Avdiivka in February 2024, Moscow now controls Pokrovsk. But has it actually unlocked the path to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk? We walk through what changed, what did not, and why the operational picture matters more than the press release.  We also dive into the latest nuclear rhetoric out of Moscow. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service is accusing Britain and France of plotting to provide Ukraine with nuclear capabilities. Kyiv calls it absurd. Western capitals deny it. So what is this really about? We unpack how nuclear signaling fits into negotiation pressure tactics as US, Ukrainian, and Russian representatives prepare for another round of talks in Geneva. Zelensky and President Trump spoke on February 25 and agreed the next trilateral session should elevate to the leaders' level. But are the core disagreements actually moving?  On the economic front, Ukraine is hitting deep. We cover reported Ukrainian cruise missile and drone strikes reaching up to 1700 kilometers inside Russia, including impacts on defense and chemical facilities and disruption to oil infrastructure. We also examine the fallout from the Druzhba pipeline dispute and how Hungary's Viktor Orbán is using energy leverage to block a major EU funding package for Ukraine.  Inside Russia, the security state continues to tighten. New authority for Roskomnadzor to manage internet traffic, increased pressure on Telegram, terrorism charges against teenagers in Krasnodar, and expanded civil defense training all point to a government preparing for long haul conflict and internal control.  We also touch on Poland's arrest of suspects accused of trying to export drone component manufacturing equipment to Russia, and the US sentencing of a defense contractor executive who sold cyber tools to a Russian broker.  If you want clear analysis of Russia, Ukraine, US diplomacy, EU politics, sanctions enforcement, energy security, drone warfare, and nuclear signaling without the noise, this episode delivers.  👉 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.