RH 3.16.26 | Russia Strikes, Drone Wars, Middle East Spillover, EU Tensions

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast (RH 3.16.26), we dive headfirst into the rapidly escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with a global twist you won't want to miss. From massive drone strikes hitting Moscow to the geopolitical domino effect caused by the Middle East crisis, this episode breaks down how the war is shifting the balance of power across the globe.  We're talking about how Ukraine's drone wars are reaching new heights, with Ukrainian forces launching over 100 drones at Moscow just this weekend. That's not all—Russia's relentless aerial bombardments continue to target Ukrainian infrastructure, with devastating effects on energy grids and civilian areas. It's not just air strikes—Ukraine is firing back with drone hits on Russian oil infrastructure, including a massive blaze at a Russian oil pumping station in Krasnodar Krai. And with the war in the Middle East sucking up air-defense resources, Ukraine is scrambling to get the systems they need to keep up.  The Middle East conflict is putting additional pressure on global energy markets, making oil prices spike and forcing the U.S. to ease sanctions on Russian oil—something Ukraine strongly opposes. Meanwhile, Russia's shadow fleet—a covert network of tankers used to dodge sanctions—is still keeping Moscow's war chest fueled, with Swedish authorities making a major bust of a tanker suspected of operating under a fake flag. Talk about sneaky.  But it's not all just bombs and drones. The EU is feeling the pressure, too. Hungary is blocking critical financial aid to Ukraine until the Druzhba oil pipeline gets fixed, forcing Zelensky to call out his European allies for "blackmail." Meanwhile, Ukraine is pushing for a new partnership with the U.S. and Gulf states to boost its drone defense capabilities. Could this be the new wave of global defense deals? Only time will tell.  And if you think Ukraine's got its hands full on the battlefield, wait until you hear about the growing African recruitment scandal. Russia is tapping African countries for soldiers, with over 1,700 recruits fighting on the Russian side, and that number is likely much higher. Throw in the fact that Russian universities are now on the recruitment list, and it's clear that Moscow is running low on manpower. We also discuss how these efforts are being quietly handled in Africa, where governments are avoiding confrontation with Russia to maintain diplomatic ties.  From Moscow drone attacks to global oil politics, this episode covers it all in the most engaging and punchy way possible. So if you're into understanding how global conflict connects to energy crises, geopolitical chess, and the future of warfare, this one's 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.