RH 4.28.26 | Russia: Recruitment Woes, Drone Strikes, Iran Talks & Mali Setbacks

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In today's episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we dive into the latest from Russia, Mali, and beyond. First up, Russia's military recruitment is in the spotlight. The Kremlin is scrambling to ease concerns about its controversial recruitment of university students into its Unmanned Systems Forces. But is the military really offering voluntary contracts, or are students being coerced into signing up for something they didn't bargain for? We unpack the details and what it means for Russia's ongoing personnel shortages.  Next, we're turning our attention to Russia's strategic goals in Ukraine. The Kremlin isn't stopping with just Donetsk. Senior Russian officials are now talking about establishing a buffer zone in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast—an extension of Russia's territorial aims in Ukraine. How will this impact the peace talks that have been stuck in neutral for so long? We break down the situation and what it says about Russia's broader objectives.  Then we switch gears to the Middle East, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently met with Vladimir Putin in Russia. With the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and stalled peace talks between the US and Iran, this meeting sheds light on Russia's delicate balancing act between supporting Tehran and managing its interests in Ukraine. What role is Russia playing in the Iranian war efforts? We give you the inside scoop on how these two nations continue to strengthen their strategic ties.  Meanwhile, in West Africa, Russian mercenaries are facing setbacks as rebels in Mali launch coordinated attacks that cripple Russian-backed forces. The attacks on key cities like Kidal and Mopti mark a major blow for Russia's Africa Corps. We dig into the implications of these developments and what it means for Russia's influence in the Sahel.  Back in Europe, Lithuania has exposed a GRU-linked network behind assassination plots targeting Ukrainian and Russian dissidents. These covert operations remind us of Russia's broader hybrid warfare strategy to destabilize Ukraine's allies. We also look at Russia's ongoing economic struggles and internal discontent. As Putin's approval ratings fall and internet restrictions spark public outrage, the cracks in the regime are becoming harder to ignore.  All this and more in today's packed episode. Make sure to stay tuned for the latest geopolitical updates, fresh insights, and high-level analysis on everything from drones to sanctions and cyber operations.  👉 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.