RH 4.9.26 | Russia | Oil Strikes, Hungary Election, Drone Wars, and Internal Instability

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ In today's episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we dive deep into the latest on Russia and its ongoing challenges. First up, we're revisiting Russia's energy sector, which is taking hit after hit from Ukrainian drone strikes targeting key oil terminals. These strikes are causing serious damage to Russia's ability to export oil, and it's making a real impact on their ability to fund the war. We discuss how this relentless pressure is forcing Russia to confront the limitations of its air defenses, which are starting to show cracks under the strain. Next, we turn our attention to Hungary's upcoming elections, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing off against a serious challenger in Péter Magyar. Orbán, known for his strong ties to Moscow, is running a campaign fueled by fear, warning Hungarians that voting for the opposition could drag them into war with Ukraine. Russia, of course, is backing Orbán, but Magyar is gaining momentum, and this election has become a high-stakes game for influence, not just in Hungary, but across Europe. We also talk about Ukraine's drone game, which continues to evolve rapidly. Ukrainian drones are becoming faster, cheaper, and more effective. We've got an update on the mini-jet engine shortage that's threatening to slow down drone production. If Ukraine can overcome this bottleneck, their drone capabilities could push even deeper into Russian-held territory, and Russia will have to rethink its entire air defense strategy. Back inside Russia, we see the ripple effects of the war on its own military leadership. We talk about the tragic death of Lieutenant General Alexander Otroshchenko, the commander of Russia's Navy Air Force and Air Defense, and the broader signs of instability in Russia's military. The war isn't just affecting the frontlines; covert operations inside Russia are creating chaos, with the FSB recently stopping a plot to plant explosives near a government building. The internal issues are mounting, and Russia's internal stability is being shaken, even if Putin is trying to brush it off. And finally, we discuss Russia's ongoing diplomatic struggles, especially with Japan, as Moscow protests Japanese investments in Ukrainian drone technology. Russia's response to these moves is revealing just how isolated they're becoming on the global stage, especially as countries like Japan and the West continue to side with Ukraine. 👉 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.