Corruption Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Sanctions at Sea: How Russia Uses African Flags to Protect Its Oil Exports

Russia is using African shipping registries to keep its “shadow fleet” operating and continue exporting oil despite U.S. sanctions. What once appeared to be occasional sanctions-evasion tactics has evolved into…

March 18, 2026Africa, Russia, shadow fleet

Corruption Economy Energy Geoeconomics Governance

Slovakia’s Fico Government Demands Removal of Two Russian Oligarchs from EU Sanctions

On 12 March 2026, media reported that Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, speaking during a hearing of the parliamentary Committee on European Affairs, acknowledged that Bratislava is attempting to remove two Russian oligarchs from…

March 16, 2026Russia, Sanctions, Slovakia

Corruption Democracy

Detention of Ukrainian Bank Workers in Hungary: Legal Implications, Political Context, and Ukraine’s Possible Response

In March 2026 Hungarian authorities detained seven employees of Ukraine’s state-owned Oschadbank and seized a shipment of approximately $82 million in cash, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold that was being…

March 11, 2026EU, Hungary, Ukraine

Corruption Energy Geopolitics

Energy Infrastructure, Disinformation, and Alliance Risk in Europe

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, following a meeting of the National Defence Council, stated that Ukraine allegedly “plans new actions” aimed at damaging Hungary’s energy system, in addition to the…

February 26, 2026Hungary, Russia, Ukraine

Conflict Corruption Intelligence ops Propaganda and Disinformation

Africa’s Recruitment into Russia’s War in Ukraine: Actors, Drivers, Impact, and Implications

Recent intelligence reports and media investigations reveal that Russia has recruited significant numbers of fighters from several African countries to serve in its war against Ukraine, a practice that has attracted…

February 23, 2026Africa, Russia, Ukraine

Corruption Democracy Economy

Hungary at the Bottom: Corruption, Rule-of-Law Failure, and the EU’s Most Persistent Governance Crisis”

In 2025, Hungary once again found itself at the bottom of the European Union rankings and was recognized as the most corrupt EU member state, sharing last place with Bulgaria.Media outlets…

February 11, 2026Hungary

Corruption Geoeconomics National Security

Paks II: Engineering Red Flags and the Political Economy of Nuclear Risk in Central Europe

The ceremonial launch of the first concrete pour for Unit 5 of the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant was staged with great pomp and, according to the plan of Prime Minister Viktor…

February 7, 2026Hungary, Rosatom

Corruption Democracy Governance Propaganda and Disinformation

Protecting the Kremlin While Ignoring the Children: Orbán’s Response to Hungary’s Deepening Trust Crisis in Hungary Crisis

On 13 December 2025, a mass march took place in Budapest toward the office of Hungary’s prime minister on Castle Hill under the slogan “Protect the Children!”. Protesters carried torches and soft…

December 15, 2025Hungary

Corruption Geopolitics

Kazakhstan’s Expanding Role in Russia’s Sanctions-Evasion Architecture

Following Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of Western sanctions, Kazakhstan has emerged as one of the central channels enabling Moscow to access “sanctions-sensitive” goods. Trade flows…

December 1, 2025Kazakhstan, Russia, Sanctions

Corruption Democracy Propaganda and Disinformation

The Red Cross Under Moscow’s Control: Risks for the Global Humanitarian System

The Russian Red Cross (RRC) continues to receive international funding despite evidence of its close cooperation with pro-Kremlin structures and its involvement in projects on the occupied territories of Ukraine.In…

November 26, 2025RedCross, Russia, Ukraine

Corruption