Russia Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Institutionalized Radicalism in Contemporary Russia: Medvedev’s Role in Kremlin Strategic Messaging”

Medvedev Accuses Germany of “Revanchism” Amid Berlin’s Rearmament and Growing European Defense Role Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev accused Germany—amid its efforts to become the military-political leader…

May 8, 2026Russia

Coup Democracy Governance

Fortress Kremlin: Elite Fractures, Regime Security, and Coup Risk in Russia

Recent reporting attributed to a European intelligence assessment points to a marked tightening of personal security around Vladimir Putin and rising friction among Russia’s (security services). Taken together, these signals suggest a…

May 4, 2026Russia

Intelligence ops migration Terrorism

The Lukashenko Regime Has Resumed the Flow of Irregular Migrants to Destabilize Security on the EU’s Eastern Border

Belarus has continued to systematically direct migrants toward the Latvian border. According to the Latvian Border Guard, following a relatively calm winter, a steady flow of irregular migrants resumed in…

May 1, 2026Belarus, Russia

Conflict Economy Energy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

The Russian Factor in the Middle East War:Economic Parasitism and the Kremlin’s Destabilization Strategy

The war in the Middle East around Iran has become not only a regional conflict but also an instrument of global economic and geopolitical competition. The primary beneficiary of this instability…

April 30, 2026China, Iran, Russia, USA

Conflict Nonproliferation

Deterrence in Transition: Russia Confronts the Prospect of a European Nuclear Pillar”

Gennady Gatilov, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva, stated that Moscow has prepared “adequate response measures” in the event that France increases the scale of its nuclear arsenal or…

April 29, 2026France, NATO, Russia

ideology Terrorism War crimes Warfare

Mali at the Breaking Point: Insurgency Resurgence, Russian Intervention, and the Limits of the Africa Corps

The situation in Mali in 2026 reflects the collapse of a decade-long international counterterrorism architecture and the failure of its replacement by Russian-backed forces. What was initially framed by the military…

April 27, 2026Mali, Russia

Conflict Geopolitics Warfare

Testing NATO’s Edge: Russian Hybrid Threats and Societal Resistance in the Baltics

The Security Council of the Russian Federation, in an official statement, accused Lithuania of creating a center of tension near the borders of the Kaliningrad Oblast. In particular, Lithuanian authorities are criticized for allegedly ignoring…

April 24, 2026Lithuania, Russia

Democracy Propaganda and Disinformation Psyops

Sanctioning Influence: The EU Targets Russia’s Hybrid Propaganda Infrastructure

The European Union has expanded sanctions against Russian structures that Brussels considers instruments of propaganda and hybrid operations. In particular, the Council of the European Union has added the media platform Euromore and the Foundation for the…

April 23, 2026EU, Russia

Intelligence ops National Security Warfare

Italy as a Gateway: Russian Elite Networks, Criminal Ecosystems, Intelligence and Hybrid Influence in Southern Europe

Italy remains the leading country in the Schengen Area in terms of the number of visas issued to Russian citizens (152,000 in 2025), which enabled the visa operator VMS to increase its revenue by…

April 22, 2026Italy, Russia

Democracy Governance

From President to Power Broker: Radev’s Rise and the Risk of Bulgaria’s Pro-Russian Turn

Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, known for his pro-Russian stance, is leading the electoral race by leveraging anti-corruption rhetoric. Rumen Radev announced his early resignation from the presidency on January 19,…

April 17, 2026Bulgaria, Russia

Russia