Russia Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

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

National Security Nonproliferation

The Global Consequences of a Nuclear Detonation in Low Earth Orbit

The growing concern in Washington over potential Russian plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space reflects a deeper transformation in the nature of strategic competition. Statements by Stephen Whiting indicate that such a…

April 17, 2026Russia, space domain, USA

Geopolitics Governance ideology Intelligence ops

Moscow’s New Left: The ‘Sovintern’ Project and the Revival of Ideological Warfare

The leader of A Just Russia, Sergey Mironov, announced the creation of an international network called “Sovintern,” which, under the slogan of “Socialism 2.0,” aims to unite more than 100 left-wing parties…

April 16, 2026Russia, Sovintern, SVR

Geopolitics Intelligence ops

Institutional Dependency Behind Formal Independence: The Estonian Orthodox Church and Russian Influence Operations

According to the Estonian Internal Security Service, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC), despite formally declaring administrative independence from the Russian Orthodox Church in 2025, continues to operate within a framework of de…

April 15, 2026Estonia, Orthodox church, Russia

Economy

Fragmenting Finance: Russia’s ‘Mir’ System and the Erosion of U.S. Financial Dominance

Russia is advancing the expansion of its payment infrastructure through the “National Payment Card System Mir,” positioning it as an alternative for use in Angola. The initiative is not merely technical…

April 14, 2026Russia, USA

Democracy Geopolitics Governance Terrorism

Moscow in the Sahel: The Strategic Erosion of U.S. Influence in West Africa

The military regimes of the Sahel states—Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—are forming a new security and political alliance while distancing themselves from Western partners. Russia is playing a central role in shaping…

April 9, 2026Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Russia, USA

Geoeconomics National Security

Bypassing the System: Russia’s Crypto Networks in Africa and the Erosion of U.S. Sanctions Power

Moscow is using Africa as a space in which it can reduce the effectiveness of U.S. sanctions pressure by shifting external transactions into crypto-based payment channels operating outside the traditional…

April 8, 2026Niger, Nigeria, Russia, USA, Zimbabwe

Democracy Energy Geoeconomics Propaganda and Disinformation

Debates in the Swiss Parliament on Lifting Sanctions Against Russia: A Dangerous Signal for Europe

Discussions have intensified in the Swiss Parliament regarding the potential lifting of sanctions against Russia, amid a deepening energy crisis in Europe and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Jean-Luc Addor,…

April 2, 2026Russia, Sanctions, Switzerland

Economy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Budapest’s Backchannel: How Hungary Allegedly Helped Russia Undermine EU Sanctions

At the direction of Vladimir Putin, Budapest has been lobbying for the lifting of sanctions against Russian oligarchs. An audio recording from 2024 has surfaced online, confirming that Hungarian Foreign…

April 1, 2026Hungary, Russia, Usmanov

Warfare

Strategic Autonomy or Strategic Risk? India’s BrahMos Program and the Limits of U.S. Influence

India, in cooperation with Russia, is working to increase the range of the BrahMos cruise missile to 800 km, representing a significant enhancement of its strike capabilities. The missile is…

March 31, 2026Brahmos, India, Russia

Russia