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Russia is feeling pressure from every direction, and today's episode of The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief breaks down the growing battle over sanctions, economic pressure, intelligence operations, and the expanding fight beyond the front lines in Ukraine.

In this episode, Ryan and Glenn break down the European Union's largest Russia sanctions package in four years and what it means for Moscow's ability to finance the war. The new measures target Russian banks, cryptocurrency networks, shadow fleet vessels, military-industrial companies, and the global networks helping Russia work around Western restrictions.

But sanctions are only one part of the pressure campaign.

Ukraine is increasingly taking the fight deep into Russia through long-range strikes against economic infrastructure. The episode examines the expanding campaign against Wildberries, Russia's version of Amazon, and why these attacks represent a strategic attempt to make the costs of war more visible inside Russia itself. What happens when a conflict that was supposed to stay far away starts disrupting warehouses, businesses, supply chains, and everyday commerce?

The team also dives into the escalating Black Sea contest, where Ukraine's drone campaign is challenging Russian control around Crimea and targeting the maritime networks that support Moscow's military and economic operations. Meanwhile, Russia's attacks on Ukrainian ports threaten one of Kyiv's most important economic lifelines and could have wider implications for global food markets.

On the diplomatic front, the episode explores the latest US-Russia engagement after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The Kremlin continues pushing its own version of past negotiations, while Washington argues that any agreement will require fundamentally different ideas.

The episode also examines growing political pressure inside Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky's dramatic defense leadership changes. The dispute involving former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlights the challenges of managing military reform, procurement, innovation, and wartime politics all at once.

Beyond Ukraine, the intelligence picture gets attention as well. A Russian GRU officer's exposure in Japan highlights Moscow's ongoing efforts to obtain restricted technology for its defense industry. In Africa, the conviction of two Russian nationals in Angola raises new questions about Russia's influence operations and the evolution of networks once associated with Wagner.

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