PUTIN BUILDS A NEW PALACE
Russia's war against Ukraine will soon enter its fifth year. But, despite the economic hardship that the conflict has wrought on the Russian economy, President Vladimir Putin and other top officials continue to enrich themselves handsomely. In this vein, the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny has uncovered that Putin has had a 10 billion ruble ($125.8 million) mansion built for him in Russian-occupied Crimea. The mansion, the FBK details, sits on the grounds of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's "dacha," which was seized by Russian authorities after the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and ultimately turned over to Russia's Presidential Property Management Department. The Foundation has obtained architectural plans and photographs of Putin's complex, complete with a private medical clinic, a spa, and cryotherapy chamber. (Meduza, December 30, 2025)
RUSSIAN ENERGY CONTINUES TO FUEL EUROPE
A new study by German NGO Urgewald has laid out how, despite extensive Western sanctions against Russia for its war on Ukraine, European countries continue to depend on Russian energy – and fuel the Kremlin's war effort in the process. The report details that the European Union imported €7.2 billion (about $8.4 billion) worth of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) from the Kremlin's flagship Yamal project. Last year, it notes, Yamal LNG accounted for 14.3% of the EU's total LNG imports. France imported more Russian LNG than any other country, and the Zeebrugge LNG Terminal in Belgium received more LNG deliveries than any other single terminal. The UK-based Seapeak and Greek Dynagas shipping companies together transported roughly 70% of the Russian LNG. (Urgewald, January 8, 2026)
THE TARGETING OF RUSSIA'S MILITARY ELITE
A recent tally published by the investigative outlet The Insider indicates that at least 19 Russian generals (and possibly more) have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Those generals have died both on the frontline and in Russia's rear, including from suspected Ukrainian sabotage operations. Some of them were retired or serving in volunteer formations, including mercenary companies. (The Moscow Times, January 10, 2026)
ONGOING QUESTIONS ABOUT KADYROV'S HEALTH
For months now, rumors have swirled regarding the worsening health of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-approved strongman of the North Caucasus Republic of Chechnya. Kadyrov's health has been steadily deteriorating for nearly two decades, and he is now reportedly gravely ill. Russian and Ukrainian media have reported Kadyrov may be suffering from kidney failure. During a trip to Moscow in late December for the annual State Council meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Novaya Gazeta Europe reported that Kadyrov was hospitalized and ended up missing the important meeting. (The Moscow Times, January 14, 2026)
[EDITORS' NOTE: The news is potentially problematic for the Kremlin. Kadyrov has long served as "Putin's foot soldier" in the North Caucasus, including toeing the Russian government's political line and serving as a significant supplier of personnel for the Kremlin's war against Ukraine. His death could throw a wrench in the Kremlin's efforts to keep control over Chechnya and perhaps even the broader North Caucasus region, especially since there are no known succession plans in place in the event of Kadyrov's death.]
RUSSIA'S SHADOW FLEET SEEKS NEW PROTECTIONS
Twenty-six Russian shadow fleet tankers, responsible for shipping illicit Russian oil around the world, recently switched their registration to Russia, likely in response to the U.S. seizure of the Skipper supertanker off the coast of Venezuela on December 10th. The vast majority of the almost 1,500 tankers transporting Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil are currently sailing under the flags of small countries such as Panama, Guinea, or Comoros. Others are sailing under false flags to avoid regulations while appearing legitimate. Only about 13% of the nearly 1,500 tankers are already registered to Moscow.
The U.S. has now seized five tankers involved in the transport of Venezuelan oil, including the Marinera, which switched from a false Guyanese flag to a Russian flag during the U.S. pursuit of the ship in early January. Sources familiar with the incident reported that the chase of the Marinera raised fears of a direct conflict between Washington and Moscow as a Russian naval ship was deployed to escort the Marinera but never made it close enough before the U.S. boarded the tanker. (Bloomberg, January 14, 2026)