MOSCOW PREYS ON THE MENTALLY INFIRM
Since the start of its "special military operation" against Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has struggled to fill – and subsequently to replenish – its military ranks. This chronic need has led the Russian government to seek troops from foreign allies (like North Korea), as well as to loosen its own domestic prohibitions against drafting the physically and mentally infirm. "Before Putin launched his expanded war in Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian military tried to avoid drafting those with psychiatric problems or mental retardation to serve in the ranks," notes Paul Goble in his Windown on Eurasia blog. "[B]ut since then, to meet the military's needs, such restrictions have been ignored and many who shouldn't even be in the military are now dying in the war."
Goble cites findings from soldiers' rights activists, who say that – while "[o]fficially, bans on the induction of those with psychiatric problems or mental retardation remain in place" – those prohibitions are not being followed by a Kremlin increasingly desperate to maintain its force strength in Ukraine. Thus, Goble notes, "as the war has continued and the need to fill the ever-depleting ranks of the Russian army, these bans are simply ignored; and courts typically ignore suits by relatives of such people because commanders on the ground see even the psychologically disturbed or mentally retarded as resources, especially when fully healthy men are difficult to find." (Window on Eurasia, April 15, 2026)
PUTIN'S GROWING PARANOIA
Vladimir Putin's personal security is growing tighter and tighter as the Russian President increasingly isolates himself due to fears of potential assassination attempts. Sources cited by the Financial Times report that Putin is spending more time in underground bunkers, avoiding state visits and public appearances, and tightening control over his inner circle in a number of ways. For instance, Putin's personal staff are reportedly barred from taking public transit or using mobile devices around him, and the Federal Protective Service (FSO) has installed surveillance systems in their homes. (Financial Times, May 4, 2026)
RUSSIA'S SHADOW FLEET TAKES TO THE SKY...
The Russian Ministry of Defense is likely using civilian aircraft from government-affiliated airlines to bypass diplomatic red tape and fly into crucial transit nodes across the Middle East-North Africa region under the guise of civilian flights, circumventing Western sanctions. A "shadow" fleet of Russian military-affiliated cargo aircraft has flown to Algeria at least 167 times since March 2025, a Defense Newsinvestigation has found. Many of the flights were between airfields held by the Russian state-owned United Aircraft Corporation and Algerian air bases. Defense News reports that the fleet is likely delivering modern fighter jets and equipment to bolster Algeria's military capabilities and to strengthen Russia's foothold on Europe's southern flank.
Many of the aircraft in Russia's shadow air fleet seem to be using tracking-evasion techniques such as turning off their ADS-B transponders. Algeria is currently receiving Su-57 stealth fighter jets and Su-35 fighters from Russia, and already operates a fleet of about 60 Su-30 and 40 MiG-29 fighter aircraft. Russia is Algeria's top supplier of arms and the Algerian government recently placed several large orders for new aircraft. Beyond purchasing systems from Russia, Algiers may be acting as a refueling point for Russia to allow aircraft to transit further into Africa. This could, in turn, support the operations of the Africa Corps. (Defense News, April 30, 2026)
...AS ITS MERCENARIES STRUGGLE IN MALI
Meanwhile, the Kremlin's chosen mercenary outfit is clearly struggling. Over the weekend of April 25-26, mercenaries affiliated with the Africa Corps pulled out of the northern Malian city of Kidal, leaving behind weaponry, equipment, a helicopter – and their political allies. The Africa Corps has been deployed in the country for the past several years in support of the Malian government, but the withdrawal suggests that the group's presence in the country is failing.
It is also raising larger questions about the competence of the Corps itself. The Russian Ministry of Defense established the Africa Corps in 2023, following the dissolution of the Wagner Group following the abortive coup attempted by its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his subsequent demise. Since the rebranding, Russia has promoted the Africa Corps as a viable alternative to United Nations and French peacekeeping forces in Africa. (RFE/RL, April 28, 2026)