Russia Policy Monitor No. 2706

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST NAVALNY'S WORK CONTINUES
Russia's highest court has labeled ACF Inc., the American legal subsidiary of the late Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), a "terrorist organization." The FBK works to expose and combat corruption in Russia, and itself was deemed an "extremist organization" by Russian authorities back in 2021 after releasing information about the poisoning of Navalny while the activist was in prison. ACF Inc. was formed in order for the Foundation to fundraise on an international level. Now that it has been officially labelled a "terrorist organization," however, organizers worry that international banks and investors may be less willing to financially support their fight against corruption in Russia. (Novaya Gazeta, November 27, 2025)

RUSSIA BETRAYS ITS SOLDIERS
The Ukrainian military is reporting that a growing number of Russian troops are being sent into battle without "basic protective equipment" such as helmets. Despite massive losses, the Russian military continues to employ mass infantry assaults, often ordering under-supplied troops to take battlefield equipment they have not been given from fallen comrades. But Russia's supply issues are not limited to protective gear alone; soldiers have reported eating tree bark in the absence of food, reflecting the Kremlin's difficulty providing for even the most basic needs of its military. The "scale of losses has exceeded the supply capacity of the Russian military," explains Dmytro Zhmailo of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation. (United24 Media, November 30, 2025)

PUTIN DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM MADURO
As tensions continue to escalate between the United States and Venezuela, the Kremlin has issued evacuation orders for Russian citizens currently in Venezuela. Russian tourism to Venezuela has increased significantly of late, a by-product of the robust relationship between Moscow and Caracas. The two countries have continued to support one another diplomatically, and currently cooperate in a range of arenas. That, however, was before the Trump administration stepped up its military pressure on the regime of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro in recent weeks. (La Derecha Diario, November 30, 2025)

A NEW NAVAL BASE IN SUDAN
In recent years, Russia has expanded its presence and activities on the African continent substantially. To date, however, the Kremlin has failed to establish a military base there. That may now be changing. Sudanese officials have announced that the northeast African state has offered Russia a naval base at Port Sudan, overlooking critical Red Sea trade routes.

For Khartoum, the move is a savvy one. Recent weeks have seen the strategic position of Sudan's military government – which is currently locked in a pitched battle for political control with the rebel Rapid Support Forces – erode significantly, and it is now seeking support from Moscow to shore up its position. Under the proposed arrangement, in exchange for access to the port and priority access to Sudanese gold mines Russia will supply weapons and anti-aircraft systems to the Sudanese government's forces.

For Moscow, meanwhile, the arrangement, which was presented by Sudanese officials back in October, would secure a significant strategic prize: a 25-year lease over a port facility suitable for monitoring cargo ships traveling in and out of the Suez Canal, as well as the ability to station as many as 300 troops and dock as many as 4 warships there. (Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2025)

MOSCOW, RIYADH ESTABLISH VISA-FREE REGIME
Russia and Saudi Arabia have deepened bilateral relations, signing an agreement permitting visa-free travel between the two countries for periods of up to 90 days. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, the new travel arrangement is expected to come into effect in early 2026. Novak also noted that the two countries plan to increase the number of direct flights between them as part of a joint effort to increase bilateral tourism. (Reuters, December 1, 2025)