Welcome back to The Restricted Handling Podcast — the only geopolitical brief that hits harder than a Kremlin press release and keeps you laughing through the tension. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the wildest weeks yet in Russia’s global high-stakes theater — a mix of nuclear threats, energy warfare, and old-school Cold War drama wrapped in twenty-first century chaos. 

This week, Moscow tore up more of the world’s nuclear safety net, withdrawing from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement and warning that it will “retaliate immediately” if the U.S. or anyone else resumes nuclear testing. Think of it as Russia flipping the global chessboard because it’s losing on points. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov is leading the rhetorical charge, accusing Washington of “maintaining test infrastructure in combat readiness.” It’s the diplomatic equivalent of shouting “don’t start none, won’t be none” while holding a match over a fuel can. 

But Russia’s not just threatening — it’s scheming. Putin and his circle are running a full-on reflexive control campaign, trying to psych out Washington and President Trump over the possible sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Duma leaders like Andrei Kartapolov are tossing out old-school threats (“We’ll hurt those who cause us trouble”), while state TV personalities are labeling this “Trump’s war.” There’s even talk of moving missiles to Cuba — a straight-up 1962 remix that nobody asked for. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s hitting back with precision. President Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv’s long-range strikes have knocked out up to 20% of Russia’s gasoline supply, crippling refineries across the country. Moscow’s scrambling for help from Belarus just to keep the lights on. And Russia’s energy panic isn’t just about economics — it’s about survival. The same refineries funding the war are now burning, thanks to Ukrainian-made Neptune and Flamingo missiles. 

Add in reports of massive Russian drone assaults, Europe’s growing fury over Kremlin-linked gray-zone operations (GPS jamming, drone incursions, cyber meddling), and NATO quietly discussing whether pilots can finally open fire on Russian aircraft violating allied airspace — and you’ve got a world edging toward a new kind of confrontation. 

We’re covering it all — from Putin’s trip to Tajikistan and Russia’s Pacific Fleet flexing off Japan, to hacked Rostec files revealing Moscow’s secret tech collabs with China. It’s geopolitics, espionage, and old-school propaganda — with a dash of sarcasm, caffeine, and side-eye. 

Strap in — this episode’s got everything: nukes, Tomahawks, sabotage, and swagger. 
Russia’s acting bold, Ukraine’s hitting harder, and the world’s nerves are shot. 

Tune in to The Restricted Handling Podcast — where serious intelligence meets sharp wit and world events get the adrenaline treatment they deserve.