The Ukraine Daily Brief Newsletter – Thursday, March 31, 2022
The latest episode of the Ukraine Daily Brief Podcast is now live. Please be sure to listen and review (we know you are receiving the podcast in the member feed, but reviews help with discoverability). Some notable links referenced in today’s podcast can be viewed here.
The War
Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov travels to Mariupol to ‘boost morale’ of pro-Russia fighters. An additional 134,500 Russian soldiers are conscripted. Russia’s Ministry of Defense promotes dangerous falsehoods in today’s briefing. Kyiv Independent estimates Russian losses through March 31st.
Economics
Russian sources confirm the reversal of Putin’s rubles-only policy for Germany. Inflation in Germany hits a 40-year high in the face of a crisis-related ‘supply shock.’ Wealthy Russians experience a black-balling of assets, regardless of sanction status. Global M&A is down as a result of the conflict.
Technology
Cyber-insurers brace for billions in claims. Russia’s AI ambitions are imperiled. Tech workers rally support for a digital blockade of Russia in support of Ukraine.
Europe
The Kremlin denies Western assertions that Putin was ‘misled.’ The UK adds Yevgeny Shvidler and Oleg Tinkov to its list of sanctioned Russian oligarchs. Khodorkovsky sees two options for Putin and neither is good.
U.S. and the World
The White House confirms its plan to release 180 barrels of oil from US reserves. The State Department and private sector security experts issue warnings for U.S. business people in Russia. The LNG export boom means higher prices at home.
DSR Exclusives
Ambassador Marie (Masha) Yovanovitch speaks with David Rothkopf about her new book and storied career on the latest episode of Deep State Radio.
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The DSR Network Team (Chris Cotnoir, Grant Haver, and Katherine Hill)