The DSR Daily Brief Newsletter – Friday, May 6, 2022

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Ukraine

Ukraine announces a new evacuation attempt in Mariupol. Some of the thousands of people forcibly resettled from Mariupol turn up in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, stripped of money and documents.

Meduza reminds us that occupying Crimea is nothing new for Russia. And while certain Russians may long for the Stalin era, Soviet nostalgia in Ukraine is in steep decline. 

The Americas

Following reports that Western intelligence helped Ukraine target Russian generals, US intelligence is also credited with facilitating the attacks that sank the Moskva cruiser last month. The Pentagon denies the first claim.

More than a few military experts say NCOs (non-commissioned officers) are crucial to battlefield success, and point to Russia’s lack of them.

Tucker Carlson (a.k.a.Такер Карлсон) can add ‘Russian state-sponsored media darling’ to his list of dubious accomplishments.

Europe and Central Asia

The delivery of German Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns remains stalled over an ammunition supply issue. However, Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled artillery mounts are on the way.

Not my babushka: a seemingly pro-war Ukrainian pensioner becomes a viral star of Russian propaganda. 

The Indo-Pacific

Russia seals a deal with Indian Oil Corp (IOC) to sell 700,000 tons of Urals oil. Readers may recall that Urals crude recently found no buyers in Europe.

Eleven years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan plans to restart nuclear reactors. This will help the country move away from Russian LNG (liquified natural gas).

Chinese-owned Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) – the world’s largest battery maker – is looking at US production sites.

The Middle East and Africa

Saudi Arabia is entering the EV battery production fray, too.

Kenyan defense officials meet with their US counterparts at the Pentagon to discuss strengthening military cooperation.

DSR Exclusives

For in-depth analysis, check out our sister podcasts on the DSR Network and stay tuned to the DSR Daily podcast for new and evolving stories from around the world. 

The DSR Network Team (Chris Cotnoir, Grant Haver, and Katherine Hill)