The latest episode of the Ukraine Daily Brief Podcast is now live. Please be sure to listen and review (we know that many of you are receiving the podcast in our member feed, but reviews help with discoverability). Some notable links referenced in today’s podcast can be viewed here.
The War
Ukraine’s prosecutor general reports that 410 civilian bodies have been found near Kyiv, including an estimated 280 in a mass grave in Bucha. The world deplores this as a war crime.
Russian forces destroy oil refineries and depots in Kremenchuk, Lviv and Dnipro. Russian forces continue a demoralization campaign, destroying cultural institutions. Ukraine’s intelligence reports that Russian soldiers are selling some stolen jewelry, cars and currency in Belarus and shipping the remainder to Russia.
Economics
A continued flow of Russian oil and liquid natural gas (LNG) could result in a $321 billion ‘windfall’ for Putin. More than one million tons of Russian oil, valued at over $680 million, are transported through Dardanelles and Bosphorus. Gazprom ceases Gazprom Germania operations. Germany suspends tax cooperation with Belarus and Russia, however it will not impose an embargo on Russian energy for the time being. Reports surface that Russia was a lucrative customer for European arms sales in the five years after the annexation of Crimea.
Technology
Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Digital Transformation praises crypto for its ‘role in the defense of Ukraine.’
Europe
Lithuania is the first European country to withdraw its ambassador to Russia. Germany joins several other EU members in expelling Russian diplomats. Activists block a German-Polish highway, demanding that the EU seize trade with Russia. The Georgian PM won’t join the sanctions régime, in yet another seemingly pro-Russia action. Patriarch Kirill delivers a sermon to Russian troops, incredulously proclaiming Russia to be a ‘peace-loving country.’ Anti-war Russians find creative ways to express dissent.
U.S. and the World
Japan breaks its longtime neutrality and will send non-lethal aid to Ukraine. Kazakhstan vows to prevent the circumvention of US and EU sanctions by Russia. Forty days into the war, the US seizes its first oligarch yacht. The US announces plans to ‘transfer’ Soviet tanks to Ukraine. Zelensky makes an appeal to the Grammy audience.
DSR Exclusives
The DSR Network’s Next in Foreign Policy will feature a discussion with Amy Slipowitz of Freedom House.
Tune in to tomorrow’s podcast for new and evolving stories.
The DSR Network Team (Chris Cotnoir, Grant Haver, and Katherine Hill)
