Welcome to this week's Mad Minute podcast where we break down the latest and greatest from the world stage. In this episode, we're focusing on Russia's latest moves, from ramping up conscription to playing cat-and-mouse with drones over Ukraine. Putin's push to streamline Russia's military conscription process is front and center. With new policies that allow year-round conscription, Russia is flexing its bureaucratic muscle to pump out soldiers faster than ever. Gone are the days of seasonal drafting—this is an all-in, 365-day operation. But don’t expect these changes to stop there; the Kremlin’s also deepening its military capacity by boosting reserves and even recruiting prisoners. Yep, it's all hands on deck as they look to fill ranks for an extended war in Ukraine... or wherever else they decide to go next. And if that’s not enough drama, we dive into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, where the battle isn’t just on the ground—it’s in the skies too. Drone strikes have become the new normal, with both sides trading blows in the air. Russia’s drones are making sure Ukrainian cities like Odesa and Zaporizhzhia aren’t getting a peaceful night’s sleep. Meanwhile, Ukraine isn’t staying silent, hitting key Russian infrastructure in Sochi. Drones are the new “air superiority,” and it’s anyone’s game. On the political front, Ukraine's fight for democracy continues, with President Zelensky pushing through reforms to keep the EU and U.S. on its side. This time, he's battling back against a controversial anti-corruption bill, making sure Ukraine's agencies stay independent—because let's be real, if they don’t keep those Western dollars flowing, they’re in serious trouble. Corruption within Russia's elite is still a hot topic too, as the Kremlin deals with a wave of arrests, deaths, and panic among its inner circle. If you're thinking of getting cozy in Putin's cabinet, you might want to check the exit strategy—things are getting dicey. Russia’s escalating repressive actions are making headlines too. From banning the non-existent “international Satanism movement” to cracking down on Russians for simply using VPNs, the regime is tightening its grip on free speech and internet access. It's a digital version of the Cold War, just without the fun spy gadgets. Meanwhile, Russia is playing “keep away” in the Arctic, jamming GPS signals across the Baltic region and causing serious disruption to NATO's operations. Russia's paranoia, military expansion, and power plays make this episode one you won't want to miss. Tune in as we explore the tangled web of drones, corruption, Arctic flexing, and everything in between. Catch the full breakdown in the latest Mad Minute! Don't forget to subscribe and share the episode with your geopolitically-inclined friends, because this Mad Minute's a wild ride you won’t want to miss. 

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