Day 1,421.

Today, as President Zelensky declares a national emergency over the energy crisis triggered by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, we ask what Europe’s strategy is now, before examining reports Russia has forced African recruits into suicide missions on the battlefield. Then we assess how events in Iran and Venezuela could reshape global energy prices, and whether those shocks will ultimately help or hinder Vladimir Putin.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Ben Farmer (Africa correspondent). @benfarmer on X.

Stephanie Baker(Senior writer at Bloomberg and sanctions expert). @StephaniBaker on X.

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CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia forces African recruits to become suicide bombers (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/12/russia-using-africans-cannon-fodder-ukraine/

EU chief diplomat Kallas: World’s woes mean it’s time to start drinking (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-chief-diplomat-kaja-kallas-state-world-means-time-start-drinking/

EU reveals details on 90 billion 'Ukraine Support Loan' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/eu-reveals-details-on-90-billion-ukraine-support-loan/?mc_cid=28574c74cc&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Stephanie Baker’s Book: ‘Punishing Putin: The gripping expose of the global economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine’ –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishing-Putin-gripping-economic-sanctions-ebook/dp/B0CWWFJ52G

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Cary Cheshire