Mark Galeotti
@markgaleotti.bsky.social
Analyst of murky topics from Russian politics to organised crime.
Reposted by Mark Galeotti
🚨BONUS EPISODE🚨
Trump’s actions in Venezuela revealed how far he’s prepared to push his power – and how happy he is to act like Vladimir Putin. @nndroid.bsky.social speaks with @markgaleotti.bsky.social to discuss the parallels and the dangers they pose ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
Trump’s actions in Venezuela revealed how far he’s prepared to push his power – and how happy he is to act like Vladimir Putin. @nndroid.bsky.social speaks with @markgaleotti.bsky.social to discuss the parallels and the dangers they pose ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
January 7, 2026 at 6:46 PM
🚨BONUS EPISODE🚨
Trump’s actions in Venezuela revealed how far he’s prepared to push his power – and how happy he is to act like Vladimir Putin. @nndroid.bsky.social speaks with @markgaleotti.bsky.social to discuss the parallels and the dangers they pose ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
Trump’s actions in Venezuela revealed how far he’s prepared to push his power – and how happy he is to act like Vladimir Putin. @nndroid.bsky.social speaks with @markgaleotti.bsky.social to discuss the parallels and the dangers they pose ➡️ linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
With his rivals lost and distracted, Putin is on manoeuvres
As usual, ignore the clickbait headline, but here's my attempt to unpick the q of whether the #Venezuela crisis emboldens or humbles #Russia for @theipaper.com
(tldr: it's complex, but likely helps)
inews.co.uk/news/world/w...
As usual, ignore the clickbait headline, but here's my attempt to unpick the q of whether the #Venezuela crisis emboldens or humbles #Russia for @theipaper.com
(tldr: it's complex, but likely helps)
inews.co.uk/news/world/w...
With his rivals lost and distracted, Putin is on manoeuvres
Attack on Russian ally may look like humiliation for Moscow, but has several practical benefits for the Kremlin
inews.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 7:02 AM
With his rivals lost and distracted, Putin is on manoeuvres
As usual, ignore the clickbait headline, but here's my attempt to unpick the q of whether the #Venezuela crisis emboldens or humbles #Russia for @theipaper.com
(tldr: it's complex, but likely helps)
inews.co.uk/news/world/w...
As usual, ignore the clickbait headline, but here's my attempt to unpick the q of whether the #Venezuela crisis emboldens or humbles #Russia for @theipaper.com
(tldr: it's complex, but likely helps)
inews.co.uk/news/world/w...
Monday morning re-up: lots going on in the world (Budanov, Venezuela, drone strikes) but their impact is still hard truly to assess. So, most of the ep instead digs into the tale of a Chechen gang that emerged in the 80s, battled through the 90s and died by the end of the 00s...
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang - In Moscow's Shadows
Before the self-indulgence of a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada in Moscow -- and why there are some worrying implications for the coming situation in Russia and Euro...
www.buzzsprout.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Monday morning re-up: lots going on in the world (Budanov, Venezuela, drone strikes) but their impact is still hard truly to assess. So, most of the ep instead digs into the tale of a Chechen gang that emerged in the 80s, battled through the 90s and died by the end of the 00s...
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang - In Moscow's Shadows
Before the self-indulgence of a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada in Moscow -- and why there are some worrying implications for the coming situation in Russia and Euro...
www.buzzsprout.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:46 AM
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Before a deep-dive into the rise and fall of the Chechen Lazanskaya Brigada, I look at recent developments: Zelensky's new chief of staff, US ops in Venezuela, and 2 drone strikes...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Putin hates risk. This may be the year he’s forced to gamble
Peace is a dangerous game for Russia when it means relying on Trump, but continuing the war on Ukraine is a roll of the dice too
My latest for @thetimes
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Peace is a dangerous game for Russia when it means relying on Trump, but continuing the war on Ukraine is a roll of the dice too
My latest for @thetimes
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Putin hates risk. This may be the year he’s forced to gamble
Peace is a dangerous game for Russia when it means relying on Trump, but continuing the war on Ukraine is a roll of the dice too
www.thetimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Putin hates risk. This may be the year he’s forced to gamble
Peace is a dangerous game for Russia when it means relying on Trump, but continuing the war on Ukraine is a roll of the dice too
My latest for @thetimes
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Peace is a dangerous game for Russia when it means relying on Trump, but continuing the war on Ukraine is a roll of the dice too
My latest for @thetimes
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
Well, I like to read things from across the political spectrum, including stuff which doesn't necessarily align with my views, so I hope so...
January 1, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Well, I like to read things from across the political spectrum, including stuff which doesn't necessarily align with my views, so I hope so...
Do Putin's New Year platitudes suggest he is tiring of ruling Russia?
Perhaps simply tired, but anyway, here's my take on VVP's blander-than-usual address, for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/do-p...
Perhaps simply tired, but anyway, here's my take on VVP's blander-than-usual address, for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/do-p...
Do Putin's New Year platitudes suggest he is tiring of ruling Russia?
Putin's New Year address was of a such blandness that it could have been generated by a large language model
spectator.com
January 1, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Do Putin's New Year platitudes suggest he is tiring of ruling Russia?
Perhaps simply tired, but anyway, here's my take on VVP's blander-than-usual address, for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/do-p...
Perhaps simply tired, but anyway, here's my take on VVP's blander-than-usual address, for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/do-p...
Putin's extraordinary security measures and why an attack on his palace is so unlikely
As we still await (in vain, I suspect) even a shred of evidence for the alleged attack, in @theipaper.com, I write about why it was so implausible
inews.co.uk/news/world/p...
As we still await (in vain, I suspect) even a shred of evidence for the alleged attack, in @theipaper.com, I write about why it was so implausible
inews.co.uk/news/world/p...
Putin's extraordinary security measures and why an attack on his palace is so unlikely
Moscow claimed this week that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of the Russian president's residences
inews.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Putin's extraordinary security measures and why an attack on his palace is so unlikely
As we still await (in vain, I suspect) even a shred of evidence for the alleged attack, in @theipaper.com, I write about why it was so implausible
inews.co.uk/news/world/p...
As we still await (in vain, I suspect) even a shred of evidence for the alleged attack, in @theipaper.com, I write about why it was so implausible
inews.co.uk/news/world/p...
Reposted by Mark Galeotti
Is Putin a murderous master strategist, planning everything Russia does, while pining for the return of the Soviet Union?
It seems much more nuanced, as described in this excellent primer by Mark Galeotti @markgaleotti.bsky.social (2025)
It seems much more nuanced, as described in this excellent primer by Mark Galeotti @markgaleotti.bsky.social (2025)
December 29, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Is Putin a murderous master strategist, planning everything Russia does, while pining for the return of the Soviet Union?
It seems much more nuanced, as described in this excellent primer by Mark Galeotti @markgaleotti.bsky.social (2025)
It seems much more nuanced, as described in this excellent primer by Mark Galeotti @markgaleotti.bsky.social (2025)
How Putin will threaten the UK in 2026
My take for @theipaper.com. Not the more fashionable, exciting and, for me, implausible suggestions of a direct military threat, but the more indirect challenges, regardless of whatever happens over Ukraine
inews.co.uk/news/world/h...
My take for @theipaper.com. Not the more fashionable, exciting and, for me, implausible suggestions of a direct military threat, but the more indirect challenges, regardless of whatever happens over Ukraine
inews.co.uk/news/world/h...
How Putin will threaten the UK in 2026
We must brace ourselves for plenty of Britain-bashing by the Kremlin and a growing escalation of its shadow campaign
inews.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
How Putin will threaten the UK in 2026
My take for @theipaper.com. Not the more fashionable, exciting and, for me, implausible suggestions of a direct military threat, but the more indirect challenges, regardless of whatever happens over Ukraine
inews.co.uk/news/world/h...
My take for @theipaper.com. Not the more fashionable, exciting and, for me, implausible suggestions of a direct military threat, but the more indirect challenges, regardless of whatever happens over Ukraine
inews.co.uk/news/world/h...
Monday morning podcast re-up: for the last ep of the year, a look at individuals in the news, from Volodymyr Zelensky to Sergei Udaltsov, Dmitri Kozak to Fanil Sarvarov...
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains - In Moscow's Shadows
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, let's look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.And of course, as befits the last episode of the...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Monday morning podcast re-up: for the last ep of the year, a look at individuals in the news, from Volodymyr Zelensky to Sergei Udaltsov, Dmitri Kozak to Fanil Sarvarov...
Reposted by Mark Galeotti
"The peace process may be unlikely to succeed, but it has narrowed the real issues in play down to two: Donetsk, and security guarantees for Ukraine provided by western troops after the guns fall silent.” Careful assessment by smart @markgaleotti.bsky.social.
The most likely thing to end the Ukraine war? Exhaustion
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
The most likely thing to end the Ukraine war? Exhaustion
Moscow and Kyiv keep claiming progress on the way to peace, but in the end both sides are struggling to keep up the fight
www.thetimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
"The peace process may be unlikely to succeed, but it has narrowed the real issues in play down to two: Donetsk, and security guarantees for Ukraine provided by western troops after the guns fall silent.” Careful assessment by smart @markgaleotti.bsky.social.
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains - In Moscow's Shadows
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, let's look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.And of course, as befits the last episode of the...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:29 AM
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
To end the year, instead of the grand sweep of geopolitics, a look at a collection of people making the news, sometimes whether they like it or not.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
The most likely thing to end the Ukraine war? Exhaustion
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
The most likely thing to end the Ukraine war? Exhaustion
Moscow and Kyiv keep claiming progress on the way to peace, but in the end both sides are struggling to keep up the fight
www.thetimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:18 AM
The most likely thing to end the Ukraine war? Exhaustion
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
I'm sadly not especially optimistic about the current peace process, but suspect that either way, 2026 may be the last year in which the war is sustained at this tempo. My latest for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/russia...
I'm (sadly) sceptical about the chatter around the idea that Putin might step down in favour of Dmitry Kozak, but in case anyone is interested, I profiled "the technocrat with the Cheshire Cat smile" in episode 117 of In Moscow's Shadows, on 8 Oct. 2023
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 117: Security Politics and the President Who Can't Change His Spots - In Moscow's Shadows
The Russian police are increasingly under pressure. The National Guard is getting into the mercenary game. There is talk (probably empty) of Wagner being reconstituted under Evgeny Prigozhin's son Pav...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I'm (sadly) sceptical about the chatter around the idea that Putin might step down in favour of Dmitry Kozak, but in case anyone is interested, I profiled "the technocrat with the Cheshire Cat smile" in episode 117 of In Moscow's Shadows, on 8 Oct. 2023
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Just received my copy of the Italian edition of HOMO CRIMINALIS. The title makes it sound a tad like a textbook, but the subtitle ('the dark side of human civilisation') helps!
December 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Just received my copy of the Italian edition of HOMO CRIMINALIS. The title makes it sound a tad like a textbook, but the subtitle ('the dark side of human civilisation') helps!
Reposted by Mark Galeotti
On December 22, the funeral of Stanislav Orlov ("The Spaniard") took place at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. Orlov was the leader of the far-right brigade "Espanola" (88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade), who was compared to Prigozhin and Arsen "Motorola" Pavlov.
December 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
On December 22, the funeral of Stanislav Orlov ("The Spaniard") took place at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. Orlov was the leader of the far-right brigade "Espanola" (88th Reconnaissance and Sabotage Brigade), who was compared to Prigozhin and Arsen "Motorola" Pavlov.
I was called a 'ranting Russophobe' in propaganda - it proves Putin's watching us
My rapid journey from respected expert to ranting Russophobe, at least as far as Moscow's press is concerned - and the Russian media's fascination with what's in our own, for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/news/world/l...
My rapid journey from respected expert to ranting Russophobe, at least as far as Moscow's press is concerned - and the Russian media's fascination with what's in our own, for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/news/world/l...
I was called a 'ranting Russophobe' in propaganda - it proves Putin's watching us
Moscow's propagandists will slant and spin, but they can't take their eyes off the West
inews.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I was called a 'ranting Russophobe' in propaganda - it proves Putin's watching us
My rapid journey from respected expert to ranting Russophobe, at least as far as Moscow's press is concerned - and the Russian media's fascination with what's in our own, for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/news/world/l...
My rapid journey from respected expert to ranting Russophobe, at least as far as Moscow's press is concerned - and the Russian media's fascination with what's in our own, for @theipaper.com
inews.co.uk/news/world/l...
I realise I failed to flag up this wide-ranging conversation I had with the fascinating Philipp Blom for his Blomcast 'On Russia, Historical Continuity, and the Business of Diplomacy'
blomcast.buzzsprout.com/2104173/epis...
blomcast.buzzsprout.com/2104173/epis...
[58] Mark Galeotti — On Russia, Historical Continuity, and the Business of Diplomacy - BlomCast
In this episode of the BlomCast, I engage with historian Mark Galeotti to explore the complexities of Russian history, military strategy, and the interplay of crime and society. They discuss the conti...
blomcast.buzzsprout.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I realise I failed to flag up this wide-ranging conversation I had with the fascinating Philipp Blom for his Blomcast 'On Russia, Historical Continuity, and the Business of Diplomacy'
blomcast.buzzsprout.com/2104173/epis...
blomcast.buzzsprout.com/2104173/epis...
Monday morning re-up: from 4.5 hours of the generally dull ritual of Putin's annual press conference/monarch-listens-to-the-people there are still some insights to be found, not least in the disconnect between what he wanted to talk about and what his people wanted to raise...
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter - In Moscow's Shadows
Putin's latest marathon press conference/call-in show Itogi Goda ('Results of the Year'), once Direct Line, has become an annual ritual. 4.5 hours, 3M submitted questions, but what can we learn? Intra...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Monday morning re-up: from 4.5 hours of the generally dull ritual of Putin's annual press conference/monarch-listens-to-the-people there are still some insights to be found, not least in the disconnect between what he wanted to talk about and what his people wanted to raise...
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter - In Moscow's Shadows
Putin's latest marathon press conference/call-in show Itogi Goda ('Results of the Year'), once Direct Line, has become an annual ritual. 4.5 hours, 3M submitted questions, but what can we learn? Intra...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:14 AM
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
What can we learn from 4.5 hours? A marked disconnect with a population that feels its social contract has been broken... and a president seeming less grounded and focused than in the past.
www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Putin smiles when your wifi fails: he’s waging a war of irritation
Call it hybrid war, shadow war, or whatever the latest vogue vague term, my take on Putin's weaponisation of inconvenience for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Call it hybrid war, shadow war, or whatever the latest vogue vague term, my take on Putin's weaponisation of inconvenience for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Putin smiles when your wifi fails: he’s waging a war of irritation
MI6 is right to warn about Russia’s campaign of petty sabotage against the West. The goal is to disrupt and distract
www.thetimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Putin smiles when your wifi fails: he’s waging a war of irritation
Call it hybrid war, shadow war, or whatever the latest vogue vague term, my take on Putin's weaponisation of inconvenience for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Call it hybrid war, shadow war, or whatever the latest vogue vague term, my take on Putin's weaponisation of inconvenience for @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Macron is right: Europe should talk to Putin
This will no doubt inspire fury in some quarters, at the v thought of talking to Putin, but if Europe doesn't, then it is handing all the initiative to Trump. My take for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/macr...
This will no doubt inspire fury in some quarters, at the v thought of talking to Putin, but if Europe doesn't, then it is handing all the initiative to Trump. My take for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/macr...
Macron is right: Europe should talk to Putin
There is a quietly emerging sentiment in Europe that simply shunning Putin as a bad man is simply not working.
spectator.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Macron is right: Europe should talk to Putin
This will no doubt inspire fury in some quarters, at the v thought of talking to Putin, but if Europe doesn't, then it is handing all the initiative to Trump. My take for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/macr...
This will no doubt inspire fury in some quarters, at the v thought of talking to Putin, but if Europe doesn't, then it is handing all the initiative to Trump. My take for the @thespectator1828.bsky.social blog
spectator.com/article/macr...
The Star Destroyer is, alas, out of sight
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The Star Destroyer is, alas, out of sight
Labour’s foreign interference inquiry needs to go *much* further
Had an excellent conversation with the equally excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social for his 'Democracy for Sale' substack: foreign influence on UK politics, Russia, my book Homo Criminalis... open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Had an excellent conversation with the equally excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social for his 'Democracy for Sale' substack: foreign influence on UK politics, Russia, my book Homo Criminalis... open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Labour’s foreign interference inquiry needs to go *much* further
Plus: Mark Galeotti on Russia’s foreign political influence, the war in Ukraine and how crime organises the world
open.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Labour’s foreign interference inquiry needs to go *much* further
Had an excellent conversation with the equally excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social for his 'Democracy for Sale' substack: foreign influence on UK politics, Russia, my book Homo Criminalis... open.substack.com/pub/democrac...
Had an excellent conversation with the equally excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social for his 'Democracy for Sale' substack: foreign influence on UK politics, Russia, my book Homo Criminalis... open.substack.com/pub/democrac...