How Putin’s war has reshaped the world. In Ep.7: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered the rules-based international order. Now the strongmen are scrambling to take advantage. Arthur Snell looks at vast powerplays of Russian information warfare and Chinese influence across Africa and the developing world. Will China see financing Putin’s faltering Forever War as a good bet? And what is in store for Putin now that there are Russian resistance units active inside Russia itself?

Hear the finale of Doomsday Watch: The Ukraine War right now when you support the podcast on Patreon: http://www.doomsdaywatch.co.uk

• “Putin no longer believes he can win on the battlefield to the necessary level. He has to outlast the west. It’s all he’s got.“ – Mark Galeotti

• “By targeting fissures in the UK and US and increasing grievances, Russia can keep us polarised and keep us distracted.” – Nina Jankowicz.

• “There are centuries of slavery baked inside the Russian psyche. But it doesn’t give Putin an eternal lease on the Russian soul.” – John Sweeney

• “Every global problem that we’ve got can be traced back to authoritarians.” – Brian Klaas

• “More than ever before the Kremlin needs to divert attention away from the mess that’s unfolding in its own country.” – Arthur Snell

• “If the Ukrainians humiliate his killing machine… then Vladimir Putin will leave the Kremlin in a box.” – John Sweeney

Photograph: Getty

Incidental music in order of appearance:

Gustav Mahler’s Symphony Number 5, performed by Jason Weinberger and the WCF Symphony

‘The Blessed I have Already Chosen’ by Maksym Berezovsky, performed by Kyiv Chamber Choir

‘Thy Resurrection’ performed by the Music of Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery

Gustav Mahler’s Symphony Number 9 (First Movement) performed by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

‘O Lord Hear My Prayer’ by Dmitry Bortnyansky, performed by Kyiv Chamber Choir

Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Doomsday Watch is a Podmasters production

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