In Moscow's Shadows 246: Is Russia A Great Power?

In Moscow's Shadows 246: Is Russia A Great Power?

Author: Mark Galeotti May 3, 2026 Duration: 51:02
A battlefield setback in Mali sparks a much bigger question: what kind of power is Russia now, and what kind of power can it afford to be? Is it a superpower? No. Is it a great power? It depends what you mean. It certainly is not just the "gas station with nukes" of the cliche. Putin’s language of “sovereign civilisation” recasts greatness as resistance rather than dominance, especially as Victory Day messaging leans on endurance. I argue Russia is a middle power that can pivot, triangu...

For those looking past the day's news to understand the deeper currents shaping Russia, In Moscow's Shadows offers a nuanced and authoritative perspective. Hosted by the acclaimed analyst Mark Galeotti, this podcast serves as an audio companion to his long-running blog, creating a space for detailed discussion on the nation's history and, more frequently, its complex contemporary politics. Rather than rehashing headlines, Galeotti delves into the underlying forces-the cultural shifts, power struggles, and historical echoes-that truly define events. Episodes might feature a deep dive into a new academic work, a solo analysis of a developing situation, or a conversation with fellow experts, all approached with Galeotti's characteristic blend of erudition and provocation. The result is a consistently engaging listen that feels like a private briefing from one of the field's most informed voices. By tuning into this podcast, you gain access to a clearer, more substantive understanding of Russia, exploring both its visible machinations and the influential dynamics that operate, as the title suggests, just out of sight. It’s essential listening for anyone who appreciates context and commentary that challenges conventional wisdom.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

In Moscow's Shadows
Podcast Episodes
In Moscow's Shadows 235: From a GRU to a Kill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Yes, that's a lame James Bond title wordplay. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, second in command of Russian military intelligence (technically, GU; colloquially, still GRU) is gunned down in Moscow. Whodunnit, whydu…
In Moscow's Shadows Bonus Minipod: How Putin Is Protected [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
A mini-episode that paying Patrons heard as part of their Twelve Days of Shadowy Christmas bonuses, opening the gates on Vladimir Putin’s personal security. From rooftop snipers and sealed manholes to an armoured Aurus l…
In Moscow's Shadows 232: the Black Priest vs the Death Cult [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:13
A tabloid brands Zelensky’s Christmas address a “black mass,” complete with glassy eyes, hidden codes, and a trance to “hack the noosphere” to cast a death curse on Putin. Huh? What? Why are occult narratives creeping fr…
In Moscow's Shadows 231: Real Guarantees for Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
The talk of a military force provided by the 'Coalition of the Willing' to help secure Ukraine after a peace is a non-starter, not least as it would preclude any peace deal. But it's easy to snipe from the sidelines, so…
In Moscow's Shadows 230: The Rise and Fall of a Chechen Gang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:59
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 Europe -- I look at rece…
In Moscow's Shadows 229: Heroes and Villains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:20
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. (PS: Listened to JD Vance at the Moscow Security Conference? A Freu…
In Moscow's Shadows 228: Blood & Soil versus Bread & Butter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:25
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? Intransigence over Ukrain…