Topic: St Petersburg

Ukraine launched an unprecedented drone attack on St. Petersburg, targeting a weapons storage facility and an oil depot during a Russian economic forum. Ukrainian drone commanders claim that Russian air defenses in the region were largely ineffective. The BBC reported on the incident but lacked direct video evidence of the explosions.

Ukraine launched drone strikes against an oil terminal and naval base in St. Petersburg, timed to coincide with Vladimir Putin’s economic forum. President Zelensky claims these deep strikes are causing fuel shortages in Russia and will force diplomacy. Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte visited a bombed department store in Ukraine, advocating for the nation's inclusion in the military alliance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning in St. Petersburg regarding Western nations allowing Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike Russian territory. Putin specifically targeted Germany in his rhetoric, suggesting that such actions undermine international security and could lead to a direct conflict with European NATO members. The hosts discuss the potential "re-bellization" of Europe.

President Vladimir Putin hosted the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, where he announced the forgiveness of $23 billion in debt owed by African nations. Putin also pledged free grain shipments to six African countries to counter Western narratives regarding food security following Russia's exit from the Black Sea grain deal. Leaders from Uganda and Zimbabwe expressed support for Russia's strategic interests during the bilateral meetings.

A beluga whale nicknamed "Valdimir" has gained international attention after appearing off the coast of Norway wearing a harness labeled "Property of St. Petersburg." Marine biologists believe the whale was trained by the Russian military, as it responds to human signals and retrieves dropped items like cameras and phones. Similar sightings of beluga whales in the Seine River have fueled theories about aquatic mammal training programs.

Dozens of local Russian officials have signed petitions calling for Vladimir Putin's resignation or treason charges following military setbacks in Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky was involved in a minor car crash in Kyiv after visiting liberated territories.

Tomas and Jake, the "official No Agenda married gays" from Pasadena, celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary with a donation. Amanda Eid from St. Petersburg, Florida, honored her husband Neal's 52nd birthday, noting that the show helped keep their family's sanity intact during 2020. Additional birthday credits were given to JD Moore, highlighting the show's role in connecting listeners across the country.

The diplomatic standoff between Russia and the West intensifies as the U.S. consulate in St. Petersburg closes in retaliation for the expulsion of Russian diplomats. The hosts review a list of 14 questions from the Russian government regarding the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, UK. They question the lack of transparency regarding France's involvement in the investigation and the origin of the "Novichok" nerve agent.

ABC News reporter Dan Harris attempted to gain access to a "troll factory" in St. Petersburg, Russia, where employees are reportedly paid to influence American politics. Former employee Ludmila Savchuk described a workplace where staff created fictional characters to post on social media. Another ex-troll claimed that employees were required to watch the Netflix show "House of Cards" to better understand American political culture.

Congressional investigators allege that a Russian "troll factory" in St. Petersburg created groups like "Black Matters US" and "Black Fist" to stoke racial tension during the 2016 U.S. election. These operations involved hiring American fitness trainers for self-defense classes and commissioning music videos from local rappers to promote discord. The strategy is identified as a counter-intelligence effort to co-opt and undermine legitimate social movements.

ABC News' Brian Ross reported on Russian-planted Facebook ads from a fictitious group called "Secured Borders," which targeted swing state voters with anti-immigrant sentiment. The report featured footage of a "troll farm" in St. Petersburg where workers allegedly run fake news operations. A verbal slip by anchor David Muir during the segment inadvertently made it sound as though Brian Ross himself helped the Russians target the ads.

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Vladimir Putin dismissed the global panic over Donald Trump leaving the climate accord. In a rare English-speaking moment, Putin told the audience "Don't worry, be happy," referencing the Bobby McFerrin song. The comment is viewed as a humorous dismissal of Western environmental anxieties.

The report discusses the Internet Research Agency in St. Petersburg, describing it as a hub for professional trolls who began advocating for Donald Trump in 2015. It frames these activities as a continuation of Soviet-era intelligence efforts, citing a 1970s KGB recruitment of a Democratic activist. The discussion notes the absence of historical context regarding American politicians, such as Teddy Kennedy, reaching out to Moscow in the past.

Listeners from the UK, Kansas, and Russia send in year-end donations and personal notes. One producer from Wichita requests advice from "No Agenda nurses" on how to convince his girlfriend to listen to the show, while another from Russia offers a museum tour in exchange for karma.

Norway is facing a fresh challenge as refugees fly to Moscow and take trains to the northern border. The hosts express skepticism about the feasibility of pedaling bicycles through 100 miles of snow, though weather reports show temperatures in Murmansk are currently above freezing. They discuss the potential for anti-refugee sentiment to grow in the region.

Christopher Alberg of Recorded Future discusses the evolution of warfare in Ukraine, where "little green men" (special forces) operate alongside digital information operations. The discussion explores the transition from psychological operations to "kinetic" activities that have real-world physical consequences.

Saudi Arabia and Russia signed an agreement in St. Petersburg to build up to 16 nuclear reactors under Russian supervision. This move is interpreted as a response to the potential nuclear deal with Iran, with Saudi officials indicating they will pursue nuclear weapons if Tehran does. The hosts suggest this could lead to a broader arms race and regional instability that benefits global arms manufacturers.

A BBC report details the operations of a "troll farm" in St. Petersburg, Russia, where young employees are paid to post pro-Kremlin comments online. Adam Curry notes that this tactic of "cognitive infiltration" was famously proposed by American legal scholar Cass Sunstein. The hosts suggest that the US State Department and political campaigns have been using similar "techno-expert" teams for years to manipulate online discourse.

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg houses one of the world's most significant art collections, though reports suggest some pieces are suffering from poor preservation. An anecdote regarding a Gauguin painted on burlap and a pristine Monet at a Las Vegas exhibition raised questions about the authenticity of traveling Russian art. Speculation exists that the Hermitage may use high-quality copies for international tours to protect original masterpieces from theft or damage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to appear in St. Petersburg to meet the President of Kyrgyzstan following a week-long absence from the public eye. Media outlets and Fox News anchor Shep Smith report on various rumors regarding Putin's health, a potential mistress in Switzerland, and mysterious "white trucks" spotted in Moscow. The hosts analyze the mainstream media's willingness to engage in conspiracy theories when the subject is the Russian leadership.