Putin Eyes Oligarch Cash as War Pressure Grows, Hinting at Asset Nationalization
ISW reports Putin privately pressed Russia’s top businessmen to fund the state to stabilize finances for continuing the war, with hints of asset nationalization; Kremlin officials deny a direct fundraising request and say it was a personal decision, while attendees felt a sense of duty. Separately, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed a defense cooperation pact; Ukrainian strikes hit Russian oil infrastructure near the Baltic Sea; Latvia warned of Russian cognitive warfare against the Baltic states. On the battlefield, no confirmed ground advances were reported on March 27, as Russia and Ukraine continued long-range strikes and Russia conducted a large drone campaign (about 102 drones launched, roughly 93 downed).