Ukraine’s strikes on St. Petersburg were dramatic enough. Smoke over Putin’s hometown. Chaos around Russia’s flagship economic forum. Delegates arriving beneath black clouds as Ukraine demonstrated it could strike one of Russia’s most symbolic cities.

But the real story this week may be something far bigger.

Because while the world focused on drones and oil terminals, Russia was quietly losing influence somewhere else entirely: Armenia. One of Moscow’s oldest and most loyal post-Soviet allies is drifting westwards — and the Kremlin suddenly looks unable to stop it.

In this video, I break down why Putin’s biggest humiliation may not be happening on the battlefield at all, but in the slow collapse of Russia’s sphere of influence across the former Soviet world.

From Zelensky’s public peace offer, to Putin’s awkward rejection, to Armenia’s geopolitical shift away from Moscow, this is about more than Ukraine. It’s about whether Russia can still command loyalty, fear, or influence in the regions it once dominated.

And increasingly, the answer appears to be no.