The individualized exposure by Western governments of hundreds of members of the Russian elite as members of a politically corrupt collective is just a small part of the larger package of sanctions launched over the attack on Ukraine. Still, aggressively and efficiently implemented those measures can be seen as a qualitatively and conceptually new phenomenon that deserves to be investigated and analysed in its own right. Using a single-case study approach, this study explores the hypothetical concept of “strategic corruption exposure” on the assumption it could evolve into a new tool in the Western geopolitical toolbox. The potential political impact of such aconcept is also analysed. In addition, the consequences for established conceptual models of anti-corruption if national security interests and geopolitics shape anti-corruption efforts are also analysed, based on the so-called “sandwich model”. The main ambition is to contribute by way of concept formation, by also to provide some conceptual food for thought as regards established models for understanding anti-corruption. The main findings of the study support the hypothesis that a qualitatively and conceptually new strategic or geopolitical tool of individualized corruption exposure is indeed being launched at the Russian elite. Analysis of available data also suggest that, under the right circumstances, corruption exposure could be a powerful tool to pressure autocratic regimes by invoking the threat of political delegitimization. At the same time, even if strategic corruption exposure appears to be a new conceptual reality, the concept is still under development, making it far from certain that it will develop into a permanent strategy or statecraft in the strategic toolbox of the Western world. Finally, a conceptual discussion on the relevance of so-called sandwich model suggest that in a new context dominated by geopolitics and strategic interests, established anti-corruption models will be less relevant.