The telltale signs that Russia’s war with Ukraine is taking a heavy toll on its economy

[Canuck Conservative]

By Andrew Chakhoyan
NY Post (Feb. 7, 2025)
https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/opinion/russias-war-with-ukraine-is-taking-a-heavy-toll-on-its-economy/

When a supposed global superpower like Russia begs Iran for drones, turns to North Korea for artillery shells and watches its Black Sea fleet dismantled by a country without a navy, you know something is off. Before 2022, Russia’s military boasted of being second only to the United States.

Now — as the bitter joke goes — it’s the second strongest in Ukraine.

Trump calling President Vladimir Putin out is both timely and necessary.

He is right: Russia’s economy is “failing” and “IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.”

Inflation soared to 9.5% last year, nearly triple the US rate, driven by reckless military spending. But these figures should be taken with pounds of salt.

In 2024 alone, staples like potatoes and onions saw price spikes of 91% and 47% respectively.

The Central Bank’s desperate response — hiking interest rates to 21% — speaks volumes about the state of the economy. Since mid-2024, the ruble has plunged by over 20%, now literally worth just a penny....

All is not well at the front lines either.

In just the past seven months, Russian military casualties have soared to nearly 300,000 killed or wounded — almost matching the previous two years combined. Unsurprisingly, Moscow is struggling to maintain its force levels.

Estimated recruitment rates of 500-600 troops per day meet only half the needed replacements. Meanwhile, Russia’s “meatgrinder” assault tactics have pushed average daily casualties to a stunning 1,570 as of December 2024 — all for minimal territorial gains.

The Kremlin now offers unprecedented loan forgiveness up to 10 million rubles ($94,500) as incentives to recruits: desperately trying to avoid another unpopular mobilization that could trigger mass emigration and domestic unrest....

[verga]

Funny Reagan out spent them for defense and caused their first collapse. Now Biden's allowing this "minor incursion" is bankrupting them.

[Smokin Joe]

Funny Reagan out spent them for defense and caused their first collapse. Now Biden's allowing this "minor incursion" is bankrupting them.

Somehow I don't think that was Biden's motive.

[MeganC]

Somehow I don't think that was Biden's motive.

Agreed. This was an unexpected consequence for Mighty Russia who thought the Ukrainians would cave at the very outset of the 2022 phase of the war to conquer Ukraine. A war that Russia started in 2014.

[DefiantMassRINO]

That's giving Biden way too much credit and the wrong type of credit.  Biden's Afghanistan Evacuation incompetence and weakness was a big 'Welcome' mat for Putin to annex Ukraine.

Funny Reagan out spent them for defense and caused their first collapse. Now Biden's allowing this "minor incursion" is bankrupting them.

[catfish1957]

I am 70-80% certain we are going to see a significant drop in oil prices.  Right now it is $71/bbl, down from $78/bbl Inauguration day.

That's 10% in 2 weeks.   Vlad's got to be shitting in his pants.  If and when it reaches $40/bbl (quite possible).  They is a strong chance Putin won't have the resources to bring his troops home.  Add the point the Rouble is in record low territory.  1 rouble - one red US Cent.   Ouch!!!!

Venezuela and Iran are also going to be in big trouble.   

[GtHawk]

Somehow I don't think that was Biden's motive.

Agreed, Biden’s handlers motive was creating a situation where they could siphon off money, some people always profit off the losses of others in war.

[jafo2010]

Let's be clear about the facts.  Biden's only motive in regard to Ukraine was to feed the military/industrial complex here in the USA.  PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

Deleted comment that was here.  I misunderstood the person telling me.  They meant 1991, not today, but they said Russia is headed to not being able to pay salaries like 1991.

This is a huge happening, for it happened in 1991 when Russia collapsed.

The financial collapse is happening.  I also watched a video on Russia on Youtube indicating the huge amounts of money Putin has been offering men to enlist into the military, they are NOT RECEIVING THE MONEY AS PROMISED

Trump moving forward has the leverage with Putin.  He will be trying to reason with him to end this nonsense.  Ukraine just advanced another 5 kilometers into Russia, with minimal resistance.  Imagine Ukraine taking out much of the utility producing sites in Russia, stopping them from heating homes and businesses, and the continued destruction of military bases in Russia.  Putin is destroying his military.  His paper tiger forces are now known to be an utter joke. 

He has lost many of his best troops in Ukraine.  Now he is wasting North Korea's manpower.  And China is sitting back, much like the USA watching this horror show.  No one is benefiting by this war.  Not Russia, not China, or the USA.  Ukraine when all said and done is being leveled, but they are in fact killing large numbers of Russians.

Nothing good for Russia will come of this war.  They are losing the men they need to usher in the next generation.  Russia was already in a far worse spiral downwards in population growth.  When the war does end, there will be a huge flight of women from the country seeking a stable life elsewhere.  This will further reduce the population growth in Russia.  And everything will continue to get worse.

And as the Russian people find out how Putin has been living, learning about his 100,000 square foot castle or whatever you want to call it, and the opulence there, they will want his head.  Literally.

I still think Trump should sit down with Putin and talk to him about the USA acquisition of Russia.  The mineral wealth of Russia far exceeds anything Greenland has.

[DB]

Putin wanted to demonstrate to the world Russian military power by consuming Ukraine in days. Instead, he led Russia into national suicide. That will be his final legacy.

[jafo2010]

I think the time is approaching rapidly that Putin will be making a fast exit from Russia, seeking refuge somewhere.  Perhaps China. 

With each passing month, Ukraine is slowly getting stronger.  It is struggling with its numbers, but they have been fighting for survival.

Who would have imagined the 1,000 man force that seized Kursk would last this long.  Russia is virtually limp to seize its territory back.

Putin's end is unfolding right now.  If folks are not receiving salaries, how long before they want his head?  Putin has months before he has to flee.  Putin is done.

Once he leaves, depending on who emerges to lead Russia will dictate how much longer this war continues.  Trump has to be strong with whoever is leading Russia.  He has to hit them with sanctions that shut their oil/gas industry down completely.  Shut off revenue for Russia and Iran, and peace will begin to emerge from the shadows.

[DB]

I think the time is approaching rapidly that Putin will be making a fast exit from Russia, seeking refuge somewhere.  Perhaps China. 

With each passing month, Ukraine is slowly getting stronger.  It is struggling with its numbers, but they have been fighting for survival.

Who would have imagined the 1,000 man force that seized Kursk would last this long.  Russia is virtually limp to seize its territory back.

Putin's end is unfolding right now.  If folks are not receiving salaries, how long before they want his head?  Putin has months before he has to flee.  Putin is done.

Once he leaves, depending on who emerges to lead Russia will dictate how much longer this war continues.  Trump has to be strong with whoever is leading Russia.  He has to hit them with sanctions that shut their oil/gas industry down completely.  Shut off revenue for Russia and Iran, and peace will begin to emerge from the shadows.

Russia needs to pay massive reparations for all the destruction they rained down on Ukraine.

[MeganC]

Russia needs to pay massive reparations for all the destruction they rained down on Ukraine.

Russia will commit national suicide before they pay reparations. And at that point the only meaningful thing Russia can give to Ukraine is territory.

[verga]

Somehow I don't think that was Biden's motive.

I wasn't implying that, but looking at how I worded it....oooops.

[Smokin Joe]

I wasn't implying that, but looking at how I worded it....oooops.