Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that Western sanctions will have a negative impact on the country's economy in the medium term. This comes after months of insisting that sanctions were not effective. Russia is currently the most sanctioned country in the world, with over 11,000 individual sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine. The country's economy is under pressure due to heavy war spending, and the Kremlin's reliance on China is increasing, which poses a risk to Russia's sovereignty.
A leaked phone call between two prominent Russians, music producer Yosef Pregosian and billionaire Farhad Ahmedov, has surfaced online, in which they criticize Putin's war on Ukraine and Russia's top military leaders. The call has sparked widespread discussion, with many believing it to be genuine.
The Russian Elite is said to be critical of Putin's war, but are too afraid to speak out publicly due to fear of reprisals. The Kremlin is trying to control the mood of the country through intimidation and praise for those who back them. Presidential elections are coming up next year, and it is unclear whether the war will be over by then.
The participants of the leaked call are likely to face consequences, with the FSB Secret Service reportedly dealing with the case. The incident has highlighted the risks of criticizing Putin's war, with many Russians facing imprisonment for speaking out against the government.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that Western sanctions will have a negative medium-term impact on Russia.
2. Russia is currently the most sanctioned country in the world.
3. Reliable economic data is hard to come by, but it's clear that heavy war spending is adding to pressure on an already fragile economy.
4. Russia's defense minister is inspecting supply lines, and munitions are in short supply.
5. Buying new weapons is an expensive business, and Russia is hoping to keep it out of the public eye.
6. According to Russian Finance Minister data, unlisted or classified spending has doubled since last year.
7. Around a third of the budget is likely connected to the war, totaling $31 billion.
8. This amount dwarfs all other publicly listed government expenses.
9. Moscow's black budget is ballooning at a time of falling commodity prices, which make up the lion's share of Russia's earnings.
10. Western sanctions continue to bite, and Russia's president acknowledged that the illegitimate restrictions imposed on the Russian economy can indeed have a negative impact.
11. Russia officially went into a slight recession last year, with GDP contracting by just over 2%.
12. However, this factors in increased military spending, indicating that Russia's domestic consumption is likely faring worse than it seems at first glance.
13. Western countries have imposed over 11,000 individual sanctions against Russia since it invaded Ukraine.
14. The oil embargo imposed by the EU has significantly hit the income of the federal budget and is causing deficits.
15. Russia is increasingly dependent on China, which poses economic and political risks for Putin.
16. The Russian Elite has lost a lot as a result of the war, and many are appalled by what's going on, but they remain tight-lipped and say nothing publicly.
17. A leaked phone call between two prominent Russians, allegedly a music producer and an oligarch, has surfaced online, criticizing Putin's war in Ukraine.
18. The participants of the leaked call are facing consequences, with the FSB Secret Service reportedly dealing with the case.
19. Over 500 Russians have been sentenced for "discrediting the Russian army," and many are intimidated from speaking out against the war.
20. Several hundred thousand Russians have fled the country, and many are encouraged to criticize the war, but most are intimidated from speaking out.