Russian Military Defense Complex Is in a Recession, Not a Battlefield?

Pro-Kremlin pundits in Moscow admit to significant military failure in Ukraine as advisors misinformed President Putin about the ease of the operation. The leaked document from Russia's finance ministry reveals $6 billion set aside for compensations due to 50,000 military casualties and a Western Research Institute claims $16 billion hardware losses. Economist Sergey Guriev highlights the interconnectedness of the chaotic war effort and economic woes, blaming the long-term degradation of Russian military defense complex and sanctions hindering modern military equipment production. Russia's struggle with microchip shortages impacts both industries and military production. Reports suggest Russia is resorting to buying military equipment from Iran and North Korea, showcasing the downfall of the once prestigious Russian military defense complex. Despite facing extensive economic sanctions, shopping in Moscow appears normal but with increased prices, particularly for imported goods. President Putin downplays Western sanctions and portrays them as a global economic threat rather than a Russian one.