Russia’s illusion of power cracks as economy and war effort falter

Behind the diplomatic theater, Patin Drennan demonstrates Russia’s crumbled economy, military losses and the true cost of the silenced opposition.

Confrontation with stagnation on the battlefield and economic disaster at home, President of Russia Vladimir Putin He needed a desperate victory to present it to the Russian people.

Putin on August 15 come together American President Donald Trump Alaska’s Elmendorf-Richardson Air Base. He put conditions to end the war in Ukraine without predicting the conditions publicly. Putin in a subsequent joint press release He spoke comprehensively About Russia’s historical ties with America and Ukraine’s “Basic threats for our security”. President Trump replied, saying that progress was made.

For Putin, diplomatic victory was equally meeting with President Trump after three and a half years of isolation. Strangely, in an interview FOX News Immediately afterwards, President Trump described Russia as the second superpower of the world behind America.

The facts do not support it. Russia The economy is collapsing. Ordinary Russians are fighting and quietly questioning Putin’s leadership.

Russia has grain harvesting immersed 12.7 million tons and not all of the drought. . Russian grain Kremlin policies, such as strict government price regulation and export duties, complain that the situation worsened.

Russian consumers are fighting Increased prices Butter, milk, potatoes, fruit and chicken. Local Oil prices It increased by 18% compared to last year. The demand for Russian cars and trucks is falling and Production founder.

Russia’s two largest loans, SBERBANK And VTB. The first quarter of 2025. From October 2024 – April 2025The total credit card default in Russia increased by about 70% to 110 billion rubles ($ 2.1 billion).

. Latest reliable statistics Show that Russia has made a casualties of a million war and died in at least 104,000 battles. Russia has a great industry and army manpower scarcity.

Ukraine also contributes to Russia’s increasing military and economic decline by multiplying Russia’s industrial military complex. For example, Ukrainian drones on August 14 successfully hit (Third time) Volgograd Petroleum Refinery 1,337 kilometers from the borders of Ukraine. The refinery produces 15 million tons of oil a year,

In the battlefield, Russia conquered Since January 2024, approximately 5,000 square kilometers of land in Ukraine – less than 1% of Ukrainian lands.

Military commanders who criticize the tactics of the Kremlin are disappearing. On August 1, 2025, the 95th Battalion Commander of the Regiment Yuri Burakov, disappeared After a meeting with superior.

If Putin believes that any of them is unfaithful, Yevgeny prigozhinOr it becomes very popular just like a big general Ivan PopovThey are arrested or die in mysterious conditions.

Russian industrial oligarchs are also under extreme pressure. Russian oligarch on 4 July 2025 Constantine StrukovHe was arrested while trying to escape from the country in a private jet, worth about $ 2.9 billion. TVP World He reported that his reserve based on gold mining will be confiscated.

Same day, Andrei BadalovVice President of the Russian National Oil Pipeline, Relativethen died allegedly Falls through a window.

On March 26 Vadim MoshkovichHe was arrested about $ 2.7 billion and accused of fraud. It was the majority of Russia’s largest agricultural company, Rusagro. Accordingly Odessa JournalPutin’s inner environment is already taking over the aspects of the business.

Putin’s inner environment Siloviki (literally “Power People”)-Putin’s conservative, long-term partners, many FSB or KGB Secret service history. They include assistant presidential Nikolai Patrushevloyal generals Valery Gerasimov and Chechen head Ramzan Kadyrov. They all report directly to Putin and rest their orders.

However, even Siloviki has doubts. On August 10, New York Times Kremlin reported that he was the Deputy Chief of General Staff Dmitry Kozak He was wrong after he advised Putin to stop fighting in Ukraine and seek peace.

On August 18, President Trump held a meeting with the President of Ukraine at the White House Volodymyr Zelenskyy And Other European Leaders. Zelenskyy rightly refused to surrender the territory of Ukraine, which Russia did not conquer. President Trump in question He asked Zelenskyy to meet with Putin to discuss peace without a cease -fire or concrete American security guarantees. President Trump phoned Putin During and after the meetingKremlin discussed “Raising the level of representatives”Without mentioning Zelenskyy.

Putin angular. His Ordinary reactions In such cases, with more intense bombings – the ridiculous agreement will stop for time with the prerequisite and going out. There is no intention of giving up the conquered lands or meeting with President Zelenskyy because he told the Russian people that he was again again.illegitimate”. The gas lights up and has not said anything that has changed its maximalist goals since these historical meetings.

Putin believes that he can continue the Ukrainian war Two more years secretly selling oil Chinese And India (despite deferred American tariffs), importing military material from China and hiring thousands mercenary North Korea and other nations.

The historical August events raised Putin’s status at home, did not compromise, did not see a new sanction, did not see limited calls for cease -fire, and Ukraine, not Russia, said that he prevented peace. Diplomatic victories, who cannot feed their families and who have not been able to feed their relatives on the battlefield.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfegxenymoc

Patrick Drennan is a New Zealand journalist with an American history and economy degree.

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