Russian banks, oligarchs, and technology imports have been the targets of West Europe and the US sanctions. But ordinary Russians' economic lives haven't being affected much since the war in Ukraine, when they were placed under extensive restrictions meant to decrease Moscow's war chest. Joblessness rate hasn't increases, no plunging money and no lines at banks. The arrangement at the general store is minimal changed, with worldwide brands still accessible or local substitutes replacing them. At some Moscow malls, crowds may have decreased, but not significantly. Local brands have replacing McDonald and Starbucks
A local once said, "Economically, nothing has changed". He still goes to work and shopping like before the war. Well, maybe the prices of some items have gone up a little, but not so much that it's obvious.
So far, Putin's economists have been able to minimize the effects of those sanctions hence, the rise of the Rouble.
Is it false that Russians are leaving a country? Is it false that a lot of money is going every day from Russia to other countries?
By the way, do you only talk about Moscow or about the whole Russia? If Moscow gets affected, I don't think Putin will end up well. Think about what's happening outside of Moscow because all the resources from other cities/towns is always spent on Moscow.
Definitely no one wants to see people feeling and living bad but the aim of economic sanctions is to push Russians to change Putin but that's not gonna happen, I believe. But long-term, the situation will go worse for Russia, that's for sure. One year and two years don't radically change the fate of such a big country.
He said that even if economy is damaged, a lot, I mean in long range, Putin's approval rate increased (he said he disliked it and voted different party etc). He said he feels like Putin will keep winning as economical effects are under control, for now at least.
Does anyone really think that Russian elections are purely dependent on proportion of votes? I remember Putin briefly said that his government won't let other powers to come in government because it may be dangerous for Russia. I remember he said it when one journalist asked him a question about Navalny.
I hope that no one believes that Russian statistics regarding the popularity of Putin is true. Well, if you go out and your friends who were Anti-Putin turned into Pro-Putin, then that's a very sad news.