Part 10/14:
These tactics effectively dismantled any remaining independence among Russia’s wealthy elite. The oligarchs had transitioned from powerful businessmen to subordinate cash cows, their assets drained and redirected by the Kremlin.
The State’s Throat on Russia’s Economy and Ordinary Citizens
While the oligarchs are systematically impoverished or corralled, the vast majority of Russians bear the real cost. The draining of state coffers for military spending—nearly 36% of the budget in 2025—has led to crumbling infrastructure, declining public services, and crushing inflation.