Part 10/13:
Compounding internal instability are Russia’s worsening economic conditions. International sanctions, secondary sanctions, and the pausing of fuel imports by Chinese and Indian refineries have drastically reduced revenues from Russia’s energy exports. This economic squeeze hampers military logistics, as factories shut down, and shortages of parts and fuel become endemic.
Historical parallels with Stalin’s economic purges and resource mismanagement highlight how internal chaos and economic hardship can lead to strategic disaster. Russia’s military-industrial complex is suffering from delays, shutdowns, and supply shortages, all driven by internal conflicts and economic sanctions. This creates a vicious cycle of decline—one that threatens Russia’s capacity to sustain its war in Ukraine.