How is the Russian economy really doing? Much better than one would expect, according to The Economist. Immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine GDP fell heavily, but since then the economy has recovered. The main reasons listed are professional central bank economists, the fact that the Russian economy does not rely too much on the West and that sanctions only have a limited impact on oil exports. Foreign Policy asks who is winning the sanctions war and concludes that Russia is doing well due to alternative trade partners, sanctions busing and domestic offsets. Still, the sanctions are not set up in vain and Russians are expected to struggle as the war continues.
Who’s Winning the Sanctions War? – Foreign Policy (often paywall)
Why the Russian economy keeps beating expectations – The Economist (often paywall)
Is China helping to keep the Russian economy afloat? – Investment Monitor
Meltdown averted but six months on, Russians face economic pain – Reuters (unlocked for Squidders)
Business Retreats and Sanctions Are Crippling the Russian Economy – Yale University