Russian sanctions are taking their toll.
The invasion of Ukraine – which the Kremlin insists should be called a “special military operation” – has resulted in Western sanctions hitting the economy hard. The impact on ordinary Russians is already being felt.
Some large Russian supermarkets are limiting the number of basic goods that people can buy at the same time.
One store wrote a notice “Only 5 kg of sugar per person.” The Russian government says this is to limit the black market and inflation.
Russia’s currency, the ruble, has plummeted and prices for a whole range of goods and services are rising rapidly – including travel abroad.
Traveling for tourism in the US, EU and other countries is almost impossible. Thousands of young and educated Russians have already left the country.
The list of Western companies withdrawing from Russia is growing more and more. Before the invasion, Moscow was one of the most technologically advanced and well-connected cities in the world – with a first-class system of broadcasting services, Internet payments, technology and digital services.