Putin Critic Ousted: Top Russian Economist Fired After Warning War Is Unwinnable
What Happened
Andrei Klepach, chief economist at Russia's state development bank VEB.RF, was dismissed after publicly warning that Russia could not win a prolonged "war of attrition" against Ukraine and the West. He argued that sanctions, mounting war costs, infrastructure attacks, and technological stagnation were weakening Russia's position, while assumptions of Ukraine's collapse had proven wrong.
Key Takeaways
The episode highlights growing strains inside Russia's wartime economy and the limited space for public criticism from senior officials. Klepach's remarks reflect concerns that prolonged conflict is increasing economic and technological pressures on Russia despite heavy military spending.