Russia Chatter

 I watch around eight Russian podcast folks on a monthly basis.  Some chat with other Russians, on things going on.  Some chat about economics or purchasing power.  Most avoid any criticism of Putin (in the personal sense).

Nineteen months have passed since the war started, and I think you can arrive at six observations.

First, getting new customers for oil/natural gas.....has been hit and miss.  There's no way that they make the level of income that occurred in 2020.  

Second, probably half the products of grocery stores still line the shelves, but the pricing has gone up.  For a working-class Russian....it's now a pain.

Third, just about every single number that you'd expect to be legit that the Russians hand out....is now regarded at 100-percent fake/fraudulent.  The economy, the population, the various sectors.  The 144-million number for the population?  It might have been faked-up for twenty years.  

Fourth,  with all the losses of manpower to the war,  and to support the war.....there's not any extra manpower to go and manufacture weapons hardware.  Hence the reason to deal with North Korea, and probably have several thousand North Koreans brought in.....to support the system.

Fifth, there's simply no end unless Putin dies or Ukraine agrees they 'lost'.  That's how stupid this whole situation has developed into. Even if Putin lives five more years and has to literally destroy Russia's economy.  I would even add.....I would imagine the CIA's whole  assessment from day one....they knew Putin couldn't ever accept anything but 'absolute victory'....so they've rigged the 'game'....total annihilation of the Russian economy in the end.

Sixth, there's probably three-thousand politicians in Russia....sipping through vodka every evening and shaking their heads over the war and the amount of destruction done to the economy. Even if the war ends tomorrow.....there's two or three decades of rebuilding required (tanks, helicopters, etc), and a massive amount of money required.  

There is an end to the war approaching....on the day that Putin passes on.  It won't be a pleasant experience to admit the war gave Russia anything but a Putin-legacy.