Sanctions and the “war economy” continue to destroy russian business. In 2026, entrepreneurs are preparing for another blow – a tax increase that the kremlin justifies by the need to fill the military budget. ▫️According to data from the russian central bank, most companies plan to raise prices to survive in the new conditions. It…
Kazakhstan is steadily reducing its dependence on russia in the energy sector. Three new thermal power plants — in Semey, Kokshetau, and Ust-Kamenogorsk — are being built without the participation of russian companies, as was originally planned. Another new plant, in Uralsk, is being developed with the involvement of Chinese investors. ▫️Not long ago, moscow…
state duma of the russian federation proposes to introduce mandatory “expertise” of foreign toys, strengthen customs control, and provide subsidies to “domestic” manufacturers under the slogan of “traditional values.” At a discussion with the telling title “toys as a channel of hidden propaganda…” it was stated that toys are allegedly a tool of “hybrid warfare”…
The first “russian-Arab Summit” announced in moscow has been canceled after key leaders of the Arab League did not confirm their participation. The event was planned as a demonstration of support for the kremlin in the Arab world, but the failure at the final stage showed the limits of russian influence. ▫️ In explanations, the…
russian government has planned to cut spending on the production of airplanes and helicopters. In 2026, funding for the corresponding federal project will decrease by more than one and a half times – from 139 to 85 billion rubles (approximately $1.47 and $0.90 billion, respectively). ▫️Funding cuts will also affect the industry in 2027 –…
Raising the value-added tax (VAT) from 20% to 22% and lowering the income threshold for payment will lead to a sharp increase in marketplace prices — from 10% to 25%. Higher taxes will trigger a chain reaction of price increases — from logistics to raw materials. Businesses are already forecasting a drop in sales and…
The kremlin is intensifying the militarization of children and youth. At the latest congress of putin’s “movement of the first,” its leader artur orlov announced a plan to increase the organization’s membership from the current 12.5 million to 18 million by 2030. In fact, every second russian aged 6 to 25 is expected to become…
russia’s budget spending on state TV channels in 2026 will reach 106.4 billion rubles ($1.27 billion). This is 54% higher than previously planned and even exceeds the current year’s figures. ▫️ Funding will increase most for entertainment and secondary federal channels — subsidies have more than doubled. Budgets for major kremlin broadcasters — “perviy,” “rossiya…
ministry of finance of russia has prepared bills to increase VAT from 20% to 22% starting January 1, 2026. The ministry stated that the purpose of the increase is “financing defense and security,” meaning additional budget funds will go to the war against Ukraine. Huge war expenditures, sanctions, and falling oil and gas revenues continue…
russia’s media are actively promoting the song contest “intervision,” organized in moscow, claiming that it generated phenomenal global interest and became a “symbol of a multipolar world and traditional values.” ▫️ However, organized as an alternative to Eurovision, “intervision” became another costly russian propaganda project, aimed primarily at a domestic audience. The large-scale show was…
In the russian region of kamchatka, a complete internet shutdown is being warned about. ▫️Local authorities explain this step as necessary for carrying out large-scale infrastructure work. The population is reassured that during the shutdown, key facilities such as banks, government services, stores, etc., will be connected via satellite communication. ▫️Thus, kamchatka will become the…
The revenue of russian developers in January–August 2025 decreased by 8% — to 2.9 trillion rubles (about 35 billion US dollars). This is the first decline since the beginning of the “mortgage boom.” Sales dropped even more — by 17%, to 14.4 million sq. m. The mass segment, which forms the basis of family housing,…
