this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
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Putin has absolutely destroyed Russia's economy and population for decades to come, for absolutely no reason and no benefit.
That's just tragic.
Just FYI, 2.4 trillion rubles is only about $28 billion USD.
The USA alone has spent about $40 billion on the war. If we look at the state's deficit as a whole, not just war spending: the USAs first-quarter deficit is about $230 billion.
If you calculate the first quarter deficit as a fraction of the country's GDP, the difference between Russia and the USA is negligible. If you wouldn't say that the USA is "destroying the economy and population for decades to come" on the monetary front, it makes no sense to make that statement about Russia either.
You're right, I hadn't actually realized how small a number that was. That's almost suspiciously small, given the sanctions against Russia.
Mind you, I was also thinking of the sheer amount of brain drain and population drain Russia's war has resulted in for them.
Also, USA's spending on its military-industrial complex compared to its spending on every other part of its government is destroying its population, but that's another issue.
Indeed, I think it'd be more accurate to say that both are hurting their people due to war spending rather than implying neither are.
It's a bit different though. The fall for Russia is actually massive, since last year they were still having a big surplus, while now they are facing a pretty serious deficit. Moreover this deficit comes at a time of increased spending and decreasing oil revenue, which makes up a very big part of the Russian GDP and most of the government's budget.
A shrinking economy with higher expenses and growing deficit is a potent combination and will probably call for even more taxes as the government tries to find a substitute to falling oil revenues.
Can you give a citation for "decreasing oil revenue"? From my understanding their oil revenue has not decreased, it's just that it's not to the same partners (or at least not without passing through intermediaries like India where people can then buy it and not feel guilt by association).