Edition No216 | 06-08-2025 - Today we’re deconstructing Russia’s economic façade: the so‑called wartime boom that seemed to fool many international analysts, the slow-acting sanctions shock, and whether the engine of the war economy is finally stalling.This video is based on a collation of articles by financial journalists, but also by compiling videos recently produced by Russian economics expert Vladimir Milov and his co-presenter Michael Naki. Their videos on this topic emphasize that Russia’s wartime economy was once hailed as resilient: fuelled by soaring oil prices and military spending. Yet, beneath the surface, cracks are spreading. In early 2025, the IMF and other institutions downgraded Russia’s GDP growth sharply. “Russia’s wartime boom is faltering,” the IMF warned, revising its 2025 outlook to 0.9% growth, down from 4.1% in 2024. (The Moscow Times)Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov—Putin’s own ally—noted publicly that Russia teeters on the brink of recession, pointing to weak business sentiment, surging inflation, and reckless war spending. (The Guardian)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:The Illusion of Russia's Wartime Boom: An Economic BreakdownIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the perceived resilience of Russia's wartime economy amidst the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Despite international sanctions and an initial boom fueled by high oil prices and military spending, the facade is cracking. Financial analyses reveal a sharp decline in Russia's projected GDP growth, a faltering oil market, and a widening rift between the military and civilian sectors of the economy. As inflation and high interest rates persist, Russia's long-term economic stability is in jeopardy. We discuss the implications of Western sanctions and the strategic moves needed to intensify economic pressure on Russia and its global allies.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Overview00:41 The Illusion of Russia's Wartime Boom01:46 Cracks in the Economic Facade02:48 Oil Sanctions and the Pivot to the East04:15 Inflation, Interest Rates, and Currency Risks05:42 The Civilian Economy vs. The Military Sector07:36 Strategic Choices and Western Policy08:53 Conclusion and Future Outlook----------SOURCES: Reuters: “Weak rouble, higher oil may help Russia…” 30 Jul 2025Reuters: “Russian rouble expected to weaken…” 1 Aug 2025 Reuters: “Consumer price index falls…” 30 Jul 2025 Reuters: “Sberbank warns of economy overcooling…” 18 Jun 2025 Business Insider: “IMF sees Russia’s wartime economy slowing…” 30 Jul 2025 The Guardian: “Russia 'on verge of recession'…” 20 Jun 2025 Washington Post: “Pressure on Russia via secondary sanctions…” 2 Aug 2025Wikipedia and Stockholm Institute reports on sanctions impact, internal budget stimuli, growth & military‑civil split----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------