About half of the country’s federal budget goes toward the fight in Ukraine, money that does little to support its long-term development.

Russia’s economy has “moved into a period of stagnation” after initial war efforts boosted output in the country, amid growing hopes in the West that further sanctions have been successful in limiting its growth.

A bakery owner who pleaded with Putin to look into tax reforms warned that many businesses will be forced to close.

During his December 2025 year-end press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Russia's economic slowdown, raising concerns for a recession amid war.

“The body is metabolizing its own muscle tissue for energy,” Prokopenko said.

Russians are being forced to eat expired food as they can no longer afford items as simple as cucumbers amid the four-year-long war in Ukraine. Cucumber prices in Russia have surged by over 100% since December 2025, reaching an average of over 300 rubles (£2.88) per kg in February 2026.

Denis Maksimov’s bakery in suburban Moscow became famous overnight after he appeared on President Vladimir Putin’s annual call-in show in December. Standing in front of the bakery — called Mashenka,

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union failed to pass new sanctions on Russia at a meeting on Monday after surprise objections from Hungary, the bloc’s top diplomat said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted on Thursday that Russia's revenues from energy resource sales declined by half compared to 2025. Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov argued that the losses were offset by other revenues and that the Russian economy remains stable.