The war initiated by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine is approaching a decisive moment, where economic and military pressure could become unsustainable for Moscow, warns a former intelligence official.
According to Philip Ingram, Russia is entering a phase of “exhaustion”, and a turning point could appear by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
The costs of war, increasingly difficult to sustain
The analyst argues in The Sun that attacks on energy infrastructure, industry, and Russian military bases are steadily eroding the Kremlin’s ability to continue the conflict. In parallel, the enormous war expenditures are putting increasing pressure on the state budget.
“There comes a point where the economy will no longer be able to sustain this effort, and the population will fully feel the costs,” he explained.
Inflation and internal discontent
The economic impact is already visible. Inflation has risen sharply in Russia, and the prices of basic foods have increased significantly. Seemingly trivial examples – such as the marked price increase of cucumbers – have become symbols of the economic difficulties faced by the population.
Political leader Sergei Mironov drew attention to the situation, rhetorically asking how citizens can still afford basic products.
In this context, the depreciation of the ruble and the increase in the cost of living could affect internal support for the war.
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