Russia, once a dominant force in the global economy, has faced a colossal downturn in recent times. Before the tumultuous invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia proudly held its place as the 11th largest economy in the world, bolstered by its significant role as an extensive and dependable energy exporter.

Fast forward 16 months, and the picture has morphed dramatically. From a languishing currency to sluggish trade, indicators of severe economic decay are becoming increasingly glaring with no apparent reprieve on the horizon.

“Russia is exhibiting shades of a crumbling empire,” opines Volodymyr Lugovskyy, a professor of economics. “A scenario where Russia fragments into several parts, mirroring the fate of the Soviet Union, could unfold. In such a turbulent context, extreme events are highly probable.”

Here’s a rundown of five statistics that starkly illustrate how conflict has sculpted the current grim landscape of the Russian economy.

The Ruble Rumble

The Russian ruble has been performing a sad ballet on the currency stage this year, with geopolitical instability turning it into a tempest of volatility. When a rebellion led by the Wagner Group failed in June, the ruble plummeted to a 15-month low against the dollar. This precipitated a rush among citizens to exchange their rubles for alternative currencies. In the past month alone, the ruble has depreciated by more than 6.8%, and it’s seen a decline of over 35% in the last year.

Plummeting Current-Account Balance

The second quarter of the year saw Russia posting a current-account surplus of $5.4 billion, a staggering 93% dive from the record $76.7 billion achieved during the same period the previous year. The dwindling surplus is a clear indicator of Russia’s struggle to secure imports and the diminishing profitability of its energy exports.

Energy Revenue Freefall

Russia’s Finance Ministry reported a 36% year-on-year drop in revenue from oil and gas taxes in June, while profits from crude and petroleum products nosedived by 31%. Prior to the war, Russia was the supplier of nearly 40% of the European Union’s natural gas imports and a quarter of its crude oil. These figures have now trickled down to nearly zero. Although Russia has been courting China and India as alternative buyers, it’s been compelled to offer energy at deep discounts.

Automobile Sales Stall

In the pre-war era, approximately 100,000 vehicles found new owners every month across Russia. However, this figure has now plummeted to about a quarter of that number. This dramatic drop can be attributed not only to rising prices and dwindling consumer sentiment but also to a supply shortage.

Brain Drain and Mass Migration

Since the onset of the Ukrainian conflict, millions of Russians have sought refuge in other countries, with Uzbekistan alone welcoming more than 400,000 displaced citizens. A noticeable uptick in money transfers to nearby countries such as Armenia, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, which aren’t typically seen as financial hubs, bears testament to this trend.

“While it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact extent of capital flight, proxy measures like the surge in non-resident deposits in UAE bank accounts suggest a considerable exodus of productive capital out of Russia,” remarks Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a researcher at Yale.

In conclusion, the ramifications of political unrest and conflict have left Russia’s economy in a state of significant contraction and volatility. The challenges posed by a depreciating currency, declining energy revenues, reduced consumer spending, and mass emigration underscore the complex and multifaceted issues the nation faces as it navigates its economic future.