European intelligence believes that the Russian economy can withstand another year of war
The Russian economy is currently capable of sustaining the war against Ukraine until at least the spring of 2027. High oil prices have provided the Kremlin with additional revenue and postponed more serious economic problems.
According to a senior European intelligence official interviewed by Fox News, Moscow is not yet under critical budgetary pressure thanks to additional oil revenues. At the same time, this does not solve the fundamental problems of the Russian economy.
The price of Russian Urals crude, which had fallen to $40 per barrel and below at the start of the year, rose to approximately $82 in the second quarter. According to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Russia received about $30 billion in additional export revenues from April through June.
In July, oil and gas revenues to the Russian budget exceeded 934 billion rubles, reaching their highest level in more than a year.
At the same time, the Russian budget remains in a significant deficit. From January through July, the deficit reached 6.5 trillion rubles, which is already 70% higher than the figure projected for all of 2026. According to Sberbank’s forecast, the deficit could rise to 7 trillion rubles by the end of the year.
Economists note that financial difficulties alone are unlikely to force the Kremlin to end the war anytime soon. To exert significant pressure on the Russian budget, experts say, oil prices would need to fall much more sharply—to about $35–40 per barrel for an extended period.
Source: Fox News.
As a reminder, in one of the most prestigious areas of the Moscow Region—Rublyovka—long lines have formed at gas stations due to a fuel shortage. Local residents are sharing videos of traffic jams near gas stations.
The Kremlin has issued guidelines on how to report on the gasoline shortage.
The fuel crisis in Russia is intensifying: gasoline is running out at gas stations and lines are growing.
