The War Lasts 1418 Days: Russia Loses Economy and Public Support
In 2026, the war in Ukraine has lasted 1418 days. During this time, Russian troops have managed to capture less than 1% of Ukrainian territory. The internal situation in the Russian Federation is deteriorating as the country's economy suffers from significant war expenditures and declining oil and gas revenues. In 2025, war expenses reached 15.5 trillion rubles, while income from energy resources fell by 34% from November 2025 to November 2024.
It is expected that Russia's budget deficit will reach $72 billion, causing additional economic difficulties. Also, from January 1, 2026, Russia raised the value-added tax from 20% to 22%. These measures indicate serious financial problems the country is facing.
Changes in Social Sentiment
Social sentiments in Russia have also changed. In December 2025, only 25% of Russians expressed support for continuing the war, while 67% wanted peace negotiations. In comparison, a year ago these figures were 37% and 54% respectively. These changes in public sentiment indicate a growing desire among the population to end the conflict.
Furthermore, Russia rejected the proposal for a peacekeeping contingent, which may indicate uncertainty in future plans regarding the war. Recently, Russia struck the Lviv region with a hypersonic ballistic missile 'Oreshnik', indicating a continuation of military activity despite the worsening internal situation.
The contrast between the highest effectiveness of the U.S. military and intelligence services and the striking inefficiency of their Russian counterparts is simply too obvious.
Abbas Gallyamov
The situation in Russia continues to worsen amid the prolonged war in Ukraine, causing serious economic and social problems. The loss of public support, increasing budget deficit, and declining energy resource revenues indicate possible consequences for political stability in the country. In light of changing social sentiments and financial difficulties, Russia may be forced to reconsider its military objectives and seek ways to peacefully resolve the conflict.