Russia Fires Top Economist Who Warned War Effort Is Unsustainable

Russia has dismissed a senior economist after he presented a report warning that the country cannot sustain a prolonged war of attrition with Ukraine, according to reports. Andrei Klepach was removed from his position following the presentation, which challenged the Kremlin’s public narrative that the Russian economy remains strong despite ongoing Western sanctions and heavy military spending. Klepach, a well-known figure in Russian economic policy, had reportedly argued that the costs of a long-term conflict would exceed what the state could bear. His firing signals growing tension between economic advisors and political leadership over the true state of Russia’s finances. The move comes as Moscow continues to face mounting pressure from international sanctions aimed at crippling its war machine. While Russian officials have repeatedly claimed the economy is resilient, Klepach’s warning suggests otherwise, raising questions about the sustainability of the war effort. The dismissal is likely to discourage other officials from voicing dissenting views on the war’s economic impact, further isolating decision-makers from realistic assessments.