Why Putin has plunged Russia’s economy into ‘the death zone’ episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 3, 2026 · 18 MIN

Why Putin has plunged Russia’s economy into ‘the death zone’

from This Is Why

Moscow may have hit Ukraine with one of its biggest attacks of the war so far - but is it Russia’s economy that’s starting to crack? Businesses are closing while bills and taxes are on the rise – as the growing cost of the conflict is felt on the high street and in homes as much as the battlefield. With his hometown under attack from Ukrainian drones, what does Vladimir Putin fear most - losses on the frontline, unrest over the struggling economy, or the possibility both could combine to threaten his control? Sky’s Ivor Bennett sends a snapshot from St Petersburg, while Niall Paterson is joined by our military analyst Professor Michael Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 3, 2026

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Why Putin has plunged Russia’s economy into ‘the death zone’

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