Vladimir Putin’s puppet takes desperate measure after imploring all Russians to donate cash | The world

Russians were urged to make private donations to finance it Vladimir Putinhis war Ukraine by one of the companions of the Russian president.

And speaking on Russian state media, Margarita Simonyan eagerly cited the example of an unnamed old woman who she claimed donates 1,000 rubles from her meager pension every month.

The clip was shared by Anton Geraschenko, a former advisor to UkraineThe Minister of Internal Affairs, who suggested that Simonyan’s call indicated that Russia It was “increasingly difficult” to finance its war economy two and a half years after the February 24, 2022 invasion.

Simonyan said: “It seems to me that everyone who has an opportunity should take an active part in helping the front.

“For example, I know a pensioner who sends 1,000 rubles monthly from her small pension.

“I’m not calling on every pensioner to do this, but I’d like to call on rich people again.

“It is your constitutional duty, it should be a domestic law. It is the law now, while the fighting is going on, to help the peaceful people, to help the front, the units.”

It was not immediately clear what existing law Simonyan was referring to.

Posting on X, Mr Geraschenko commented: “Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan is asking all Russians to donate money to the Russian military.

“Every person who has such an opportunity should actively participate in helping the front.

“It’s getting harder and harder to Russia to finance their war economy?”

One thousand rubles equals to eight pounds. By contrast, Vladimir Putin he is supposedly worth £200 billion, a fact not lost on user X who asked: “Why doesn’t he ask Putin to share his billions?”

Another, Stephen Harding, added: “This is a good sign that sanctions may be working well now.”

More than two and a half years in Ukraine war, RussiaIts economy faces significant challenges due to sustained Western sanctions.

RussiaIts GDP contracted by around 2% in 2022 amid oil prices that would have typically supported growth of 6-8%.

The ruble depreciated sharply, falling from around 50 rubles to the dollar in mid-2022 to over 90 rubles to the dollar in early 2024, reflecting weakening international confidence and access to capital.

Inflation, although reported at around 7%, is suspected to be higher given the central bank’s policy rate, which remains at 16% to stabilize the currency and control prices.

In addition, the penalties were reduced Russia overtaken by critical technologies, severely impacting industries such as automotive, where production will drop by more than 60% in 2022.

Ukraine claims Russia lost over 700,000 troops since the invasion.