philly1121 said:

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Hey 88, did you see Gazprom is looking to cut 40% of its headquarter workforce? That's about 1600 people. The reason cited was their first revenue loss in 20 years ($6.8 billion - whoa!) and ballooning wages. Of course we know that there is a labor shortage in Russia, with all the people going to arms industries and the army. I hear there's alot of openings in the army. lol

Additionally, of course we know Russia was a major supplier of natural gas to the European Union until Russia invaded Ukraine. This prompted most of the region to start weaning itself off Russian energy. This has taken time but it has reduced Russia's share of gas imports from 40% in 2021 to 8% in 2023.

Much of the gap has been filled by American gas supplies, with US gas imports to the EU jumping from 18.9 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 56.2 billion cubic meters in 2023. Yay America!! Right, 88?

88 says Ukraine is losing, but if you told a anyone in 2022 that there would be videos of Russian assault teams driving forward and getting shot up in Ladas two years later, they would have laughed at you.

---

Another Loser.

The ruble continues to crumble, but he'll tell you how well Russia is doing.

Im surprised no one has talked about Medicare payments going up $10 per month in 2025.

That's on the stable genius.
He owns it.

More INFLATION.

Zippergate said:

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Not even. I'm ready for the dumpster fire. I want it to happen.

True colors.

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Cant wait for the TARIFFS!

And you thought INFLATION was bad under Biden?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Cal88 said:

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That is the real picture here on the Russian economy, far cry from the wartime propaganda posted above.

---

Yes, GAZPROM is doing so well that its LAYING OFF 40% of its workforce.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

https://fortune.com/europe/2025/01/14/gazprom-russia-cutting-hundreds-jobs/

DiabloWags said:

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Cal88 said:

---

That is the real picture here on the Russian economy, far cry from the wartime propaganda posted above.

---

Yes, GAZPROM is doing so well that its LAYING OFF 40% of its workforce.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

https://fortune.com/europe/2025/01/14/gazprom-russia-cutting-hundreds-jobs/

---

That's more than Facebook!

Gazprom is laying off 40% of its office workers in St Petersburg, around 1,600 desk jobs, apparently due to the decline of their European exports. Eventually every bit of gaz they can't sell in Europe today will be sold to China down the line.

To put things in perspective a bit, around 200,000 Russian auto workers were laid off after foreign plants in Russia shut down in '23. Those workers are back to work today as these factories have been repurposed to produce Russian and Chinese-designed cars.

Cal88 said:

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DiabloWags said:

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philly1121 said:

---

Hey 88, did you see Gazprom is looking to cut 40% of its headquarter workforce? That's about 1600 people. The reason cited was their first revenue loss in 20 years ($6.8 billion - whoa!) and ballooning wages. Of course we know that there is a labor shortage in Russia, with all the people going to arms industries and the army. I hear there's alot of openings in the army. lol

Additionally, of course we know Russia was a major supplier of natural gas to the European Union until Russia invaded Ukraine. This prompted most of the region to start weaning itself off Russian energy. This has taken time but it has reduced Russia's share of gas imports from 40% in 2021 to 8% in 2023.

Much of the gap has been filled by American gas supplies, with US gas imports to the EU jumping from 18.9 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 56.2 billion cubic meters in 2023. Yay America!! Right, 88?

88 says Ukraine is losing, but if you told a anyone in 2022 that there would be videos of Russian assault teams driving forward and getting shot up in Ladas two years later, they would have laughed at you.

---

Another Loser.

The ruble continues to crumble, but he'll tell you how well Russia is doing.

---

Since you've asked:

-Russia has moved from 6th place in the world ranking of GDP PPP before the war, to 4th place today, passing Japan and Germany.

Russia now the 4th largest economy by GDP PPP, according to World Bank.

The IMF also just *tripled* its GDP growth forecast for 🇷🇺, which is now projected to outpace all advanced economies.

Sanctions work.™️ https://t.co/3DdF7i1u0B pic.twitter.com/FZqObtqAUF

— Stephen Punwasi 🏚️📉🐈☃️ (@StephenPunwasi) July 24, 2024

-Russia's GDP grew at a fast clip in 23, 24, and is set to grow at around 2% this year. Not super spectacular, but any European country would kill for that level of growth.

Russia’s economy will grow at 3.2% — faster than the US, UK, Germany, France or any other developed nation.

That’s from the IMF, no friend of Putin.

😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/SY267MDr8b

— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) April 16, 2024

-Auto production in Russia, which have crashed after foreign companies like VW and Renault bailed out in '23 are now exceeding pre-war levels.



Russia is also set to produce its own passenger jets, with domestically-produced high-bypass engines. Without the sanctions, this project would not have been pursued.

That is the real picture here on the Russian economy, far cry from the wartime propaganda posted above.

---

Russia makes cars?!? Are they like those Soviet Union cars from the 1980s? Those were awesome! I loved the Trabant... well, I guess that was East German, but same diff.

Let me guess who buys Russian cars... Russians, Indians, Iranians (the poorer ones) and North Koreans?

After we all settle our differences, I hope Russia starts selling their cars in the US, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea: I bet they would dominate the market within ten years. Diablo Waggs would probably trade in his BMW for one! And if the value of the ruble is still super low, he can trade in his BMW for 13-14 Rooskiemobiles!

I'd have to draw the line at Russian passenger jets though, valuing my life as I do. I think I'd even rather be up in an effing Boeing.

I saw the Trabant up close and personal when visiting some relatives over in East Germany in 1974.

They had 2-stroke engines and were frequently found parked on the side of the road overheating.
It was called "a spark plug with a roof"

There was no fuel pump so the fuel tank was above the motor so fuel could reach the carburetor via gravity.

This increased the fire risk on a front-end accident
Earlier models had no fuel gauge.
You had to insert a dipstick
to check how full the tank was.

Took 10 years to acquire due to a waiting list that was up to 13 years long.

Sorry, not giving up the best that Germany has to offer!



Marsh Creek Road
2018

Isn't the war over? Trump PROMISED he could have it sorted in 24 hours. Even before he was sworn in.

But now I'm hearing it may take 100 days or more. . .

Was Trump lying? Or was he just spouting off bullshyte so his MAGA sycophants could feel all righteous about voting for a serial cheater and liar?


Make America Grift Again.

Big C said:

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Cal88 said:

---

DiabloWags said:

---

.

---

Since you've asked:

-Russia has moved from 6th place in the world ranking of GDP PPP before the war, to 4th place today, passing Japan and Germany.

-Russia's GDP grew at a fast clip in 23, 24, and is set to grow at around 2% this year. Not super spectacular, but any European country would kill for that level of growth.


Russia is also set to produce its own passenger jets, with domestically-produced high-bypass engines. Without the sanctions, this project would not have been pursued.

That is the real picture here on the Russian economy, far cry from the wartime propaganda posted above.

---

---

If what you say is true, then why does Swedish economist Anders Aslund believe that Russia's National Wealth Fund's liquid reserves could be depleted by Fall?

It had $117 Billion in 2021.
Now only $31 Billion.

At this rate, they may not be able to fund their war against Ukraine.

Russia Running Out of Money, Could Lose Ability to Fund War: Top Economist | IBTimes

Russian inflation increased to 9.5% in 2024 according to Rosstat statistics service.
It was up from 7.4% a year earlier.

Russian inflation climbs as Ukraine offensive weighs on economy

oski003 said:

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AunBear89 said:

---

Isn't the war over? Trump PROMISED he could have it sorted in 24 hours. Even before he was sworn in.

But now I'm hearing it may take 100 days or more. . .

Was Trump lying? Or was he just spouting off bullshyte so his MAGA sycophants could feel all righteous about voting for a serial cheater and liar?


Make America Grift Again.

---

100 days is an improvement over the 3 previous years of war. Hopefully, NATO gets some concessions and securities and no more Ukrainians get slaughtered.

---

So, he lied? Or you knew he was lying, but he owned the libs, and "MAGA!"

Nice goal post move.

And he is as likely to end it in 100 days as he was in one.

But believe all the fairy tales that you need to make yourself feel righteous.

Big C said:

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Cal88 said:

---

DiabloWags said:

---

philly1121 said:

---

Hey 88, did you see Gazprom is looking to cut 40% of its headquarter workforce? That's about 1600 people. The reason cited was their first revenue loss in 20 years ($6.8 billion - whoa!) and ballooning wages. Of course we know that there is a labor shortage in Russia, with all the people going to arms industries and the army. I hear there's alot of openings in the army. lol

Additionally, of course we know Russia was a major supplier of natural gas to the European Union until Russia invaded Ukraine. This prompted most of the region to start weaning itself off Russian energy. This has taken time but it has reduced Russia's share of gas imports from 40% in 2021 to 8% in 2023.

Much of the gap has been filled by American gas supplies, with US gas imports to the EU jumping from 18.9 billion cubic meters in 2021 to 56.2 billion cubic meters in 2023. Yay America!! Right, 88?

88 says Ukraine is losing, but if you told a anyone in 2022 that there would be videos of Russian assault teams driving forward and getting shot up in Ladas two years later, they would have laughed at you.

---

Another Loser.

The ruble continues to crumble, but he'll tell you how well Russia is doing.

---

Since you've asked:

-Russia has moved from 6th place in the world ranking of GDP PPP before the war, to 4th place today, passing Japan and Germany.

Russia now the 4th largest economy by GDP PPP, according to World Bank.

The IMF also just *tripled* its GDP growth forecast for 🇷🇺, which is now projected to outpace all advanced economies.

Sanctions work.™️ https://t.co/3DdF7i1u0B pic.twitter.com/FZqObtqAUF

— Stephen Punwasi 🏚️📉🐈☃️ (@StephenPunwasi) July 24, 2024

-Russia's GDP grew at a fast clip in 23, 24, and is set to grow at around 2% this year. Not super spectacular, but any European country would kill for that level of growth.

Russia’s economy will grow at 3.2% — faster than the US, UK, Germany, France or any other developed nation.

That’s from the IMF, no friend of Putin.

😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/SY267MDr8b

— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) April 16, 2024

-Auto production in Russia, which have crashed after foreign companies like VW and Renault bailed out in '23 are now exceeding pre-war levels.



Russia is also set to produce its own passenger jets, with domestically-produced high-bypass engines. Without the sanctions, this project would not have been pursued.

That is the real picture here on the Russian economy, far cry from the wartime propaganda posted above.

---

Russia makes cars?!? Are they like those Soviet Union cars from the 1980s? Those were awesome! I loved the Trabant... well, I guess that was East German, but same diff.

Let me guess who buys Russian cars... Russians, Indians, Iranians (the poorer ones) and North Koreans?

After we all settle our differences, I hope Russi starts selling their cars in the US, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea: I bet they would dominate the market within ten years. Diablo Waggs would probably trade in his BMW for one! And if the value of the ruble is still super low, he can trade in his BMW for 13-14 Rooskiemobiles!

I'd have to draw the line at Russian passenger jets though, valuing my life as I do. I think I'd even rather be up in an effing Boeing.

---

As far as archaic Russian auto designs, the Lada Niva is pretty cool, a sturdy, no-frills 4 by 4 vehicle whose design hasn't changed all that much in decades, sold for around $10K in Russia, carved itself a niche in the European market before regulations strangled it.



https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/pictures/russias-legendary-lada-niva-turns-40-celebrates-with-special-editions/

As to the broader Russian car market, it will ironically will be featuring cars that are ahead of those sold in the American marketplace, as Chinese manufacturers like Geely and Cherry have taken over plants left by VW, Renault, Hyundai etc.

China has been wiping out Japanese, Korean and Euro competition in "neutral" open markets like Thailand, Brazil, Australia that haven't slapped Chinese cars with exorbitant tariffs. Their EV tech is several years ahead and they are offering similar or better cars at much lower prices.

oski003 said:

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AunBear89 said:

---

oski003 said:

---

AunBear89 said:

---

Isn't the war over? Trump PROMISED he could have it sorted in 24 hours. Even before he was sworn in.

But now I'm hearing it may take 100 days or more. . .

Was Trump lying? Or was he just spouting off bullshyte so his MAGA sycophants could feel all righteous about voting for a serial cheater and liar?


Make America Grift Again.

---

100 days is an improvement over the 3 previous years of war. Hopefully, NATO gets some concessions and securities and no more Ukrainians get slaughtered.

---

So, he lied? Or you knew he was lying, but he owned the libs, and "MAGA!"

Nice goal post move.

---

I don't really care about your baby like accusations. I didn't vote for him. However, ending the war in 100 days would be a great achievement.

---

Wow, really? You still carry water for him like you did. And yeah, its a total goal post move. And what say you about inflation, 003?

According to 88, Russia's economy has never been better. Automotive market booming. Literally. Probably because they're driving all those new Ladas to the front lines. Of course, its all smoke and mirrors. Russian economy would be booming - in one sector. Armaments. But even that has limits.

So, rumor around the financial world and credit markets is that Putin is considering some drastic actions when it comes to the Russian economy. This may include freezing Russian bank accounts and rolling out food rationing. Citizens are already feeling the pinch with skyrocketing interest rates and a spike in food prices, sending the cost of staples through the roof.

From November 2023 to 2024, potato prices soared by nearly 95 percent, while butter costs jumped by 36.5 percent. All these increases in food prices has led to growing thefts in supermarkets. Of course Putin deflects all of the blame. He went on state television the other day and blamed Russians for their eating habits as the reason for escalating prices in beef, chicken and butter. Darn those Russians. They need to eat less!

The solution? Putin is considering stopping bank deposit withdrawals and issuing food cards. Russia's corporate debt is in the high $400 billion range. That's about 19% of its total GDP. The clock is ticking on the Russian economy. But 88 is going to go big on the cattle and dairy sectors.

philly1121 said:

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According to 88, Russia's economy has never been better. Automotive market booming. Literally. Probably because they're driving all those new Ladas to the front lines. Of course, its all smoke and mirrors. Russian economy would be booming - in one sector. Armaments. But even that has limits.

So, rumor around the financial world and credit markets is that Putin is considering some drastic actions when it comes to the Russian economy. This may include freezing Russian bank accounts and rolling out food rationing. Citizens are already feeling the pinch with skyrocketing interest rates and a spike in food prices, sending the cost of staples through the roof.

From November 2023 to 2024, potato prices soared by nearly 95 percent, while butter costs jumped by 36.5 percent. All these increases in food prices has led to growing thefts in supermarkets. Of course Putin deflects all of the blame. He went on state television the other day and blamed Russians for their eating habits as the reason for escalating prices in beef, chicken and butter. Darn those Russians. They need to eat less!

The solution? Putin is considering stopping bank deposit withdrawals and issuing food cards. Russia's corporate debt is in the high $400 billion range. That's about 19% of its total GDP. The clock is ticking on the Russian economy. But 88 is going to go big on the cattle and dairy sectors.

---

Nothing like a war to rev up the ol' economy! And I'm sure the Russian citizens will be able to enjoy and make good use out of all that ammo that is now buried in Ukrainian soil.

Cal88 said:

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Philly's source: "trust me bro".

Putting things in context here, let's take a quick trip to a Russian supermarket, circa last Spring:

---

Circa last spring??? lmao

L-A-Z-Y. Vlad is not getting his ruble's worth with you.

88 can you bring anything other than twitter or youtube to this wonderful discussion? Natasha Rostova? She's taking the name of a character from War and Peace? ugh

So basically, she tours a grocery store and of the 5 or 6 items she looks at all but one got more expensive? So bananas rose in price by 50%? Is that the takeaway? I'm struggling to see how this makes your case?

In any event, the comments on this video are pretty funny and spot on. And pretty much drag this video down for what it really is. Take Milka for example. It got cheaper in the video. But comments in the video are saying that Milka got cheaper because they changed the percentage of chocolate they use in their export recipe. So the price is less. But, you're also forgetting that the ruble has gone down in value. Most economists predict the ruble is going to decline further from 100 to 1 usd to 108 to 1 usd.

either way you look at it, combining higher prices with a decline in value of ruble make for a not so comforting future. Its not inflation, its "special inflationary operation". lmao

Cal88 said:

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philly1121 said:

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88 can you bring anything other than twitter or youtube to this wonderful discussion? Natasha Rostova? She's taking the name of a character from War and Peace? ugh

So basically, she tours a grocery store and of the 5 or 6 items she looks at all but one got more expensive? So bananas rose in price by 50%? Is that the takeaway? I'm struggling to see how this makes your case?

In any event, the comments on this video are pretty funny and spot on. And pretty much drag this video down for what it really is. Take Milka for example. It got cheaper in the video. But comments in the video are saying that Milka got cheaper because they changed the percentage of chocolate they use in their export recipe. So the price is less. But, you're also forgetting that the ruble has gone down in value. Most economists predict the ruble is going to decline further from 100 to 1 usd to 108 to 1 usd.

either way you look at it, combining higher prices with a decline in value of ruble make for a not so comforting future. Its not inflation, its "special inflationary operation". lmao

---

There are literally dozens of videos of vloggers shopping in Russian supermarkets, both locals and western expats, none of them show the kind of food scarcity or price spikes that you have said were taking place.

You claimed that "the price of potatoes rose by 95% between 2023 and 24" (without citing any source of course), but the video above shows that potato prices went up only 17% in 2 1/2 years. And that price today btw is 21 cents per pound (48c/kg). So potato prices went from 17 cents per pound in mid-2022 to 21 cents last month... Do you think that is going to engender food riots in Russia?

Your sources are war propaganda for the Slava Ukraini bubble, which thankfully, has been deflating lately as reality is finally starting to catch up.

---

What would happen to a Russia based vlogger who posted negative stories about Putin, the Russian economy, or the Ukraine war? Would they be poisoned or imprisoned? Hard to say. What we do know is that they would not be tolerated by the Putin regime.