Have Ukraine's drone attacks hit a key nerve of the Russian economy?

Following successful strikes on Russian oil refineries, Ukrainian drone attacks have now set fire to the logistics warehouses of Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. This escalation targets a critical component of the country's e-commerce infrastructure, impacting hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and creating significant disruption within the insurance sector.

The attacks add to a growing list of economic pressures facing Russia. Vasily Astrov, an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW), discussed these challenges in a podcast with "Die Presse." He and correspondent Eduard Steiner explored the factors contributing to the downturn in the Russian economy and assessed President Vladimir Putin's capacity to navigate the complex web of issues.

The podcast delves into whether Western sanctions are effectively crippling Russia's economy or if the country has become less reliant on Europe. Astrov and Steiner aim to provide clear analysis, explaining the realities behind the "new Iron Curtain" that has emerged since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They offer insights into why the situation may differ from common perceptions, providing a nuanced view of Russia's economic resilience and vulnerabilities.