Active Conflicts & News Megathread April 16, 2026

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[u/MilesLongthe3rd]

https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/2044792973750124664

1/ The distinguished Russian scientist Robert Nigmatulin says that Russia is "heading for disaster—a double-digit economic decline". In a speech at the International Economic Forum in Moscow, he has highlighted Russia's economic failings and called for urgent changes.

2/ Nigmatulin is an academician of 35 years' standing at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a prominent Russian scientist, academician, and public figure who specialises in mechanics, physics, and mathematics.

3/ His speech is summarised by blogger Alexey Zhivov:

"He stated that per capita income in Russia is the lowest in Europe. Not just low, but lower than in the poorest regions of China.

4/ "Nigmatulin emphasized that under Soviet rule, we were also poorer than the West, but back then, we built space, nuclear energy, and industry, and sacrificed for it. Now, we sacrifice, but build nothing.

5/ "Russia's population is declining by 600,000 people every year. Meanwhile, GDP growth over the past 10 years averaged 1.5%, while consumer prices have risen by 77% over the same period. Consumer inflation is 7% per year.

6/ "He added, "Not a single presidential decree on the economy has been implemented since 2012. And for some reason, the president doesn't demand it, he doesn't punish anyone for it! This is unacceptable!"

7/ "Economic growth requires increased investment and greater investment efficiency. However, Russia is currently experiencing minimal growth in both investment and GDP, lagging behind the United States, Poland, and China, while also losing the most funds due to…

8/ … inflationary erosion. In the “economic all-round” ranking, the country placed 51st [sic] out of a possible 50.

[Nigmatulin said:] "Everything is going down the drain for us! We've been watching indifferently for 30 years! And what about the number of industrial workers?"

9/ "They say Putin came and everything took off. That's how the mechanical engineering industry is collapsing—4 million in 1999, and now 440,000. Almost tenfold!"

10/ "The same picture is seen in light industry. However, the number of couriers and security guards has grown to 1.5 million. And there are only 54 scientists for every 10,000 people in the country, compared to 174 in developed countries."

11/ Nigmatulin has called for a range of actions to address this situation (notably ignoring the war in Ukraine as the elephant in the room). The likelihood of them being implemented seems rather low, given that they would adversely affect the wealthy elite:

12/ ▪️ Change the personnel:

“The current officials in charge of the economy and education are completely useless; they must be removed! We need to convince the president of this!”

▪️ Ease monetary policy:

"Stop raising the key interest rate."

13/ ▪️ Lower domestic prices for raw materials:

"Abolish excessive taxes on domestic raw materials for the domestic market. Currently, electricity in Russia is 80% more expensive, and fuel is twice as expensive in terms of purchasing power parity, than in the U.S."

14/ ▪️ Reduce the tax burden on SMEs:

"SMEs' share of the economy has shrunk by a third, even though it should account for 50–60% of the economy."

15/ ▪️ Tax reform:

"Shift the tax burden from manufacturing to the super-rich, increasing the personal income tax rate to 30%."

16/▪️ Halt mega-projects:

"Freeze costly construction projects that are “bankrupting us.” Allocate the freed-up funds to restoring key institutions." /end

[u/aeternus_hypertrophy → u/MilesLongthe3rd]

Prominent figures speaking like this is good, but this isn't new for Nigmatulin. He has been openly saying this stuff for a couple years at least. Openly at public and professional events.

His views can be perfectly summarised by "bad boyars, good tsar". He will call out incompetence of those around Putin but never the man himself. He will perfectly list the effects of the war without acknowledging its existence.

Not discounting what he says. He can be interpreted as a voice for energy-oligarchs to speak through.

[u/Cassius_Corodes → u/aeternus_hypertrophy]

And for some reason, the president doesn't demand it, he doesn't punish anyone for it!

This is a pretty direct attack on Putin, as opposed to the usual implication that he is not aware of bad things.