'Kalashnikov economy' Russia's war machine shows no signs of slowing
Total defence spending has risen to an estimated 7.5% of Russia's GDP, supply chains have been redesigned to secure many key inputs and evade sanctions, and factories producing ammunition, vehicles and equipment are running round the clock, often on mandatory 12-hour shifts with double overtime, in order to sustain the Russian war machine for the foreseeable future. The transformation has put defence at the centre of Russia's economy.
Putin claimed this month that 520,000 new jobs had been created in the defence sector, which now employs an estimated 3.5 million Russians, or 2.5% of the population.
Machinists and welders in Russian factories producing war equipment are now making more money than many white-collar managers and lawyers, according to a Moscow Times analysis of Russian labour data in November.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Life streams Webcams of the natural world provide solace and connection
In 2012, Dianne Hoffman, a retired consultant, became a peeping Tom. For five hours a day she watched the antics of a couple, Harriet and Ozzie, who lived on Dunrovin ranch in Montana.
Cover up Who called the fashion police to Cannes?
New red carpet, new cri de coeur. Not for the first time, organisers of the Cannes film festival, arguably the ritziest and most photographed in the industry's calendar, have decreed that various outfits will not be allowed on the red carpet this year.
Banking Five mistakes - and how to avoid making them
If you are staying loyally with a bank, using an overdraft or failing to read the small print, you may well be losing out, writes Holly Mead
Politicians opposed to assisted dying condemn Rantzen's 'distasteful' remarks
MPs opposed to assisted dying have criticised \"distasteful\" claims from the prominent campaigner Esther Rantzen, who argued many are fighting against the changes to the law because of secret religious views.
We can't feed everyone, says aid group backed by Israel
The organisation backed by Israel to take over food distribution in Gaza has admitted it would not be able to feed some of the most vulnerable civilians from the militarised compounds it plans to set up.
UK on path to deeper EU relationship, says Reeves
Exclusive 'We can do more. We can get a better deal,' says chancellor ahead of UK-EU summit
UK Hackers Involved in Retail Cyber-Attacks, Says Google
UK members of the \"Scattered Spider\" hacking community are \"facilitating\" cyber-attacks, according to Google, as disruption spreads from British retailers to the US.
The Pope Effect: Rome's Tourist Sector Expects Leo to Lure His Fellow Americans
Even before the chimney on the Sistine Chapel emitted its last puff of white smoke, signaling that the Catholic Church had a new pope, Atlante Star, a hotel with a privileged view over St. Peter's Basilica from its rooftop terrace, began to receive inquiries about room availability.
Wessex tale of woe Hardy village clash over Labour homes policy
Thomas Hardy described the fictional village of Marlott as being in an \"engirdled and secluded region, for the most part untrodden as yet by tourist or landscape painter, though within a four hours' journey from London\".
Festivals How music lovers are coping with rising prices
From Monday to Friday, Jessica Heath works as a civil servant in central London - but when the weekend comes, it's not time to relax.
