One thing that seems to be emerging from the US is that our government and MSM may be misleading about the effects of the sanctions against Russia. The MSM news portrays the effects as severe in Russia while people who have visited recently have reported well stocked stores and fuel that is comparable in price, or below, to what we are paying in the US.
First of all - sanctions can't kill existing businesses / activities. But they are working very well against future options. What they COULD have made. Like russians could have developed new gas / oil fields, thrive from business collaborations etc. But now they have to live what they have. While they still have. Inertia.
BTW, russian anecdote about inertia.
Ivan tries to explain to the same level alternative gifted comrade what inertia is.
Went to haunting found something like bear's den. It seemed empty, put the gun on the side, crawl down on all 4 and started to explore that den. Suddenly some noises, and feel paws of animal on his back.
Slowly turned head, realized that is just dog, but anyway no more couldn't stop s*it sliding into pants. That is inertia
Sorry translation is silly, I know, just hope you got this idea
And petrol always has been cheap there, they produce it at home and dont tax it too heavily
But groceries shops are full only is Moscow and SPB.
With industrial parts situation is rather dramatic. Like they cant get a simple inverter. Or whatever. All spare parts we can have with overnight shipment they have to combine, ship trough third countries, figure out how to pay, how to make customs clearance etc. I dont say they cant do that. But even simplest problem makes a ton of efforts
I feel that as we have got a lot of requests from them. I don't bother myself to replay them.
