Part 6/17:

Russia’s economy remains heavily dependent on its extractive industries—oil and gas account for around 60% of the budget. With energy prices falling and China slowing its own energy imports due to demographic issues, Russia’s fiscal cushion erodes. New energy reserves are difficult to develop without Western technology, and international sanctions further restrict access to crucial equipment.

Education and technological development face setbacks. The brain drain continues, as talented, educated professionals—software engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs—seek opportunities abroad, especially in the US and Europe. The Russian educational system is mired in chaos, with humanities increasingly replaced by ideological dogma and technical fields suffering due to brain drain and underfunding.