Information on current Russian losses due to sanctions as of 03/22/2026.
1. Ukraine continues to intensify strikes on Russian energy infrastructure: according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Saratov oil refinery, owned by Rosneft, was attacked.
– As a result of the strike, a technological installation and a fuel storage tank were damaged. According to the Ukrainian side, the enterprise produces fuel, particularly for the needs of the Russian army. The regional authorities of Russia confirmed the drone attack, reporting damage to civilian infrastructure and casualties.
– At the same time, the Russian side traditionally does not detail the consequences for strategic objects. There are simultaneous reports of attempted attacks in Bashkortostan near large refineries in Ufa.
– The Saratov refinery has a capacity of about 140,000 barrels per day, and the refinery cluster in Ufa can handle up to 470,000 barrels. Importantly, these facilities are located hundreds or even over a thousand kilometers from Ukraine, demonstrating the capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.
– Such attacks are part of Ukraine’s strategy to reduce Russia’s oil revenues and complicate fuel supply logistics for the army. In the context of sanctions and export restrictions, this additionally increases pressure on the Russian energy sector.
2. The Kremlin-affiliated Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting warns of a high probability of recession in Russia by the end of the year.
– It refers to a drop in GDP for at least 12 months — this dynamic is used by the center’s experts as a criterion for a recession. A sharp increase in the composite leading indicator (CLI), which reached approximately 0.49 in December — almost three times above the critical threshold of 0.18, served as a signal.
– The indicator has been in the zone for several months, indicating not only an approaching downturn but also the risk of its protracted nature. Key reasons include — high key interest rate restraining lending and investment; tighter fiscal policy; labor force shortages; and an investment pause in business.
– The growth rate of Russian GDP has already sharply slowed: to about 1% in 2025 after nearly 5% in 2024, which is typical of pre-recession dynamics.
3. Russia continues to lose positions in the global “Happiness Ranking”: by the end of 2025, the country dropped to 79th place out of 147, losing 13 positions in just one year.
– This is one of the worst results in the history of observations; Russia only ranked lower in 2021. It is positioned alongside countries with challenging socio-economic situations, such as Venezuela, Libya, and Bolivia.
– The weakest indicators are in the area of basic freedoms: here, Russia ranked only 112th, falling below several African countries. This is a key factor that drags down the overall index. Other indicators also show problems – in life expectancy, 83rd place; in social support, 73rd place; in inequality, 95th place.
– Overall, the ranking dynamics indicate a deterioration in social well-being in Russia, where economic difficulties, restrictions on freedoms, and inequality increasingly affect the quality of life assessment.
4. The financial crisis in the Russian healthcare system is worsening: hospitals across the country have started to massively cancel bonuses and cut medical staff salaries due to budget deficits.
– Medics from various regions report cuts and payment delays. These issues are systemic. By 2026, at least 19 regions in Russia have already reduced healthcare spending. The largest cuts are recorded in Vologda region (–39%), Irkutsk region, and Kuzbass (over –30%), as well as Moscow and Volgograd regions (around –25%).
– As a result, the medical system faces dual pressure: on one hand, rising costs and debts, on the other, reduced funding. This leads to falling incomes for medics, risks of mass resignations, and further deterioration in the quality of medical services.
5. The scale of business nationalization in Russia is rapidly increasing: through court decisions, the state has already gained control over more than 800 companies.
– According to the head of Rosimushchestvo, this involves approximately 805 enterprises, and their number continues to grow. The authorities plan to bring up to 90% of these assets into economic circulation within a year — essentially preparing them for further use or sale.
– Nationalization is intensifying amid an economic slowdown and the search for additional budget resources. In 2025, Russia’s GDP growth was only about 1%, with a slight acceleration to 1.3% predicted for 2026, and nearly zero growth expected in the first half of the year.
– Some of the nationalized assets are planned to be sold, with hopes to raise about 100 billion rubles. Among the most significant deals is the preparation for the sale of assets from companies like “Makfa,” “Kuban-Vino,” and the Bashkir Soda Company.
– This policy indicates an increasing role of the state in the economy and simultaneously highlights budgetary issues. In fact, nationalization is increasingly used as a tool for asset redistribution and patching financial deficits.
