Information on current Russian losses due to sanctions as of 19.07.2026.
1. In the Stavropol region, a large Lukoil oil depot was attacked for the third time in a few weeks.
– On the night of July 19, drones struck the oil depot LLC “LUKOIL-Yugnaftoproduct” in the city of Mikhailovsk, Stavropol region.
– This marks the third attack on this fuel complex in recent weeks, indicating systematic damage to Russia’s important fuel infrastructure.
– The “LUKOIL-Yugnaftoproduct” oil depot is one of the largest fuel facilities in southern Russia. It is used for receiving, storing, and distributing gasoline and diesel fuel, supplying the Stavropol region and neighboring areas.
2. Russians withdrew over 500 billion rubles in cash from banks in two weeks.
– The cash outflow from the Russian banking system accelerated sharply in July. According to the Central Bank of Russia, from July 1 to 16 alone, the volume of cash in circulation increased by 513 billion rubles.
– On average, banks lost about 250 billion rubles a week, 32 billion rubles a day, or over 1 billion rubles every hour. In the first two weeks of July, the population withdrew more cash from banks than in all of June, when the outflow was 479 billion rubles.
– Overall, since the beginning of February, the volume of cash in circulation has already increased by 2.4 trillion rubles. If the current pace continues, July will become a record month for the scale of fund withdrawal from banks.
– The situation is worsened by the growth of problematic debt. The share of bad loans in Russian banks exceeded 11%, and among small businesses, every sixth enterprise has already defaulted on loan payments.
3. The fuel crisis and attacks in the Azov Sea exacerbate problems for Russian farmers.
– After months of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries, diesel prices in Russia have sharply increased, affecting the operation of agricultural machinery.
– Simultaneously, shipping restrictions in the Sea of Azov have complicated grain exports, depriving farmers of the ability to quickly sell their harvests.
– According to farmers from the Rostov region, workers are forced to wait in long lines at fuel stations, and there are almost no grain buyers left due to logistics issues. Revenue from the sale of the harvest is no longer sufficient to cover expenses for fuel, fertilizers, wages, and equipment updates.
– Due to the increase in diesel prices, farmers are losing about 1,000 rubles on each ton of grain, and export restrictions through the Sea of Azov effectively double these losses.
– If the situation with shipping does not improve, Russia may underdeliver 5–10 million tons of wheat to the global market in the second half of the year. Pressure on the agricultural sector has been increasing for the third consecutive year and may lead to further reduction of areas under grain crops.
– Despite expectations of a good harvest, many farms are caught in a financial trap: they have grain, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to sell it at a profitable price.
4. A record number of Russians in 11 years expect their financial situation to worsen.
– Amid accelerating inflation and the fuel crisis, more Russian residents are predicting a decline in their financial situation. According to a survey, the share of such respondents rose from 16% to 22% in a month — the highest since 2015.
– At the same time, only 22% of Russians hope for improved well-being. For the first time in recent years, the number of pessimistic citizens nearly matches the number of optimists.
– The worsening sentiment is occurring against the backdrop of rising prices, consequences of the fuel crisis, and a slowing economy. Russians are increasingly shifting to saving mode: cutting non-food expenses, choosing cheaper alternatives, and refraining from large purchases.
– An additional signal of worsening economic conditions is the decline in real disposable income of the population. In the first quarter of 2026, it decreased by 1% compared to the previous quarter — the first drop in the last three years.
– These factors combined indicate growing pessimism among the population and increased pressure from the economic crisis on domestic demand in Russia.
5. Botswana reported mass recruitment of its citizens into the Russian army for the war against Ukraine.
– The country’s Ministry of International Relations reported a sharp increase in cases where citizens are deceitfully taken abroad under the guise of employment, then forced to sign contracts with the Russian army and sent to the front.
– According to the agency, the number of such cases is increasing “at an alarming rate,” and authorities regularly receive appeals from compatriots who have already ended up in combat zones and report dangerous conditions.
– Botswana is not the first African state to report similar schemes. Previously, similar accusations were made by South Africa and Kenya. According to Kenyan intelligence, Russia recruited over 1,000 citizens of the country, promising jobs as drivers or guards. Most of them arrived in Russia via Turkey and the UAE on tourist visas.
– It is estimated that Russia has already recruited about 18,000 foreigners from 128 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At least 3,300 of them have died, with many recruits perishing within the first 72 hours after being sent to the front due to lack of preparation.
– Several countries, including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Kenya, have already demanded that Moscow stop recruiting their citizens and return them home.
