(MOSCOW) – Russian newspapers have warned of deepening economic problems, with reports of stagnation in industry, a significant investment downturn and ongoing fuel shortages, while one editorial concludes that “the destruction of the current world order can no longer be stopped.”
RBK reported that Russian industrial growth was just 0.1 percent between January and July. The newspaper’s front page stated: “Investment downturn significantly worse than expected. A large scale investment crisis continues in Russia. Last year, capital investment fell by 2.3 percent. But in the first half of 2026, investment fell by almost 10 percent.”
Izvestia reported that in August petrol was available at approximately 62.5 percent of petrol stations in Russia. The newspaper conceded that the fuel situation remains unpredictable due to the continuing risk of attacks on oil refineries, referring to Ukrainian drone strikes.
Nezavisimaya Gazeta published a sobering editorial stating: “The destruction of the current world order can no longer be stopped. What will the new world be like? No one knows. Is it necessary to go through a devastating world war to draw the contours of a new world order on nuclear ashes? That would be too banal, too vulgar, too crazy.”
The editorial continued: “One thing is clear. We must be ready for anything. No illusions. The period of uncertainty will last a long time and the era of mistrust and hostility even in conditions of peace will last even longer.”
Moskovsky Komsomolets concluded that the main scenario remains escalation. Another article in the same newspaper wrote that “the Ukrainian leadership must inevitably become targets.”
Komsomolskaya Pravda reported warnings from the Russian military that it has begun preparations for massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy facilities.
The same newspaper featured a story about an Englishman using the code name Tommy who is fighting on the side of the Russians. According to the report, Tommy’s relatives do not understand him. He reportedly resents how his compatriots from the BBC are covering events in the Donbas. The report states that Tommy’s relatives believe the journalists, not Tommy.
Izvestia reported that a political commentator suggested CIA director John Ratcliffe came to Moscow last week to try to avert a full scale war in Europe. The newspaper also pointed out that Ratcliffe’s visit spawned a mass of unconfirmed details based only on anonymous sources.
Despite the grim outlook, some Russian papers attempted optimism. Russia Today reported there are now 151 billionaires in Russia. The paper also featured new passenger planes and new cars, though it noted these were produced with help from the Chinese.
Komsomolskaya Pravda offered a semi optimistic joke: “If you’re certain that tomorrow will be worse than today, then in a way that’s also a kind of confidence in the future.”
Russia’s war on Ukraine has lasted more than four and a half years.
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