Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> No one is going to invest there for a very long time after what Russia did.

Many large businesses have returned to Russia. "No one is going to invest" is a naive childish thinking. They outperformed growth expectations in 2024, unemployment rate dropped from 5.8% in 2020 to 2.3% in 2025. GDP is surging, insane tech and energy investments from China. Plus Russia has a very low public debt. All in all, their economy is pretty resilient despite what they say in the mainstream media.






> unemployment rate dropped from 5.8% in 2020 to 2.3% in 2025

Because a massive amount of men were conscripted?

> GDP is surging

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window

Spending ~30% of the country's budget on military hardware that will get blown up might look good, GDP wise, but is utterly unproductive.


> Because a massive amount of men were conscripted?

That's an emotional oversimplification. Unemployment fell not because of conscription, but due to massive import substitution and rising labor demand in construction, logistics and manufacturing.

Despite sanctions, Russia's ruble-adjusted budget deficit remains manageable, and the trade balance is strong due to record energy exports. Military spending has driven industrial revitalization. Factories reopened, supply chains revamped and domestic R&D expanded.

Whether you agree with the morality or not, economically it’s not just money burned. It has multiplier effects: jobs, tech development and regional growth. Dismissing that is lazy.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: