Part 2/9:
The severity of the situation can be illustrated by contrasting the state of Russia's economy today with that of the Soviet Union during its dissolution in the late 1980s. Present-day Russia, contrary to popular belief, is not self-sustaining. Its economy is roughly equivalent in size to that of Italy, highlighting its fragile state even in the best of conditions. The prolonged military engagement in Ukraine is accelerating the depletion of vital resources, including manpower and finances.