Part 4/9:
Another critical aspect of post-collapse Russia would be the loss of skilled labor. Zign draws parallels to the exodus of educated Russians after the Soviet collapse, suggesting that while some will leave, the scale of departure will not match the previous scenario. Russia's educational system has faltered, producing fewer skilled workers capable of leading in a new economy or political landscape. The elite intelligence operatives that emerged during the Soviet era are now absent or diminished, leading to potential power vacuums filled by less sophisticated elements.