Economy· August 17, 2026 at 10:45 a.m.
Russian VEB Chief Economist Dismissed After Predicting Economic Strain
Key takeaways
- Russian VEB economist fired for criticizing government policies
- Economic sanctions and low oil prices strain Russia's economy
- Concerns about freedom of speech within VEB and the Russian government
A senior economist at Russia's state-owned development bank, Vnesheconombank (VEB), has been dismissed after warning that Russia cannot sustain a 'war of attrition'. The economist, whose identity was not disclosed, made the comments in an internal report obtained by The Bell, a Russian business news outlet. According to the report, the economist predicted that continued economic sanctions and low oil prices would strain Russia's economy.