> a withering economy [...] for Russia The Russian economy is growing, not withering: "Although economic sanctions tightened, [...] Russian economy expanded at

> a withering economy [...] for Russia The Russian economy is growing, not withering: "Although economic sanctions tightened, [...] Russian economy expanded at a 1.6 percent pace in the year just ended," - [1] (or [2] if you think rt.com is fake news). > massive population outflow for Russia It is true that Russia population is decreasing, although Poland, Germany, Hungary, Japan etc are decreasing even more [3]. It's hyperbolic to describe this as "massive". [1] - https://www.rt.com/business/448357-russian-economy-grows-sanctions/ https://www.rt.com/business/448357-russian-economy-grows-san... [2] - http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/01/08/darkening-prospects-global-economy-to-slow-to-29-percent-in-2019-as-trade-investment-weaken http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/01/08/da... [3] - https://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?v=24 https://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?v=24