Russian state bank dismisses chief economist after critical war remarks

Russian state development bank VEB has dismissed its chief economist, Andrei Klepach, following public remarks questioning the long-term sustainability of the country's wartime economy. Klepach, who served as deputy economic development minister from 2008 to 2014 before joining VEB, warned that Russia faces severe economic and technological strain in a protracted conflict of attrition.

His departure followed a candid address in which he cautioned that ongoing pressures could trigger unforeseen social crises and undermine Moscow's position over time. The statements represented an unusually direct critique of Russia's domestic economic resilience from a senior state-affiliated financial official.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica