Institute for Study of War: Russia’s economy began to be prepared for a long war in Ukraine

Russia’s authorities are preparing the country’s economy to support the army in the conditions of “special operation”. This is stated in the summary of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The summary notes that the Kremlin, probably preparing for a long war in Ukraine, creates the conditions for supporting its army with the Russian economy. Thus, the State Duma of the Russian Federation to amend federal laws on the support of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, providing for the introduction of “special measures in the economic sphere” that obliges Russian enterprises (regardless of ownership) to support Russian “special and anti -terrorist operations”.

The amendment prohibits Russian enterprises to refuse to accept state orders to ensure special military operations and will allow the Kremlin to change employees’ contracts and working conditions.

In addition, the Russian authorities, apparently, plan to integrate the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (nuclear power plant) directly into the Russian energy system, which contradicts the previous statements of Russia that the Zaporizhzhya NPP will sell electricity to Ukraine. The authors of the summary suggest that Russian forces are now striving to gain physical access to power lines in order to provide a direct flow of Ukrainian energy to Russia.