Russia has now reverted to a Third World economy. Its currency has collapsed and the people's life savings have been wiped out. People are using the barter system as wages are not paid for months. Miners are protesting outside the Russian Parliament because they have not been paid their wages for over ten months. Old ladies exchange their few possessions for food.
Factories swop their goods with other factories.
The turmoil in Russia is also affecting the stock markets of the western world. Over 636 billion dollars has been wiped off the Stock Market values in the United States this week. All the European Stock Markets have suffered significant falls this week losing 160 billion dollars. The real concern for the world is that with so much uncertainty in Russia who is controlling the huge nuclear arsenal of 10,000 warheads. Normally these warheads are under the control of the President and a high-ranking general.