While there is some industrial investment taking place in smaller cities, most money is sent out of Russia. Some 120 bank managers were killed last year. There were 6,500 cases of theft of weapons from military depots in 1993, and the gangs are now dealing in explosives. There is a near total criminalization of society, with many in the large middle class believing that if they are not stealing they are cheating their family. The Academy of Sciences is dying as young people leave for other ventures.
People pursue business ventures that are built on paper rather than actual production.
If the situation in Russia worsens, Rutskoy or Zhirinovskiy might emerge as leader. Rutskoy is decent and honest but not bright. He might win the support of many who voted for Zhirinovskiy. Zhirinovskiy as leader would be the worst case. Zhirinovskiy has captured the crime issue, saying he would have criminals shot on sight.