Most likely the Russian central bank will have to increase interest rates before the end of the year. The Ruble continues to decline and inflation continue to increase, despite the already very high interest rates.
We are definitely seeing the signs of the Russian economy collapsing now.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Increasing interest rates is not going to work too well. The idea behind it, is to slow down borrowing hence slowing down demand and with that lowering inflation. That just does not work, when the government spends a lot of money on say a war. The other way it works is by attracting international investors due to higher profits. Obviously seizing assets from foreign investors is not helping with that either.

The only way Russia can actually lower inflation and continue the war is by using its foreign currency reserves and buying foreign products to increase supply in the market. In the case of Russia the foreign currency reserves is part of the sovereign wealth fund. So look out for that.

[–] Buffalox 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This is true Russia is running out of options, and even if the 3 latest interest rate hikes didn't do much, I'm still pretty sure they'll have to do it again.
Every little bit helps as they say.

[–] Valmond 3 points 4 days ago

Yep, but it's also like pissing in the bed to keep you warm 😋, it will strain the growth even more.

[–] riodoro1 6 points 4 days ago (2 children)

It was already collapsing a year ago.

[–] Buffalox 8 points 4 days ago

Considering the hoops they've jumped to support it yes, but the rate was reasonably stable from August 2023 to September 2024.
But the "circus" started already February 2022, and since then Russia has used all sorts of tricks to keep the Ruble high.
Russia basically banned currency trading already back then, so it's been almost like the Soviet times since.

[–] khannie 3 points 4 days ago

It did recover quite a bit in the first half of this year but is collapsing again since August.