The Economy, a Tax for Childless Couples, Tanks

So, we all know about the demographic crisis in Russia. Incidentally, I am starting with this just the economic facts. Because I think they have lost so many people across so many productive fields that this is beginning to affect the basics:

In September 2024, Russian metallurgists produced 5.4 million tons of steel, 13.5 percent less than in the same period in 2023, according to data from the information and analytical company Chermet Corporation.

Let’s be clear: 13.5 percent may not sound like a lot. However, like the 20 percent reduced capacity in oil storage, it has started to pinch the state’s productive capacity. This means tanks, APCs, and planes for a country at war. It’s terrible news, which is on top of other economic data.

The Federation is starting to have some serious issues. This is cumulative data, which brings me to tanks. I am citing Yigal Levin, who is looking at data from another OSINTer. And yes, there are caveats because all this is coming from what we can see:

OSINT researcher Richard Vereker commented on a recent RUSI analysis that claimed that 85% of Russian armored vehicles are reactivated Soviet-era stocks, while 15% are new combat vehicles. Vereker decided to look at the situation in more detail, since the RUSI analysis did not differentiate between tanks…