The podcast explores how Russia has sustained and even intensified its war effort against Ukraine despite Western sanctions and global condemnation. Anatoly Kurmanaev explains that Russia's economic resilience, fueled by conservative fiscal policies and trade with the Global South, has enabled the war machine to thrive. The government has implemented aggressive recruitment strategies, offering large financial incentives to attract soldiers, shifting the motivation from patriotism to economic gain. While this has allowed Russia to expand its military forces, it also raises concerns about long-term social and economic costs. Putin appears confident in his ability to outlast Ukraine, with the war showing no signs of ending soon, even as it strains Russia’s population and economy.