Russian soldiers pillage Ukrainian homes amid ongoing conflict

The internet abounds with videos showing Vladimir Putin's soldiers stealing washing machines, refrigerators, and other items left behind by city residents. Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, recently shared another video adding to this evidence.

The Russian army frequently plunders Ukrainian homes, shops, pharmacies, and gas stations. Russian soldiers are often seen stealing food, medicines, and fuel, all resources that are in constant short supply among Putin's troops. Many videos on social media depict desperate, starving soldiers resorting to theft to survive.

Anton Herashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, posted a video on social media showing Russian occupiers looting the homes of residents in Vovchansk.

Russian army looting in action - read on social media.

Ukraine has managed to halt the advance of the Russians, but Vovchansk remains under constant shelling. Soldiers estimate that the Russians drop 30-40 air bombs daily. In addition, artillery and mortar shells fall every few minutes, and drones frequently attack. At least 80% of the city has been destroyed.

Russia previously occupied Vovchansk. The city was taken on the first day of the invasion, February 24, 2022, and then liberated during a counteroffensive in the fall of the same year.

Vladimir Ponomaryov, a Russian oppositionist and expert at the Institute of Security and International Development, argues that Russia's economy is in worse shape than before the war. The country now deals primarily in rupees and yuan instead of dollars and euros. Exchanging for hard currency is more expensive, significantly harming the economy. While the civil sectors of the economy are plummeting, the defense sector continues to grow.

Economic decline is inevitable in the long run. The difference between optimists and pessimists lies in the timing: some predict it will happen at the turn of 2024/25, while others expect it between 2025/26.

Optimists believe that the continuity of processes will be maintained even as the pace of decline accelerates. Pessimists, however, note that the quality of life for Russians will significantly worsen, he explained.