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Chief: Manpower Losses, Sanctions Squeeze Russia’s War Effort

5/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The chief warned that Russia’s war effort is being squeezed by manpower losses and Western sanctions.
Russian forces are advancing at their slowest rate since 2023 while the economy contracted 0.3 % in Q1.
He said Russia is losing more soldiers than it can recruit, that sanctions are limiting state revenue, and that Moscow will keep a large border force while seeking influence from the Arctic to the Black Sea.

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Story summary

The chief warned that Russia’s war effort is being squeezed by manpower losses and Western sanctions.
Russian forces are advancing at their slowest rate since 2023 while the economy contracted 0.3 % in Q1.
He said Russia is losing more soldiers than it can recruit, that sanctions are limiting state revenue, and that Moscow will keep a large border force while seeking influence from the Arctic to the Black Sea.