Made in Russia: The Kremlin’s economic rebrand

About this episode

The episode explores how Russia is adapting its economy and consumer habits in response to international sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow is working around international sanctions by promoting self-sustainability, elevating Russian brands and deepening trade with friendly countries. After Western companies retreated as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine started, Russian consumer habits and the economy began to shift. We explore how sanctions reshaped everyday life and ask: can Russia sustain a forever war? Krassi Ivanova Twigg speaks to the BBC's military and economy expert Tim Bowler, who has been tracking the movement of foreign companies in Russia's new reality. And Evgeny Poduvkin of the BBC Russia team explores the 'grey markets' where ordinary Russian citizens are acquiring western brands. Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg Producer: Kriszta Satori Music: Pete Cunningham

People in this episode

Host: Krassi Ivanova Twigg

Guests: Tim Bowler, Evgeny Poduvkin

Topics covered

• economic rebranding
• sanctions
• self-sustainability
• Russian brands
• trade
• consumer habits
• grey markets

Keywords

• Russia
• sanctions
• economy
• consumer habits
• grey markets
• self-sustainability
• trade

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC, BBC World Service

Places: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

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