Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Putin Envoy Warns War-Focused Russian Economy Could Go Berserk
Boris Titov, a Russian official, warned that Russia’s economy could become unbalanced if it focuses almost entirely on the military.
He compared this extreme approach to a warrior entering a “berserk” state.
Titov said military and civilian businesses should support each other.
Russia has raised taxes and asked companies to help pay for the war.
Many businesses outside the military are slowing down or shrinking.
The economy is expected to grow only 0.4% this year.
Ukrainian attacks on refineries and other infrastructure could make growth even weaker.
Some Russian officials and economists have also warned about the costs of the war.
The Kremlin has rejected rumors of a large new military mobilization, while polls show more war fatigue and support for a peace settlement.
Boris Titov warned that prioritizing Russia’s military-industrial complex could push the economy into a short-lived “berserk mode.”
Titov said military and civilian industries need to remain balanced because they operate in symbiosis.
Russia’s economy is forecast to grow just 0.4% this year, while many non-military sectors stagnate or shrink.
The government has raised taxes, redistributed property and sought business contributions to help finance the war.
Titov’s comments came amid reports of economic strain, Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure and growing public fatigue over the war.
- Who
- Boris Titov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s international development envoy, along with other Russian officials, economists and businesses.
- What
- Titov warned that putting the Russian economy almost entirely on a military footing could make it go “berserk” and remain viable only briefly.
- When
- The comments were reported on Tuesday, on the eve of a major economic forum that Putin will attend this week; Russia’s parliamentary election is scheduled for this month.
- Where
- Russia, with economic effects also linked to Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure.
- Why
- Russia is increasing economic support for its war effort as growth slows and non-military sectors face pressure.
Economic Caution
War-Economy Expansion
Military versus civilian priorities
Economic Caution
Boris Titov argued that military and civilian economies must remain balanced and warned that an economy focused entirely on military needs could enter a temporary “berserk mode.”
War-Economy Expansion
War hawks and some government officials cite the Soviet wartime model and the slogan “Everything for the front, everything for victory” as support for reorganizing the economy around military needs.
Costs of continuing the war
Economic Caution
Titov, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and former state-bank chief economist Andrei Klepach have highlighted risks to the normal economy and the wider country from prolonged wartime pressure.
War-Economy Expansion
The Russian government has raised taxes, redistributed property and encouraged or pressured businesses to contribute to financing the war and protecting facilities from Ukrainian drones.
Public support and mobilization rumors
Economic Caution
Opinion polls cited in the report show growing war fatigue and support for a peace settlement.
War-Economy Expansion
Rumors have circulated about a large post-election mobilization for a final push to seize all of Ukraine’s Donbas region, though the Kremlin says those rumors are a hoax.
- Speaker
- Boris Titov, Putin’s special representative to international organisations for achieving sustainable development goals
- Economic growth forecast
- 0.4% growth for Russia this year
- War duration
- The war in Ukraine is described as lasting 4-1/2 years
- Government measures
- Russia has raised taxes, redistributed property and sought business contributions to finance the war
- Affected sectors
- Many non-military sectors are stagnating or shrinking
- Potential additional pressure
- Ukrainian attacks have targeted refineries, online retailers, and oil and grain export infrastructure
- Election context
- Russia will hold a parliamentary election this month, while the only party openly calling for an end to the war was barred