The problem with crumbling Russian economy

Everybody knows the problem with Russian economic prosperity: as soon as Russians see themselves well off, they embark on their favorite pastime, namely, to attack other countries, murder people, plunder resources and grab land. However, the opposite situation is also problematic. From the Dialog, Oct 30, 2025:

"Portnikov explained the danger the poor state of the Russian economy poses to Ukraine

Publicist Vitaly Portnikov stated that the poorer Russians become, the more people are willing to fight 

When ordinary Russians become poorer, many of them will be forced to fight for their own survival, warned Vitaly Portnikov. Only at first glance might it seem that the worse the Russian economy, the closer we are to ending the war. In reality, things are different, because even those who had no previous intention of doing so may sign a contract and go fight in Ukraine due to lack of money. 

Vitaly Portnikov shared his conclusions with viewers of the "And Graham Came" YouTube channel. 

Regarding the possibility that Russia will soon run out of money to pay mercenaries, a political analyst said: "In a country like this, money can, as they say, be printed, and against the backdrop of the general impoverishment of the population and the loss of all social prospects, service in the Armed Forces could become an even more attractive social alternative for people who will be losing income and employment opportunities. Therefore, on the contrary, I believe that the very degradation of society is a powerful tool for further mobilization."  

"How did this mobilization even happen? How did Putin manage to create an army of mercenaries that is absolutely unprecedented in modern Russian history? He consistently achieved this by marginalizing the Russian provinces. Against the backdrop of TV series about the wonderful life in Moscow, wealth, and so on, the Russian provinces were rapidly turning into a bottomless reservoir of 'cannon fodder' for the Russian army. The worse the state of the Russian economy becomes, the more people will be forced to choose murder and war as the best social mobility for survival," Portnikov outlined the prospects."