How sanctions have changed daily life in Russia
The US, UK and EU have put in place unprecedented financial penalties on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and hundreds of international companies have pulled out of the country.
Jan, is an EU citizen who lives and works in Moscow. "On 20 February I ordered groceries for 5,500 roubles [about $57; £44] and now the same basket costs 8,000," he says. The price of milk has almost doubled in the past two weeks, he adds. New cars have also gone up in price. "We bought filters and oil for the car for when it needs a service," Daria says. "We managed to buy them at the old prices before they almost doubled before our eyes."
"The situation has had a big impact on our business," says Natasha, who works in the fitness industry. "Our customer numbers are down. People are asking us to refund their club membership. And our costs for rent, equipment and cleaning are all rising. Outgoings have gone up by 30% on average since sanctions were introduced." She anticipates that many businesses like hers will close.
Natasha is finding it hard to come to terms with the changes. "This is a completely new kind of crisis which makes us all feel lost and bewildered. Not just in business but in our own lives. The loss of income, having to give up a whole way of life, reduced connections, including on social media, and not being able to travel to see family and friends who live abroad. There are a lot of things we have already lost and haven't yet fully understood.
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