President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that in the first five months of this year, Russia's budget deficit turned out to be significantly higher than what the Russian authorities had planned for the entire year, and that a large number of regions in the aggressor state are already in a state of bankruptcy.
Zelensky stated this in his evening address, according to Ukrinform.
"As for Russia's overall state revenues – thanks to our comprehensive pressure at all levels – within the first five months of this year, their deficit has already grown far beyond what they had planned for the entire year. Putin has, of course, built a war chest – but certainly not enough to fight indefinitely. Every one of our responses, every joint step of pressure together with our partners, pushes Russia closer to ending its war. Already now, a significant number of their regions are in a state of bankruptcy, and Putin is leading Russia toward bankruptcy," Zelensky said.
Read also: Russia cutting active oil wells as war losses mount – Zelensky
According to the President, intelligence today reported on Russian losses caused by Ukrainian sanctions: "In just recent months, Russia's oil refining has dropped by 10%. It is also important to note that Russian oil companies are being forced to shut down their oil wells. This is even more significant. Given the nature of Russian oil production, this is what hurts them most – apart, of course, from losing money."
