MOSCOW: Russian pensioner Roman Paltievich stared at the prices for apricots, tomatoes and watermelons stacked high on stalls at a Moscow market – foods that he now struggles to fit into his budget. “The prices are crazy,” lamented the 84-year-old, who said he can no longer afford cherries – or even potatoes, a staple that is now three times more expensive than a year ago. Russia’s three-year-long military offensive on Ukraine has caused inflation to surge at home, a thorn in the side for the Kremlin, which strives to shield Russians from the fallout of its campaign.