Russia has faced economic turbulence caused by sanctions imposed after Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that are aimed at choking Moscow's military machine. Strong GDP has been driven by high military spending amid predictions for harder times as inflation and high interest rates take their toll.

Vladimir Putin has been dealt a massive setback after more than 20,000 soldiers deserted the front line in the war against Ukraine - leaving Kremlin forces even more depleted. Courts have received 20,