Putin ‘won’t win in Ukraine’ and facing ‘crisis’ similar to 1917 Russian revolution

Sarah Hooper | Live News Reporter Published August 17, 2026 10:39am Updated August 17, 2026 10:39am The esteemed economist shared a scathing verdict about Russia’s current state (Picture: Getty) Vladimir Putin’s state development corporation chief economist has said Russia won’t win the war in Ukraine – and the country is facing an explosive ‘crisis’, similar to those which led to the 1917 and 1991 revolutions. In a searing attack on the Kremlin’s strategy, Andrei Klepach made clear Moscow is doomed without a change of direction. He also dismissed Putin’s suggestion that Ukraine and its Western supporters would eventually buckle. ‘We will not win this competition in this war of attrition,’ he said. ‘We have this illusion that everything there will collapse. It has not collapsed and will no