re: Russia’s Gazprom Announces Record Profits Of $42B In First 6 Months, Stock Skyrockets

the latest economic numbers for Russia are being leaked .... and the tide is turning,

Although Russian energy sales have been robust, their margins are in the dumper. They've been selling to China and India at roughly a 30% discount to market rate, and Russia's cost to produce is generally higher than many other nations, including their BRIC partners. 40% of Russia's GDP is from energy sales .... and without the Euro pipeline networks, they cannot move their primary export for trade.

Natural gas makes up 10% of their energy sales, but natural gas requires pipelines in order to scale production. Liquid NG won't work .... less than 10% of Russia's natural gas is Liquefied, and they have no ability to transport it by sea. Several other pipelines that are currently under construction cannot be completed because funds have been diverted to war efforts.

Exports of commodities/mining are robust, but commodity prices are depressed globally

Russian imports are down by nearly 80% (sanctions and restrictions on secondary importers.) Russian military has been using recycled semiconductor chips from appliances (dishwashers, refrigerator/freezers, etc) into some military hardware, and trying to purchase gray market chips for others.

Unemployment in Russia has surpassed 35% ....

Russian equity markets are down 50% (and it would be lower ... if foreigners were permitted to sell their stocks, which is forbidden)

Russia recently cut its interest rate by an additional 150 basis points (1.5%) ... the ruble may soon be worthless ... literally...... the exchange is currently 55 rubles : $1 dollar. Russian citizens are leaving the country in unprecedented numbers, converting their rubles into dollars, and stashing cash abroad.

.... And the biggest economic issue, China has STOPPED investing infrastructure and development capital in Russia - full stop.

The biggest telltale sign that Russia is in bad shape is their recent dip into their gold bullion and foreign currency reserves (valued at $650 B). Nearly $300B of that $650B was deposited in western banks, which are currently "frozen" from the sanctions. Russia's burn rate is $15-$18 B monthly .... so they are running out of time, and that makes them desperate, and dangerous.

Russia is running out of capital (no more Belt and Road money), they have defaulted on their most recent interest payments on bonds held by China, Taiwan, and US, .... and Russian citizens are beginning to panic.

Soon ..... within 18 months .... but can the US continue propping up Ukraine for another year?