# Russia doesn’t need a military economy — it would mean a ‘complete breakdown of the system,’ former finance minister says

https://mins.news/en/item/38824

- Meduza, 2026-08-31 14:11 UTC
- Economy
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/31/russia-doesn-t-need-a-military-economy-it-s-a-complete-breakdown-of-the-system-says-former-finance-minister-mikhail-zadornov

> Former Russian Finance Minister Mikhail Zadornov told RBC that Russia neither needs nor can feasibly establish a military economy. He said building the necessary institutions, laws, personnel, and enforcement would take years, while dismantling the current market system during wartime would cause an economic downturn. Debate over putting the economy on a war footing has recently resurfaced, with Russian officials divided over the idea.

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