A lot has happened since the writing of this paper. Russia has proceeded to invade Ukraine. They were stalled at Kyiv and are currently advancing their campaign on the Eastern side of Ukraine closer to the occupied regions of Donbas and Luhansk. Zaporizhia, where Motor Sich is located, has been mostly unscathed by the conflict. China has remained relatively neutral during this invasion. Belarus, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran have openly expressed approval of Putin’s actions, while China and India are staying silent, they aren’t enforcing many of the sanctions imposed on the Russian government. Russia has been able to facilitate an impressive rebound of the Ruble to pre-invasion levels through a variety of methods.
Russia’s invasion officially started on 02/24
Russia and Ukraine – Google Docs