(Ben) 本记明
@ulyssecolonna.bsky.social
Creative speller, fanatical aggadist, I dabble in economics.
Member @tochnyi.bsky.social
Member @tochnyi.bsky.social
Pinned
(Ben) 本记明
@ulyssecolonna.bsky.social
· Jan 19
Hi folks!
And now for @tochnyi.info's (slightly delayed) monthly coverage of the slow-motion crash of Russia's piggy bank, the so-called NWF.
Of course, the decembers numbers were highly expected. Let's see what they reveal.
And now for @tochnyi.info's (slightly delayed) monthly coverage of the slow-motion crash of Russia's piggy bank, the so-called NWF.
Of course, the decembers numbers were highly expected. Let's see what they reveal.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
🇺🇸🇻🇪 The US intends to return a previously detained oil supertanker to Venezuela, - Reuters.
The US has decided to return to Venezuela an oil tanker seized in early January as part of operations against the Venezuelan "shadow fleet".
The US has decided to return to Venezuela an oil tanker seized in early January as part of operations against the Venezuelan "shadow fleet".
January 29, 2026 at 9:44 AM
🇺🇸🇻🇪 The US intends to return a previously detained oil supertanker to Venezuela, - Reuters.
The US has decided to return to Venezuela an oil tanker seized in early January as part of operations against the Venezuelan "shadow fleet".
The US has decided to return to Venezuela an oil tanker seized in early January as part of operations against the Venezuelan "shadow fleet".
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
The first cut to the sign up bonuses for the Russian MoD. The Stavropol municipal sign up bonus which was 500 000 rubles from October 1st 2025 will be reduced to 400 000 rubles from February 1st 2026.
bloknot-stavropol.ru/news/munitsi...
bloknot-stavropol.ru/news/munitsi...
Муниципальную выплату бойцам СВО урезали в Ставрополе до 400 тысяч
А было 500 тысяч
bloknot-stavropol.ru
January 29, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The first cut to the sign up bonuses for the Russian MoD. The Stavropol municipal sign up bonus which was 500 000 rubles from October 1st 2025 will be reduced to 400 000 rubles from February 1st 2026.
bloknot-stavropol.ru/news/munitsi...
bloknot-stavropol.ru/news/munitsi...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
European imports of Russian uranium grew after full-blown invasion of Ukraine
• Russia supplies around one quarter of EU imports of nuclear fuel (at attractively low prices)
• US also continues to import Russian uranium ahead of full ban planned for 2028
www.ft.com/content/951d...
• Russia supplies around one quarter of EU imports of nuclear fuel (at attractively low prices)
• US also continues to import Russian uranium ahead of full ban planned for 2028
www.ft.com/content/951d...
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
European imports of Russian uranium grew after full-blown invasion of Ukraine
• Russia supplies around one quarter of EU imports of nuclear fuel (at attractively low prices)
• US also continues to import Russian uranium ahead of full ban planned for 2028
www.ft.com/content/951d...
• Russia supplies around one quarter of EU imports of nuclear fuel (at attractively low prices)
• US also continues to import Russian uranium ahead of full ban planned for 2028
www.ft.com/content/951d...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
2025 proved to be very difficult for the Russian road transportation sector despite prices growing 12,3% mainly because the growth was seen only in Q4 2025. 2026 is expected to be as difficult with pressure from Chinese carriers offering dumping prices.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8379362
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8379362
Фуры нагрузили спросом
Грузовые автоперевозки по России подорожали в 2025 году на 12,3%
www.kommersant.ru
January 28, 2026 at 12:16 PM
2025 proved to be very difficult for the Russian road transportation sector despite prices growing 12,3% mainly because the growth was seen only in Q4 2025. 2026 is expected to be as difficult with pressure from Chinese carriers offering dumping prices.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8379362
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8379362
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Evgeny Istrebin says that Russia must have cut expenses in January as well as December. Treasury account balances have started to rise.
The electronic budget portal still shows a 1.84 trillion ruble deficit as of today.
The electronic budget portal still shows a 1.84 trillion ruble deficit as of today.
January 27, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Evgeny Istrebin says that Russia must have cut expenses in January as well as December. Treasury account balances have started to rise.
The electronic budget portal still shows a 1.84 trillion ruble deficit as of today.
The electronic budget portal still shows a 1.84 trillion ruble deficit as of today.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Boom! This pretty big (if we act on our words)
14 countries have warned Russia that its “shadow fleet” tankers will no longer be able to sail freely in the Baltic Sea‼️
‐ A joint statement by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom was
‐ A joint statement by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom was
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Boom! This pretty big (if we act on our words)
Recently @markgaleotti.bsky.social returned to the issue of the security garanties that could effectively confort Ukraine in case of peace. Here are three I’d like to see implemented:
1) Moscow signs an authorisation of boarding each and every tanker destined to Russia in case of attack
1) Moscow signs an authorisation of boarding each and every tanker destined to Russia in case of attack
January 23, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Recently @markgaleotti.bsky.social returned to the issue of the security garanties that could effectively confort Ukraine in case of peace. Here are three I’d like to see implemented:
1) Moscow signs an authorisation of boarding each and every tanker destined to Russia in case of attack
1) Moscow signs an authorisation of boarding each and every tanker destined to Russia in case of attack
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
France’s navy intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean sailing from russia. Its the flags!
apnews.com/article/fran...
apnews.com/article/fran...
France's navy intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean sailing from Russia
Officials say that France’s navy, working with intelligence provided by the United Kingdom, intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea that traveled from Russia, in a mission targeting the san...
apnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:31 PM
France’s navy intercepts an oil tanker in the Mediterranean sailing from russia. Its the flags!
apnews.com/article/fran...
apnews.com/article/fran...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
“Our suppliers make an effort to manage Ukrainian and Russian customers. They try to make it so we will not be in the same factory at the same time,”
China sells drone components to both Russia and Ukraine, but article documents how Russians are favored.
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇺🇦
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
China sells drone components to both Russia and Ukraine, but article documents how Russians are favored.
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇺🇦
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Russia, Ukraine and the race for Chinese drone components
As both sides scramble to source vital parts, some experts are convinced Russian buyers are being favoured by Beijing
giftarticle.ft.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:12 AM
“Our suppliers make an effort to manage Ukrainian and Russian customers. They try to make it so we will not be in the same factory at the same time,”
China sells drone components to both Russia and Ukraine, but article documents how Russians are favored.
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇺🇦
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
China sells drone components to both Russia and Ukraine, but article documents how Russians are favored.
🇨🇳🇷🇺🇺🇦
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Kpler data shows the amount of sanctioned oil at sea has skyrocketed since November. About half of it is sanctioned Russian oil.
January 21, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Kpler data shows the amount of sanctioned oil at sea has skyrocketed since November. About half of it is sanctioned Russian oil.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
One way anyone one of us, can hit back at Trump is at the wallet. Try to use less US goods and services! Here's a database with European alternatives #EUtogether
www.goeuropean.org
www.goeuropean.org
Go European — Discover European products and services
Go European is a community-driven directory bringing you European products and services from across the continent.
www.goeuropean.org
January 18, 2026 at 9:03 AM
One way anyone one of us, can hit back at Trump is at the wallet. Try to use less US goods and services! Here's a database with European alternatives #EUtogether
www.goeuropean.org
www.goeuropean.org
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
1/2 Cheers to @delfoo.bsky.social on the latest Tochnyi weekly broadcast. So Russia is in the process of introducing differentiated rates for subsidised mortgages ranging from 4% for larger families (three+ kids) up to 12% for one child families (c.60% of the total). Given the forecast direction of
1/5 The proposal to introduce differentiated rates for subsidised Russian mortgages is potentially a BFD. Whereas ending the preferential program in 2024 only slowed cost growth, this proposal would significantly cut the cost of subsidising new mortgages, by at least a 1/3 using December data*.
1/7 Rumours of the subsidised Russian mortgage’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. After becoming a significant cost (@markgaleotti.bsky.social recently noted Russia spends more on subsidised mortgages than police salaries), their availability was significantly reduced in July 2024.
January 18, 2026 at 8:03 PM
1/2 Cheers to @delfoo.bsky.social on the latest Tochnyi weekly broadcast. So Russia is in the process of introducing differentiated rates for subsidised mortgages ranging from 4% for larger families (three+ kids) up to 12% for one child families (c.60% of the total). Given the forecast direction of
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Growing Risks for russia's Shadow 👿 Fleet in the Mediterranean
maritime-executive.com/article/grow...
maritime-executive.com/article/grow...
Growing Risks for Russia's Shadow Fleet in the Mediterranean
Since their expulsion from their naval base in Tartus, with the probably unforeseen longevity of the closure of the Bosporus to naval traffic, the Ru...
maritime-executive.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Growing Risks for russia's Shadow 👿 Fleet in the Mediterranean
maritime-executive.com/article/grow...
maritime-executive.com/article/grow...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
”While the conflict was not unfolding “physically on our ground”, he pointed to cyber attacks happening “all the time”, sabotage of underwater cables in the Baltic Sea and violations of Danish airspace by suspected Russian drones.”
🇪🇺
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
🇪🇺
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Europe already ‘at war’ with Russia, says central banker
Latvijas Banka governor and ECB policymaker urges policymakers to prepare financial system for direct military attack
giftarticle.ft.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:01 AM
”While the conflict was not unfolding “physically on our ground”, he pointed to cyber attacks happening “all the time”, sabotage of underwater cables in the Baltic Sea and violations of Danish airspace by suspected Russian drones.”
🇪🇺
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
🇪🇺
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
If you want to hear more about the Russian economy, tune in tonight to the @tochnyi stream:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbo...
Russian Sabotage in Europe - Tochnyi Weekly 18th of January 2026
YouTube video by Tochnyi
www.youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:55 PM
If you want to hear more about the Russian economy, tune in tonight to the @tochnyi stream:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbo...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
And it's only January.
Russia to Tap National Wealth Fund at Record Pace as Oil and Gas Revenues Slump - The Moscow Times
Russia will sharply increase sales of foreign currency and gold from its National Wealth Fund (NWF) to offset a steep fall in oil and gas revenues, which sank last year to their lowest level since the...
www.themoscowtimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:46 AM
And it's only January.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
The Russians are carrying out the largest colonization campaign of our time. Since the illegal annexation of Crimea, more than one million Russians have moved there,while the indigenous population is being repressed and persecuted. Russian soldiers are offered land in exchange for killing Ukrainians
From Russia to Crimea: Almost a million Russians have been relocated to the peninsula during the occupation
Since 2014, Russia has resettled about a million of its citizens to Crimea.
intent.press
January 18, 2026 at 8:01 AM
The Russians are carrying out the largest colonization campaign of our time. Since the illegal annexation of Crimea, more than one million Russians have moved there,while the indigenous population is being repressed and persecuted. Russian soldiers are offered land in exchange for killing Ukrainians
Perfect example of conflicting domestic and foreign policy goals. The 11th airborne would be the main unit in charge of a potential Greenland invasion, yet it’s used to quell political opponents in Minnesota. He may not have been elected in 24 but Walzt may have saved NATO.
🇺🇸 The Pentagon has put about 1,500 active-duty Army soldiers from Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division on standby in case they’re needed in Minnesota, after Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act over protests linked to immigration enforcement, - WP
January 18, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Perfect example of conflicting domestic and foreign policy goals. The 11th airborne would be the main unit in charge of a potential Greenland invasion, yet it’s used to quell political opponents in Minnesota. He may not have been elected in 24 but Walzt may have saved NATO.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Is there anywhere where it’s calm and okay in a stable way, where you can make a medium-to-long-term projection that doesn't possibly involve an apocalypse?
January 17, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Is there anywhere where it’s calm and okay in a stable way, where you can make a medium-to-long-term projection that doesn't possibly involve an apocalypse?
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Did a new youtube short with Tochnyi on the poor prospects of the Russian housing construction sector in 2026.
www.youtube.com/shorts/e6_g-...
www.youtube.com/shorts/e6_g-...
Is the Russian Housing market heading for a CRASH?
YouTube video by Tochnyi
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Did a new youtube short with Tochnyi on the poor prospects of the Russian housing construction sector in 2026.
www.youtube.com/shorts/e6_g-...
www.youtube.com/shorts/e6_g-...
If Trump destroys NATO, he will have performed the greatest strategic service to Russia imaginable, a lot more than anything relative to Ukraine could have achieved.
China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
January 17, 2026 at 11:23 PM
If Trump destroys NATO, he will have performed the greatest strategic service to Russia imaginable, a lot more than anything relative to Ukraine could have achieved.
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
Russia's finance minister, Siluanov, reported that the budget deficit was 2.6% of GDP last year. This implies an unusually frugal December, which breaks with previous spending patterns.
www.interfax.ru/business/106...
www.interfax.ru/business/106...
January 17, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Russia's finance minister, Siluanov, reported that the budget deficit was 2.6% of GDP last year. This implies an unusually frugal December, which breaks with previous spending patterns.
www.interfax.ru/business/106...
www.interfax.ru/business/106...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
🇺🇦 Who Can Really Change the Situation with War Crimes Committed Against Ukrainian POWs
A critical gap emerges between evidence and action – a space of impunity that the aggressor exploits...
#NoPeaceWithoutJustice
Read more ⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/who-can-real...
A critical gap emerges between evidence and action – a space of impunity that the aggressor exploits...
#NoPeaceWithoutJustice
Read more ⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/who-can-real...
Who Can Really Change the Situation with War Crimes Committed Against Ukrainian POWs
In our previous publication, prepared within the framework of the #No Peace Without Justice initiative, we presented documented examples of war crimes committed
theukrainianreview.info
January 17, 2026 at 12:11 PM
🇺🇦 Who Can Really Change the Situation with War Crimes Committed Against Ukrainian POWs
A critical gap emerges between evidence and action – a space of impunity that the aggressor exploits...
#NoPeaceWithoutJustice
Read more ⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/who-can-real...
A critical gap emerges between evidence and action – a space of impunity that the aggressor exploits...
#NoPeaceWithoutJustice
Read more ⤵️
theukrainianreview.info/who-can-real...
Reposted by (Ben) 本记明
1\ Russian healthcare is something to watch.
The federal budget added ~12% nominal spending in 2025. We started to hear about issues in some regions.
For 2026 it's basically flat. Inflation will eat away at it.
The federal budget added ~12% nominal spending in 2025. We started to hear about issues in some regions.
For 2026 it's basically flat. Inflation will eat away at it.
On a related note, hospitals in Russia aren’t great to begin with.
‼️ Russia: “In Vladivostok, pneumonia patients are freezing to death at the regional children's hospital.”
And it’s not a temporary situation, it’s a result of a dilapidated medical facility. Because Russia spends the money elsewhere.
www.mk.ru/social/2026/...
And it’s not a temporary situation, it’s a result of a dilapidated medical facility. Because Russia spends the money elsewhere.
www.mk.ru/social/2026/...
January 16, 2026 at 10:45 PM
1\ Russian healthcare is something to watch.
The federal budget added ~12% nominal spending in 2025. We started to hear about issues in some regions.
For 2026 it's basically flat. Inflation will eat away at it.
The federal budget added ~12% nominal spending in 2025. We started to hear about issues in some regions.
For 2026 it's basically flat. Inflation will eat away at it.
Something’s off.
(That’s actually the name of Russia’s most famous statistician: Alexander Ivanovitch Somethinzov)
(That’s actually the name of Russia’s most famous statistician: Alexander Ivanovitch Somethinzov)
6/6 Following on from this, for an economy now in it’s 5th year, according to official figures, of record employment and real wage gains, the number of big ticket purchases reliant on credit (e.g. houses and cars), is and is forecast to remain noticeably below pre-invasion levels.
January 15, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Something’s off.
(That’s actually the name of Russia’s most famous statistician: Alexander Ivanovitch Somethinzov)
(That’s actually the name of Russia’s most famous statistician: Alexander Ivanovitch Somethinzov)