Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced three new sanctions packages on September 20th, targeting pro-Russian propagandists, individuals operating in occupied territories who fund the Russian budget, and those destabilizing Moldova at Moscow's behest. An analysis published on September 20th suggests that while Russia's war economy is currently stabilized by directing funds into unproductive sectors to secure loyalty, it is ultimately self-destructive in the long run. The author, writing for Berliner Zeitung, posits that the regime's social contract, once based on prosperity, now relies on soldier bonuses and arms industry orders, leading to inflation and declining quality of life for the general population. The analysis indicates that the war is straining Russia's budget and society, with the population bearing the cost through reduced prosperity and stability. It suggests that the primary threat to the regime does not stem from organized political opposition but from spontaneous, socially motivated protests, as dissatisfaction can rapidly escalate into resistance when the populace directly experiences the war's stress. Previously, on September 20th, Italian NATO fighters escorted three Russian MiG-31 aircraft out of Estonian airspace for violating the country's airspace without flight plans or transponders. This incident prompted Poland to place its air defense units on high alert. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith also expressed gratitude to U.S. soldiers serving in Poland on the same day, amidst reports of significant cyberattacks disrupting European airports and ongoing Russian airspace violations.
