{"id":1894380,"date":"2026-04-21T11:04:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894380"},"modified":"2026-04-21T11:04:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:04:47","slug":"russia-faked-economic-data-to-appear-more-resilient-to-its-war-and-sanctions-intel-report-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1894380","title":{"rendered":"Russia faked economic data to appear more resilient to its war and sanctions, intel report says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/98\/45\/1200x675_cmsv2_91303658-0afc-59ba-9301-282205a37486-9729845.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887876-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887876\" data-cid=\"9730118\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887876-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/18\/189x106_cmsv2_cd521e7f-bb7f-56b9-a03e-6dd7c3e4a2a6-9730118.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Green Coast hotel opened in Albania in June 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/189x106_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887649-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887649\" data-cid=\"9730165\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887649-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/01\/65\/189x106_cmsv2_f32d97fc-6df8-5c30-99ba-0ec6e8ba2da3-9730165.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A street surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli air and ground operations in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 9 April 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Gaza<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887490-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887490\" data-cid=\"9729606\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887490-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/51\/95\/96\/189x106_cmsv2_4a054455-c1b2-530d-8715-41362925eda3-9519596.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Russia<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Russia faked economic data to appear more resilient to its war and sanctions, intel report says<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video='{\"id\":\"xa67etg\",\"articleId\":2887781,\"title\":\"Russia faked economic data to appear more resilient to its war and sanctions, intel report says\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/42\/16\/20\/06\/SHD_PYR_4216206_20260421132656.mp4\",\"programId\":\"world\",\"player\":\"dailymotion\",\"geoBlock\":[\"\"],\"sources\":[],\"description\":\"Swedish intelligence said Russia has been covering up a weak, debt-driven economy hit by war costs and sanctions, warning of rising inflation and banking risks.\",\"isLive\":false,\"articleUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/04\/21\/russia-faked-economic-data-to-appear-more-resilient-to-its-war-and-sanctions-intel-report-\",\"duration\":85960}' data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/98\/45\/1536x864_cmsv2_91303658-0afc-59ba-9301-282205a37486-9729845.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"FILE: A pedestrian walks down a street near an exchange office sign displaying the currency rates for the Russian ruble, US dollar and euro in Moscow, 20 November 2024\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              FILE: A pedestrian walks down a street near an exchange office sign displaying the currency rates for the Russian ruble, US dollar and euro in Moscow, 20 November 2024<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEmma De Ruiter&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbsp<b>Dimitri Kavalerov<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776769487\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-04-21 13:04:47 +02:00\">21\/04\/2026 &#8211; 13:04 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"15:50\">15:50<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\" class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup\">\n<div 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width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Swedish intelligence said Russia has been covering up a weak, debt-driven economy hit by war costs and sanctions, warning of rising inflation and banking risks.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Russia has been manipulating its economic data to hide the real state of its economy amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Sweden&#8217;s military intelligence said on Monday.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) said that while official Russian figures did show falling GDP and weak industrial production, they were presented in a way that made the country &#8220;appear more resilient than it really is&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Russia is likely suffering from &#8220;higher inflation and a larger budget deficit&#8221; than it was communicating, it added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Despite the recent period of high oil prices, which has provided Russia with increased revenues, it would take a price of over $100 per barrel for an entire year to remedy the Russian budget deficit,&#8221; MUST said.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, &#8220;the weak economy does not affect the strategic objectives&#8221; of Russia&#8217;s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Thomas Nilsson, head of MUST.<\/p>\n<p>The intelligence service said that Russia was committed to continuing the war as well as conducting &#8220;hybrid&#8221; activities in EU and NATO countries.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is a political decision, not an economic one. However, the economic constraints and sanctions do affect what kind of military capabilities Russia can muster, and how quickly this can be done,&#8221; Nilsson said.<\/p>\n<h2>**&#8217;**Long-term recession or shock&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p>According to Nilsson, the real inflation rate in Russia is closer to the key interest rate of 15% than to the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s official estimate of 5.86%.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Russian economy can only go on one of two scenarios: long-term recession or shock,&#8221; Nilsson said. &#8220;In either case, it will continue on a downward trajectory towards financial disaster.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>According to Nilsson, Russia is now &#8220;living in debt,&#8221; and Stockholm has recorded financial indicators that could point to an impending banking crisis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/98\/45\/808x539_cmsv2_8efd3ca0-51ff-523f-ab95-47fad969285e-9729845.jpg\" alt=\"FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin tries pastries from the Mashenka bakery in Moscow, 20 December 2025\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE &#8211; Russian President Vladimir Putin tries pastries from the Mashenka bakery in Moscow, 20 December 2025<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, international estimates largely coincide with the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s forecast that inflation will slow to about 5% by the end of this year.<\/p>\n<p>At a recent government meeting on economic issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin downplayed the statistics, stating they represented &#8220;generally expected trends&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Putin linked the downturn to &#8220;calendar, weather, so-called seasonal factors&#8221; of the winter period, which are &#8220;far from only&#8221; to determine economic results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-contributors c-article-contributors-supplementary u-margin-top-2 u-padding-top-2\">\n<p>Additional sources<strong> \u2022 AFP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/footer>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Oil flows from Russia via Druzhba pipeline to Hungary could resume next week, Magyar says<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Orb\u00e1n&#8217;s defeat and US shift raise hopes to unblock EU sanctions on Russia<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Vladimir Putin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Sweden<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    War in Ukraine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Russian economy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Recession<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_ec3a5a35-876b-5cca-bf56-8a48f197ccde-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, 21 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Iran delegation sent to talks with US yet as truce set to expire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGBTQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887803-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887803\" data-cid=\"9729751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887803-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/97\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_1497bb4e-00d2-5058-ba77-95644c9d6610-9729751.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  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o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span 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Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_ec3a5a35-876b-5cca-bf56-8a48f197ccde-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, 21 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Iran delegation sent to talks with US yet as truce set to expire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGBTQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887803-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887803\" data-cid=\"9729751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887803-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/97\/51\/320x180_cmsv2_1497bb4e-00d2-5058-ba77-95644c9d6610-9729751.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU optimistic about ending Hungary&#8217;s veto on \u20ac90bn loan for Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887861-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887861\" data-cid=\"9730098\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887861-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_71b33577-a2d6-5b75-8c27-1b3a4130066a-9730098.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, 4 January, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887774-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887774\" data-cid=\"9730016\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887774-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/00\/16\/320x180_cmsv2_57d53044-728e-5aec-a018-4e42cecdd5ea-9730016.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A portrait of late Hezbollah leader placed on a destroyed building in Beirut, 20 April, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lebanon&#8217;s PM to visit France amid shaky truce and Israel tensions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887576-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887576\" data-cid=\"9728500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Stranded cruise ships on way to Europe after passing Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887652-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887652\" data-cid=\"9728948\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Whale stranded on German coast swims off and gets stuck again<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887687-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887687\" data-cid=\"9729167\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump refuses to lift Hormuz blockade until Iran deal agreed<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Russia has been manipulating its economic data to hide the real state of its economy amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Sweden&#8217;s military intelligence said on Monday.Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) said that while official Russian figures did show falling GDP and weak industrial production, they were presented in a way that made the country &#8220;appear more resilient than it really is&#8221;.Russia is likely suffering from &#8220;higher inflation and a larger budget deficit&#8221; than it was communicating, it added.&#8221;Despite the recent period of high oil prices, which has provided Russia with increased revenues, it would take a price of over $100 per barrel for an entire year to remedy the Russian budget deficit,&#8221; MUST said.At the same time, &#8220;the weak economy does not affect the strategic objectives&#8221; of Russia&#8217;s ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Thomas Nilsson, head of MUST.The intelligence service said that Russia was committed to continuing the war as well as conducting &#8220;hybrid&#8221; activities in EU and NATO countries.&#8221;It is a political decision, not an economic one. However, the economic constraints and sanctions do affect what kind of military capabilities Russia can muster, and how quickly this can be done,&#8221; Nilsson said.&#8217;Long-term recession or shock&#8217;According to Nilsson, the real inflation rate in Russia is closer to the key interest rate of 15% than to the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s official estimate of 5.86%.&#8221;The Russian economy can only go on one of two scenarios: long-term recession or shock,&#8221; Nilsson said. &#8220;In either case, it will continue on a downward trajectory towards financial disaster.&#8221;According to Nilsson, Russia is now &#8220;living in debt,&#8221; and Stockholm has recorded financial indicators that could point to an impending banking crisis.Meanwhile, international estimates largely coincide with the Russian Central Bank&#8217;s forecast that inflation will slow to about 5% by the end of this year.At a recent government meeting on economic issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin downplayed the statistics, stating they represented &#8220;generally expected trends&#8221;.Putin linked the downturn to &#8220;calendar, weather, so-called seasonal factors&#8221; of the winter period, which are &#8220;far from only&#8221; to determine economic results.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/04\/21\/russia-faked-economic-data-to-appear-more-resilient-to-its-war-and-sanctions-intel-report-&#8220;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/98\/45\/1200x675_cmsv2_91303658-0afc-59ba-9301-282205a37486-9729845.jpg&#8221;] Destinations Travelling to Albania? Here\u2019s what\u2019s new for visitors to see in 2026 Europe News Italy&#8217;s PM criticises Swiss hospital for billing victims of bar fire Gaza Gaza reconstruction to cost over $71 billion, EU-UN report says Travel News \u2018We must not become Barcelona\u2019: Athens considers banning new hotels Destinations Travelling to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1894380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1894380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1894380\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1894380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1894380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1894380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}