Putin keeps being surprised by Russians' economic struggles

Russian President Vladimir Putin has twice said this week that he is surprised by his citizens' economic struggles.

Russia's economy took a hit after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, being subjected to more than 13,000 restrictions. This makes it the world's most-sanctioned country, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace notes.

The effects are being felt nationwide, with support for the war falling as Russians feel the financial pinch caused by sanctions, according to a poll by independent Moscow-based research group Chronicles, released a year into the conflict.

Russia's currency has also been affected, prompting Russia's Central Bank to hike interest rates at an emergency meeting in August from 8.5 percent to 12 percent. On Friday, the bank again moved to increase interest rates to 15 percent per annum, saying that "a long period of maintaining tight monetary conditions in the economy" will be required.