Group 1 - The core issue facing Russia is the financial burden of the prolonged war, leading to increased taxes and rising costs for citizens [1][3][9] - The Russian government plans to raise the value-added tax from 20% to 22% starting January 2026, which will significantly impact consumer spending [3][6] - Each Russian household is expected to incur an additional annual cost of 82,000 rubles (approximately 7,100 RMB) due to tax increases and rising energy prices [7][10] Group 2 - Energy prices are set to rise significantly, with natural gas increasing by 9.4%, electricity by 10.9%, and transmission fees by 14.3%, further straining household budgets [5][6] - The Russian economy heavily relies on energy exports, with revenue from resources decreasing by 21% in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the previous year [10][12] - Military spending has surged, with 2024 expenditures projected at $149 billion and 2025's first half spending reaching $106 billion, accounting for over 40% of the federal budget [10][12] Group 3 - The war has led to a depletion of military resources, forcing the use of unconventional means such as horses for transportation on the battlefield [12][14] - The reliance on outdated military assets and the mobilization of livestock for combat illustrate the dire state of the Russian military [12][16] - The ongoing conflict is causing significant societal strain, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of the financial and social costs [16]