The Bell: Russian state development corporation fires chief economist Andrei Klepach over remarks on Russia’s defeat in economic ‘war of attrition’
Russia’s state development corporation VEB.RF fired its chief economist, Andrei Klepach, after quotes from a speech in which he said Russia cannot win the economic “war of attrition” circulated in the media.
The Bell reported that Russia's state development corporation, VEB.RF, terminated the employment of chief economist Andrei Klepach following his controversial remarks during a speech in May 2026. According to acquaintances of Klepach, the dismissal was a result of a "call from above." A VEB.RF spokesperson confirmed Klepach's departure from his position but refrained from elaborating on the reasons behind his dismissal.
The independent Russian news outlet The Bell attempted to inquire about the matter but had not received a response by the time of publication. Earlier, The Moscow Times highlighted Klepach's statements at a meeting of the Nikitsky Club at the Moscow Exchange, where he criticized Ukraine's economic survival and Russia's inability to win the economic "war of attrition."
Klepach, who spent 12 years as VEB.RF's chief economist after a decade at the Economic Development Ministry, was known for his bold opinions and had previously clashed with Alexei Ulyukaev in 2011.
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