The Wall Street Journal

Unable to Criticize Putin, Russian Oligarchs Turn Ire on Central Banker

Russia’s business elites find new scapegoat for the country’s economic woes

Russia’s war with its neighbor has propelled inflation higher.
Russia’s war with its neighbor has propelled inflation higher. Photo: Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images

For more than two years, Russia’s expanding war economy fueled consumer spending and juiced company profits. But recently, the conflict has pumped up inflation and interest rates, pummeling bottom lines and leaving a trail of disgruntled Russian oligarchs and executives in its wake.

Instead of blaming the war for the hostile business environment though, Russia’s business elites are pinning their discontent on the governor of the country’s central bank.

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