i'm janelle de malott on welcome. as russia's invasion of ukraine passes the half year mark, the damage wrought by moscow has been incalculable. western powers had hoped the effect those sanctions would push russia to change its course. 6 months later, it's worth asking if the kremlin has been hit hard enough. the main life preserver for the russian economy has been energy prices. after february's invasion of ukraine, the cost of fossil fuels spiked and that cushioned russia against the intended impact of western sanctions. but even though high prices have helped keep russian coffers, fuller than expected, economy is forecasted to contract by more than 4 percent this year. the russian government is trying to shield average citizens from the impact of the sanctions. for example, the state has raised pensions and the minimum wage by 10 percent major employers like number one lender spare bank, and the gas giant gas prom raised salaries in july and emergency capital controls helped strengthen the ruble by more than 25 pe