Putin’s options: an oligarch speaks out

<p>This week <a href="economist.com/leaders/2026/07/09/the-man-who-w…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andrey Melnichenko</a>, Russia’s biggest industrialist, warns in <em>The</em> <em>Economist</em> that disaster is looming for his country as the war in Ukraine continues. What does it mean when members of the elite risk broadcasting their discontent? Our correspondent describes <a href="economist.com/europe/2026/07/02/ukraine-is-try…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">life in Kyiv</a> as attacks intensify. And our week-long journey down <a href="economist.com/culture/2026/07/02/route-66-how-…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Route 66</a> reaches the end of the road.</p><br><p>Watch extended clips from Insider <a href="economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Edward Carr, Economist deputy editor</li><li>Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor</li><li>Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent</li><li>Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Russia, Putin, Andrey Melnichenko</li><li>Ukraine, Kyiv, drone, interceptor</li><li>Route 66, car culture</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">subscribe to <em>The Economist</em></a>.</p><br><p><br></p>

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