Mariya Chukhnova (MARS-REEERS ’20) has published an article with VoxUkraine – “Conditions for Sustainable Peace Between Russia and Ukraine.” In the article, Chukhnova discusses Russia’s increasing economic dependence on weapons production and assesses what this reliance means for the possibility of peace in Ukraine.

A state preparing for peace does not expand its capacity to produce at least 300,000 kamikaze drones annually. That number exceeds immediate battlefield necessity, and it signals institutional commitment. When production is scaled to this level, it embeds militarization into the labor market, regional budgets, and political patronage networks. Governors compete for defense contracts. Enterprises depend on state military orders. Entire communities become financially tied to continued aggression.