Why Russia's brain drain is the biggest problem facing its economy

• Russia's brain drain has become its economy's biggest problem, an economist told Business Insider.
• The nation has been losing highly skilled workers, who have fled the war since 2022.
• Russia could enter a long-term economic decline, characterized by waning quality of life.

Russia's biggest problem isn't related to sanctions or its diminished energy trade. Its greatest dilemma is that it is losing its mostly highly skill workers, who are fleeing amid the third year of grinding conflict in Ukraine.

Richard Portes, an economist at the London Business School, foresees a grim future ahead for Russia as the nation continues looks locked into a war with no end in sight.