Putin's former chief economic adviser says the number of Russians living in poverty will probably double, maybe triple, in the wake of the Ukraine war

The number of Russians living in poverty is likely to double or triple in the wake of the war in Ukraine, according to the former chief economic adviser to the president.

According to the World Bank, nearly 19 million Russians live in poverty. In an interview with the Talking Business program, Andrei Illarionov, who served Putin between 2000 and 2005, said that they will probably double the number of people.

He said that Putin's territorial and imperial ambitions are more important than anything else.

Illarionov said that Putin seemed to be completely not interested in economics or living standards for Russians.

Russia's public and private sectors have limited resources to increase or even sustain the income of the population.

The number of Russians living below the poverty line was pledged to be halved by Putin.

It is impossible to have a positive future for Russia with the current political regime according to Illarionov.

He said there was no way that Russia could be integrated back into the world economy.

Russia's economy is in a perilous state despite the ruble's rebound.

Russia's economy is expected to shrink 15% this year, wiping out 15 years of growth, according to the Institute of International Finance.

Two million jobs could be lost in Russia this year as unemployment rates rise, according to the Centre for Strategic Research.

The supply of goods and services in Russia could be affected by sanctions and the exit of Western companies. Insider previously reported that economists said Russians may face inflation of 20% or more by the end of the year.