Its appearance has coincided with the four-year anniversary of Russia's Ukraine war. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Four years into its full-scale invasion, Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, where an estimated 3 million to 5 million people live.

Moreover, American companies can hope to sell only so much to Russians. Their $2.2trn economy is smaller than Italy’s, with a shrinking middle class. The KSE estimates that, in 2021, the total annual profits made by the 1,500 foreign firms operating in Russia that it tracks were just $18bn, from revenues of around $300bn.

Stand-up comedy is booming in President Vladimir Putin's Russia but comics have to tread a fine line with their jokes where some have been jailed.