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THE RUSSIAN economy has started to falter after enduring six months of some of the most severe sanctions in history.

Moscow has appeared resilient – the Rouble has been the world’s best performing currency after an initial crash and gas and oil prices, two of Russia’s major exports, have reached sky high prices. However, one expert told Express.co.uk the “cracks are staring to show” following months of harsh Western sanctions.

Samir Dani, professor of operations management and deputy director of Keele Business School, said: “In the short term over the past five months there have been some challenges for Russia but largely they have been able to weather the sanctions due to strategies enacted after the 2014 sanctions.

“Also, they were able to divert some of their oil and gas to China, India and some other countries.”

However, in the long run, the Russian economy is likely to suffer. In fact, some Western officials have said it has already been crippled by the sanctions.