Russia remains economically isolated and it’s suffering a brain drain of young, educated professionals, explains Kristy Ironside of McGill University.

Russia is feeling the impact of Western economic curbs, leading to product shortages and manufacturing slowdowns.

As sanctions take their toll and Russia’s leader writes off Western markets, analysts count the costs for the nation’s people and businesses.

Being cut off from the SWIFT system means Russian banks can’t legally or efficiently execute transactions.