The USA alone has spent about $40 billion on the war. If we look at the state's deficit as a whole, not just war spending: the USAs first-quarter deficit is about $230 billion.

If you calculate the first quarter deficit as a fraction of the country's GDP, the difference between Russia and the USA is negligible. If you wouldn't say that the USA is "destroying the economy and population for decades to come" on the monetary front, it makes no sense to make that statement about Russia either.

[–] Kachajal@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You're right, I hadn't actually realized how small a number that was. That's almost suspiciously small, given the sanctions against Russia.

Mind you, I was also thinking of the sheer amount of brain drain and population drain Russia's war has resulted in for them.

Also, USA's spending on its military-industrial complex compared to its spending on every other part of its government is destroying its population, but that's another issue.