# Dismissal of VEB. RF chief economist Andrei Klepach

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dismissal-of-veb-rf-chief-economist-andrei-klepach
> Updated: 2026-08-18T08:28:00.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 2.

Andrei Klepach, the chief economist of the Russian state development corporation VEB. RF, has been dismissed from his position following the public emergence of controversial remarks he made in May 2026 at the Nikitsky Club forum.

During his speech, Klepach provided a critique of the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, warning that Russia is unlikely to win a prolonged war of attrition. He asserted that the Ukrainian economy remains resilient due to Western financial support and cautioned that Russia is losing the global technological and economic competition to the United States, China, and even Ukraine. Klepach further predicted that rising conflict costs and inequality could trigger a severe social crisis, drawing parallels to the 1917 February Revolution.

While VEB. RF confirmed Klepach’s departure and noted that a successor has been selected, the institution has not officially stated the reasons for his removal. However, reports indicate the dismissal followed a ‘call from above’ from the Kremlin regarding his critical assessments of Russia’s economic and political development.

## Claims

- The economic consequences of the war in Ukraine could lead to an unexpected social crisis in Russia. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Russia will not win the war of attrition against Ukraine and the West. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Russia is losing technological and economic competition globally to China, the United States, and Ukraine. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Andrey Klepach has been removed from his position as chief economist at the state development bank VEB. RF. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- VEB. RF has already selected a successor for the chief economist position. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Klepach drew historical parallels between current economic pressures and the 1917 February Revolution. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Andrey Klepach removed from VEB. RF chief economist role

Top Russian economist Andrey Klepach has been removed from his role at state bank VEB. RF after warning that the war in Ukraine could lead to a social crisis and that Russia is losing global economic and tech'n

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andrey-klepach-removed-as-veb-rf-chief-economist-after-war-cost-warnings

### 2026-08-16: VEB. RF dismisses chief economist Andrei Klepach over Ukraine war remarks

Russian state development bank VEB. RF has dismissed chief economist Andrei Klepach after he warned that Russia cannot win a war of attrition against Ukraine and faces a looming social crisis.

42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vnesheconombank-economist-warns-russia-cannot-win-war-of-attrition

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Cite as: Dismissal of VEB. RF chief economist Andrei Klepach. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dismissal-of-veb-rf-chief-economist-andrei-klepach