After Vladimir Putin began the invasion of Ukraine, debates about adequate countermeasures soon began in the West.

In addition to the withdrawal of Western companies, the economic sanctions also included stopping technology transfer.

For some, given the Russian atrocities, the latter measure seemed too easy and too vague.

Of course, quick successes cannot be achieved with this.

However, the example of the Sakhalin oil field shows that the withdrawal of Exxon Mobil and its specialists hit Russia hard with some delay.

Without the knowledge of American specialists, oil production has almost come to a standstill.

Whether the Russians will ever be able to close these gaps is not certain.

Special technology and service staff such as pumps from Germany and Europe will also be difficult to replace for Russia.

Word from various Russian industrial sectors and agriculture is that spare parts are now becoming scarce and that the muddling through could soon come to an end.

Russia's economy is going through a cold withdrawal from Western technology and know-how.