Moscow uses artificially created high unemployment rates to control disobedient federal subjects and traditionally tests dirty political technologies specifically in Ingushetia.
The Republic of Ingushetia ranks first in unemployment not only in the North Caucasus but also across Russia — in 2024, it was 12 times higher than the national average. This is a direct result of Moscow’s insidious policies, as the capital’s efforts are aimed at pacifying and keeping one of the most rebellious republics in check.
The "center’s" policy follows two main directions. First, Moscow continues to support Chechen leader Kadyrov’s attempts to absorb Ingushetia. Second, the region's economy develops exclusively in sectors beneficial to central power. As a result, local residents are dependent on federal subsidies and social programmes.
Overall, poverty and the center's dependency trap prevent the region from rebooting its economy, achieving greater autonomy, and ultimately restoring its protest stance within the country. According to Moscow’s philosophy, it is easier to control the population this way, and in the event of social dissatisfaction, new repressions will be easier to justify.
At present, this strategy is still working. But if Moscow continues on its current trajectory and applies this policy to other "non-Russian" republics, it will face a wave of public outrage that the center and its agents will no longer be able to suppress.
