eli5 – Russia has an economy smaller than Canada or Italy. How does it continue to be a threatening, great power without going bankrupt?

Question

eli5 – Russia has an economy smaller than Canada or Italy. How does it continue to be a threatening, great power without going bankrupt?

In: 808

Answer 1

A s**t-ton of energy/resources, a s**t-ton of nukes, a capacity for strategic thought and a f**k-off geography that straddles and connects Europe and Asia.

Also the demi god Putin and his 1000 year reign.