An interview with Michael Rochlitz, ‘The oligarchs won’t starve to death” ("Die Oligarchen werden nicht verhungern"), appeared in the Bremen newspaper Weser Kurier on the 3^rd of March, 2022. In the interview Michael discussed the lamentable state of the Russian economy and argued that it is the country’s dysfunctional political institutions, including the all too powerful security services, that undermine any growth potential. The economic sanctions that are the result of the Russian aggression against Ukraine will only further cripple the economy of the country and will deal a massive blow to ordinary Russians. The political crackdown in Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine are also a major threat to Russian science: many of Russian researchers who disagree with Vladimir Putin’s regime find themselves under increasing pressure, and some of academic institutions in the West are unfortunately cutting ties with Russian scientists.