Economic Sanctions and Regional Differences: Evidence from Sanctions on Russia

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between economic sanctions and regional differences within Russia from three perspectives: favoritism political elite, industry development, trade costs. Using nighttime lights in Russia, we found a correlation differences. First, as increased, Moscow, St. Petersburg, provincial capitals were brighter than those rest country. Second, manufacturing cities increased. However, under influence sanctions, mining areas dimmer other areas. Finally, there relatively more activities close Chinese border. Blagoveshchensk that In addition, brightness had characteristics stages. There negative with Russian early stages sanctions. disappeared later