The 144-million population number after the last census (2023)...is faked-up.
I think even before the war started....it was probably around a high 120’s and since the war....with deaths and those who packed-up/left...It’s probably closer to 118-million.
So in terms of farm labor...they are screwed. Over the next 20 years....at least half-a-million non-Russians will be brought in to manage/produce crops.
Looks like your post is mere speculation on your part with nothing to back it up.
Considering a conservative 600k lost men in the past three years, the impact on the population for the next 30 years is going to be significant. It will likely mean between a 2-3% decline in population on top of an already declining growth rate.
Half a million workers is a low-ball estimate of what they will need to just maintain their economy. It’s more likely 3-5X that much over the next 20 years.
When a country that big is that weakened…nothing good will happen. They will lose the east to China. The western part will decay from within. They won’t be able to feed themselves.
It is no wonder they are trying to expand into areas with fertile populations.