Russia has entered its second recession in six years. The effects of the country's economic downturn have begun to trickle down from the federal level, spreading to Russia's regions, cities and people. The federal government has long relied on the regional and municipal governments to carry their own burdens, and many are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy or collapse as Moscow siphons off a growing share of their funds. The Russian people are also beginning to feel the economic pressure more acutely as an increasing number of citizens fall under the poverty line and watch their savings dry up. The Kremlin can do little to alleviate the worsening crises, since its own resources are finite, and the road to economic recovery is long. Instead, it has responded with political and security measures aimed at preventing or cracking down on dissent among the regions and people.