Sanctions Could Cripple , Russian Economy.br CNN reports as the invasion of Ukraine continues, Russian officials are hoping to avoid a financial meltdown after receiving economic sanctions br from the west over the weekend.br Upon the implementation of sanctions br from the west, Russia's ruble fell to br all-time lows against the dollar.br as Russia's central bank doubled br interest rates to 20.br Experts suggest as its citizens flee to withdraw their deposits, the economy of Russia could shrink by nearly 5.br Sanctions from the United States, br European Union, United Kingdom and br Canada hope to expel Russia from the br SWIFT messaging system.br Experts say expelling Russia from br SWIFT, a global financial message br service, was a move hoping to "paralyze" assets of Russia's central bank.br The ratcheting up of Western sanctions over the weekend has left Russian banks on the edge of crisis. , Liam Peach, emerging market economist Capital Economics, via CNN.br Experts say Russian President Vladimir Putin has prepared the country for such sanctions, as Russia reportedly bolsters a war chest worth nearly $630 billion.br Economic sanctions have reportedly frozen much of Putin's financial firepower.