Russians are striking over unpaid wages, which they last received back in 2025
The economy of the aggressor country is showing signs of a major systemic breakdown, which threatens the survival of small and medium-sized businesses.
In the near future, up to 30% of entrepreneurs in Russia may permanently cease operations due to their inability to adapt to the new conditions.
According to data from Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the situation on the Russian market is critical for the vast majority of players.
Surveys indicate that 95% of businesspeople report a deterioration in operating conditions, and about three-quarters of respondents cite serious difficulties in conducting business.
The financial indicators of Russian companies show a sharp decline in profitability since the beginning of 2026.
Over 68% of respondents confirmed a significant decrease in revenue, and 5.5% of businesses have already been forced to officially close, unable to withstand the economic pressure.
One of the most acute manifestations of the crisis has been the rapid growth of wage arrears across the entire territory of the Russian Federation.
“Wage arrears reached 1.86 billion rubles in January 2026 alone, with 40.7% of this amount accruing specifically in January. The construction industry leads in unpaid wages,” reports the SZRU.
The most high-profile example of financial collapse was the downfall of a powerful Siberian construction holding company called “Novolex.”
This company, which was considered one of the industry leaders, accumulated an astronomical debt of about 2.5 billion rubles to its employees.
Social tensions are also rising in the industrial regions of the Russian North, where workers are preparing for radical action.
In particular, miners in Vorkuta are planning large-scale strikes, as they last received full payment of their wages back in December 2025.
The spread of protest sentiment over unpaid wages spans various parts of Russia—from the western borders to the Far East.
Public transportation drivers in Kamchatka and the Omsk region are left without a means of livelihood, which threatens to halt passenger transport.
As a reminder, Russia wants to build the “Azov Ring” in the occupied territories.
Putin is also demanding that businesses not spend windfall profits from the war in Iran.
