Russia economy decline

Russian GDP declines as multiple sectors weaken despite oil gains

Russia’s economy contracted in the first quarter of 2026, marking its first quarterly decline since early 2023 and erasing roughly one-third of the growth recorded last year, The Moscow Times reported on April 28, citing data from Russia’s Economic Development Ministry.

30 April, 11:28 AM

Russian economy shows worst performance since major sanctions, analysts confirm

Russia’s economy is experiencing systemic deterioration under the pressure of its own monetary policy, structural industrial degradation and exhausted consumer demand, with no key sector offering grounds for optimism, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service reported on April 13, citing the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

14 April, 11:36 AM

Another Russian clothing retailer closes 35 stores amid profit collapse

Russian clothing retailer Zolla has closed 35 stores amid a sharp drop in profit, as the country’s fashion retail sector grapples with a deepening crisis that could lead to the shutdown of up to 40% of clothing stores in 2026, The Moscow Times reported on April 8.

8 April, 08:24 PM

Russia’s GDP shrinks 1.8% as 22 industries slide into decline

The Russian economy ended February with a decline. After a 2.1% drop in January, GDP contracted another 1.5% in February and 1.8% for the first two months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, The Moscow Times reported on April 3, citing the State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Economic Development.

3 April, 03:55 PM

Higher tax burdens threaten wave of SME shutdowns in Russia

Russia could see 250–300 small and medium-sized enterprises close in 2026 — about 4.4% of all such firms — as sharply higher tax burdens take effect, The Moscow Times reported on Feb. 23, citing market participants.

24 February, 11:45 AM

Russian dictator’s dream of becoming a ‘great tsar’ crumbles — The Economist

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is trapped in a 'self-made vice' as his four-year bet on Ukraine's collapse continues to fail, The Economist reported on Feb. 19.

20 February, 12:56 PM

China expands its grip on Russia’s weakening economy, Ukrainian intelligence warns

So-called “friendly” countries are rapidly moving into the gaps opening in Russia’s economy as investment continues to dry up, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) reported on Nov. 28.

28 November 2025, 03:38 PM

Russia economy decline