Russian Companies Accumulate Billions in Unpaid Wages, Ukraine’s Intelligence Says
Wage arrears at Russian companies continue to rise, with employers owing workers more than 2.4 billion rubles as of September 1. The total amount increased by nearly 19% in a month and was up 47.4% year over year, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service . Overdue wage payments grew by another 385.3 million rubles in August alone. “The main reason for the nonpayment is that companies…
Russia's economy is grappling with significant wage arrears, with employers owing over 2.4 billion rubles to workers as of September 1, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. The total amount has risen by nearly 19% in a month and 47.4% year over year, with August alone seeing an additional 385.3 million rubles in overdue payments.
The primary reason cited for these unpaid wages is companies' lack of sufficient funds. Over half of the total arrears, 1.31 billion rubles, accumulated during 2026. The intelligence service also highlights that Russia's economic issues extend beyond delayed wages, with the central bank's wartime-oriented monetary policy coinciding with a rise in corporate bond defaults.
In 2024, there were 11 bond issuer defaults, 24 in 2025, and 33 during the first part of 2026. The war against Ukraine is putting a strain on Russia's budget, while high borrowing costs are making it difficult for businesses to secure financing, leading to mounting financial difficulties for companies and workers alike.
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