Ukrainian Intelligence Highlights Growing Wage Arrears in Russia
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) has issued a report indicating a significant increase in complaints about delayed wage payments within the Russian Federation, signaling mounting systemic economic strain. By early December 2025, the total number of complaints regarding labor rights violations had surpassed 70,000, marking a one-and-a-half-fold increase compared to the previous year.
The most pronounced rise was observed in complaints concerning delayed wage payments, with over 26,000 cases recorded. This represents a 60% increase from the previous year. According to the FIS, which cited data from Russia's Federal Service for Labour and Employment (Rostrud), total wage arrears reached 2.2 billion rubles (approximately US$27 million) by the end of October 2025. This figure reflects an almost 11% increase over the month and has tripled compared to the same period in 2024, reaching its highest level since August 2020.
Broader Economic Indicators and Contributing Factors
Beyond wage delays, the report also noted a 33% increase in complaints about unlawful dismissals. The FIS attributes these trends to a critical dependence of Russia's economic structure on the military-industrial complex. Analysts from the service stated that two-thirds of Russia's GDP growth in 2025 originated from the defense production sector, which is reportedly operating on a three-shift basis.
Despite official reports from Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) showing economic growth, the underlying structure reveals vulnerabilities. Corporate profits for the first three quarters of 2025 reportedly fell by 7.7%. This decline in profitability exacerbates the risk of delayed wage payments, potentially leading to a rise in credit indebtedness, challenges within the banking sector, and the threat of a broader economic crisis.
Impact on Various Sectors and Citizens
The primary reason cited for these arrears is a lack of sufficient funds within enterprises. Data suggests that the largest concentrations of debt are found in specific sectors:
- Construction: 44%
- Mining: 17.5%
- Manufacturing: 11.6%
Shift workers, in particular, have been significantly affected by these payment delays. The economic pressures are also evident in other areas, with unpaid installments for new housing reaching 1.5 trillion rubles (approximately US$18.6 billion) by December 1, accounting for 17% of all concluded contracts. These developments underscore a deepening crisis in socio-economic indicators, even as formal GDP growth is increasingly driven by military expenditures.
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