(MOSCOW) – Russian newspapers continue to report extensively on the country’s growing economic difficulties, with several major publications highlighting rising food prices, business losses and increasing wage arrears.
Moskovski Komsomolets reported that the price of cucumbers rose by 42.85% in January, while tomatoes increased by 20.72%. The paper described cucumbers as being priced “like avocados”, reflecting mounting pressure on household budgets.
According to the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, official statistics show that consumer prices rose by 2.11% between the start of 2026 and 2 February, one of the highest short term inflation rates in recent years.
Komsomolskaya Pravda noted that rising prices have become a subject of public humour, suggesting that car dealers may soon list prices per 100 grams to avoid shocking customers.
Novaya Gazeta reported that the gap between pensions and wages continues to widen. Data from the Federal Statistics Service show that pensions have fallen below 24% of average earnings, reducing the purchasing power of retirees.
The same statistics indicate that in the first nine months of 2025, total corporate losses increased by 25% to 6.52 trillion ruble, approximately US $70 billion at current exchange rates. During this period, 18 400 companies reported losses, 11% more than the previous year.
Wage arrears also increased sharply. By the end of December, unpaid wages reached 2.02 billion ruble, about US $21 million, up 14.5% from November and more than twice the level recorded in December 2024.
Russian newspapers report these economic difficulties almost daily. However, few articles directly link the situation to the Kremlin’s decision to wage its so-called special military operation in Ukraine.
Kommersant reported on disruptions in the city of Belgorod, where Ukrainian rocket attacks left tens of thousands of residents without heating, electricity and gas. On the same page, the paper also carried a restaurant review of a new pizzeria in Moscow.
