The Kremlin called the budget deficit a “moving figure.” Since the start of the year, it has amounted to 5.8 trillion rubles

The Kremlin called the budget deficit a “moving figure.” Since the start of the year, it has amounted to 5.8 trillion rubles

Russia’s budget deficit for January-August 2026 amounted to 5.795 trillion rubles, or 2.5% of GDP. The Russian Finance Ministry published this information on its website on September 9.

Federal budget revenues over the eight months totaled 25.9 trillion rubles, up 9.2% compared with the same period in 2025. Spending rose 14.7% compared with the previous year, to 31.7 trillion rubles.

The Finance Ministry explains the increase in spending by the “prompt conclusion of contracts and advance financing of certain contracted expenses.”

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, whom journalists asked to comment on the budget deficit, said (quoted by “You Were Listening”):

The indicator you mentioned is a moving figure. This figure is not, shall we say, an indicator that should cause any strong concern. Macroeconomic stability is absolutely being ensured.

According to Peskov, the Kremlin is not discussing the possibility of another tax increase because of the growing budget deficit.

Here is more you can read about the state of the Russian economy.

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