Russian Economy: One-Fifth of Companies Declare Survival as Current Strategy (legrandcontinent.eu)

• RSBI index drops to 48.4, lowest since autumn 2022
• Tax reform lowers VAT threshold to 20 million rubles
• Putin freezes threshold; businesses demand 30 million

"The RSBI index for Russian SMEs fell to 48.4 in May 2026, the lowest since autumn 2022, driven by a tax reform that gradually lowers the VAT threshold. President Putin announced a freeze at 20 million rubles during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, but business representatives sought a 30 million threshold. One-third of businesses may be loss-making, and 31% of entrepreneurs considered closing or selling, according to surveys."