On August 9, 2026, news emerged of a critical deterioration of the economic situation in Russia. According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (SZRU), the consumer sentiment index for Russians has dropped to 89.5 points — the lowest figure since May 2022. This decline indicates a deep crisis of public trust in economic stability and their own future amidst the ongoing war and sanctions pressure.
Flight from Deposits and the Collapse of Savings
A key indicator of panic has been the behavior of depositors. In June 2026, Russians withdrew 0.5 trillion rubles from bank deposits, while the volume of new deposits amounted to only 0.2 trillion rubles. Experts estimate the reduction in real household savings in the first quarter of 2026 at 32.1%. The share of citizens able to save surplus funds fell by 6.5% and now stands at just 47.9%. 34% of Russians believe that the current moment is extremely unfavorable for savings, which is an anti-record for the last two and a half years.
The Era of "Second-hand": Changing Consumption Structure
Economic difficulties are radically changing consumer habits. Instead of buying new goods, the population is massively switching to second-hand items. In the first half of 2026, spending on used cars increased by 13%. Currently, for every new car, there are almost five used ones. The share of cars older than ten years reached 41%, while the share of relatively new vehicles (up to five years) fell from 30% to 25%. This indicates that Russians are forced to save on everything, refusing updates in favor of cheaper, but worn-out options.
The Shadow of Mobilization and Capital Flight
In addition to economic factors, public sentiment is influenced by the fear of a new wave of mobilization, which is expected after the autumn State Duma elections. This has led to a surge in interest in emigration. In particular, over the last three months, the cost of renting housing in Armenia has risen by 30% against the backdrop of an influx of Russians. Parallel to this, Russian oligarchs and large investors are accelerating capital outflows, transferring assets into cryptocurrency and foreign real estate, which only exacerbates the situation.
Record Budget Deficit
The state is also in a difficult position. In the first half of 2026, Russia's budget deficit reached a record 5.73 trillion rubles, which is 1.7 times higher than the figures for the same period last year. High military spending and the reorientation of the economy to meet the needs of the front are depleting resources, forcing the population to cut spending and prepare for the worst.
