Russia’s military-driven economy has entered negative territory for the first time since 2023, according to Bloomberg.

Citing Rosstat data, Russia’s GDP declined by 0.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 — the first contraction since early 2023.

Bloomberg notes that the economy is increasingly slowing under pressure from high interest rates, rising taxes, and heavy military spending. The Ministry of Economic Development has already lowered its 2026 growth forecast from 1.3% to 0.4%.

Despite higher oil revenues amid the war in the Middle East, Russia’s budget deficit in the first four months of the year has already exceeded the planned level for all of 2026.

At the same time, the key interest rate remains elevated at 14.5%, continuing to constrain business activity and consumer demand.

Приняли как родных, даже отбой дали 😎

Ukraine’s Spartan Brigade National Guardsmen launched a series of drone strikes on Russian logistics near occupied Donetsk. The city has served as Russia’s main logistics hub across the occupied territories throughout the full-scale invasion.

💥 The consequences of strike on Russian ammunition depot!

⚡️Spartan drones over Donetsk

​Destruction of Russian logistics in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region is part of the planned work that leads us to the goal: to return our land.

Ukraine’s 77th Airmobile Brigade repelled another Russian motorcycle assault.

Swimming season in occupied Crimea. Russian forces installed dragon’s teeth on beaches instead of sun loungers, turning coastal areas into fortified zones.

Situation in Crimea 🧐

سخنرانی حسین یکتا از تیرخلاص زن‌های دی‌ماه خونین… در کنار مزدوران تیم فوتبال جمهوری اسلامی!

CrimesArchives
@mamlekate

Минобороны РФ - о ходе операции на Украине:

➖ В течение суток российские военные нанесли удары по объектам инфраструктуры Украины.

➖ Войска группировки "Восток" продолжают продвижение в глубину обороны противника, подразделения "Южной" группировки улучшили положение по переднему краю, группировка "Центр" заняла более выгодные рубежи и позиции.

➖ Средства противовоздушной обороны в течение суток сбили 12 управляемых авиационных бомб ВСУ, два реактивных снаряда системы залпового огня HIMARS и 353 беспилотника.

@interfaxonline

🇫🇮🇺🇦 The paradox is that sometimes Ukrainian drones fly into our country, but we need to learn to defend ourselves from them from the Ukrainians themselves. But we should not accuse them of waging a defensive war, - Alexander Stubb.

"The first is that we are not necessarily fully prepared for drone operations - neither in peacetime nor in wartime. And the second is that we have something to learn from the Ukrainians," he noted.
​
When asked whether the Ukrainians are listening to the concerns and requests of their partners, Stubb answered:
​
"Absolutely. I talk to Zelensky at least once a week, sometimes more often. After the first drone incident, I immediately called him. I said, "Volodymyr, what's going on?" And he said, "Oh, sorry, we didn't mean to. You know, it was a mistake, and it was our drone, but only because the GPS system was jammed." So yes, the Ukrainians are listening to us." Stubb concluded.