Russia Breaking - Joe Blogs

[TexasTowelie]

A new report from S&P Global is revealing growing strains inside the Russian economy.

While headline data suggests that the pace of contraction in manufacturing has slowed, the detail tells a far more uncomfortable story. A recent VAT increase from 20% to 22%, introduced at the start of the year, is already feeding through into higher prices, rising costs for businesses, and mounting pressure on demand.

This video breaks down what the latest PMI data is really showing — including falling employment, weakening exports, inventory drawdowns, and persistently soft demand conditions. Together, these indicators point to an economy that is struggling to stabilize, even as the government leans more heavily on taxation to raise revenue.

Rather than signaling recovery, the data highlights a private sector under strain, cutting costs and bracing for tougher conditions ahead.