Is a massive business collapse coming — could up to one-third of SMEs in Russia shut down soon?

Reports indicate that Russia’s small and medium-sized business sector is under severe pressure, with rising wage arrears and growing протест activity among workers. According to data cited by Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia, up to one-third of SMEs could shut down, driven by: - Increasing debt and unpaid wages - Sectoral crises (construction, resource processing, mining) - Broader economic strain from sanctions and high borrowing costs High-profile cases like the collapse of regional construction firms and strikes in industrial regions such as Vorkuta highlight the depth of the issue. However, such large-scale closures depend on multiple uncertain factors: - Government support measures - Access to credit and subsidies - Stabilization of macroeconomic conditions The key uncertainty is whether the кризис will escalate quickly enough to trigger mass closures within a short timeframe.