New wave of protests in Russian regions: unpaid railway workers threaten the Kremlin

[Starmix]

According to the report, the road maintenance crisis is worsening in many Russian regions: road construction workers are facing delayed wage payments, prompting them to stage strikes, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine. It said that the Irkutsk region will have no funds for road maintenance and repairs by the end of 2025, including in Irkutsk itself. As a result, road workers in the region are writing letters to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin complaining about unpaid wages. So, the unpaid railway workers threaten the Kremlin.

The report stated that Kamchatka also lacks funds for road maintenance and repairs. Local road company employees haven't been paid, so they've already gone on strike. A strike also broke out in Omsk, where bridge construction workers were delayed in their pay. The SVR emphasized that, as of the summer of 2025, approximately 47% of systemically important road construction companies in Russia were in a state of pre-bankruptcy. Another 35% of Russian road construction companies were at high risk of bankruptcy. It's worth noting that while workers in Russia are experiencing wage arrears, leading them to strike, high-ranking Russian officials are enjoying every luxury and earning enormous incomes.

The report added that Russia has begun to cover city budget deficits through so-called voluntary contributions from residents. The money transfer must indicate the purpose for which the funds can be spent. The donations allegedly cannot be spent on other purposes. Local authorities claim that if the funding plan no longer supports the purposes for which the transfer was made, the funds will be returned to the citizen's or company's account. As for monitoring the spending of voluntary contributions from residents and companies, the authorities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky will do this independently, without involving third-party independent organizations or individuals.

 

[gwolf666]

It is truly worrying how the road maintenance crisis in Russia is affecting not only infrastructure but also the economy and social stability of many regions. The situation of workers, who are not receiving their wages and are on strike, reflects a deep-seated problem in the country's management and economic situation. The threat of bankruptcy for many construction companies only worsens the outlook, and it is alarming that while this is happening, high-ranking officials continue to enjoy luxuries and high incomes. The strategy of covering deficits with voluntary contributions from residents is not sustainable in the long term, and the lack of transparency in the use of these funds generates even more distrust. It is urgent that the authorities prioritize basic needs, such as paying workers and maintaining infrastructure, to prevent a further collapse. The situation requires immediate attention and responsible solutions.