Russia's budget deficit explodes as latest sanctions bite

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Why it matters: Since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago, Western officials warned that it would take time for the full impact of sanctions to be felt in Moscow. That moment could be drawing closer.

Driving the news: Russia's Ministry of Finance reported that its budget deficit for January exploded to 1.8 trillion rubles — or around $25 billion — up roughly 14 times from last January's deficit of roughly $2 billion.

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What they're saying: Janis Kluge, an expert on Russian state finances with German Institute for International and Security Affairs, wrote on Twitter that the deficit is "highly unusual and points to a larger deficit for the full year."

The big picture: The report suggests that recent Western efforts to tighten the screws on Russia may be bearing fruit.

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https://www.axios.com/2023/02/08/russias-budget-deficit-explodes-as-latest-sanctions-bite