Putin abolishes public declarations of officials' incomes: Details
Illustrative photo: Kremlin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that will abolish the annual public declaration of officials' incomes from 2026, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Instead of open reporting for Russian officials, permanent anti-corruption control is being introduced. It will be closed and completely controlled by the state.
In practice, this means dismantling even formal transparency, the Center explains. Regular declarations were the only tool that allowed society to track the enrichment of the elites. But now such publicity has become politically dangerous for the Kremlin.
"The abolition of open declarations is a way to protect the regime's wallets from public scrutiny. At the same time, there is no question of weakening control over the elites — it will simply become selective," the Center for Countering Disinformation says.
Thus, analysts argue, the Kremlin is finally abandoning the game of openness.
"In the context of a protracted war, the regime is betting on a closed agreement with the elites: the state protects their wealth from publicity in exchange for loyalty and participation in financing the war," the Center concludes.
Economic decline in Russia
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine, citing the Center for Political and Economic Analysis, wrote about the decline in industrial production in Russia in November 2025.
The largest decline was recorded in the production of tractors - more than 61%, bulldozers - almost 54%, passenger cars - 50%, elevators - more than 37%, and automobile production collapsed by more than 34%.
The Center for Countering Disinformation noted that in Russia, the current situation is increasingly being compared to the crisis of the 1990s, as household incomes are falling while the fiscal burden is increasing due to the war.
Russia is facing serious economic difficulties due to the war against Ukraine, and in 2026, the situation could worsen significantly.
In Russia, preparations for the New Year holidays are taking place amid a noticeable decline in consumer activity, as rising prices are forcing Russian citizens to cut back on spending and forego their usual purchases.
