A substantial share of Russians, around 82 percent, do not anticipate a default on the country’s financial obligations. This conclusion comes from a survey summarized by RIA Novosti and based on results from the Analytical Center of the University of Synergy. The framing of the study signals a widespread confidence that sovereign credit risk remains manageable even if the economy faces shocks. Source attribution: RIA Novosti, Analytical Center of the University of Synergy.
Yet the same poll examined attitudes toward a hypothetical default. Among respondents, 84 percent believed that such a default would not spark a crisis on the scale of the 1998 financial upheaval. A minority, 9 percent, foresaw outcomes worse than that infamous episode, while the rest offered no clear view. The responses reveal a mix of cautious optimism and an awareness of historical fragilities rather than a blanket sense of invulnerability.
Regarding possible macroeconomic fallout, just over a quarter of those surveyed worried about a ruble depreciation in the event of a default, while 23 percent expected higher inflation and 17 percent warned of rising unemployment. These figures highlight concerns about currency stability as well as expectations about the broader costs of financial stress on households and the real economy. Source attribution: RIA Novosti, Analytical Center of the University of Synergy.
Analysts noted a striking preparedness gap: 93 percent of Russians indicated they would not know what steps to take in a default scenario. Only 7 percent reported having a plan. Within that small group, 46 percent said they would cut discretionary spending, 18 percent planned to build an emergency cushion, 15 percent considered buying foreign currency as a hedge, and 8 percent planned to withdraw funds from deposits. The distribution points to a blend of risk aversion and contingency planning, even among those who anticipate potential trouble ahead. Source attribution: RIA Novosti, Analytical Center of the University of Synergy.
In a public statement, Anton Siluanov, the Russian finance minister, dismissed the idea of an imminent default as unfounded. He stressed that the government remains committed to its role as a reliable debtor and to prudent management of public finances. The minister’s remarks were framed as part of a broader effort to reassure markets and households that risk exposure is being monitored and addressed, even as discussions about fiscal resilience continue across economic policy circles. Source attribution: RIA Novosti, Analytical Center of the University of Synergy.