The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation disclosed that the national budget showed a deficit of 3.41 trillion rubles for the first five months of the year. This figure was presented in the ministry’s official sections and reflects the evolving fiscal picture as the year progresses.
Within the same period, federal budget receipts totaled 9.818 trillion rubles, which marks a decline of about 19 percent compared with the corresponding months of the previous year. The trend highlights a contraction in projectable revenues and the ongoing influence of commodity prices, exchange rates, and domestic demand on tax collections and other income streams.
Earlier reporting indicated that May would see oil and gas sector revenues contribute to the budget. In the month, overall receipts from this sector fell by 11.9 percent from April, reaching 570.7 billion rubles. The shift underscores the sensitivity of the budget to hydrocarbon market dynamics and the timing of revenue streams linked to energy production and exports.
In May, the Ministry of Finance had anticipated an oil and gas deficit of 8.1 billion rubles. Yet the published data showed a larger shortfall, with actual revenues noticeably below the forecast by 30.6 billion rubles. Additionally, receipts in April were revised downward by 32.4 billion rubles, signaling a softer-than-expected inflow pattern through the spring months.
Looking ahead, authorities projected that the deficit could extend to as much as 44 billion rubles in June as market conditions and policy measures continue to interact. To address the shortfall, the ministry indicated it would deploy foreign currency sales under the established budget rule. In total, the ministry plans to liquidate 74.6 billion rubles through currency operations as part of the broader fiscal stabilization strategy, aimed at smoothing budgetary gaps and maintaining macroeconomic continuity.
Overall, the government’s balance sheets reveal a careful balancing act between revenue volatility, expenditure commitments, and the tactical use of currency intervention. Analysts note that the trajectory will remain tightly linked to oil price movements, production levels, and the effectiveness of fiscal tools designed to navigate periodic fluctuations in energy-derived income. As the year unfolds, stakeholders will continue to monitor official projections, revisions to revenue forecasts, and the discipline of the budget rule as key levers in sustaining fiscal stability amid evolving global market conditions.