Russian Post's losses surge 44% as rural offices face closure threat
Russian Post is facing growing financial difficulties as its losses continue to climb. The company reported a net loss of 13.52 billion rubles for the first nine months of 2025, up 44% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the Bank of Russia has proposed reforms to stabilise the struggling postal service.
The financial troubles at Russian Post have worsened over the past year. Revenue dropped by 3.3% to 160.7 billion rubles for the same nine-month period. Rural postal offices, many of which already operate at a loss, are particularly affected, leading to closures in some areas.
The Bank of Russia has stepped in with proposals to ease the crisis. One suggestion is to remove barriers for cashless payments of housing and utility bills at post offices, while also exempting these transactions from escrow fees. The central bank has also called on the government to prevent the closure of postal branches that provide essential financial services to residents. Recognising the social importance of post offices—especially for elderly residents in small settlements—the Bank of Russia supports targeted funding for rural and remote branches. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Development has drafted a law aimed at stabilising Russian Post's finances. However, experts warn that while these measures may help in the short term, they do not address deeper structural issues.
The proposed reforms aim to ease financial pressure on Russian Post and protect vital services in rural areas. If implemented, they could slow the decline of postal offices and maintain access for communities that rely on them. The final decision now rests with the government on how to proceed.
