Ukrainian Intelligence: Russian Banking System On The Verge Of Collapse

• 23.03.2026, 8:45

The Kremlin is preparing urgent countermeasures.

Russians are increasingly abandoning banking services in favor of cash against the background of mobile Internet failures and tighter financial restrictions. This is reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

According to the agency, in January, Russian citizens withdrew more than $19.7 billion from their accounts and deposits, while only about 5.8 billion returned to the banking system. Thus, the net outflow of funds amounted to $13.9 billion. Over the past 16 years, this is the second highest monthly figure - more was only in March 2022, when $25.9 billion was withdrawn from accounts.

In intelligence explains such dynamics by a combination of factors: increased control over financial transactions, disruptions in the work of Internet infrastructure, as well as the growth of consumer spending instead of savings. As a result, it is noted, there is a kind of "return" of cash in everyday life.

"The consequences for the banking system are negative. Depositors' funds have actually become the financial backbone of the largest banks, which are experiencing a shortage of capital. At the same time, these resources are used to buy government bonds, as well as to lend to state corporations and defense industry enterprises. In the conditions of declining deposits, the authorities may take additional measures, including restrictions on withdrawal of funds," the report says.