Rostelecom's Debt Reaches $8.13 Billion Amid Rising Expenses

Rostelecom's net debt at the end of the first half of 2026 amounted to $8.13 billion (731.56 billion rubles). The debt burden increased due to rising costs for technical surveillance means and user monitoring. The operator continues to purchase equipment to expand its data collection infrastructure. Among the projects are the Leshy Connect program for managing home Wi-Fi networks and the installation of 860 surveillance complexes with IP cameras at polling stations in the Altai Territory ahead of the elections in September 2026. Operating expenses for the first half of the year rose by 11% to nearly $4 billion (359.8 billion rubles) due to the rising cost of materials and maintenance. To cover the funding shortfall, the company is attracting credit resources and issuing bonds worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Internal corruption schemes are also affecting the company's financial condition; the head of the local branch in Kirov has been detained for accepting a bribe in connection with a case of embezzlement of budget funds.

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