From railways and automobiles to metals, coal, diamonds and cement, some of Russia's biggest industrial companies are putting employees on furlough or cutting staff as the war economy slows, domestic demand stalls and exports dry up.
The efforts to reduce labor costs show the strain on Russia's economy as President Vladimir Putin and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance square off in Ukraine, Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
Six companies in Russia's mining and transport sectors, many of them industrial titans, were identified as having cut their working week in an attempt to reduce wage bills without raising unemployment, according to industry sources.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.