Russia's 2025 budget deficit over $30 billion, says German intelligence service BND

BERLIN, March 4 (Reuters) - Russia's true federal budget deficit in 2025 was more than 2.36 trillion roubles ($30.45 billion), higher than officially stated, as Moscow seeks to hide the real costs of its war in Ukraine, Germany's BND intelligence service said on Wednesday.

In a post on LinkedIn, the BND said Western sanctions were having a "clear effect" and that the concealment of economic damage makes Russia an "incalculable risk" for investment.

"Putin is sacrificing Russia's economic future for his imperial goals," the intelligence service said.

($1 = 77.5000 roubles)