Rostselmash denies layoff rumors
The falsified order used a date that had not yet occurred, revealing the hoax.
Dmitry Dontsov, marketing director of Rostselmash, refuted data circulating in Telegram channels about impending mass layoffs at the enterprise.
The rumors were sparked by a fake document attributed to Valery Maltsev. The forged order claimed a transition to a three-day work week from May 1, 2026, and the dismissal of up to 35% of employees.
It also stated the need to transfer the personal files of those laid off to the Russian Ministry of Defense for subsequent assignment of these people to military units or agricultural work in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Dmitry Dontsov stated: «The absurdity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the authors of the forgery didn»t even bother to check the logic: the «pseudo-order» was registered with tomorrow«s date. Obviously, we are dealing with a hastily concocted information dump aimed at destabilizing the situation.»
The company Rostselmash was founded in 1929 and exports machinery to 20 countries. According to 2024 results, its net profit amounted to 6.9 billion rubles (approximately $69 million at current rates), which is 2.3 times lower than the 2023 figure. The plant«s revenue fell by almost 20 billion rubles, amounting to 78.3 billion rubles (approximately $783 million at current rates).
The owners of the enterprise in equal shares are Konstantin Babkin, Yuri Ryazanov, and Dmitry Udras.
Despite reports of problems in 2025, Dontsov noted that the situation in agricultural machinery manufacturing is difficult, but the plant is operating normally and has already conducted shipments of machinery this year.
