- In the first six months of this year, Russia recorded the lowest birth rate since 1999, according to the official data of the Russian Statistics Office Rosstat, which were published yesterday.

In June, the number of newborns was below 100.000 for the first time.

The combination of falling birthrates and rising death rates has led to a shrinking Russian population, a problem for the Kremlin, which has been waging war in Ukraine since Moscow launched its invasion in 2022.

In July, the Kremlin called Russia's low birthrate a disaster for the country.

According to Rosstat data, in the first half of 2024, 599.600 children were born in Russia, which is 16.000 less than in the same period last year, and the least since 1999.

The number of new-born children in June fell by six percent to 98.600, making this figure below 100.000 for the first time, Russian media reported.

The population decline was partially offset by a 20 percent increase in the number of migrants between January and June, the data show.

- This is disastrous for the future of the nation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in July.

Nina Ostanina, head of the family protection committee in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, said a "special demographic operation" was needed to improve the birth rate.

- We have to organize and conduct a new special operation. Just like the special military operation: a special demographic operation, Ostanina said