Russian businesses have been ordered to pay workers more than 2.4 billion rubles in overdue wages, according to a report from ArmyInform that cites the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service. The total arrears reached that amount by 1 September. In August alone, the debt increased by 385.3 million rubles, an rise of about 19 percent. The information highlights a significant growth in wage backlogs during that month. Companies were compelled to fulfill these payments under the reported directive. The figures reflect mounting pressure on employers to settle outstanding salaries.