Russia’s crisis hurts middle classes

Russia's economic problems are becoming quite a battle.

President Putin is fighting to maintain public support and ordinary Russians are fighting to make ends meet.

Those with mortgages in a foreign-currency like Alexei Krasnov are finding it particularly hard.

His repayments have more than doubled and now his job is a worry.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FATHER OF TWO, ALEXEI KRASNOV, SAYING:

"At our bank we've already had several waves of lay-offs and they're warning there might be more to come, so of course we feel insecure."

Alexei and his accountant partner Yevgenia Syomina used to travel abroad two or three times a year.

Not any more.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOTHER OF TWO, YEVGENIA SYOMINA, SAYING:

"We really want to have a third baby. But we can't afford to in this apartment. And we can't move because of our mortgage - we owe the bank more than this apartment is worth."

Putin's ratings have been sky high since the start of the U