Generative AI Cuts HR Department Sizes as Russian Job Market Sees Up to 19 Applicants per Vacancy

The Russian labor market for HR specialists has grown markedly more difficult over the past year and a half. Since the start of 2026, candidates have posted more than 520,000 resumes, while employers have published only 66,000 vacancies. According to hh.ru, certain positions now attract as many as 19 applications.

In June the number of HR openings fell 34 percent year-over-year, while the number of resumes increased 17 percent. Industry observers estimate that approximately one in three HR employees has lost their position during the last 18 months.

Although generative AI is frequently cited as the cause, companies are also trimming management structures in response to slower business activity. GenAI is nevertheless amplifying the effect: more than one-third of employers already deploy digital tools that can reduce routine recruiter workload by up to 80 percent.

Algorithms now screen resumes, conduct preliminary interviews, and produce structured candidate profiles. This automation roughly doubles the speed of hiring, leading many businesses to question the need for large dedicated HR departments.

Experts caution against completely eliminating human recruiters. AI systems can still reject strong candidates or advance resumes that lack substance. Specialists who combine proficiency with neural networks, data analysis, and interpersonal skills are expected to remain in demand, while mass screening and scripted candidate calls are increasingly handled by machines.