President Vladimir Putin has designated approximately $126 billion, one-third of Russia’s 2025 budget, to defence. This expenditure, at 32.5% of total government spending, marks a significant increase, with the defence budget rising by $28 billion from the previous year, setting a new record.
According to CNN, the 2025 defence budget surpasses the previous record by about $28 billion (three trillion rubles). This increase represents over 6% of Russia’s total GDP.
Last year, 28.3% of Russia’s spending was on defence needs. A report by The Kyiv Independent noted that planned Russian expenditures on military and law enforcement exceeded the combined spending on education, healthcare, social policy, and the national economy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved budget plans, raising 2025 military spending to record levels as Moscow seeks to prevail in the war in Ukraine. https://t.co/D1a0GWXbUS
— FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) December 2, 2024However, the new three-year budget foresees a reduction in military spending for 2026 and 2027, with $114.9 billion allocated for 2026 and $122.4 billion for 2027. In late November, both houses of the Russian parliament—the State Duma and the Federation Council—approved these plans.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues to be the largest in Europe since World War II, significantly draining the resources of both nations.
Read: Putin Orders Mass Production of Hypersonic Missiles for Ukraine War
Despite having a larger and better-equipped military, which has recently gained ground in eastern Ukraine, Russia faces economic challenges at home. The country is experiencing high inflation and labour shortages. In response, the Russian Central Bank raised interest rates to 21% in October, the highest in decades.
Conversely, though less equipped, Ukraine has received substantial support from Western allies. Germany, one of its major supporters, announced a new pledge of over half a billion dollars in military equipment on Monday, scheduled for delivery in December.
The continuation of U.S. aid to Kyiv under President-elect Donald Trump remains uncertain.
