Russia Media: Moscow's military spending even higher than expected

According to a draft law, Russia plans to spend 13.5 trillion roubles (around 135 billion euros) from the state budget on its military in the coming year. This is an increase of a quarter compared to the current year, reported the independent business portal "The Bell". At 10.4 trillion roubles (around 104 billion euros), 2024 is already an absolute record year for the defense sector. Military spending should actually fall significantly from next year - to 85 billion euros.

Last week, the financial service Bloomberg had already reported on rising military spending in Moscow. However, its estimate of the equivalent of 132 billion euros was slightly lower than the actual figure now estimated, reports "The Bell", citing an explanatory annex to the budget bill introduced in parliament.

Public figures not mentioned

Due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a third of the budget will go to the armaments and defense sector. The money is used to procure new weapons and equipment, but also to recruit and pay soldiers. Together with the equally high expenditure on national security, this amounts to more than 40 percent. In public, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other cabinet members have avoided providing information on the increase in the defense budget.

Even in 2026 and 2027, spending on the military is set to fall only slightly - to 128 and 131 billion euros respectively. Against the backdrop of record spending on the war, Russia is reducing its social spending by around nine percent to 100 billion euros in 2025.

SDA