Russia Plans Largest Rearmament Program Since Cold War, Intelligence Chief Says

Russia is preparing the largest rearmament program since the collapse of the Soviet Union, planning to allocate approximately $1.1 trillion by 2036, according to the statement of Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR).

Speaking at the annual meeting of Ukraine’s ambassadors titled “Intelligence, Security, Diplomacy: A Common Strategy for Victory”, Budanov stated:

“The aggressor state, Russia, plans to spend around $1.1 trillion on rearmament by 2036. This is the most extensive armament program since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.”

The intelligence chief emphasized that this military buildup is not merely a technical upgrade, but a full-scale mobilization of Russia’s political system, economy, and society aimed at preparing for a potential large-scale war.

Budanov disclosed that the rearmament initiative is outlined in a classified strategic document.
“I know this document very well. The amount—around $1.1 trillion—is specified in it. The number one objective stated in the document is to prepare the Russian Federation for a war with NATO by 2030,” he said, adding that the bulk of the expenditure is front-loaded to be spent by 2030, after which the spending is expected to decline.

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Budanov also noted Moscow’s increasing global outreach through proxy forces:
“Russia aims to destroy the current security and economic order. It is expanding its presence in Africa, primarily through its proxy forces—Wagner Group and the so-called ‘African Corps’—and supports authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations worldwide.”

In addition to conventional militarization, Russia is conducting hybrid operations, including cyberattacks and information warfare, aimed at undermining democratic institutions abroad.

“Through state-controlled media and influencers, Russia is interfering in the democratic processes of other nations,” Budanov said.

He concluded by thanking Ukraine’s diplomatic corps for their coordinated efforts with intelligence services, particularly during joint operations to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from high-risk zones.

Earlier, it was reported that HUR released intercepted communications from a Russian commander planning a chemical weapon attack on Ukrainian troops sheltering in a basement. The recording included explicit threats to kill survivors with chemical agents.

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