Raising $178 Billion for Defense, Russia Sets Its Biggest Military Budget Since 2022

Russia is preparing to increase its defense expenditures to 17.1 trillion rubles ($178 billion) in 2027, according to Reuters.

This planned allocation represents a 27% increase compared to the initial target of 13.5 trillion rubles ($140.5 billion) and marks the highest defense outlay since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Over the next three years, total military spending is projected to reach 50 trillion rubles ($520.4 billion).

For 2026, the previous plan set defense expenditures at 12.1 trillion rubles ($125.9 billion), though actual spending details remain classified, with additional defense-related funds potentially allocated under non-military budget categories.

Alongside higher military allocations, official estimates indicate a growing fiscal gap.

The federal budget deficit forecast for 2026 has been adjusted upward to 3.2% of gross domestic product, doubling the previous 1.6% estimate, while total budget expenditures in 2026 are expected to expand by 13.2% to 48.6 trillion rubles ($505.8 billion), equivalent to 20.9% of GDP, Reuters reports.

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War in Ukraine

Putin Adds 15,500 Active Troops to Russia’s Military, Raising Force to 1.55 Million

Sep 28, 2026 22:25

In the first nine months of 2025, Russia spent $146.4 billion from its budget on military expenditures—four times more than it had in 2021—which accounted for 39% of total government spending.

As military costs rose, civilian spending shrank, and the current budget allocated just 25.1% to social needs, marking the lowest level in two decades.

In total, the state directed $522 billion in taxpayer funds toward the war effort between 2022 and 2025, an amount that could have otherwise financed the entire higher education system for 24 years or supported federal healthcare for 22 years.

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