World · Europe · 1 day ago
Russia’s military spending is set to reach nearly €178 billion this year
Russia is expected to spend nearly 17 trillion rubles, or about €178 billion, on its military this year.
That is around 40% more than the government first planned, according to two people familiar with the figures.
They said President Vladimir Putin ordered a budget increase after Russian officials concluded that efforts to reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine were unlikely to succeed.
The increase reverses last year’s plan to slow military spending and reduce the budget deficit.
Russia’s expected deficit for 2026 has risen to more than 7 trillion rubles, from an initial forecast of 3.8 trillion, with extra spending financed through domestic borrowing and gold sales.
The higher military budget comes as Russia has intensified attacks in Ukraine, including strikes on energy and transport infrastructure, hospitals and other civilian sites.
The budget sets military spending at 17.1 trillion rubles for next year, though people familiar with the matter said actual spending could be higher.
Russia’s defense spending is expected to reach nearly 17 trillion rubles (€178 billion) this year.
That would be about 40% above the original plan presented by the government at the end of 2025.
Two people familiar with the government said President Vladimir Putin ordered the increase to finance the war in Ukraine.
The expected spending reflects the government’s view that a deal to end the fighting is out of reach.
The increase has helped push the expected 2026 budget deficit above 7 trillion rubles, from an original estimate of 3.8 trillion.
- Who
- The Russian government, following an increase ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
- What
- Defense spending is expected to reach nearly 17 trillion rubles (€178 billion) this year.
- When
- This year; the article was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Russia.
- Why
- The government concluded that a deal to end the war in Ukraine was out of reach, according to people familiar with the matter.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Putin met US President Donald Trump in Alaska, and Putin hoped a peace agreement with Ukraine might be possible the following year.
Putin ordered an increase in the budget for financing the war, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Kremlin had concluded that an agreement with Ukraine was out of reach, one of the people said.
The government began accelerating advance payments to the defense industry and increasing other war-related spending.
- Expected 2026 defense spending
- Nearly 17 trillion rubles (€178 billion)
- Increase over original plan
- About 40%
- Original 2026 deficit estimate
- 3.8 trillion rubles
- Expected 2026 deficit
- More than 7 trillion rubles
- Planned 2027 military spending
- 17.1 trillion rubles
Sources
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