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Russia has announced plans to increase its national defense spending by 25% in 2025, raising it to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War.
What’s the deal: According to Russian officials, the country’s defense budget is set to increase to 13.5 trillion roubles, equivalent to approximately $145 billion. This represents a 25% increase from 2024 and more than double the budget before the start of the war in Ukraine. The draft budget still needs to be approved by Russian lawmakers.
The bigger picture: If approved, the 2025 Ministry of Defense budget will consume 32% of the country’s total government expenditure. In a brief statement, Russia’s finance ministry said, “Significant funds have been earmarked to ensure the tasks of the special military operation are achieved.” They added, “Resources will be allocated and have already been allocated for equipping the armed forces with the necessary weapons and military equipment, paying military salaries, and supporting defense industry enterprises.”
This development comes as the war in Ukraine continues to ravage, with both sides trading territorial gains. In the last 24 hours, Russian forces advanced in the Toretsk and Pokrovsk directions, while Ukrainian forces made gains in Glushkovsky Raion, in Kursk Oblast.
