Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record defense budget for 2025, earmarking a significant portion of the country’s total spending.
The new budget allocates approximately $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defense, which accounts for around 32.5% of the total government expenditure.
This marks an increase of about $28 billion (three trillion rubles) over the previous record set for 2024.
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, continues to shape the defense spending.
Moscow has made advances in key areas along the front lines and is engaged in a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, where Ukraine achieved its only major military success this year.
The three-year budget plan also predicts a slight reduction in military spending for 2026 and 2027, with lawmakers from both houses of the Russian parliament approving the budget.
The protracted war has strained both Ukraine and Russia’s resources. Ukraine has received billions in aid from Western allies, including more than half a billion dollars in new military equipment pledged by Germany on Monday.
The future of U.S. support for Ukraine remains uncertain, particularly with the upcoming change in leadership under President-elect Donald Trump.
Despite having more weapons, ammunition, and personnel, Russia is increasingly feeling the strain on its economy and population.
