Russia-Ukraine War: Putin Approves Record $126B Defense Budget Amid Ongoing Conflict

Russia's War Effort - Putin Approves $126B Defense Budget Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Russia's military spending has been steadily increasing over the years...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record defense budget of $126 billion, a third of the country's total spending, as the ongoing conflict with Ukraine continues to escalate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given the green light to a record-breaking defense budget, allocating a whopping third of the government's total spending to national defense. The approved 2025 budget is a staggering $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles), accounting for approximately 32.5% of the government's total expenditure.

This massive defense budget is a significant increase of $28 billion (three trillion rubles) from the previous record set in 2024. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, is undoubtedly a major driver of this increased spending. Russia is currently gaining ground at key points along the front lines and is also engaging in a counteroffensive in the Kursk region, the site of Ukraine's only major military success this year.

Russia's military spending has been steadily increasing over the years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia's military spending in 2021 was $66 billion, while the US spent $801 billion. The Russian government's decision to allocate such a large portion of its budget to defense spending is likely to have significant implications for the country's economy and its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine has taken a significant toll on both countries' resources. Despite this, lawmakers in the Russian parliament have approved a new three-year budget that projects a slight reduction in military spending for 2026 and 2027.

The prolonged war has led to a substantial drain on Russia's economy and population. Meanwhile, Ukraine has received substantial aid from its Western allies, including over $500 million in new military equipment pledged by Germany. However, it remains uncertain how much aid will continue to flow from the United States once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Although Russia possesses more weapons, ammunition, and personnel, the strain on its economy and population continues to grow. The Pentagon estimates that the Ukraine war has cost Russia up to $211 billion. This significant financial burden, combined with the ongoing military conflict, has put immense pressure on Russia's resources.