Russia Plans Record Military Spending Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
The Russian government has unveiled plans for a record military spending budget of approximately 325 billion rubles for the year 2025, marking an increase from the reported 283 billion rubles allocated in 2024. This substantial budget, revealed in a draft released on Monday, is part of Russia's strategy to strengthen its military capabilities as it continues its involvement in the war in Ukraine.
The draft budget outlines total national defense spending at just under 135 trillion rubles, or approximately 145 billion dollars. This figure is about three trillion rubles higher than the previous year’s allocation, emphasizing Moscow’s commitment to sustaining its military operations amidst a protracted conflict.
The war in Ukraine represents Europe’s most significant military engagement since World War II, and it has severely tested the resources of both Ukrainian and Russian forces. While Ukraine has received billions in support from Western allies, Russia has maneuvered to bolster its military presence, reportedly fielding larger and better-equipped forces.
In recent months, Russian troops have seen some success in pushing Ukrainian forces backward in several eastern regions, further intensifying the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United States last week, seeking continued military and financial support as the war nears its three-year mark in February.
Amidst these military endeavors, Russian President Vladimir Putin faces the challenge of sustaining this escalation without wreaking further havoc on the already strained Russian economy. Recently, Russia’s central bank increased the key interest rate by a full point to 19% in an effort to combat rampant inflation, which currently sits at a staggering 9.1%, significantly above the bank's target of 4% for 2025.
The defense budget proposal is subject to further changes as it must pass through three readings in the State Duma—the lower house of parliament—and then be approved by the Federation Council before being signed into law by the president.
In a routine move separate from the budget discussions, Putin has also signed an order for the conscription of 133,000 servicemen in the upcoming autumn military draft. This number falls in line with normal seasonal conscription goals. Earlier this month, Putin directed the military to expand troop numbers by an additional 180,000, raising the total personnel to approximately 1.5 million.
This military buildup coincides with a recent surge in drone attacks—characterized by an unprecedented volume of over 1,000 Shahed drones being launched within a single month, marking a record in aerial assaults. This escalation continued overnight, as Russia targeted 11 Ukrainian regions in what has become a relentless cycle of attacks.
Kyiv's air defenses were put to the test as explosions echoed throughout the capital during an extensive drone attack. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties in Kyiv or elsewhere; however, in the southern Mykolaiv region, a critical infrastructure site was set ablaze due to the conflict.
The reliance on Iranian-made drones for attacks has become a hallmark of Russia's strategy since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Statistics from September alone indicate that over 1,300 Shahed drones were launched, contributing to the highest level of drone attacks in any month since the hostilities began.
In a parallel development, Ukraine has unveiled its upgraded drone capabilities, conducting strikes deep within Russian territory. Over the weekend, Russian authorities confirmed that more than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over their land, illustrating the escalating drone warfare on both sides.
On the diplomatic front, Putin recently commemorated the two-year anniversary of the annexation of four Ukrainian territories, reiterating claims that Western nations have turned Ukraine into a military base against Russia. This anniversary relates to the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, following a referendum in 2022 that was widely criticized by the global community as illegitimate.
Despite the ongoing conflict causing significant displacement among Ukrainian civilians, Putin asserts that Russia’s military operations aim to safeguard the welfare of residents in the annexed areas. He emphasizes a vision for rebuilding infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, perpetuating Russia’s narrative of being a protector of its people in the occupied regions.
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