Russia will spend a third of the 2026 budget on the war with Ukraine

Russia will spend a third of its budget on the war against Ukraine in 2026

In 2026, the Russian Federation will spend at least $166 billion, The budget for 2016 is estimated to be RUB 1.5 billion, which is approximately one third of the total federal budget. The relevant law on the budget for 2026 was approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council.

Key figures of the Russian budget

According to an official document, the volume of federal budget revenues in 2026 is projected at 40.28 trillion rubles, and expenditures 44.06 trillion rubles.
The deficit will reach almost 4 trillion rubles, Moscow plans to cover this gap by increasing public debt and revenues from energy exports.

According to economists, at least $166 billion in this budget cycle will be used to finance the war: weapons, army supplies, military production, salaries and benefits for the military.

Highest spending in a decade

Analysts note that such costs are the largest in the history of modern Russia and actually return the budget priority to the level of the late USSR.
Compared to 2021, Russia's military spending has more than tripled.

Military spending continues to increase despite the economic pressure of sanctions, falling investment and declining living standards.

Context.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's defence spending has been growing every year.
In 2024-2025, the Kremlin was actively building up its mobilisation potential, putting industry into a war production mode and increasing spending on security forces.

Experts predict that such a budget structure will lead to further militarisation of the economy, increased socio-economic tensions and a higher deficit in the coming years.