Russia Plans Continued Robust Defense Spending, Interfax Reports

Russia intends to keep military expenditures at a high level over the next three years, undermining notions the Kremlin is preparing to end its war on Ukraine any time soon.

Defense spending will be trimmed slightly to 12.6 trillion rubles ($151 billion) next year before rising again to 13.6 trillion rubles in 2027 to roughly match to this year’s level, Interfax reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the draft budget documents. Outlays are projected at 13.05 trillion rubles in 2028, according to the news service.