Russia's Military Spending Reaches 11.854 Trillion Rubles in 2025 Amid Economic Constraints

Russia's federal military expenditures from January to September 2025 totaled 11.854 trillion rubles, a 30% increase from the previous year. Compared to 2023, this represents a 95% increase; from 2022, a 173% increase; and from 2021, a 295% increase.

The monthly cost of military operations is 1.32 trillion rubles, with the Kremlin allocating 44% of federal tax revenues and 39% of total federal expenditures to the war. The cumulative cost of the conflict with Ukraine for taxpayers has reached 42.343 trillion rubles, approximately $542 billion, equating to 24 years of higher education budgets and 22 years of federal healthcare spending. Despite increases in defense production, the military-industrial complex resembles the Soviet model, consuming resources without economic returns and creating fiscal risks that hinder civilian investment and technological growth.