Russian conscripts called up for military service line up before their departure for garrisons in Bataysk, Rostov region, Russia, on November 16, 2024. — Reuters
Russian lawmakers have approved a nearly 30 percent increase in defence spending for next year, committing the country to further substantial outlays on its military operations against Ukraine. Moscow has already increased military spending to levels not seen since the Soviet era, producing missiles and drones to target Ukraine and offering lucrative salaries to its hundreds of thousands of frontline soldiers. Lawmakers in the lower house, the State Duma, voted to approve the final reading of a budget that will allocate a record 13.5 trillion rubles ($134 billion) to 'national defence' — more than six percent of Russia's GDP.
President Vladimir Putin stated earlier this year that Moscow was already spending close to nine percent of its economy on defence and security — the highest level since the Cold War. This figure includes other budgetary areas that are essentially security-related but are not classified as 'national defence'. Russia has emphasized the budget's planned spending on social projects, while minimizing the significant military expenditures. The spending plans 'ensure all social obligations, solve development tasks, and respond to the challenges faced by our country,' said Duma Speaker and Putin ally Vyacheslav Volodin. The budget now requires approval from the upper house of parliament before being signed into law by Putin.
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