Russia Increases Military Spending by 27% Amid Ongoing Conflict

• •Russia's military spending for 2027 will be 17.1 trillion roubles, a 27% increase.
• •The budget deficit for 2026 has been revised to 3.2% of GDP.
• •Ukraine reports that Russia is mobilizing additional troops, including from North Korea.

Russia plans to raise its military spending to 17.1 trillion roubles ($202.58 billion) for 2027, marking a 27% increase from previous budgets. This budget is the highest since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. The total defense spending over three years is projected to reach 50 trillion roubles ($591 billion). The Russian government has also revised its 2026 budget deficit to 3.2% of GDP, up from earlier estimates. President Zelensky has indicated that Russia is mobilizing additional troops, including 10,000 from North Korea. The Russian military headcount is set to increase by 15,500 personnel, raising the total to 2,441,630. Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia may mobilize around 300,000 personnel in 2026 and 2027 each. The draft budget is expected to be submitted by October 1, 2026.