The Kremlin feeds the war machine relentlessly. Putin's army eats 2 billion rubles per hour. And there is no sign of her slowing down [ANALIZA]

On average, the Kremlin's “military machine” consumed over 1 trillion rubles per month [ok. 60 mld zł]and approximately 40 billion rubles per day [ok. 2 mld zł]which amounts to approximately 2 billion rubles per hour [ok. 87 mln zł].

More than half (59%) of Russia's military budget is blacked out and secret. Kluge's data shows that over 4 trillion rubles were spent in three quarters through overt defensive positions [ok. 222 mld zł]and through closed positions – approximately 7 trillion rubles [ok. 325 mld zł].

Compared to last year, the “thin” military budget increased by 39 percent, and compared to the pre-war period, it is five times larger.

The Kremlin is already directing 44% of its votes to the war itself. of all federal taxes collected and 39 percent. total state expenditure. These are proportions unheard of in modern Russian history – both indicators break previous records and show how much of public money is consumed by the war effort today. In practice, this means that almost every second ruble of taxes goes to the front or to maintain the military apparatus.

For comparison: a year earlier it was 39%. and 36 percent, and in 2021 — only 18.4 percent. and 19 percent

Russia's military spending in 2018–2025. Chart prepared by journalists from The Moscow TimesJournalists of The Moscow Times / The Moscow Times

According to Kluge's calculations, since the beginning of 2022, the war with Ukraine has cost Russian taxpayers over 42 trillion rubles (approx. PLN 2 billion), i.e. the equivalent of:

• 24 annual budgets of the entire higher education system in Russia,
• 22 years of federal health care spending
• and almost 80 annual budgets of rich regions such as Sverdlovsk Oblast or Krasnodar Krai.

A state for the army, not for the citizens

In the draft budget for 2026, the government has planned almost 13 trillions of rubles [ok. 600 mld zł] for “national defense” and another almost 4 trillion rubles [ok. 180 mld zł] on “national security” – including spending on the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard, secret services and the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service system.

In total, gymnasiums will receive approximately 17 trillion rubles (approx. PLN 776 billion), or 38%. the entire budget. This is a gigantic leap compared to pre-war times: in 2021, the share of expenditure on the army and services was 24%, so now it is growing by as much as 1.6 times. In other words, Russia is allocating a larger part of its budget to the force apparatus than at any time in recent decades, clearly putting the country on the track of permanent mobilization.

Conscripted soldiers boarding a military vehicle, October 31, 2022 (illustrative photo)Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images

The share of social spending will shrink to 25.1%. budget (from 38.1% before the war), and expenses to support the national economy – to 10.9%. (from 17.6 percent before the war).

Both indicators will reach their lowest levels in 20 years available statistics of the Ministry of Finance.

The war continues even when the guns fall silent

Even if peace talks regarding the war in Ukraine are successful, the Kremlin does not intend to significantly reduce military spending.

Signals coming from those around the government indicate that Russian force structures will remain a priority, and the level of army financing – despite the possible cessation of military operations – will continue to be maintained at an exceptionally high level.

— Cartridges and drones will have to be produced anyway, even on a smaller scale.

The confrontation will continue, the army and military spending will remain high, because the West is also increasing them

A source close to the government told Reuters.

If the active phase of fighting ends, the military budget may start to decrease from 2027, but – as Reuters' interlocutor emphasized – a return to pre-2022 levels is not expected.