How Many More Years Does Putin Want to Fight in Ukraine – Media

The Kremlin is allocating colossal war expenditures in the budget for 2027–2029. Spending in the first quarter of 2026 reached 5.9 trillion rubles, with the total since 2022 exceeding 53 trillion rubles. The budget deficit could grow to 7 trillion rubles. A decree has been signed to increase the army size to 1.535 million servicemen.

The Kremlin is cementing a militaristic course for the next three-year period, allocating colossal expenditures for the continuation of hostilities in Ukraine as an unconditional priority. Speaking before the State Duma, Vladimir Putin criticized Western sanctions and declared readiness to repel external threats. According to The Moscow Times, actual war costs are breaking records: in the first quarter of 2026 alone, spending reached 5.9 trillion rubles, and the total since 2022 has exceeded 53 trillion rubles. To cover growing military expenses amid tax increases (including a VAT hike to 22%), the Ministry of Finance is cutting civilian items and increasing public debt. By the end of the year, the budget deficit risks growing to a record seven trillion rubles. Concurrently, a decree has been signed to increase the regular strength of the armed forces to 1.535 million servicemen, and the total strength of the Russian Armed Forces to 2.42 million. This is already the sixth decree to increase the army's size since the start of the full-scale invasion.