MOSCOW, Oct 4 — Russia plans to sharply increase defence spending, cut funding for education and raise taxes next year as costs mount in its war with Ukraine, draft budget documents show.
The budget comes as the Ukraine war grinds through its fifth year, with both sides intensifying long-range strikes and Moscow pummelling Kyiv in daily air attacks.
Here’s what we know about the plans, which have been submitted to Russia’s lower house of parliament for approval:
Defence spending to soar
The government plans to spend a record 17.1 trillion rubles (US$204 billion; RM833.1 billion) on defence in 2027, around 26 per cent higher than last year’s forecast for 2027, according to the draft budget.
