According to the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia has spent on the war against Ukraine an amount equivalent to 24 annual budgets for higher education or 22 budgets for healthcare.
Source: “Espreso”
At the same time, a significant portion of the spending remains classified — 59% of the military budget is undisclosed. In the first three quarters of 2025, 4.816 trillion rubles were spent on “open” items, and 7.038 trillion rubles on “classified” items. The annual volume of classified spending increased by 39%.
Intelligence explains that the Kremlin is increasingly shifting the financing of the war onto the population through new taxes and rising prices. Under strict control of anti-war criticism, any public discontent has effectively disappeared.
Price increases in Russia from 2022–2025:
- Utilities – +43%, expected +14% in 2026
- Fuel – +29–35%, trend expected to continue
- Real estate – +50%, +6–7% in 2026, up to +20% in Moscow
- Dairy products – +62%
- Meat – +41%, further increases projected in the tens of percent
Intelligence notes that even New Year moods in Russia are subdued: 54% of Russians are annoyed by gifts related to self-development and a healthy lifestyle.