Russia has announced record defence spending of 17.1 trillion rubles (approximately £150 billion) for next year, constituting 35 per cent of the state budget and representing a 27 per cent increase from the previous year's allocation. This military expenditure will be funded through reductions in welfare, education and healthcare spending, reflecting Moscow's prioritisation of armed forces amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The announcement occurs as Russian hybrid warfare operations targeting NATO territories have increased across Europe in recent months.

By comparison, UK defence spending currently stands at £62 billion annually, equivalent to 2.7 per cent of GDP, with spending expected to remain at this level in coming years. NATO members are committed to spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, which would require the UK to provide an additional £25 billion annually. Western intelligence assessments suggest Russia's defence spending will become economically unsustainable by 2028, whilst Moscow also plans to conscript a further 300,000 troops for the Ukraine conflict. Several European nations, including Germany and Poland, have announced increased defence budgets in response to Russian military activity.