Putin is repeating Brezhnev’s basic error

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Russia Hikes 2027 Military Spending and Tax Bill

   Russia has submitted a new three-year budget plan to the State Duma featuring a 27% increase in military spending for 2027, bringing defense funding to 17.1 trillion rubles. To finance escalating war costs, the government hit citizens and businesses with a record $44 billion tax bill while cutting welfare and education funding. The 2026 budget deficit is projected to reach $88 billion. Analysts warn the heavy military focus undermines the civilian economy as the country prepares for years of sustained conflict.

   Why it matters

   The Kremlin's aggressive defense spending strategy draws comparisons to the late Soviet Union's economic missteps during the war in Afghanistan. Western leaders view the surging military costs and tax hikes as confirmation that Vladimir Putin intends to pursue a protracted war without an end. State media coverage of the budget has faced strict script controls as financial pressures mount.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia raised 2027 military spending by 27% to 17.1 trillion rubles, according to budget documents.
   • The government submitted a three-year budget to the State Duma with the 2026 deficit set to reach $88 billion.
   • Russia hit citizens and businesses with a record $44 billion tax bill as war costs soar.
   • Russia plans to cut welfare and education funding in 2027 as war spending increases.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Rising military spending and economic strain will lead to the collapse of the Russian state in a manner similar to the Soviet Union.

   What to watch next

   • Legislative debates and final approval of the three-year budget in the State Duma
   • Further adjustments to domestic tax policies and social program funding
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. Reuters — EXCLUSIVE: Russia raises 2027 military spending by 27%, budget documents show
   2. UNITED24 Media — Russia Hits Citizens and Businesses With Record $44 Billion Tax Bill as War Costs Soar
   3. Reuters — Russia to cut welfare, education funding in 2027 as war spending soars
   4. The Times — How Putin is counting the cost of a war without an end
   5. The Moscow Times — Russia Has a Budget Problem. Borrowing Its Way Out Won't Be So Simple.
   6. defensenews.com — Russia raises 2027 military spending by 27%, budget documents show
   7. Українська правда — Enough for two more years of war: Russia's economy just won't slip into recession
   8. The Telegraph — Putin is repeating Brezhnev’s basic error
   9. Bloomberg.com — Russia Plans Three Years of Record War Spending Under New Budget
   10. The Moscow Times — Government Submits 3-Year Budget to State Duma as 2026 Deficit Set to Reach $88Bln
   11. The New York Times — Russia to Sharply Increase War Spending and Cut to Social Programs
   12. Bloomberg.com — Russia’s Spending Plans Show Putin Preparing for Years of War
   confidence 100%