https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/russia-set-to-surge-defense-spending-by-27-as-war-escalatesContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/russia-set-to-surge-defense-spending-by-27-as-war-escalateshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/russia-set-to-surge-defense-spending-by-27-as-war-escalates#u94662Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:32:40 +0000Russia plans to raise its military spending by 27 percent to a record 17.1 trillion roubles, equivalent to $202 billion or 150 billion pounds, as budget documents reveal deepening fiscal strain from the ongoing war in Ukraine. The massive defense injection forces sweeping cuts to welfare and education funding in 2027. Meanwhile, the Russian government has hit citizens and businesses with a record $44 billion tax bill to help finance soaring war costs. The escalating military expenditures highlight the mounting economic burden on Moscow as the protracted conflict continues without an end in sig