What does Russia's rising military budget say about its war plans?

What does Russia's rising military budget say about its war plans?

The Russian government opened the month by submitting a three-year budget plan to parliament, offering additional funding for its war against Ukraine.

On the surface, the planned increase seems significant. Russia's total military budget is set to rise to around 17 trillion rubles (about $200 billion) in 2027, up from 12 trillion rubles in 2026—a 27 percent increase in nominal spending.

Rather than indicating a sudden increase in military spending, the latest budget figures indicate that Russia is continuing to gradually build and sustain its military capability, signaling readiness for protracted war.

Photo: Alexander Kazakov / Paul / AFP via Getty Images