PUTIN’S WAR IS BURNING THROUGH 2.5 BILLION RUBLES EVERY HOUR
Russia’s military spending reached a new record during the first half of 2026, exposing the staggering price Putin is forcing his country to pay for his invasion of Ukraine.
According to calculations by German economic analyst Janis Kluge based on Russian Finance Ministry data, Moscow spent an estimated 10.687 trillion rubles—approximately $123 billion—on the military and weapons production in only six months.
That equals approximately:
▪️ 1.78 trillion rubles every month
▪️ 59 billion rubles every day
▪️ 2.5 billion rubles—nearly $29 million—every hour
Military spending increased 30% compared with the same period in 2025 and has risen more than fivefold since the final prewar year of 2021. Nearly 44% of everything Russia’s federal government spent during the six-month period went toward the military. Measured against federal revenue, the burden was even greater: 57.3% of every ruble entering the budget was consumed by the army and defense industry.
Every hour brings another 2.5 billion rubles burned on missiles, drones, recruitment payments and weapons sent into Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s budget deficit is widening and civilian programs face mounting pressure as the Kremlin protects its war machine.
Russia is not collapsing tomorrow, and its ability to continue financing the war should not be underestimated. But this level of expenditure is neither painless nor sustainable indefinitely. Putin is converting Russia’s future—its infrastructure, public services, investment and living standards—into ammunition for a war he chose to begin.