Setback for Ukraine as Russia Allocates One-Third of Budget to Military Spending

Russia has allocated 32.5% of its 2025 national budget to military spending as the war with Ukraine nears its third year. This comes amid heightened tensions following U.S. and U.K. approval for Ukraine to use their missiles on Russian territory. In retaliation, Russia launched a missile strike on the city of Dnipro, with Putin warning of more strikes.

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the country’s 2025 national budget, with nearly a third of it allocated to military expenditures. According to a government document, 32.5% of the budget will support the ongoing war effort as the conflict with Ukraine approaches its third year, as reported by the Associated Press.

This announcement comes as European Union representatives visited Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, European Council President António Costa, and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos traveled to Ukraine on Sunday to express their continued support for the country.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated as the United States and the United Kingdom granted Ukraine the permission to use their missiles against Russian targets. In retaliation, Moscow launched a medium-range intercontinental ballistic missile strike on the city of Dnipro. Putin confirmed the use of the Oreshnik missile in Ukraine for the first time and warned that further strikes could follow.