Russia slashes military spending to fund propaganda, internal security

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue. 

An analysis of Russia's upcoming budget documents reveals a telling shift in the Kremlin's priorities, suggesting a growing concern over domestic stability rather than the war effort in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing war, direct funding for the army is slated for a significant cut, from 13.5 trillion rubles in 2025 to 12.9 trillion in 2026. In a stark contrast, expenditures under the National Security article—which funds the police, internal special services, and the National Guard—are set to increase from 3.5 trillion to 3.9 trillion rubles.

This pivot towards internal control is further highlighted by two other key measures. President Putin recently fast-tracked a project to raise salaries for the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and judges by 7.6% starting in October 2025, placing an additional burden on the current budget. Furthermore, the 2026 budget allocates a massive 54% increase for state propaganda, with a clear emphasis on regional media outlets to shore up control over the domestic narrative.

These financial decisions underscore a core anxiety within the Kremlin about its political standing in the coming years. The resources that could have been dedicated to the invasion of Ukraine are being deliberately reallocated to ensure the loyalty of the security apparatus and to manage public opinion at home. This dynamic reflects a classic "dictator's trap," where a regime, fearing any loss of control, is forced to continuously escalate its investment in internal suppression, regardless of external threats. For the Kremlin, the perceived danger of internal dissent now appears to outweigh the strategic needs of its military on the front lines.