Russia's war against Ukraine has cost Russian taxpayers nearly $550 billion

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported the information.

Meanwhile, according to intelligence data, a significant portion of military expenditures remains hidden: 59% of the military budget is classified.

During the first three quarters of 2025, Russia spent 4.816 trillion rubles under "open" budget items, while "closed" items accounted for 7.038 trillion rubles. Year-on-year, the volume of classified expenditures increased by 39%.

Intelligence officials explained that the Kremlin is increasingly shifting the burden of war financing onto the population through new taxes and rising prices. Under conditions where any anti-war criticism in Russia is punished as "treason," space for public discontent has essentially disappeared. As a result, prices for Russians have risen continuously throughout 2022–2025.

In particular, Gazprom has compensated for the loss of European markets at the expense of domestic consumers. The average cost of utilities has increased by 43%, and an additional increase of approximately 14% has already been announced for next year.

Fuel prices in Russia have risen by 29–35%, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026. Real estate in Russia became 50% more expensive during 2022–2025; in 2026, a further increase of 6–7% is expected, with up to 20% in Moscow specifically.

The most significant growth has been recorded in the food sector: dairy products have become 62% more expensive, and meat has increased by 41%. Forecasts for 2026 predict further price increases of tens of percent.

"Against this backdrop, even New Year's moods appear subdued – 54% of Russians are irritated by gifts related to self-development and healthy lifestyles," intelligence officials concluded.

• Additionally, according to Bloomberg calculations, Ukraine set a record in December for the number of strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure. This includes at least 24 attacks on oil refineries, oil tankers, maritime facilities, and major pipelines.