Russia prepping for massive war? $1.1 trillion military spend raises global alarms

Russia military spending 2025: Russia is laying the groundwork for what could be a large-scale war, and the price tag is massive, according to Ukrainian intelligence, as per a report. The Kremlin plans to spend about $1.1 trillion on equipping military forces with a new supply of weapons over the next 11 years, revealed Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, as per the Kyiv Independent report.

Russia Launches Most Ambitious Weapons Program Since Soviet Era

Budanov shared the plans during Ukraine’s annual meeting of ambassadors, saying, "There is a total mobilization of politics, economy, and society of the Russian Federation to be ready for the upcoming large-scale war," as quoted in the report.

According to the official, Moscow has launched its most ambitious weapons program since the collapse of the Soviet Union, as Russia is mobilising all sectors of society to support its military buildup, as reported by Kyiv Independent.


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Two New Military Districts: Moscow and Leningrad

As part of its sweeping reforms, Russia has already created two new military districts, Moscow and Leningrad, and is preparing to build out more divisions and units, as reported by Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine Says Russia Seeks to Reshape the Global Order

Ukrainian officials say the country is not merely aiming to dominate its immediate region but to challenge the existing global order, according to the report.

Budanov said, "Russia seeks to disrupt the current security and economic order," and added that, "For this purpose, Moscow is building up its presence in Africa, primarily using its proxy forces," as quoted in the Kyiv Independent report.

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Hybrid Warfare

He warned that Russia is already conducting hybrid operations abroad, like cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to undermine democracies, according to the report.

Budanov pointed out that, "Moscow's goal is to impose on countries its own vision of the future world order, where 'big' states, primarily the Russian Federation, have full power, a monopoly on all critical resources and decide the fate of the world in a closed circle," as quoted in the Kyiv Independent report.

NATO on High Alert: Could Russia Strike by 2030?

These revelations echo concerns voiced by Western intelligence services, as per the report. Last year, Germany’s spy chief Bruno Kahl warned that Russia could have the capability to strike NATO as early as 2030, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.

Russia’s Military Budget Surpasses All of Europe Combined

Currently, Moscow’s defense budget has surpassed that of all European nations combined, according to the report. In 2024 alone, Russia’s defense spending jumped 42% to $462 billion, edging out Europe’s collective $457 billion defense budget, according to data of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, reported the Kyiv Independent.

WWII-Level Military Mobilization Possible

Previously, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 30 that Russia was prepared to scale up its war effort to levels last seen in World War II, pointing out that "millions" of civilians are supporting the military by donating supplies and equipment, as reported by Kyiv Independent.

While the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi had estimated in April that Russia could get about 5 million trained reservists, with a broader mobilization potential of 20 million, according to the Kyiv Independent.

FAQs

Is Russia spending $1.1 trillion on its military?
Yes. According to Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Russia plans to invest $1.1 trillion in rearmament over the next 11 years, as per the Kyiv Independent report.

Why is Russia increasing its military budget?
Ukrainian officials believe it’s part of a long-term plan to prepare for a possible large-scale war and to challenge global power structures, as per the Kyiv Independent report.