Russian lawmakers approve a budget with a record amount devoted to defense spending

By EMMA BURROWS
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The lower house of Russia’s parliament has approved a federal budget Friday that increases spending by around 25% in 2024 and devotes a record amount to defense. The chairman of the State Duma said the 2024-2026 budget passed on Friday was developed specifically to fund the Russian military and to mitigate the impact of “17,500 sanctions” on Russia. Defense spending is expected to overtake social spending next year for the first time in modern Russian history. The development comes as the Kremlin is eager to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin before a March presidential election. Part of the budget is secret to conceal Russia’s military plans.