The Kremlin has shifted its rhetoric on military spending and announced plans to reduce defense expenditures.
This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
In recent days, Russia has actively promoted a new narrative about cutting defense spending. During a visit to Kyrgyzstan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that a "peace-loving" Russia, unlike NATO, plans to reduce defense expenses. The day before, this message was voiced by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
This sharp change in the Kremlin’s economic rhetoric followed statements by Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Central Bank head Elvira Nabiullina, who said the country is "on the verge of a recession" and plans to cut social spending by 13%.
According to Foreign Intelligence Service data, Russia’s military expenses this year exceed $140 billion, surpassing the state allocations for education, healthcare, and social policy combined.
Sanctions have reduced Russia’s revenues from oil and gas sales by 33% compared to the same period last year.
There is a catastrophic rise in overdue wage payments by Russian employers: nearly $4.8 million in January and over $21 million as of June 1.
This year, Russia is increasing utility tariffs by nearly 13%, and starting from May next year, this will rise to 20% (+7%).
Foreign Intelligence Service explained that Moscow is trying to soften the consequences of the forthcoming economic collapse through another propaganda trick.
