The war against Ukraine cost Russians about $550 billion – intelligence data

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the war against Ukraine has cost Russian taxpayers approximately $550 billion. This amount is equivalent to 24 annual budgets for higher education or 22 budgets for healthcare. At the same time, the Kremlin conceals almost 60% of the real military costs, shifting the burden of financing to its own population, reports Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

In the first three quarters of 2025, 4.816 trillion rubles were spent on open budget items, while 7.038 trillion rubles were spent on classified items. In fact, 59% of the military budget remains hidden from the public. In annual terms, the classified part of expenditures increased by 39%.

Russia compensates for the financing of military aggression through new taxes and price increases.

"Under conditions where any anti-war criticism is punishable as 'treason,' the space for public discontent has virtually disappeared. As a result, in 2022-2025, prices for Russians grew continuously," the intelligence reports.

Gazprom has shifted the loss of European markets to domestic consumers. As a result, average utility tariffs increased by 43%, and an additional increase of about 14% has already been announced for next year.

Fuel prices rose by 29-35%, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026. Real estate prices in Russia grew by 50% in 2022-2025; in 2026, they are expected to grow by another 6-7%, and in Moscow itself – up to 20%.

The most significant price increases were recorded in the food segment. Dairy products went up by 62% and meat by 41%. Forecasts for 2026 foresee a further increase in food prices by tens of percent.

• on December 22, The Washington Post called russia's real economic situation is much worse than the Kremlin wants to show. The country has exhausted its internal financial reserves, and sanctions are beginning to hit the most vulnerable places.
• A report by the French Institute of International Relations shows that the Russian economy is losing momentum and is entering a phase of stagflation increasingly resembling the Iranian model, with prolonged stagnation, low modernization, and dependence on China.