The Russian lower house has voted for a significant increase in the defense budget next year, with almost 30 percent. It was the second vote on the issue and it was expected that the increase would go through.
In total, the equivalent of 1,480 billion Swedish kronor will be used on Russia's armed forces and the war in Ukraine next year – an increase from an already record-high level.
The proposal will also be dealt with by the Russian upper house, a formality, before it is signed by President Vladimir Putin.
