russia Has Cut Spending on State Programs While Increasing Funding for Propaganda

In 2026, federal spending on at least 18 out of 51 state programs will be reduced, allowing the government to save more than 207 billion rubles. The cuts affect healthcare, aviation, energy, and funding for temporarily occupied territories.

The largest percentage cut was to the “Chemical and Biological Safety” program, which was reduced by 36.4 % (to 3.5 billion rubles). In absolute terms, the record reduction was in the “Comprehensive Development of Rural Areas” program – minus 34.3 billion rubles (approximately 30 %). The “Healthcare Development” program lost 31.7 billion rubles.

Funding for aviation industry development programs (-14.4 billion) and energy (-17.9 billion) has been significantly reduced. Cuts have also affected projects in shipbuilding, fisheries, employment, and national policy.

At the same time, spending on government agencies and propaganda is increasing. In 2026, almost 12 billion rubles will be allocated to the “russia in the World” program, aimed at promoting “traditional values” abroad, which is twice as much as last year. The state fund “Defenders of the Fatherland”, headed by putin’s niece Anna Tsivileva, will receive 35 billion rubles, which is 2.5 times more than in 2025. State television channels will be financed with 106.4 billion rubles in 2026.