Russia's 2027 Defense Budget Surge and Operation Vivaldi Denials Strain Domestic Support
Russian authorities are facing a dual crisis: military deception regarding Ukrainian gains in Operation Vivaldi and a looming fiscal deficit. Leaked documents indicate a 27% increase in 2027 defense spending to 17.1 trillion rubles, funded by cuts to social services and rising debt. Simultaneously, the Russian Ministry of Defense continues to deny Ukrainian control of liberated settlements near Lyman, a stance that has provoked criticism from domestic milbloggers and politicians. Putin is leveraging recent State Duma election results to frame these sacrifices as necessary for victory, while a Tu-95MS bomber crash highlights the deteriorating state of Russian aviation infrastructure.