Russian October Budget Gap Widens as War Spending Hits Finances

Russia's budget deficit swelled to 5.23 trillion rubles ($63 billion) in the first ten months of 2026 due to escalating war-related expenses outpacing revenue growth, according to the Finance Ministry. This growing gap highlights the financial strain from ongoing military expenditures, which are straining the nation's fiscal health. The situation underscores the economic challenges Russia faces as it continues to allocate substantial resources to its military efforts.