Russian regions cut payments to families of soldiers killed in Ukraine, Digi Mart USA News: Several regions in Russia are being forced to sharply reduce the payments they make to families of soldiers killed in Ukraine, according to a Russian official who spoke to Bloomberg. The regions’ finances have been weakened by the sharp rise in federal military spending.
The federal state’s 5 million ruble (50,000 euro) payment to bereaved families remains in force. However, the regions, known as federal subjects of the Russian Federation, must cut their own supplementary payments.
At the end of April, the Republic of Bashkortostan reduced its payment from 2 million rubles (more than 20,000 euros) to 100,000 rubles (about 1,000 euros).
The Saratov oblast cut its aid by 90%, from 1 million to 100,000 rubles. In the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, compensation fell from 3 million to 1 million rubles, according to local media.
The Samara region eliminated its 1 million ruble program entirely, with its governor saying in a decree that the move was intended “to ensure the balance of the regional budget and eliminate duplication in social assistance measures.”
In total, about ten regions have reportedly eliminated or reduced their programs. After the start of the “special military operation” in Ukraine, regions began offering generous aid in a logic of competition, a practice that now appears to be ending.
Regional budgets recorded a cumulative surplus of 50.6 billion rubles in 2022 but a deficit of 1,540 billion rubles in 2025. The number of regions running deficits rose from 49 to 73 over that period.
The federal budget is also under pressure. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, military spending accounted for 30% of the budget in 2026.
Slowing growth, expected at about 0.6% this year compared with 4.5% in 2024, has added to the strain. Bloomberg reports that this budget gap could lead Russia to devote 15% of its GDP to repaying public debt over the next decade.
