Problems With Paying Military Salaries Have Begun In Russia

The payment is being postponed until January due to the budget deficit.

The Russian Ministry of Defense plans to postpone the payment of December salaries until January of next year for the first time, amid worsening budget problems.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

According to a draft order from the Russian Defense Ministry, starting in 2026, December salaries will be paid between January 11 and 21 of the following year. Previously, Russian military personnel were supposed to receive their December pay by the end of the current year.

This practice existed even during the Soviet era. At the same time, the change will not apply to service members fighting against Ukraine: they will, as before, receive their December pay by the 25th.

Postponing the payments will allow the Russian government to partially reallocate cash flows and shift part of its budget expenditures to the next fiscal period. This could be particularly noticeable at the end of the year, when government spending traditionally accounts for the largest share of expenditures.

According to forecasts, Russia’s government spending this year will exceed the initial plan by approximately 10% and reach 48.5 trillion rubles ($602 billion). The federal budget deficit is expected to rise to 7.3 trillion rubles, or 3.2% of GDP. In September, this figure stood at about 2.2%.

The main reason for the overspending is the financing of the war against Ukraine. At the same time, Russia’s budget plans indicate that the Kremlin is preparing for a protracted conflict.

According to estimates by Russian officials, military spending will decline only at a modest pace. In 2028, it is projected to total 16.6 trillion rubles, and in 2029, 16.3 trillion rubles. By comparison, next year is expected to see a record high of 17.1 trillion rubles.

According to the explanatory note to the draft budget, over the next three years, payments to military personnel will account for between 9% and 10.4% of total national defense spending.

Russia’s federal budget deficit for January–September 2026 amounted to 5.186 trillion rubles, or 2.2% of GDP. This is 37% more than the Kremlin had planned for the entire year.

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