Russia’s soaring military spending

Aug 1999: President Boris Yeltsin names Vladimir Putin as prime minister and preferred successor

Sep: Putin orders troops into breakaway  republic of Chechnya

Dec: Yeltsin stands down to make way for Putin

Aug 2000: Nuclear submarine Kursk sinks in Barents Sea

Mar 2014: Russia annexes Crimea from Ukraine


$36.10bn $32.52bn $44.39bn  $66.77bn  $87.83bn 

1997  2000 2005 2010 2015

Values from 1997-2013 adjusted to constant 2013 dollars

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Aug 2008: War with Georgia. During five-day conflict Russia loses four aircraft, prompting criticism in Moscow over outdated equipment

Jan 2012: Military pay increased by up to 300%

May: Putin sworn in for third term. Begins crackdown on dissent

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Mar 2004: Putin re-elected as president

2016: Russian military spending forecast to reach $95.6 billion

270% Increase since Putin came to power 

$bn100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

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Sources: SIPRI Military Expenditure Databas, IHS Jane’s  Picture: Getty Images

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