Russia plans to allocate 32.5% of its 2024 budget for defense, a record increase aimed at supporting its war effort in Ukraine.

The draft budget sets aside 13.5 trillion rubles ($145 billion), significantly more than last year.

Both Russia and Ukraine continue to face resource strains, with Ukraine seeking further Western support and Russia’s economy under pressure, leading to high inflation and interest rate hikes.

Meanwhile, Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine continue, setting a new record for drone strikes in September, the Associated Press has reported.

Putin also marked the second anniversary of Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian territories, reaffirming the country’s military operations.

Written by B.C. Begley