Story perspectives

War Eats Half Budget, Recruitment Falls 20% Amid 1.2 M Casualties

6/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The war effort now consumes half of Russia’s federal budget, creating a labor shortage.
Recruitment fell 20% in Q1 2026 versus 2025 despite signing bonuses four times average salary.
Russian casualties, estimated at 1.2 million lost since 2022, exceed recruitment while forces advance only 70 meters per day and war costs total 11.1 trillion roubles (~$138 billion).
Levada poll shows six in ten Russians favor peace talks while analysts say mobilization would meet opposition.

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Story summary

The war effort now consumes half of Russia’s federal budget, creating a labor shortage.
Recruitment fell 20% in Q1 2026 versus 2025 despite signing bonuses four times average salary.
Russian casualties, estimated at 1.2 million lost since 2022, exceed recruitment while forces advance only 70 meters per day and war costs total 11.1 trillion roubles (~$138 billion).
Levada poll shows six in ten Russians favor peace talks while analysts say mobilization would meet opposition.