Ukrainian Foreign Minister reveals how much Russia spends on state propaganda
Russia ramps up funding for propaganda (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
In Russia’s budget for next year, funding for propaganda is set to increase by more than one and a half times, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Telegram.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stressed that Russia continues to intensify its information war.
Despite a slight reduction in military spending in the 2026 budget, propaganda funding will rise by an unprecedented 54%.
“This clearly shows the priorities of the aggressor state: unable to win on the battlefield, they are betting heavily on disinformation,” Sybiha said.
The minister also emphasized that in today’s world, words are a weapon, especially in diplomacy.
“That is why strengthening information resilience remains one of Ukraine’s priorities for effectively protecting its interests and countering Russian aggression in the information sphere,” he said.
Imposing Russian ideology in occupied territories
RBC-Ukraine previously reported on Russia’s efforts to Russify occupied territories, even in Ukrainian kindergartens.
Russian administrations have begun introducing Russian language lessons in kindergartens. In older groups, mandatory speech development classes are implemented, during which children are taught Russian words and pronunciation rules, gradually displacing the Ukrainian language from daily communication.
This approach effectively turns the preschool education system into a tool of ideological influence.
Additionally, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russian authorities are preparing reprisals against parents whose children continue to study in Ukrainian schools online.
