Ukraine war ‘costing Russians £10m an hour’ | World | News

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is costing Russians £10m an hour – according to new figures.

Russia is believed to have allocated 5.3trillion rubles towards weapons and personnel so far in 2024 – which translated to around £10.06million for every hour of the conflict so far this year.

The figures, from German analyst Janis Kluge, are a 54 percent increase compared to 2023 and a 126 percent increase since 2022 – the year Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour.

Reasons for increased spending may include having to pay more ‘incentives’ to get volunteers to fight on the frontlines – which have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Russians.

Russia is also spending money to bring in weapons and equipment from other countries including Iran and North Korea, according to Kluge.

The analysis reports that Russia, which exports oil and natural gas as a major part of its economy, may face issues maintaining its war budget should the price of oil fall globally.

The new figures come as Putin’s forces counterattack against Ukrainian troops occupying areas of Russia‘s Kursk region.

In an update on Sunday morning, a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “Russia has continued a high tempo of offensive operations across multiple areas of the frontline.

“In Russia‘s Kursk oblast, where Ukraine has maintained control of approximately 800-900 sq km of territory since mid August 2024, Russian forces have begun a counteroffensive.

“Spearheaded by airborne and naval infantry units, Russian forces have attacked Ukrainian positions in the west of the salient and have highly likely retaken several villages.

“In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have made gradual advances around Vuhledar and to the southeast of the logistics hub of Pokrovsk.

“However, Russia has not advanced significantly towards Pokrovsk itself within the past week.”