Russian businesses have contributed 383.69 billion rubles (approximately 3.9 billion euros) to the state budget since mid-August to fund the war in Ukraine, according to data reported by Russian business newspaper Wedomosti. The amount, which exceeds the total collected in 2025, reflects a sharp increase in voluntary donations following a public appeal to corporate leaders.
The surge in funding began in March, shortly after the Kremlin encouraged large corporations and wealthy individuals to contribute. Igor Sechin, head of state-owned oil giant Rosneft and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, was among those who publicly endorsed the initiative. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later denied reports that Putin personally requested donations during a meeting with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, led by Alexander Schochin.
The Russian state budget faces mounting pressure from escalating military expenditures, with Western sanctions further straining economic growth. Putin has previously raised income and value-added taxes to offset war-related costs, and Wedomosti reported that the government may introduce an excess profit tax targeting the financial sector in the fall to generate additional revenue.
The donations follow Putin's stated objective to conquer the entire Donbass region, as reported by independent outlet The Bell, which cited closed-door remarks. The four-and-a-half-year conflict has driven Russia's budget deficit higher, with military and security spending outpacing revenue amid international economic isolation.
