Despite a raging war, both Russia and Ukraine have seen economic growth in 2024 — about 3.6% for Moscow and 3% for Kyiv — British officials said, though Russia’s increase was likely driven by government spending heavily tilted toward the defense sector.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record-breaking defense budget, setting aside a staggering third of the government’s total spending as the war in Ukraine drains resources from both sides nearly three years on.

The government has acknowledged that the needs of what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine and support for the military will remain the budget priority along wi