Yesterday at 20:05
Russia has sharply increased funding for propaganda projects targeting foreign audiences and for programs promoting the Russian language abroad, according to a report by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SZRU), Ukrinform reported.
The federal agency Rossotrudnichestvo has already spent around $4.6 million on foreign-focused propaganda initiatives in 2025—one and a half times more than last year, the agency said.
The largest share—about $4 million—went to the “New Generation” project, which aims to build a network of pro-Kremlin young activists, journalists, and entrepreneurs overseas. This is triple the amount spent in 2024 (about $1.4 million). SZRU noted that around 1,600 participants—mainly from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America—are expected to visit Russia under the program this year.
Spending to promote the Russian language has also risen dramatically. Funding for the state language program jumped from $5.6 million in 2024 to $20 million in 2025, with nearly $11 million allocated to projects such as the Russkiy Mir Foundation and the “Window into Russia” educational portal developed by state media outlet RT.
In addition, $1.9 million was spent on supplying Russian-language teaching materials to foreign schools and cultural centers, double the previous year’s total, the intelligence report said.
At the same time, SZRU highlighted that Russia’s federal budget lacks at least $120 million needed to purchase life-saving medicines for people with rare diseases, including treatments for hemophilia, cancer and multiple sclerosis.
The Ukrainian intelligence service said the Kremlin is moving into the final stage of a campaign to “Russify” national minorities and ethnic groups inside Russia.
