Russia has earmarked 145.8 billion roubles ($1.70 billion) for state-affiliated media in 2027, according to the Finance Ministry’s draft budget, making it the second-highest allocation on record. The figure is only slightly below last year’s record and reverses an earlier plan to cut media spending to 100 billion roubles.
State media funding has increased since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The planned 2027 allocation is 28% higher than the 2021 pre-war level.
TV Novosti, which operates RT, is set to receive the largest subsidy at 30.8 billion roubles ($359 million). Broadcaster VGTRK is allocated 25 billion roubles ($292 million), while the National Priorities fund will receive 12.8 billion roubles ($149 million) and the Rossiya Segodnya media group, which owns RIA Novosti and Sputnik, 10.8 billion roubles ($126 million).
Other allocations include 4.9 billion roubles ($57 million) for state news agency TASS and 2 billion roubles ($23 million) for Defence Ministry broadcaster Zvezda. Some funding supports foreign-language operations at RT, Sputnik and TASS, although the budget does not specify how much is directed at domestic or foreign audiences.
The budget also does not disclose all spending lines, making it impossible to determine exactly how much is used for influence operations targeting foreign audiences, including the Matryoshka campaign targeting the UK and other countries.
Alongside traditional broadcasters, the Kremlin is increasing support for online media and other digital projects aimed at younger and urban audiences. The government plans to allocate an additional 26 billion roubles ($303 million) to the Internet Development Institute (IRI) in 2027.
The IRI supports online content including documentaries, blogs, television projects and video games. It has also funded pro-war Telegram channels, war reporters and projects related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In April, the institute said it was investing in more than 40 artificial-intelligence projects.
The increased funding comes shortly after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to establish a new centre focused on countering disinformation, including material originating from Russia.
The 2027 budget therefore points to continued high levels of state support for both traditional Russian media and newer digital projects. The expansion of funding for online content suggests that state-backed media efforts are expected to continue moving beyond television and news agencies into platforms aimed at younger audiences.
