Editing Russian Armed Forces (section)

==Budget==
{{See also|Military budget of the Russian Federation|List of countries in Europe by military expenditures}}
[[File:Soviet and Russian military expenditures in constant 2015 dollars (SIPRI figures).png|thumb|[[Soviet Union|Soviet]] and [[Russia]]n military expenditures in billions of 2015 US dollars]]
[[File:National Defense Management Center.jpg|thumb|The facade of the [[National Defense Management Center]]]]
[[File:Национальный центр управления обороной Российской Федерации (зал управления и взаимодействия) 1.jpeg|thumb|The conference room of the [[National Defense Management Center]]]]
Between 1991 and 1997 newly independent Russia's defence spending fell by a factor of eight in real prices.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia |last=Austin |first=Greg |author2=Alexey Muraviev |year=2000 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |location=London, New York |isbn=1-86064-485-6 |page=155}}</ref> In 1998, when Russia [[1998 Russian financial crisis|experienced a severe financial crisis]], its military expenditure in real terms reached its lowest point—barely one-quarter of the USSR's in 1991, and two-fifths of the level of 1992, the first year of Russia's independent existence.

In the early 2000s, defence spending increased by at least a minimum of one-third year-on-year, leading to overall defence expenditure almost quadrupling over the past six years, and according to Finance Minister [[Alexei Kudrin]], this rate is to be sustained through 2010.<ref>FBIS: Informatsionno-Analiticheskoye Agentstvo Marketing i Konsalting, 14 March 2006, "Russia: Assessment, Adm Baltin Interview, Opinion Poll on State of Armed Forces".</ref> Official government military spending for 2005 was US$32.4 billion, though various sources, have estimated Russia's military expenditures to be considerably higher than the reported amount.<ref name="autogenerated1">International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance, previous editions</ref>

Estimating Russian military expenditure is beset with difficulty; the annual [[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS Military Balance]] has underscored the problem numerous times within its section on Russia.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> The IISS ''Military Balance'' comments, "By simple observation ... [the military budget] would appear to be lower than is suggested by the size of the armed forces or the structure of the [[military–industrial complex]], and thus neither of the figures is particularly useful for comparative analysis."<ref>International Institute for Strategic Studies, ''The Military Balance 2006'', Routledge, p.153</ref> By some estimates, overall Russian defence expenditure is now at the second highest in the world after the USA.<ref>[[Keir Giles]], Military Service in Russia: No New Model Army, [[Conflict Studies Research Centre]], May 2007</ref> According to Alexander Kanshin, Chairman of the Public Chamber of Russia on affairs of veterans, military personnel, and their families, the Russian military is losing up to US$13 billion to corruption every year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_7488000/7488652.stm|script-title=ru:Коррупция 'забирает треть военного бюджета России'|trans-title=Corruption 'takes away a third of Russia's military budget'|language=ru|publisher=BBC|date=3 July 2008|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203044155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/russia/newsid_7488000/7488652.stm|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 16 September 2008 Russian [[Prime Minister of Russia|Prime Minister]] [[Vladimir Putin]] announced that in 2009, [[Federal budget of Russia|Russia's defence budget]] would be increased to a record amount of $50 billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-19-Russia-defense_N.htm|title=Russian defense budget may rise 25% in 2009|newspaper=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=19 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920152448/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-19-Russia-defense_N.htm|archive-date=20 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=115073|title=Russia boosts defense budget to record $50 Billion|work=Turkish Daily News|date=12 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919062809/http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=115073|archive-date=19 September 2008}}</ref>

On 16 February 2009 Russia's deputy defence minister said state [[Defense industry of Russia|defence contracts]] would not be subject to cuts this year despite the ongoing financial crisis, and that there would be no decrease in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnguy.com/financial/news/2009/02/17/4361/defense-procurement-budget-of-russia.html|title=Defense procurement budget|publisher=cnguy.com|date=17 February 2009}}{{dead link|date=April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The budget would still be 1.376 trillion rubles and in the current exchange rates this would amount to $41.5 billion.

Later in February 2009, due to the world financial crisis, the Russian Parliament's Defence Committee stated that the Russian defence budget would instead be slashed by 15 percent, from $40 billion to $34 billion, with further cuts to come.<ref name=UPI>Leander Schaerlaeckens, [http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/02/23/Russian-budget-cuts-could-impact-EU-defense-market/UPI-79231235426701/2/ "Russian budget cuts could impact EU defense market"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504093654/http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/02/23/Russian-budget-cuts-could-impact-EU-defense-market/UPI-79231235426701/2 |date=4 May 2009}}, UPI (23 February 2009).</ref> On 5 May 2009, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said that the defence budget for 2009 will be 1.3 trillion rubles (US$39.4 billion). 322 billion rubles are allocated to purchase weapons, and the rest of the fund will be spent on construction, fuel storage and food supply.

According to the head of the Defence Committee of the State Duma Vladimir Komoyedov, Russia planned to spend 101.15 billion rubles on nuclear weapons in 2013–2015. "The budget provisions under 'The Nuclear Weapons Complex' section in 2013-2015 will amount to 29.28 billion rubles, 33.3 billion rubles and 38.57 billion rubles respectively," Komoyedov said, Vechernaya Moskva reports.

Komoyedov added that in 2012 the spending on nuclear weapons made up 27.4 billion rubles. The draft law "On the Federal Budget for 2013 and for the planning period of 2014 and 2015" will be discussed in the first reading on 19 October 2012, The Voice of Russia reports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/18-10-2012/122499-russia_nuclear_weapons-0/|title=Russia to spend over 100 billion on nuclear weapons|publisher=English.pravda.ru|date=18 October 2012|access-date=23 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018171153/http://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/18-10-2012/122499-russia_nuclear_weapons-0/|archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref>
[[File:2018 Military Expenditures by Country.png|thumb|273x273px|Pie chart showing global military expenditures by country for 2018, in US$ billions, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies]]

The Russian government's published 2014 military budget is about 2.49 trillion [[rubles]] (approximately US$69.3 billion), the [[List of countries by military expenditures|fourth largest]] in the world behind the US, China and Saudi Arabia. The official budget is set to rise to 3.03 trillion rubles (approximately US$83.7 billion) in 2015, and 3.36 trillion rubles (approximately US$93.9 billion) in 2016.<ref name="Kazak">{{cite news|title=Russia to Up Nuclear Weapons Spending 50% by 2016|url=http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131008/184004336/Russia-to-Up-Nuclear-Weapons-Spending-50-by-2016.html|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=8 October 2013|access-date=1 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008122507/http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131008/184004336/Russia-to-Up-Nuclear-Weapons-Spending-50-by-2016.html|archive-date=8 October 2013}}</ref> As of 2014, Russia's military budget is higher than any other European nation, and approximately 1/7th (14 percent) of the [[Military budget of the United States|US military budget]].<ref name="auto1" />

In 2015, [[SIPRI]] found that Russia was the world's second biggest exporter of major weapons for the period 2010–14, increasing exports by 37 per cent. India, China and Algeria accounted for almost 60 percent of total Russian exports. Asia and Oceania received 66 percent of Russian arms exports in 2010–14, Africa 12 percent and the Middle East 10 percent.<ref name="auto1" />

In 2017, Russia was reported to have slashed its defense spending by 20%, due to calls by Vladimir Putin to spend money on other initiatives such as healthcare and education. The cut decreased Russia's military spending to $66.3 billion, in which Russia slumped to being the fourth-highest military spender.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-military-spending/russian-military-spending-falls-could-affect-operations-think-tank-idUSKBN1I24H8 |title=Russian military spending falls, could affect operations: Think-tank |newspaper=Reuters |date=2 May 2018 |access-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095651/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-military-spending/russian-military-spending-falls-could-affect-operations-think-tank-idUSKBN1I24H8 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Russia's 2019 defense budget was US$48 billion and the 2020 figure was $61.7 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/|title=Defense World|access-date=17 May 2022|archive-date=12 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712081747/https://www.defenseworld.net/?utm_source=404Redirect&utm_medium=404Redirect|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] on 24 February 2022, the Russian government has dramatically increased military spending to over 85+ billion dollars, returning to third position as the highest military spender in the world. The increase in military spending was needed to recoup losses in the war and reorientate Russia into a [[war economy]].<ref name="SIPRI-2020"/> On 5 October 2023, [[Vladimir Putin]] stated that Russia's spending on defense and security now equals to 6% of its GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1006/095075683/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Владимир Путин: расходы на оборону и безопасность возросли вдвое и составляют сейчас около 6% ВВП |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007050208/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1006/095075683/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Procurement===
{{See also|Arms industry of Russia|List of countries by military expenditures}}
[[File:Sukhoi Design Bureau, 054, Sukhoi Su-57 (49581303977).jpg|thumb|The [[Sukhoi PAK FA]] is one of the latest procurement projects of the Russian Armed Forces.]]
About 70 percent of the former Soviet Union's defence industries are located in the Russian Federation.<ref>[https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/industry/docs/rus95/rdbd4ch2.htm CHAPTER 2 - INVESTING IN RUSSIAN DEFENSE CONVERSION: OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222090529/http://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/industry/docs/rus95/rdbd4ch2.htm |date=22 December 2015}} Federation of American Scientists, fas.org</ref> Many defence firms have been [[privatization in Russia|privatised]]; some have developed significant partnerships with firms in other countries.

The recent steps towards [[Modernization theory|modernization]] of the Armed Forces have been made possible by Russia's economic resurgence based on [[oil and gas]] revenues as well a strengthening of its own [[domestic market]]. Currently{{when|date=May 2022}} the military is in the middle of a major equipment upgrade, with the government in the process of spending about $200 billion (what equals to about $400 billion in PPP dollars) on development and production of military equipment between 2006 and 2015 under the State Armament Programme for 2007–2015 (GPV&nbsp;– госпрограмма вооружения).<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|last1=Harding|first1=Luke|author-link1=Luke Harding|last2=Traynor|first2=Ian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/russia/article/0,,2009339,00.html|title=Big rise in Russian military spending raises fears of new challenge to west|newspaper=The Guardian|date=8 February 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016123444/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/09/russia.usa|archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>

Mainly as a result of lessons learned during the [[Russo-Georgian War]], the State Armament Programme for 2011–2020 was launched in December 2010. Prime Minister Putin announced that 20–21.5 trillion rubles (over $650 billion) will be allocated to purchase new hardware in the next 10 years. The aim is to have a growth of 30% of modern equipment in the army, navy and air force by 2015, and of 70% by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/01/13/whats-new-with-the-russian-army_559053|title=What's new with the Russian army?|first=Tatyana|last=Rusakova|date=13 January 2016|publisher=RBTH|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204743/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/01/13/whats-new-with-the-russian-army_559053|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/science_and_tech/2013/09/04/ballerinas_puppets_inspire_names_of_russian_arms_29493.html|title=Ballerinas, puppets inspire names of Russian arms|date=4 September 2013|publisher=RBTH|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204749/https://www.rbth.com/science_and_tech/2013/09/04/ballerinas_puppets_inspire_names_of_russian_arms_29493.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/09/14/army-2016-forum-top-8-newest-russian-weapons_629785|title=Army 2016 forum: Top 8 newest Russian weapons|first=Nikolai|last=Litovkin|newspaper=Russia Beyond |date=14 September 2016|publisher=RBTH|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011204754/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2016/09/14/army-2016-forum-top-8-newest-russian-weapons_629785|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/defence/2017/07/12/a-farewell-to-traditional-arms-russia-develops-weapons-for-the-future_801080|title=A farewell to traditional arms: Russia develops weapons for the future|first=Boris|last=Egorov|date=12 July 2017|publisher=RBTH|access-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909012944/https://www.rbth.com/defence/2017/07/12/a-farewell-to-traditional-arms-russia-develops-weapons-for-the-future_801080|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In some categories, the proportion of new weapon systems will reach 80% or even 100%.<ref name="Moscow Defence Brief #1, 2011">Moscow Defence Brief #1, 2011</ref>

As of 2011, Russia's chief military prosecutor said that 20 percent of the defence budget was being stolen or defrauded yearly.<ref>{{cite news|last=Faulconbridge|first=Guy |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-defence-idUSTRE74N1YX20110524|title=Russia says a fifth of defense budget stolen|work=Reuters|date=24 May 2011|access-date=13 April 2017 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414081912/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-defence-idUSTRE74N1YX20110524|archive-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> It is suspected that equipment is not properly maintained due to the resulting lack of funds, which may have contributed to equipment failures observed during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="The Economist"/><ref name="newyorker.com">{{Cite magazine |date=11 March 2022 |title=The Russian Military's Debacle in Ukraine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-russian-militarys-debacle-in-ukraine |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323052142/https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-russian-militarys-debacle-in-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, RF Armed Forces adopted 35 types of weapons and military equipment and completed state tests of 21 more.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ria.ru/20181215/1548036739.html |title=Вооруженные Силы в 2018 году приняли на вооружение 56 видов новой техники |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=15 December 2018 |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217160026/https://ria.ru/20181215/1548036739.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) was procured the YeSU TZ (Yedinaya Sistema Upravleniya Takticheskogo Zvena) battlefield management system that same year. The YeSU TZ battlefield management system incorporates 11 subsystems that control artillery, electronic warfare systems, ground vehicles, air defence assets, engineering equipment, and logistics support, among other things.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news|title=Janes &#124; Latest defence and security news|website=Janes.com|access-date=9 June 2020|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906153101/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Twelve missile regiments have been rearmed with Yars ICBMs, 10 missile brigades with Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems, 13 aviation regiments with MiG-31BM, [[Sukhoi Su-35|Su-35S]], Su-30SM, and Su-34 combat aircraft, three army aviation brigades and six helicopter regiments with Mi-28N and Ka-52 combat helicopters, 20 surface-to-air missile (SAM) regiments with [[S-400 missile system|S-400 Triumf]] SAM systems, 23 batteries with [[Pantsir missile system|Pantsir-S]] self-propelled anti-aircraft gun-missile systems, and 17 batteries with Bal and Bastion mobile coastal defence missile systems [MCDMSs] since 2012 and as of March 2019.<ref name="auto" />

In early 2023, there were reports that the Russian Defense Ministry purchased more than a thousand tablets with a domestic software for higher-ranking officials and also begun receiving a new line of gliding bombs with a range of tens of kilometers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C8%EC%EF%EE%F0%F2%EE%E7%E0%EC%E5%F9%E5%ED%E8%E53/|title=СМИ: военные закупили планшеты с операционкой 'Аврора'|date=2 February 2023|website=Военное.РФ|access-date=25 May 2023|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529092504/https://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C8%EC%EF%EE%F0%F2%EE%E7%E0%EC%E5%F9%E5%ED%E8%E53/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C0%E2%E8%E0%F6%E8%FF5/|title=СМИ узнали о разработке линейки новых высокоточных авиабомб для ВКС России|date=14 March 2023|website=Военное.РФ|access-date=25 May 2023|archive-date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174442/https://xn--b1aga5aadd.xn--p1ai/2023/%C0%E2%E8%E0%F6%E8%FF5/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' reported on 13 September 2023, citing US and European officials, that Russia overcomes the [[International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|international sanctions]] and its missile production now exceeded pre-war levels. It was also reported that Russia now produces more ammunitions than the United States and Europe and it can manufacture 200 tanks and two million units of ammunition in a year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/russia-sanctions-missile-production.html |title=Russia Overcomes Sanctions to Expand Missile Production, Officials Say |work=The New York Times |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916012959/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/russia-sanctions-missile-production.html |url-status=live |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Gibbons-Neff |first3=Thomas }}</ref> [[CNN]] also reported in September 2023 that Russia produces ammunition seven times cheaper and eight times faster than Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/europe/ukraine-shell-supplies-intl/index.html |title=Ukraine is firing shells faster than can be supplied. Can Europe catch up? |date=17 September 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010213629/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/17/europe/ukraine-shell-supplies-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2023, various Russian regions launched the production of suicide drones at their own initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0904/093575074/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / На Камчатке запустили производство дронов-камикадзе |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110317/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0904/093575074/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0922/093575423/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Хабаровский радиотехнический завод представил свои первые БЛА для СВО |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110320/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0922/093575423/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Vladimir Putin also claimed that the production of main armored vehicles has increased by four times in comparison with the past year and the production of the especially important destruction means by three times.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0920/094075365/detail.shtml |title=ЦАМТО / / Владимир Путин провел в Ижевске заседание Военно-промышленной комиссии |access-date=25 September 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110317/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/0920/094075365/detail.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense,<ref>{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Поставки новой техники в армию в 2023 году составили 98,8 процента от плана | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/tekhnika-1923645931.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170047/https://ria.ru/20240126/tekhnika-1923645931.html | url-status=live }}</ref> the Russian Armed Forces received in 2023 several hundreds of thousands of small arms, new and repaired weapon systems, military vehicles and equipment, artillery systems, air defense systems, missiles and bombs, aircraft and helicopters, drones, and also over a million individual armor protection and equipment means.<ref>{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=ВМФ в 2023 году получил более 7,7 тысячи единиц средств поражения | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/vmf-1923654510.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170048/https://ria.ru/20240126/vmf-1923654510.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Армия в 2023 году получила 3,5 тысячи отечественных беспилотников | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/bespilotniki-1923651702.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=20 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620052911/https://ria.ru/20240126/bespilotniki-1923651702.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Новости | first=РИА | title=Российские Сухопутные войска за год получили шесть комплектов систем ПВО | website=РИА Новости | date=2024-01-26 | url=https://ria.ru/20240126/pvo-1923657476.html | language=ru | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=12 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312170307/https://ria.ru/20240126/pvo-1923657476.html | url-status=live }}</ref> [[CNN]] reported on 11 March 2024 that Russia currently produces about 250,000 artillery shells a month or about 3 million a year which is nearly three times the quantity the [[US]] and [[Europe]] produce for [[Ukraine]]. CNN cited Western intelligence officials and also said that Russia imports ammunition from [[Iran]] and [[North Korea]].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Lillis | first1=Katie Bo | last2=Bertrand | first2=Natasha | last3=Liebermann | first3=Oren | last4=Britzky | first4=Haley | title=CNN Politics | website=CNN | date=2024-03-11 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/politics/russia-artillery-shell-production-us-europe-ukraine/index.html | access-date=2024-03-12 | archive-date=16 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316191503/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/politics/russia-artillery-shell-production-us-europe-ukraine/index.html | url-status=live }}</ref> 

In April 2025, General [[Christopher Cavoli]] said before the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia is replacing its extensive battlefield losses of equipment and munitions at an "unprecedented rate" due to the expansion of industrial capabilities and the transition to a war economy. He also said that North Korea is providing Moscow with "millions" of artillery shells, missiles and weapons systems while Iran provided it with 400 short-range ballistic missiles, hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of kamikaze drones and the licenses and technology to produce thousands more of such drones inside Russia.<ref>{{cite web | title=UNITED STATES SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE | url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/general_cavoli_opening_statements.pdf | ref={{sfnref|Anon.}} | access-date=2025-04-05}}</ref> Despite this, equipment shortages due to losses in Ukraine led to many reports in early 2025 about Russian soldiers using unconventional measures like donkeys, horses, and civilian cars for transport and assaults.<ref name="e594">{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=After Losing 15,000 Vehicles, Some Russian Troops Are Riding Horses | website=Forbes | date=4 February 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/04/after-losing-15000-vehicles-some-russian-troops-in-ukraine-are-riding-horses/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="k543">{{cite web | last=Mirovalev | first=Mansur | title=Is Russia running out of weapons and manpower for its war in Ukraine? | website=Al Jazeera | date=14 February 2025 | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/14/is-russia-running-out-of-weapons-and-manpower-for-its-war-in-ukraine | access-date=8 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="i840">{{cite web | last=Kitachayev | first=Bashir | title=Russian Army’s Use of Donkeys in Ukraine Underscores a Staggering Equipment Shortage | website=The Moscow Times | date=8 April 2025 | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/03/russian-armys-use-of-donkeys-in-ukraine-underscores-a-staggering-equipment-shortage-a88174 | access-date=8 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="d473">{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=No, The Russians Aren’t Yet Riding Hoverboards Into Battle | website=Forbes | date=24 February 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/02/24/no-the-russians-arent-yet-riding-hoverboards-into-battle-yes-they-are-deploying-a-lot-of-donkeys/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="r266">{{cite web | last=Axe | first=David | title=More Russian Troops Are Attacking In Compact Cars, Vans & Golf Carts | website=Forbes | date=24 March 2025 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/03/24/a-lot-more-russian-troops-are-attacking-in-compact-cars-vans-and-golf-carts/ | access-date=8 April 2025}}</ref>