The rate of growth for Russia’s military spending outpaced all other European countries combined in 2024 as its invasion of Ukraine has persisted for nearly three years, according to an analysis from a London-based think tank.

Military spending in Russia, whose economy President Vladimir Putin has put on a war footing, now outstrips all of Europe’s defence budgets combined, according to a study. Total Russian defence spending soared last year by 42 per cent in real terms to Rbs13.