Spending on russian propaganda rises despite economic hardships
Amid economic hardships, russia has rapidly increased its propaganda funding. In 2024, the state-run propaganda channel RT spent a record 31.7 billion rubles, or 384 million USD. Funding is expected to double in 2025.
▫️After RT was banned from broadcasting in European countries and the U.S., the channel has been expanding its audience in Arab countries. An Arabic version of RT was launched and staff numbers have increased. Previously, the Center reported on RT’s media training courses for countries of the Global South, which russia uses to build a network of foreign journalists loyal to the kremlin.
russia uses propaganda as a key tool of its foreign policy, aiming to strengthen its influence in the Global South and legitimize its aggression against Ukraine. Massive state funds are allocated to maintain russia’s image as a major geopolitical power.
