Primorye Residents Face Social Payment Delays Due to War Expenses

Residents of Primorye, a region in Far Eastern Russia, have been warned about potential delays in receiving government benefits due to increased strain on the regional budget caused by spending on the war against Ukraine. The regional labor and social policy ministry announced that some social support measures would be funded in stages, leading to possible temporary delays in payments. This comes after the regional legislature cut the budget by 3.8 billion rubles ($47.1 million) across various state programs, including healthcare, education, and social support. Simultaneously, 1.5 billion rubles ($18.6 million) were added to the regional reserve fund to support specific groups affected by the war. Nationally, Russia's 2026 budget deficit is projected to reach a record high due to increased military spending.