Russia's Shrinking Health Budgets

According to an analysis by the independent outlet Vazhnye Istory, a record number of Russian regions have cut healthcare spending in 2026. The publication reviewed planned regional healthcare budgets and found that 19 regions significantly reduced spending. The cuts mark the highest number since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Warnings about reductions surfaced during regional parliamentary debates on 2026 budgets. In Orenburg Oblast, KPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) lawmakers criticized the plan after 19 of 25 state programs were slated for cuts. In Novosibirsk, deputies called the new budget the most difficult in 25 years, pointing to a 12% drop in healthcare spending.

Overall, nearly a quarter of regional budgets cut healthcare spending substantially in 2026, according to Vazhnye Istory, which analyzed the budget reports. The outlet defined significant cuts as reductions of 10% or more. By comparison, only five regions planned similar reductions in their 2025 budget.

In total, officials are expected to save about R107 billion (about $1.34 billion) in healthcare spending – comparable to what Russia planned to spend over three years on the development and production of drones.

The publication examined five regions that reduced healthcare spending the most and found each will allocate between R5.5 billion and 40 billion (about $68.8 million to $500.6 million) less than last year. The steepest percentage cut came in Vologda Oblast, where healthcare spending fell 39%, about R6.5 billion (around $81.3 million).

Healthcare budgets in Irkutsk and Kemerovo Oblasts will drop by more than R7 billion (about $87.6 million) each. The Moscow Oblast cut its medical budget by a quarter, or R40.6 billion (about $508.1 million), while the Volgograd Oblast reduced spending by R5.5 billion (about $68.8 million).

Budget documents show that three of the five regions with the largest cuts reduced funding for primary healthcare modernization. The sector includes outpatient clinics, rural medical centers and feldsher-midwife stations, facilities that provide patients with their first contact with doctors.

In Kemerovo Oblast, spending on construction of new primary care facilities fell sharply, a reduction of about R440 million (around $5.5 million). In Moscow Oblast, funding for major repairs and reconstruction of clinics and rural health posts will drop as well, saving over R10 billion (about $125.1 million). Authorities in Irkutsk Oblast cut similar spending fourfold, or by about R3 billion (around $37.5 million).

Even in regions where cuts appear less dramatic, primary care facilities face mounting challenges. A general practitioner at a clinic in the Voronezh Oblast, who spoke to Vazhnye Istory on condition of anonymity, said the last renovation at her facility was only partial.

Conditions outside regional capitals are worse, she said. "In rural districts, everything is struggling. There hasn’t been a renovation for a long time, and the equipment is outdated," she said. "Some facilities are in such poor condition that they frighten both students and patients." Another growing problem is shortages of basic medical supplies.

Regional governments are also cutting spending on salaries and benefits for healthcare workers. For instance, in Vologda Oblast, which made the biggest healthcare spending cuts in 2026, funding for wage increases for doctors and medical staff dropped by 99%, or R1.7 billion (about $21.3 million).