Kremlin: Defence spending hike "necessary" due to "hybrid war against Russia"

The Kremlin has said that a massive increase in defence spending planned for next year was "absolutely necessary," citing what it said was a "hybrid war unleashed against Russia."

“It's obvious that such an increase is necessary, absolutely necessary because we are in a state of hybrid war and we are continuing the special military operation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to Moscow's military offensive in Ukraine, adding: "I'm referring to the hybrid war that has been unleashed against us", according to AFP News.