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Kremlin Says Syria Operation Not Causing Financial Strain


The Kremlin says Russian air strikes in Syria, which began on September 30, haven't put any financial strain on Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on October 9 that the Russian air campaign hasn't required any additional financial allocations on top of the existing budget of the Defense Ministry.

Peskov didn't mention any specific figures.

Russia has been under great financial pressure with its economy hit hard by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, plus falling prices for oil, Russia's major export commodity.

The ruble lost about half of its value in 2014 but recovered slightly this year after energy prices stabilized.

The International Monetary Fund is predicting the Russian economy will contract 3.4 percent in 2015.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax

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