Russia to raise funding for free school meals to almost 80 billion roubles
In short
State news agencies reported that funding for free meals in schools will be increased to close to 80 billion roubles. RIA Novosti gave the figure as 79.7 billion roubles for free hot meals, while TASS described it as almost 80 billion. Neither report stated the budget period, the previous amount or how many pupils are covered.
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State news agencies reported on 5 October 2026 that funding for free meals in Russian schools is to rise to close to 80 billion roubles. TASS said funding for free school meals would be increased to almost 80 billion roubles, while RIA Novosti reported that 79.7 billion roubles would be allocated for free hot meals in schools. Both are state news agencies and published the figure in the morning, TASS at 05:30 and RIA Novosti at 06:55 local time. [ 1 , 2 ]
As published, neither report stated which budget year the sum covers, whether it represents an increase over a previous figure, or how many pupils would be affected; the available documents contained only the outlets' headlines and no article text. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The reports indicate a larger allocation for school meals, a matter that directly concerns pupils and school budgets. Because the documents carry only headline-level information, the scope of the increase and its effect on individual schools cannot be assessed from them.
Key facts
- TASS reported that funding for free school meals will be increased to almost 80 billion roubles. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reported that 79.7 billion roubles will be allocated for free hot meals in schools. [ 2 ]
- Both reports were published on the morning of 5 October 2026 by Russian state news agencies. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The documents did not state which budget year the funding covers, what the previous amount was, or how many pupils would be affected. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Which budget year or period the reported funding covers, and where the money comes from. Both documents are headlines only; neither states the budget year, the source of the funds or the number of pupils covered.
- The exact size of the allocation: TASS described it as almost 80 billion roubles, RIA Novosti as 79.7 billion roubles. The two state outlets give the same figure in rounded and precise form; the documents do not explain the difference or give a previous figure for comparison.