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Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved budget plans to raise military spending in 2025 to record levels, allocating around 32.5% of the budget for national defense, amounting to over $145 billion. The plans have already been approved by lawmakers in both houses of the Russian parliament. This comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with Moscow seeking to prevail in the conflict which has drained the resources of both sides. Despite receiving help from Western allies, Ukraine is facing challenges as Russian forces push them back in eastern areas. European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Kyiv to show support for Ukraine amid doubts about the new U.S. administration led by Donald Trump.
On the ground in Ukraine, three people died in a Russian drone strike in Kherson, while the number of wounded in a missile strike in Dnipro rose to 24, with seven in serious condition. Moscow’s Defense Ministry reported that 29 Ukrainian drones were shot down in western Russia, with a child killed in a drone attack in the Bryansk region. The conflict is escalating with ongoing casualties on both sides as Russia and Ukraine continue to engage in military actions.
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