Putin Boosts Military Budget Ahead of 2025 Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

Ukraine-Russia War Updates

Military Spending Increase
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a budget for 2025 that raises military spending to record levels. The budget allocates 32.5% for national defense, totaling 13.5 trillion rubles (over $145 billion), an increase from 28.3% this year. The plans received approval from both houses of the Russian parliament.

Since February 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has escalated into Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, straining resources on both sides. Ukrainian forces receive significant support from Western allies, yet Russian forces remain larger and better equipped, with recent advances pushing Ukrainian troops back in eastern regions.

EU Leaders Visit Ukraine
New European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Kyiv, reaffirming their support for Ukraine. Costa emphasized that the EU has supported Ukraine since the war began and continues this stance amid uncertainties regarding future U.S. policy under a potential new administration led by Donald Trump.

Casualties from Attacks
In the southern city of Kherson, a Russian drone strike on a minibus resulted in three deaths and seven injuries. Meanwhile, a missile strike in Dnipro led to four fatalities and 24 injuries, with some in serious condition.

Overnight, Russian forces launched 78 drones into Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly destroyed 32, while an additional 45 were likely jammed. In a related incident, a child died in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Bryansk region, where Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 29 Ukrainian drones.

Closing Notes
For ongoing updates on the conflict, visit AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine.