Tue Oct 01 08:53:42 UTC 2024: ## Russia to Boost Military Spending by 30% in 2025, Ukraine Faces Continued Attacks
**Moscow, Russia** – Russia plans to significantly increase its military spending in 2025, allocating a record $145 billion, according to a draft budget published Monday. This represents a 30% increase compared to the current year and surpasses any military spending since the Soviet era. The decision comes amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has drained resources for both countries.
While Ukraine’s military budget for next year is set at $54 billion, significantly less than Russia’s, it has been able to effectively resist the Russian invasion due to substantial support from Western allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the challenges facing Ukrainian forces and emphasized the importance of both military strength and diplomatic efforts in countering the Russian threat.
On the second anniversary of Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – a move widely denounced as illegitimate by the West, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine’s air defenses successfully intercepted 67 out of 73 Russian drones launched overnight, as well as one out of three missiles, targeting regions across the country. The attacks resulted in damage to residential buildings, with officials in Dnipropetrovsk reporting at least 10 homes damaged by drones and artillery fire.
While Kyiv experienced a five-hour air alert, its air defenses intercepted all attacks. Meanwhile, Russia reported destroying two Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine. The attack resulted in one fatality and an injury, according to the region’s governor.
This development highlights the ongoing conflict’s heavy impact on both countries, with Russia’s military buildup and continued attacks highlighting the ongoing struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty.
First Piper 