Brief
Russia to boost defence budget to £150bn as German chancellor flags Ukraine air‑defence gap
A draft Russian budget proposes over £150bn defence spending, Germany highlights Ukraine's air‑defence shortfall, and Russian air strikes kill three in Kyiv.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Russia’s draft budget, due in parliament tomorrow, proposes raising defence spending to more than £150bn next year, according to Reuters. The plan would bring total defence outlays to £450bn over three years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking in Berlin, said Ukraine’s air‑defence shortage is the "weakest point" as winter approaches, adding that a Ukrainian defeat would threaten peace and freedom across Europe.
Russian air strikes early Wednesday killed three people, including a child, and injured seven in Kyiv and surrounding areas, officials said.
Poland’s Air Traffic Authority temporarily halted operations at Rzeszow and Lublin airports due to military aviation activity linked to the strikes, but flights resumed later in the day.
Key facts
- Russia plans to raise defence spending to over £150bn next year. (independent.co.uk)
- Total Russian defence spending would reach £450bn over three years. (independent.co.uk)
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine's air‑defence shortage is its weakest point. (independent.co.uk)
- Russian air strikes killed three people, including a child, and injured seven in Kyiv. (independent.co.uk)
- Polish airports in Rzeszow and Lublin were temporarily closed due to Russian strikes, then reopened. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Ukraine war live: Kyiv’s ‘weakest point’ identified as Putin injects £150bn into war”
