Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a record increase in military spending for 2025, allocating 32.5% of the national budget — equivalent to 13.5 trillion rubles (over $145 billion) — to defense. The significant rise from 28.3% this year underscores Moscow's determination to prevail in its ongoing war in Ukraine, now Europe's largest conflict since World War II. The budget plans, posted on a government website Sunday, have already been approved by both houses of the Russian parliament, the State Duma and Federation Council. The war has drained resources on both sides, with Ukraine relying heavily on billions of dollars in Western aid to counter Russia's larger, better-equipped forces. In recent months, Russian troops have steadily pushed Ukrainian forces back in eastern Ukraine, further escalating the conflict. On the same day, new European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Kyiv, marking their first day in office with a pledge of unwavering support for Ukraine. "From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine," Costa posted on X, alongside a photo with Kallas and EU enlargement chief Marta Kos. "From day one of our mandate, we are reaffirming our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people." Their visit comes as concerns grow over how the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump will handle Ukraine policy. On the ground, Russian drones struck a minibus in the southern city of Kherson on Sunday, killing three people and wounding seven others, according to regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. In Dnipro, the death toll from Saturday's missile strike rose to four, with 24 wounded, including seven in serious condition, Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said. Ukraine reported that Russia launched 78 drones overnight into Sunday. The Ukrainian air force destroyed 32 drones, while electronic jamming likely neutralized 45 others. In Russia, a child was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, regional Governor Alexander Bogomaz said. Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down 29 Ukrainian drones overnight across four western regions: 20 in Bryansk, seven in Kaluga, and one each in Smolensk and Kursk. — Agencies
