In the draft federal budget for the 2025-2027 fiscal year, Russia has allocated RUB 90 billion (about US$944.8 million) for one-time payments for recruits concluding a contract with the Ministry of Defence,

Russia's Defence Ministry on Thursday confirmed reports that its forces had taken control of the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, crediting what it called decisive action taken by units in its "East" military grouping.

Vuhledar fell to Russian troops this week after Ukrainian forces were forced to withdraw to preserve lives and military equipment after more than two years of bombardment.

Ukraine's armed forces commander General Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday he had ordered defences to be strengthened in the eastern Donetsk region, a day after Kyiv forces announced they had withdrawn from the town of Vuhledar.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said on Tuesday he has submitted to the government a request to dismiss three of his deputies. Umerov, in a post on the Telegram messaging app, said also that he has requested the dismissal of Liudmyla Darahan,