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This apartment building in Moscow has been damaged by a Ukrainian drone, according to the Kremlin

Photo: Uncredited / dpa

This article will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Russia's military spending appears to be weighing on government finances

9:07 a.m.: Russian government finances are under pressure from military spending, according to British intelligence experts. That's according to the daily intelligence report from the Ministry of Defense in London.

According to the Stockholm peace research institute Sipri, Russian defense spending in 2022 amounted to 4.1 percent of the country's gross domestic product. How much Moscow actually spends on its armed forces, however, is highly uncertain due to a lack of transparency. "It is almost certain that military spending will continue to increase, putting pressure on Russian government finances," the statement said.

Kremlin calls alleged drone strikes on Moscow "terrorism"

8:46 a.m.: Russia has blamed Ukraine for the drone attacks on Moscow – and spoke of an "act of terrorism". This morning, the Kyiv regime carried out an act of terrorism with unmanned aerial vehicles on objects belonging to the city of Moscow," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

A total of eight drones were used, all of which have now been destroyed. Three were deviated from their original trajectory, the remaining five were shot down by Russian anti-aircraft defenses, it said.

Moscow did not provide any evidence for the accusations. There was initially no reaction from Ukraine, against which Russia has been waging a war of aggression for more than 15 months.

Report: Ukraine asks South Korea for anti-aircraft systems

8:38 a.m.: According to a newspaper report, Volodymyr Zelensky is asking South Korea for anti-aircraft and early warning systems. "I know that there are many restrictions on support with weapons, but these principles should not be applied to defense systems and equipment to protect our values," Zelenskyy told South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo.

Anti-aircraft systems are not a weapon, but are used exclusively for defense. "We need a shield to rebuild Ukraine, and I very much hope that South Korea will support us in this area." South Korea is a major arms exporter. So far, the country has ruled out the supply of lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing relations with Russia and Moscow's influence on North Korea. However, the government in Seoul said in April that it might abandon its stance if a situation arises that "the international community cannot accept."

svs/dpa/AFP/Reuters