Russian forces have retaken 63.2% of the territory captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region of western Russia, the Russian defence ministry said on Friday.

Russian state news agency TASS said Moscow’s forces had seized eastern Ukraine’s Vovkove village, just 10km (6.2 miles) southwest of Pokrovsk city, a key supply hub for Kyiv’s troops. Moscow’s army also captured Shevchenko earlier,

Strengthening the armed forces and constant surveillance are the main ways to stop adversaries from damaging undersea cables.

The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed an attack by drones on Russian territory, temporarily occupied Crimea and the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, stating that 45 drones have been allegedly downed.

Oleksandr Syrskyi credited Ukraine's attacks on "industrial enterprises" that manufacture ammo, missile parts, and other weapons deep inside Russia.

Russia’s military on Tuesday said it would retaliate against Ukraine after Kyiv attacked Russian regions by firing six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles, six UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles and launching one of the biggest drone attacks to date.

Russia is reporting a budget deficit exceeding 3 trillion rubles for the third consecutive time. The main reason is the cost of the war in Ukraine, according to "Puls Biznesu." In 2024, the deficit amounted to 3.

Ukraine continues to cripple Russia's energy sector by hitting numerous oil refineries, depots, chemical plants, and more with drones.

Germany met NATO's target to spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defence in 2024, the government said on Monday, though well short of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's call for as much as 5%.

Russian-based Fly Drones has been deploying an anti-drone laser system—which could be employed to automatically detect, track, identify, and engage the airborne platforms.

Russia on Monday said it had shot down 31 Ukrainian drones which mainly targeted industrial sites. Both Kyiv and Moscow have been trying to secure the upper hand in the conflict ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. Trump has said he wants to end the Ukraine war soon.

The Defence Secretary told the Russian leader: "We see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country." It came as the minister told MPs the Russian vessel, Yanta, was currently in the North Sea having passed through British waters.