Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that his country is now producing 40% of the weapons used on the frontline as Kiev strengthens domestic weapons manufacturing industry amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
“Our defense industry is already manufacturing more than a thousand weapons: from shells to missiles and long-range weapons to our drones. More than 40% of weapons are manufactured in Ukraine, which are manufactured in Ukraine, and are produced in Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a meeting with a representative of the defense industry in Kiev.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine's growing defense sector now has about 300,000 people and is attracting an increasing number of international partners. Domestic success includes the rapid launch of new combat drones, artillery production and recently Ukraine’s own missile systems, although currently limited in number.
Despite the progress, Zelensky admitted that Ukraine remains heavily reliant on the delivery of foreign weapons, including tanks, armored vehicles and advanced air defense systems.
Last week, he proposed a $15 billion deal to the United States to demand 10 Patriot air defense systems to enhance Ukraine's protection from Russian missile strikes.
Ukraine expands martial law, mobilizes orders
Ukraine has expanded martial law and mobilization orders for 90 days until early August. Ukrainian media reported on Wednesday that two corresponding motions submitted by Zelensky won the required two-thirds majority in parliament.
Once signed by Zelensky, the martial law will be applied on August 6 until it will expire on May 9.
Former President Petro Poroshenko of Zelensky's main rival Petro Poroshenko has accused the government of catching up with the extension through parliament, with nearly a month left before the current martial law.
Opposition leaders claimed on social media that martial law was used not only to defend the state’s defense, but also to establish a dictatorship. ”
After the full invasion on February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian government first implemented martial law orders and ordered mobilization.
In recent weeks, Zelensky has been able to hold elections, which is impossible under martial law. Recruiters between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country under the law.
Two people kill dnipro in Russian strike
Local authorities said at least two people were killed in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro late Wednesday.
Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said a child and an elderly woman were killed during a strike.
Lysak wrote in the telegram that at least 16 people were injured, including three children.
He added that several fires broke out and residential buildings were damaged.
Former governor in Kursk region of Russia arrested
Russian state news agency TASS reported on Wednesday that former governor Alexei Smirnov, a Kursk region in western Russia, was detained on suspicion of fraud.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. According to Tuss, his former deputy Alexei Dedov was also arrested.
Smirnov resigned in December 2024 before the end of his term. The arrests came after testimony against the two people detained by a former senior official on suspicion of misappropriation of funds used for regional fortifications, media reported.
The fortifications were built in 2022, shortly after President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Smirnov was appointed governor in May 2024. A few months later, Ukrainian troops launched a surprise counterattack, violating parts of the Kursk region, which was the first time the war reached Russian territory.
