Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko announced an expected 18. 8% increase in State Budget revenues for 2026, reaching 2.8 trillion hryvnias. The revenue increase will be achieved through VAT, personal income tax, military levy, corporate income tax, and excise taxes.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that the UAH 12. 8 billion allocated for road maintenance in 2026 is critically insufficient. The industry needs 5-6 times more funds to function.
Russia launched an attack on Kyiv and six regions of Ukraine, using almost 90 attack drones, most of which were neutralized. President Zelenskyy called for intensified strengthening of Ukraine and pointed to large-scale agreements on drones and weapons proposed to America.
Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko stated that the government has provided sufficient resources for the security and defense sector for 2026. The total volume of expenditures and provision of loans from the state budget will amount to UAH 4.8 trillion, of which UAH 2,805.8 billion will be allocated to defense and security.
25 foreign companies, including defense production giants, are localizing production in Ukraine. The government offers various cooperation models and is creating Defence City to minimize investor risks.
In the Kupyansk direction, the situation remains tense, the enemy's main goal is to seize the city of Kupyansk. The 10th Army Corps reports dynamic combat operations and enemy attempts to cross the Oskil River.
Dutch Minister for Asylum and Migration, Mona Keijzer, suggests that Ukrainian men with jobs should arrange their own housing. This is due to overcrowded shelters and an increasing number of refugees.
Overnight, Russia launched 86 attack UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and other types against Ukraine, of which 71 were shot down or suppressed. Hits by 15 drones and debris falling in several locations were recorded.
Missile debris, likely used to shoot down a drone, has been found in the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland. Military police are conducting an operation in Choiny, and a thorough inspection of the scene is scheduled for September 19.
Over the past day, 223 combat engagements were recorded at the front, 87 of which took place in the Pokrovsk direction. The invaders launched 71 air strikes and used 4,672 kamikaze drones.
Russian militants conducted shooting and drill training for children in grades 5-7 in schools in the Kherson region. This took place as part of the campaign for "cadet classes," encouraging children to join militarized movements.
On September 18, Russian troops lost 1150 soldiers and 17 artillery systems. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 19.09.25 amount to over one million personnel.
On September 19, most of Ukraine is expected to have variable cloudiness without precipitation, with the exception of light rain in some western regions. Air temperature will range from 18-23° in the south to 9-14° in the Carpathians, in Kyiv – 19-21°.
The Russian military command continues to signal its commitment to Putin's theory of victory, according to which Russia can win a war of attrition against Ukraine. Putin's and Gerasimov's statements are consistent with this theory, which assumes that Russia has the resources for gradual advancement and victory.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov met with the Head of the NATO Representation Patrick Turner. Security guarantees for Ukraine and the implementation of the PURL program, which allows financing the purchase of American weapons, were discussed.
US President Donald Trump said that the US will help ensure peace after the war in Ukraine ends. He expressed disappointment in Putin and noted that stopping the purchase of Russian oil could contribute to resolving the "conflict."
EU defense ministers will discuss next week the creation of a "drone wall" along the eastern border after Russian drones invaded Poland. The project involves combining sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare systems to detect and neutralize drones.
US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, despite political differences, have formed a strong personal relationship. This unexpected duo offers hope for progress on complex issues, including cooperation on Ukraine.
The European Union is discussing using frozen Russian assets for a "reparation loan" to Ukraine to avoid a Hungarian veto. This would allow Kyiv to receive compensation for war damages.
Donald Trump stated that the Russian drones that flew into Poland were likely disabled. He suggested that the drones fell on Polish territory due to a malfunction.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin dismissed Dmytro Kozak from the post of deputy head of the Russian presidential administration. Kozak was the only participant in the meeting of the Russian Security Council on February 21, 2022, who opposed the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The head of the Polish Ministry of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated the need to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, as Poland's security line runs along the front line between Ukraine and Russia. The defense ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum on the creation of a joint operational group for unmanned aerial systems.
Donald Trump stated that the war in Ukraine could end sooner if Europe imposed sanctions or tariffs on China. He noted that China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and has leverage over Russia.
Over the past day, 172 combat engagements took place at the front, the occupiers used 1566 kamikaze drones and carried out 3476 shellings. In the Pokrovsk direction, 207 occupiers were neutralized, and two motorcycles were destroyed.
The 69th IAEA General Conference adopted a resolution calling on Russia for the immediate de-occupation and demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The document was supported by 62 member states, demanding the return of the ZNPP under full control of Ukraine.
Ukraine will soon be able to produce and use 1,000 interceptor drones per day to effectively shoot down Russian drones. Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal noted that this is not only about drone production, but also about creating an entire interception ecosystem, which includes ground control complexes, radars, and electronic warfare systems.
Alla Belinska became the world champion in wrestling in the weight category up to 72 kg at the 2025 World Championships in Zagreb. This is the first world gold in the athlete's career and the first for Ukrainian wrestlers at this championship.
The tail section of a Russian "Gerbera" drone has been found in western Latvia. Experts have confirmed that the object is not explosive.
Ukraine discussed with World Bank Director Anna Bjerde the priorities of the State Budget for 2026, including defense and social stability. The discussion also covered combating the deficit and further reforms, particularly strengthening anti-corruption institutions.
Ukraine has been elected to the Administrative Council and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union. Russia and Belarus lost the elections to this organization, which underscores their isolation.
