Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy says Ukraine ‘victory plan’ depends on decisions by allies this year

 The President of Ukraine announced during a press conference alongside Ursula von der Leyen that the country intends to allocate the European Union loan towards enhancing its air defense systems, energy infrastructure, and procuring weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine's "victory plan" in the war against Russia depends on timely decisions from allies this year. He made the statement during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy outlined that a proposed multi-billion dollar European Union loan would be used for air defense, energy infrastructure, and domestic weapons purchases.

Italy is set to send another Samp-T anti-missile system to Ukraine, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. This decision highlights Italy's support for Ukraine, though Tajani stressed the importance of avoiding direct conflict with Russia.

The European Union has pledged up to €35 billion ($39.06 billion) in loans to support Ukraine, announced by von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv. The loan is part of a broader G7 initiative to raise funds using proceeds from Russian assets frozen due to sanctions.

Meanwhile, Russia has urged the West to cease supplying Ukraine with weapons, accusing them of sponsoring "terrorist activity." Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed Zelenskyy's peace plan, saying it had no relevance to resolving the conflict.

On the battlefield, Ukraine's air force reported successfully intercepting 61 out of 70 Russian attack drones and one of four missiles launched overnight. The defense system was active in several regions, including Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa.

Russia continues to warn the U.S. about the risks of further escalation in Ukraine. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said there was "nothing to talk about" regarding a potential meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the United Nations General Assembly.

In the Kursk region, Russian military plans to counter a Ukrainian incursion were revealed in documents obtained by Ukrainian forces. The attack, which started in early August, diverted around 40,000 Russian troops away from the eastern frontlines.

In eastern Ukraine, Russia claimed to have captured the village of Heorhiivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces have managed to reduce Russia's assault capabilities in the area, but heavy fighting continues near Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.

Russian forces also targeted a geriatric care home and energy infrastructure in Sumy on Thursday, killing one civilian and injuring 12. The strike on the northern city involved a guided bomb that hit a five-story building. Zelenskyy stated that rescue operations were ongoing to check for survivors trapped in the rubble.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has condemned attacks on the power grid, while the International Energy Agency warned that Ukraine could face an electricity shortfall this winter of up to one-third of expected peak demand. Moscow has repeatedly attacked the Sumy region, which borders Russia’s Kursk region, a site of significant Ukrainian military activity.