Bills to ban Moscow Patriarchate church, 2024 state budget: highlights of October 19
The Verkhovna Rada has supported the country's budget for 2024 in the first reading and voted to ban religious organizations associated with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted the National Security and Defense Council's decision to organize the protection of critical infrastructure. Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander—in—Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi visited Avdiyivka.
State budget for 2024
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the country's budget for 2024 in the first reading.
Now the Cabinet of Ministers must process all the amendments and recommendations from MPs and only then submit the revised document to the Rada.
At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law to increase state budget expenditures in 2023 by UAH 322.6 billion ($8.8 billion). Most of these funds are earmarked for defense needs.
Bill to ban the Moscow Patriatchate church
In the first reading, Ukrainian MPs supported a bill banning the activities of religious organizations associated with Russia in Ukraine. This document may suspend the activities of the Moscow Patriatchate.
However, the legal department of the Moscow Patriatchate opposed the bill. They claim that the document does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution of Ukraine.
They also note that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (official legal name -ed.) is "in fact an independent and autonomous church," but it is "deliberately being passed off as the Russian Orthodox Church," and its clergy and faithful, who are citizens of Ukraine, are considered agents of the Russian Federation."
More ATACMS for Ukraine
The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that the United States has agreed to supply ATACMS missiles to Ukraine on a permanent basis.
Earlier, the New York Times reported that the United States had delivered about 20 long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine.
Prior to that, Ukraine confirmed that it had received the first long-awaited ATACMS missiles and successfully used them.
Protection of critical infrastructure
On October 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to organize the protection and security of critical infrastructure facilities.
According to the decision of the NSDC, the government must, in particular, complete the work and measures for the proper engineering and physical protection of critical infrastructure facilities within 10 days. It should also increase the number and strengthen the defense capabilities of the military engaged in air defense of such infrastructure.
Zaluzhnyi visited Avdiyivka
On October 19, Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi visited Avdiiyvka, Donetsk Oblast. He noted that the Russians are continuing their attempts to break through the defense and surround the town.
Zaluzhnyi and the commanders and brigade commanders performing tasks in the Avdiyivka sector determined the sequence of steps taking into account the constantly changing operational situation and discussed the priority needs of the units.
Other news
- The National Agency in Corruption Prevention suspects the head of Odesa district military enlistment office of illegal enrichment of almost UAH 47 million ($1.3 million).
- The number of Ukrainians killed in Israel has risen to 18.
- Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says F-16s may appear in Ukraine in the first half of 2024.