Military banned from Telegram, Zelenskyy expects quick implementation of victory plan: highlights for September 20

Zelenskyy: Victory plan to be adopted by the end of the year

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the plan for Ukraine's victory in the war, which he plans to present to US President Joe Biden, is designed for the partners to make “quick” decisions by the end of the year.

Authorities and military to limit use of Telegram

The National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity has decided to restrict the use of Telegram messenger in government agencies, military formations, and critical infrastructure facilities.

During a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, the Chief of the Defence Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, provided substantiated evidence that Russian intelligence services have access to Telegram users' personal correspondence, even deleted messages, as well as their personal data.

UAH 2.2 trillion has been allocated for defense

The Verkhovna Rada has presented the draft budget for 2025. The defense sector will be a priority - UAH 2.2 trillion will be allocated for it. It is also proposed to increase the budget for the production of weapons and military equipment.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reminded that international partners help finance social programs, education and healthcare.

Former CIA head: United States described to Russia what it would do in case of a nuclear strike

Former Central Intelligence Agency Director David Petraeus, who headed the agency from September 2011 to November 2012, confirmed that in 2022 the United States warned Russia that it would go to war if Moscow used nuclear weapons to strike Ukraine. It also described in detail the attack on Russian troops in Ukraine.

Journalists report probable cause of F-16 crash

The Breaking Defense portal, citing sources in Ukraine, said that the Ukrainian F-16 aircraft piloted by pilot Oleksiy Mes probably crashed due to the impact of a downed Russian missile. Other Ukrainian aircraft may have been disabled for the same reason.

EU will not deport Ukrainian men

The European Union will not return men of mobilization age to Ukraine, said European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson.

She explained that it is impossible to return men of mobilization age to Ukraine, as it contradicts the Temporary Protection Directive.

A postal bank may appear in Ukraine

The Verkhovna Rada has submitted a draft law amending certain laws of Ukraine on the development of financial inclusion in Ukraine. According to it, a postal bank may appear in the country.

Thus, banking services will be available on 100% of the country's territory, as today there are banks and ATMs in only 4% of settlements, said Ihor Smelianskyi, head of Ukrposhta.

No illicit enrichment found in Vitiuk's case

The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption has completed an inspection of the former head of the SBU Cyber Security Department, Illia Vitiuk, and found no illicit enrichment. Journalists wrote about his elite property, after which attempts were made to serve the author of the investigation with a draft summons.

Kvartal 95 used video of fallen soldier without permission

The Kvartal 95 studio used a video of the fallen soldier Yurii Nazarenko in its issue for the Vechirnii Kvartal program. His wife expressed outrage and stated that she had not authorized the use of the video.

The studio apologized to the soldier's wife and removed the video from the official channel.

Pushkin monument to be demolished in Odesa

The monument to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin will be demolished in Odesa, which has been demanded by the local authorities for so long, said the head of the Odesa Regional State Administration Oleh Kiper.

At the same time, the Department of Culture and European Integration of the Odesa City Council said that a response from UNESCO is required to demolish the monument.

Okean Elzy released its first album in eight years

Okean Elzy presented their tenth studio album, That Day. This is the band's first new album in eight years. The band's leader Svyatoslav Vakarchuk said that it is similar to their early work. This year the band celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Other important news of the day

• The Sumy Regional Military Administration was asked to evacuate elderly patients from a nursing home that had been hit by an air bomb. But this was not done.
• Umerov dismissed two of Budanov's deputies. The Chief of the DIU himself was not consulted on this, according to media reports.
• “Russians at war” was allegedly to be shown on television in France. The Ukrainian Embassy reacted.
• Ukrzaliznytsia launched a Wi-Fi network in its high-speed Intercity trains.