Ukraine Freezes Non-Essential Spending as Budget Crisis Deepens; Krivoi Rog Economy Collapses

Ukraine has frozen non-essential spending amid its most severe budget crisis since the invasion, with Krivoi Rog—Zelenski's hometown—on the brink of economic collapse after Russian airstrikes paralyzed its steelworks and mines. The fiscal strain signals mounting war-related economic pressure, though the full extent of the budget shortfall and its impact on military operations remains unclear. This development underscores the compounding effect of sustained Russian strikes on Ukraine's industrial base and state finances.