Defense Ministry

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia is willing to spend heavily on protecting its oil refineries from drone strikes, arguing that idle plants would cause even larger financial losses. Refineries’ owners provide passive protection and coordinate with the Defense Ministry and National Guard, a system Novak said matches or exceeds the UAE’s. No energy facility has yet been placed under external management for inadequate protection, and a presidential decree now encourages private companies to engage more actively and continuously in safeguarding their sites. Scheduled refinery maintenance, normally carried out in summer, has been postponed to keep fuel production at maximum levels amid ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks that have already hit all of Russia’s largest refineries and caused gasoline shortages.

On September 1, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned airlines that Russian airspace was becoming unsafe due to drone attacks, suggesting that Russian airspace would effectively close. In response, Russia’s Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said civil aviation would not experience significant disruptions. Nikitin stated that authorities are preparing for the threats, improving flight safety and airport security, and working closely with the Defense Ministry and National Guard. He emphasized that passenger safety is paramount and that Russia would handle the situation in the coming years. The announcement came after Turkish carrier Pegasus began canceling flights to and from Moscow following Zelensky’s statement. President Vladimir Putin called Zelensky’s warning a bid for state terrorism.

Norwegian politician Hegseth has publicly denied any plans to run for president in 2028, stating that his current priority is the defense ministry. The statement follows reports that Hegseth sees himself as appealing to the United States’ MAGA voter base by sharing similar attributes with former President Donald Trump, according to NBC. By concentrating on defense, Hegseth signals a shift toward national security priorities and a clearer focus on his ministerial duties. The denial also removes speculation about a potential U. S. ‑style campaign, allowing him to concentrate on policy implementation within Norway’s defense sector.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Defense Ministry have warned that a two‑week delay in signing critical procurement contracts could jeopardize Israel’s production slots for fighter jets, munitions, and space‑related programs. The warning follows a budget dispute with the Finance Ministry that has stalled agreements on new aircraft and weaponry purchases. If the contracts are not finalized, the IDF risks losing scheduled production capacity, potentially delaying the delivery of essential defense equipment and impacting national security readiness. The situation underscores the urgency of resolving fiscal disagreements to maintain the country’s defense capabilities.