Ukraine to use science funding for weapons production – Poroshenko

​Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he will reduce the country’s “useless” science programs to finance the production of drones and precision weapons.

“There will be no more spending of billions of people’s money, taxpayers’ money on useless research programs, which were used as a tool for theft,” said a statement published on the president’s website early on Wednesday.

“Today, Ukrainian production will be busy making precision weapons systems, Ukrainian drones, everything Ukrainian army needs, starting with bullet proof vests and ending with thermographic cameras,” he said.

The president added that the army’s experience in fighting against self-defense forces in the east of the country will be used when making production decisions.

The Ukrainian military has been fighting against anti-Kiev forces in the east since April.

Some of the latest developments include Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirming plans to “liberate” the eastern cities of Lugansk and Donetsk, the two biggest towns in the country’s east controlled by self-defense forces.

Last week, the army shelled the village of Kondrashovka, killing 12 civilians including a five-year-old.